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New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (February 2011)

By Chris Vinnicombe
published 11 March 2011

Blackstar HT Soloist 60 112 combo (£649)
Is this the best of the HT Venue range?

Blackstar HT Soloist 60 112 combo (£649)

Every month MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the best independent and in-depth music-making gear reviews.

This is a collection of electric and acoustic guitars, amps and effects - all of which have been meticulously tested by either MusicRadar, Guitarist, or Total Guitar in recent months and published on MusicRadar throughout February 2011.

Flick through this month's picks and follow the links to read each product's full review. Up first is Blackstar's HT Soloist 60 combo.

Verdict:

"We think the HT Soloist 60 is the best amp in the range - put it at the top of your 'must try' list."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar HT Soloist 60 112 combo

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 337)

Page 1 of 22
Page 1 of 22
Epiphone Slash Appetite Les Paul (£699)
Enough to whet the appetite of any Slash fan

Epiphone Slash Appetite Les Paul (£699)

Verdict:

"This Slash Epi sets the bar for all signature models, subtly different from the Les Paul template and a joy to play."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Epiphone Slash Appetite Les Paul

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 211)

Page 2 of 22
Page 2 of 22
Wampler Paisley Drive (£239)
One of the world's leading guitarists puts his name to an overdrive pedal

Wampler Paisley Drive (£239)

Verdict:

"Dark and brooding to bright and punchy, the Paisley Drive is a superb all-round overdrive, whether you like Brad or not."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Wampler Paisley Drive

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 338)

Page 3 of 22
Page 3 of 22
LAG Tramontane T100D (£299)
High-class features at a reasonable price

LAG Tramontane T100D (£299)

Verdict:

"A hearty welcome to the ranks of affordable, eager-to-please dreadnoughts."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: LAG Tramontane T100D

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 337)

Page 4 of 22
Page 4 of 22
Schecter PT Fastback (£599)
A traditionally styled tribute to Townshend

Schecter PT Fastback (£599)

Verdict:

"A good-quality guitar, but it could be eclipsed by the original - well worth trying, though."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Schecter PT Fastback

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 337)

Page 5 of 22
Page 5 of 22
Framus Ruby Riot II (£1949)
Vintage and modern rock sounds in a riot that's anything but quiet

Framus Ruby Riot II (£1949)

Verdict:

"A pro-level gigging combo with great cleans and varied rock tones."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Framus Ruby Riot II

Page 6 of 22
Page 6 of 22
TC Electronic Shaker (£105)
An intuitive vibrato stomper

TC Electronic Shaker (£105)

Verdict:

"A cool pedal with an effect that's not heard as much as other modulation effects, but deserves to be."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Shaker

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 338)

Page 7 of 22
Page 7 of 22
Charvel Pro Mod Limited Wild Card (£821.33)
Limited-edition version of the ultimate hot-rod rock machine

Charvel Pro Mod Limited Wild Card (£821.33)

Verdict:

"This is certainly something of a departure for Charvel, and is appealing in its own right, but we hope the next will be a graphic-clad eye-popper!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Charvel Pro Mod Limited Wild Card

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 337)

Page 8 of 22
Page 8 of 22
Line 6 DT50 (£1349)
Line 6's new flagship combo amp is a hybrid with adaptive valve circuitry

Line 6 DT50 (£1349)

Verdict:

"A new hybrid amp design delivering the best amp sounds we've ever heard from a Line 6 product."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Line 6 DT50

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 338)

Page 9 of 22
Page 9 of 22
LAG Tramontane T66A (£179)
Looks and performance needn't cost a packet

LAG Tramontane T66A (£179)

Verdict:

"Don't for one minute dismiss the T66A because of its laminated top. It should easily go the distance against similarly priced solid-top rivals, making it something of a snip. This Tramontane is a real find among budget folks."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: LAG Tramontane T66A

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine 337)

Page 10 of 22
Page 10 of 22
Peavey 6534+ (£1499)
The metal-tastic 6505+, tweaked and powered by EL34 output valves

Peavey 6534+ (£1499)

Verdict:

"Not many amps provide such a good metal tone, let alone a decent clean and crunch too. A highly credible, more Marshally flavoured take on the much-loved 6505+."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Peavey 6534+

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 338)

Page 11 of 22
Page 11 of 22
Schecter PT (£599)
It may not be a Townshend signature model, but it's a definite tribute

Schecter PT (£599)

Verdict:

"The PT is a modern classic with great playability and tone, and pickups that can kick your teeth in."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Schecter PT

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 337)

Page 12 of 22
Page 12 of 22
Charvel Pro Mod So-Cal Style 1 (£727.33)
The ultimate rocker gets updated

Charvel Pro Mod So-Cal Style 1 (£727.33)

Verdict:

"All that separates this from the deleted US models is the price; great rock tone, high spec and the Hollywood vibe remain. At this price, you must seriously consider one."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Charvel Pro Mod So-Cal Style 1

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 337)

Page 13 of 22
Page 13 of 22
Blackstar HT-1R (£199)
A teeny, tiny one-watt valve amp that packs more punch than you might imagine

Blackstar HT-1R (£199)

Verdict:

"Loads of fun, but it's no toy. For great low-volume sounds at home, this is a no-brainer."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar HT-1R

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 338)

Page 14 of 22
Page 14 of 22
Blackstar HT-Blackfire (£199)
Unleash the fury with this Gus G-approved valve distortion

Blackstar HT-Blackfire (£199)

Verdict:

"At £199, it's a pretty serious purchase, but with two channels of convincing valve tones, pro build quality, tonal flexibility via the ISF control, and that handy emulated output, this is a viable option for any rig that's in need of a sonic power-up."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar HT-Blackfire

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 211)

Page 15 of 22
Page 15 of 22
Jackson JS32 Kelly (£363)
The black-clad metal machine with a neck built for your meanest riffs

Jackson JS32 Kelly (£363)

Verdict:

"A monster metal axe on a budget."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Jackson JS32 Kelly

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 211)

Page 16 of 22
Page 16 of 22
Guitar Tech Dot-Matrix Tuner (£49)
Stay in tune with this no-frills gigging essential

Guitar Tech Dot-Matrix Tuner (£49)

Verdict:

"The Dot- Matrix is tough enough to be booted around your local, and offers all the basic requirements for onstage tuning."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guitar Tech Dot-Matrix Tuner

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 211)

Page 17 of 22
Page 17 of 22
Effectrode Fire Bottle (£189)
Even the most modest pedals can benefit from quality components and expert design

Effectrode Fire Bottle (£189)

Verdict:

"An interesting, good-sounding pedal that's ideal for expanding a single-coil-equipped guitar."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Effectrode Fire Bottle

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 338)

Page 18 of 22
Page 18 of 22
Guild F-30R Std (£1714)
Guild plays the value card and comes up trumps

Guild F-30R Std (£1714)

Verdict:

"Expressive, lyrical, clear-toned - nailing the essential OM criteria."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guild F-30R Std

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 338)

Page 19 of 22
Page 19 of 22
Blackstar HT-Delay (£199)
Digital accuracy meets valve warmth

Blackstar HT-Delay (£199)

Verdict:

"A versatile delay that offers a range of additional tonal options."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar HT-Delay

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 337)

Page 20 of 22
Page 20 of 22
Guild D-40 Std (£1606)
An impressive stripped-down dreadnought

Guild D-40 Std (£1606)

Verdict:

"Everything a great dread should be."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guild D-40 Std

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 338)

Page 21 of 22
Page 21 of 22
Guitar Tech Vintage Chorus (£49)
The Marmite of the effects world rears its head once again

Guitar Tech Vintage Chorus (£49)

Verdict:

"Not bad, but not amazing."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guitar Tech Vintage Chorus

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 211)

Page 22 of 22
Page 22 of 22
Chris Vinnicombe
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Chris Vinnicombe worked with us here on the MusicRadar team from the site's initial launch way back in 2007, and also contributed to Guitarist magazine as Features Editor until 2014, as well as Total Guitar magazine, amongst others. These days he can be found at Gibson Guitars, where he is editor-in-chief.

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