Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
Harley Benton TE Tremolo Series
Guitars Harley Benton unveils three entry-level T-styles with Bigbsy-style vibratos and vintage mojo to burn
Custom Line King-12 CE NT
Acoustic Guitars "For a guitar that comes in at this price, the overall build is impressive, with a level of attention to detail that’s more than respectable": Harley Benton Custom Line King-12 CE NT review
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found over £1,000 off a PRS, $200 off the Akai Pro MPC Key 37, and so much more
YouTuber Jamie Slays puts the Charvel Standard Series SD2 through its paces
Guitars Charvel’s hotrodded shred performance just got more affordable with the launch of the $569 Standard SD Series
Christian Andreu plays his Jackson signature Rhoads with a whole lot of pyro in the background.
Artists Jackson launches spectacular EverTune refresh of Christian Andreu’s signature Rhoads
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2026: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage: this computer-gray stompbox is a preamp-cum-distortion that emulates the analogue mojo of the Tascam Portastudio
Guitar Pedals “There’s plenty of output to use the pedal as a conventional boost with tonal options. And there’s a whole area of dirt to be explored”: JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage review
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best acoustic guitars 2026: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
Two guitars lying on the floor with guitar cables
Guitars Best guitar cables 2026: Leads and patch cables for all budgets
The Gretsch Electromatic Premier Jet reinvents the classic singlecut. Yes, there is the chambered body as before but with a compound radius fingerboard, Twin Six pickups, and contemporary touches such as Luminlay side-markers it is very much a modern update.
Guitars “The perfect marriage of brilliance and brute force”: Gretsch unveils the reinvention of the Jet
Woman in orange hat plays classical guitar in front of a laptop
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials What are the best online guitar lessons in 2026? I’m a professional guitar gear reviewer and these are my highest-rated lessons platforms
Headphones next to electric guitar
Headphones Best guitar amp headphones 2026: My top picks for practicing your guitar quietly
TC Electronic Polytune next to a Gibson Les Paul
Guitar Tuners Best guitar tuners 2026: From tuning pedals and clip-ons, to guitar tuning apps
A Spark Link receiver in a Spark Mini practice amp
Guitars Best guitar wireless systems 2026: Cut the cord and liberate your playing today
More
  • Sly and Survivor
  • In My Life
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • One chord Diamond
  1. Guitars

New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (December 2016)

News
By Total Guitar, Guitarist published 2 December 2016

All of the latest guitar reviews in one place!

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 FR S

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 FR S

From pioneering amps to lush six strings, we've seen it all at MusicRadar's guitar HQ this month.

Here's a look at everything that our team reviewed during November. We start with the Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 FR S.

MusicRadar's verdict

"It isn't a cheap date, of course, but if you're serious about your craft, it won't let you down."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid C-1 FR S

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 150 Combo

Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 150 Combo

MusicRadar's verdict

"Blackstar has proved again that, when it comes to providing maximum bang for your buck, its amps are hard to beat."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 150 Combo

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Music Man Valentine

Music Man Valentine

MusicRadar's verdict

"Whether or not Maroon 5's style of funky rock floats your boat, we think James Valentine's signature Music Man most definitely will."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Music Man Valentine

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
Martin D-15 Special

Martin D-15 Special

MusicRadar's verdict

"This D-15 Special is well named. A classic old-school-style voice that will no doubt mature into quite a serious dread."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Martin D-15 Special

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
ThorpyFX Fallout Cloud

ThorpyFX Fallout Cloud

MusicRadar's verdict

"A very accomplished, range-extending reimagining of a classic fuzz-distortion voice. Try one."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: ThorpyFX Fallout Cloud

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
TC Electronic Sub 'N' Up Octaver

TC Electronic Sub 'N' Up Octaver

MusicRadar's verdict

"This easy-to-use pedal is small enough to slot into most pedalboard scenarios and costs a lot less than the immediate competition while offering more versatility."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Sub 'N' Up Octaver

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
J Rockett Lenny

J Rockett Lenny

MusicRadar's verdict

"A switchable boost or an 'always on' tonal building block to tease out the tone in your rig."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: J Rockett Lenny

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT

Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT

MusicRadar's verdict

"The build quality of this instrument is utterly faultless, like the playability."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid PT

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Martin Dreadnought Junior 2E Sapele

Martin Dreadnought Junior 2E Sapele

MusicRadar's verdict

"A smaller but serious-sounding 'multi-purpose' electro."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Martin Dreadnought Junior 2E Sapele

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
PRS SE Chris Robertson

PRS SE Chris Robertson

MusicRadar's verdict

"With faultless playability, flawless build quality, that stunning 57/08 'bucker, and serious good looks, this is one cherry that's ripe for the picking."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS SE Chris Robertson

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Guild S-200 T-Bird

Guild S-200 T-Bird

MusicRadar's verdict

"To quote Dan Auerbach's back catalogue, the S-200 T-Bird might be all you ever wanted."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guild S-200 T-Bird

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
Guitarist
Guitarist
Social Links Navigation

Guitarist is the longest established UK guitar magazine, offering gear reviews, artist interviews, techniques lessons and loads more, in print, on tablet and on smartphones
Digital: http://bit.ly/GuitaristiOS
If you love guitars, you'll love Guitarist. Find us in print, on Newsstand for iPad, iPhone and other digital readers

Read more
All the best guitar gear from this year's NAMM Show
Guitars The best new guitar gear of NAMM 2026: More effects, more amps, more guitars and more tech than ever
 
 
MusicRadar author Matt McCracken plays a Manson 007 electric guitar at The Guitar Show in Birmingham, UK
Guitars Here's 7 of the hottest guitar gear releases I tried at The Guitar Show this weekend that are available to buy right now
 
 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2026: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Save a colossal $500 off one of my favourite Sterling by Music Man guitars, grab $200 off a super cool D'Angelico, plus all the week's biggest sales on music gear
 
 
Harley Benton NAMM 2026 releases include left-handed options on its V-style electric and offset bass guitars, fresh finish options for the SC single-cuts, and new colours for its HSS S-style
Guitars Harley Benton’s 2026 mega-drop: Metallica makeovers, fresh colours and a baritone SC Custom III, all-solid acoustics for under $250 and more
 
 
Close up of LR Baggs acoustic guitar pickup
Guitar Pickups Best acoustic guitar pickups 2025: electrify your acoustic for stage, studio and sound fx – our top picks for all budgets
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found over £1,000 off a PRS, $200 off the Akai Pro MPC Key 37, and so much more
 
 
Guitars baggage handler LAX
Guitars Viral footage shows a baggage handler throwing multiple guitars to the ground at LAX
 
 
Roland Pedal
Tech Exploring the new industry of AI-integrated hardware effects pedals
 
 
Christian Andreu plays his Jackson signature Rhoads with a whole lot of pyro in the background.
Artists Jackson launches spectacular EverTune refresh of Christian Andreu’s signature Rhoads
 
 
Harley Benton TE Tremolo Series
Guitars Harley Benton unveils three entry-level T-styles with Bigbsy-style vibratos and vintage mojo to burn
 
 
THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON -- Episode 2270 -- Pictured: Musical guest Flea performs on Monday, March 23, 2026 -- (Photo by: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)
Artists Flea covers Frank Ocean and explains why he’s scratching a long-standing trumpet itch on his new album
 
 
Latest in News
Kenny Loggins, Charlie Puth, Michael McDonald
Artists Charlie Puth on making “yacht rock in 2026” with Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins
 
 
Teddi Mellencamp presents the iHeartRadio Icon Award to honoree John Mellencamp onstage during the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Award
Singers & Songwriters “He saved my life”: Teddi Mellencamp pays tribute to her dad at iHeart Radio Awards
 
 
suno
Tech Suno takes another step into music production with AI step sequencer MILO-1080
 
 
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Olivia Dean performs onstage during the 2026 MOBO Awards at Co-op Live on March 26, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/Getty Images for MOBO)
Artists Olivia Dean cleans up at the Mobo Awards, as Pharrell Williams accepts a special prize for songwriting
 
 
Sam Fender performs onstage during day two of the Syd For Solen Festival at Valbyparken on August 08, 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmar
Singers & Songwriters “Projects like these are so important”: Sam Fender has raised £50,000 for youth music charity
 
 
Anderson .Paak
Drummers “That thing’s got great breaks”: Anderson .Paak rides through LA… playing a drum kit on wheels
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...