Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Guitar Amps
  • Drums
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Radiohead theory
  • Steely Dan's drum machine
  • Deep Purple in the dungeon
  • Prince's drummers
  • 95k+ free music samples
Don't miss these
A Fender Player II Stratocaster and Telecaster on a white piece of wood with lots of holes in it
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars under $1,000/£1,000 in 2025: My top picks for players of all styles
PRS SE Semi-Hollow Special
Electric Guitars "A stellar build complements a gorgeous aesthetic, and thankfully, it has the tones and playability to back it up": PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow review
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a mind-blowing $1,000 off the stunning D'Angelico Excel SS, $500 off the gorgeous Heritage Standard H-535, and so much more
Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac: the new semi-hollow signature model is a stunning singlecut with a quilted maple build in a natural finish.
Electric Guitars “Unbeatable... A play-anything guitar”: Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac Session Man review
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
Guitars “These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
Close up of Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars under $500/£500 in 2025: Affordable electrics
Fender American Ultra Luxe 60s Stratocaster
Electric Guitars Fender Ultra Luxe Vintage '60s Stratocaster review
Orbit Culture's guitarists
Electric Guitars Orbit Culture show us their ESP guitars – and tell us why the EverTune bridge is a game-changer
The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Hummingbird photographed in all its glory, in close-up and against a wheat-coloured rug.
Acoustic Guitars “One of the handsomest guitars around, it plays great, and punches well above its weight in the tone stakes”: Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom Hummingbird Deluxe EC review
Gretsch Electromatic CVT: The bolt-on double-cut assumes a familiar form to the Jack Antonoff signature model, and features dual humbuckers, a wraparound tailpiece, and some neat vintage finishes.
Guitars Like the Jack Antonoff signature Gretsch? Then you are going to love the CVT Electromatic
native instruments
Music Production Tutorials "As nuanced as the real thing, but only if you know what you're doing": The ultimate guide to plugin guitars
Strymon EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo: the metallic gray box has cream dials, an LED that lights up blue and/or red, and is photographed here against a wooden background.
Guitar Pedals “A perfect melding of vintage sound with modern practicality”: Strymon EC-1 review
The BEAM SOLO is the new headphone amp for guitar and bass from Blackstar Amplification, and is a compact unit with an integrated jack featuring amp models and effects, and a suite of digital features.
Guitars Blackstar Amplification unveils the BEAM SOLO – has the Fender Mustang Micro Plus found a rival?
Debbie Gough of Heriot demoes the new Jackson Pro Plus Metal Phase II Warrior on a darkened studio set.
Guitars Jackson adds Warrior, King V and Concert Bass to its limited edition Pro Plus Pure Metal range
  1. Guitars

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

News
By Total Guitar, Guitarist ( Guitarist, Total Guitar ) 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

The magazine for serious players image
The magazine for serious players
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
A Fender Player II Stratocaster and Telecaster on a white piece of wood with lots of holes in it
Best electric guitars under $1,000/£1,000 in 2025: My top picks for players of all styles
 
 
PRS SE Semi-Hollow Special
"A stellar build complements a gorgeous aesthetic, and thankfully, it has the tones and playability to back it up": PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow review
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a mind-blowing $1,000 off the stunning D'Angelico Excel SS, $500 off the gorgeous Heritage Standard H-535, and so much more
 
 
Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac: the new semi-hollow signature model is a stunning singlecut with a quilted maple build in a natural finish.
“Unbeatable... A play-anything guitar”: Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac Session Man review
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a massive $1,000 off Roland V-Drums, up to $320 off a range of Fender guitars, and so much more
 
 
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
“These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Jacob Collier
Using his signature ‘DAEAD’ tuning, Jacob Collier recorded a 5-string acoustic guitar album in just four days
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score a mind-blowing $1,000 off the stunning D'Angelico Excel SS, $500 off the gorgeous Heritage Standard H-535, and so much more
 
 
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. ET and features a diverse lineup of guests that include celebrities, athletes, musical acts, comedians and human interest subjects, along with comedy bits and a house band. The guests for Monday, September 8 included Spinal Tap (Nigel Tufnel aka Christopher Guest, David St. Hubbins aka Michael McKean and Derek Smalls aka Harry Shearer) and Marty DiBergi (aka Rob Reiner) ("Spinal Tap II: The End Continues"), and musical guest Spinal Tap. (Disney/Randy Holmes) SPINAL TAP  (Photo by Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images)
Five basses! Spinal Tap recruit Tal Wilkenfeld and Thundercat for bottom-heavy Jimmy Kimmel performance
 
 
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - AUGUST 22: Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson performs during Megadeth concert as part of Dystopia World Tour at Luna Park on August 22, 2016 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Santiago Bluguermann/LatinContent via Getty Images)
Dave Ellefson has his say on whether Metallica did Dave Mustaine a favour by sacking him
 
 
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
“These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
 
 
The new Gibson Murphy Lab Light Aged Acoustics released on 9 September 2025, all lined up in a wood-panneled show room with round windows and a rural landscape outside.
Gibson expands acoustic Murphy Lab collection with five Light Aged classics – including a Nick Lucas 1929 reissue
 
 
Latest in News
ELMONT, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Sombr performs during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for MTV)
“In the actual song you hear today, the guitars, the riff, the bass, the drums and all the vocals are from those initial takes I did in my bedroom”: Sombr on the making of viral hit Undressed, and his formula for creating "a legendary indie rock song"
 
 
Adrian Sherwood
Dub pioneer Adrian Sherwood on embracing AI and playing the studio like an instrument
 
 
Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richard of The Rolling Stones perform during the final night of the Hackney Diamonds '24 Tour at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena
“They’re all hyped up”: Marlon Richards says that the Stones have been recording a new album in London
 
 
English band Radiohead performs live on stage at I-days Festival. June 17th, 2017
“An attempt to deliver tickets as fairly as possible”: Radiohead defend ticketing system
 
 
A robot band in 1958
Deezer report that it’s now receiving over 30,000 fully AI-generated tracks every day
 
 
Sphere lights up on December 08, 2024 in Las Vegas
“I’m hoping to go there and sit and watch myself doing it”: David Gilmour says he’d be open to a Floyd avatar show at the Sphere
 
 

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

  • 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...