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  1. News

New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (February 2012)

By Chris Vinnicombe
published 31 January 2012

Ibanez RG3250MZ (£1789)
A new six-string that evokes the heyday of '80s rock guitar

Ibanez RG3250MZ (£1789)

Every month MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the world's 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 tested meticulously by either Guitarist or Total Guitar in recent months and published on MusicRadar throughout January 2012.

Flick through this month's picks and follow the links to read each product's full review. First up, something eye-catching from Ibanez.

Verdict:

"A true slice of eighties rock - this is a wonderful and fun guitar with which to escape these miserable times."

4 out of 5

Read the Ibanez RG3250MZ review

BUY: Ibanez RG3250MZ currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 1 of 34
Page 1 of 34
Guild F-150R (£1054)
A new Guild jumbo that should age like a fine wine

Guild F-150R (£1054)

Verdict:

"Has the potential to be another fine Guild jumbo."

4 out of 5

Read the Guild F-150R review

BUY: Guild F-150R currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 2 of 34
Page 2 of 34
Pigtronix Class A Boost (£99)
Plug in for some extra grunt

Pigtronix Class A Boost (£99)

Verdict:

"One louder when you need it, classily delivered."

4 out of 5

Read the Pigtronix Class A Boost review

BUY: Pigtronix Class A Boost currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 3 of 34
Page 3 of 34
Ibanez RGD2120Z (£1399)
An extended scale metal guitar from Ibanez

Ibanez RGD2120Z (£1399)

Verdict:

"As an alternative to a baritone, this is a great option for truly crushing metal tones. It plays nicely and looks great too."

4 out of 5

Read the Ibanez RGD2120Z review

BUY: Ibanez RGD2120Z currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 4 of 34
Page 4 of 34
Pigtronix Echolution (£395)
Echo evolution or Echo revolution?

Pigtronix Echolution (£395)

Verdict:

"It sounds great, but could you justify spending the best part of 400 quid on a box that has no memories to store your sounds?"

4 out of 5

Read the Pigtronix Echolution review

BUY: Pigtronix Echolution currently available from:
UK: DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 5 of 34
Page 5 of 34
Taylor Doyle Deluxe (£1119)
A more affordable version of Doyle Dykes' signature, the new Doyle Deluxe has its own voice

Taylor Doyle Deluxe (£1119)

Verdict:

"Hugely versatile with strong visual attitude, the DDX is a great all-rounder for the performing, recording or serious practising musician… even if you've never heard of Doyle Dykes!"

4.5 out of 5

Read theTaylor Doyle Deluxe review

Page 6 of 34
Page 6 of 34
Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone (£129)
A big plate o' sustain and distortion

Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone (£129)

Verdict:

"Compression and distortion in one pedal? We'll certainly have some of that. A versatile addition to any pedalboard."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone review

BUY: Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 7 of 34
Page 7 of 34
ESP LTD M-330R (£625)
Is this new LTD the trusty, no-frills hard rock and metal axe it appears to be?

ESP LTD M-330R (£625)

Verdict:

"As a metal guitar it's disappointing, but clean tones are decent."

3 out of 5

Read the ESP LTD M-330R review

BUY: ESP LTD M-330R currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 8 of 34
Page 8 of 34
Guild F-130CE (£850)
A cutaway electro from Guild

Guild F-130CE (£850)

Verdict:

"Desirable mid-size all-rounder electro sure to attract many takers."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guild F-130CE review

BUY: Guild F-130CE currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann

Page 9 of 34
Page 9 of 34
Ibanez RG870Z (£739)
We investigate the most affordable model in Ibanez's new Premium range

Ibanez RG870Z (£739)

Verdict:

"A genuinely impressive modern rock guitar, with a feel and tone that belies the rather attractive pricetag."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Ibanez RG870Z review

BUY: Ibanez RG870Z currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 10 of 34
Page 10 of 34
Pigtronix EP-2 Envelope Phaser (£195)
Pushing the envelope to extremes…

Pigtronix EP-2 Envelope Phaser (£195)

Verdict:

"Conventional phasing meets off-the-wall funky weirdness in one box. Excellent."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Pigtronix EP-2 Envelope Phaser review

BUY: Pigtronix EP-2 Envelope Phaser currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 11 of 34
Page 11 of 34
Guild D-125-12 (£634)
A gorgeous all-mahogany 12-string dreadnought

Guild D-125-12 (£634)

Verdict:

"Delightful, janglesome 12 that's bang on the money."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guild D-125-12 review

BUY: Guild D-125-12 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 12 of 34
Page 12 of 34
Strymon TimeLine (£399)
A familiar name makes a welcome return to the delay game, but in a totally new guise…

Strymon TimeLine (£399)

Verdict:

"A do-it-all delay pedal, superb for studio and stage."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Strymon TimeLine review

BUY: Strymon TimeLine currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 13 of 34
Page 13 of 34
Harmonic Design Super Chrome ($100)
A P-90-style single-coil for your Telecaster… without routing

Harmonic Design Super Chrome ($100)

Verdict:

"If you want a bigger sound from a Tele's neck pickup without getting the tools out, try this. We're glad we did."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Harmonic Design Super Chrome review

Page 14 of 34
Page 14 of 34
Boss BC-2 Combo Drive (£99)
Re-enact the British Invasion with this vintage-voiced stompbox!

Boss BC-2 Combo Drive (£99)

Verdict:

"For some better than skin-deep retro action, this is well worth a gander."

4 out of 5

Read the Boss BC-2 Combo Drive review

BUY: Boss BC-2 Combo Drive currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 15 of 34
Page 15 of 34
Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster (£430)
This Dinosaur Jr bites like a T-Rex

Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster (£430)

Verdict:

"An appealingly leftfield addition to the Squier stable."

4 out of 5

Read the Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster review

BUY: Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 16 of 34
Page 16 of 34
Randall Diavlo RD50H (£420)
What's in a name? More than you might think…

Randall Diavlo RD50H (£420)

Verdict:

"A very decent amp that'll belt out solid clean and crunchy sounds."

4 out of 5

Read the Randall Diavlo RD50H review

Page 17 of 34
Page 17 of 34
Way Huge Ringworm (£179)
Talk about opening a can of worms…

Way Huge Ringworm (£179)

Verdict:

"A solid competitor to the Electro-Harmonix Ring Thing."

4 out of 5

Read the Way Huge Ringworm review

BUY: Way Huge Ringworm currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 18 of 34
Page 18 of 34
Line 6 Mobile In Mobile POD
Can the modelling king turn its hand to mobile apps? The proof is in the POD-ing

Line 6 Mobile In Mobile POD

Verdict:

"A promising package dragged down by its various flaws."

3 out of 5

Read the Line 6 Mobile In Mobile POD review

BUY: Line 6 Mobile In Mobile POD currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 19 of 34
Page 19 of 34
SKB FootNote Amplified Pedalboard (£179)
A 'board with a built-in amp? We have a few notes

SKB FootNote Amplified Pedalboard (£179)

Verdict:

"A hybrid that doesn't quite come off."

3 out of 5

Read the SKB FootNote Amplified Pedalboard review

BUY: SKB FootNote Amplified Pedalboard currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 20 of 34
Page 20 of 34
Carl Martin HeadRoom (£249)
It's springtime for your pedalboard, thanks to this analogue spring reverb pedal

Carl Martin HeadRoom (£249)

Verdict:

"The smart way to get real spring reverb without buying a whole amp."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Carl Martin HeadRoom review

BUY: Carl Martin HeadRoom currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Full Compass

Page 21 of 34
Page 21 of 34
ESP LTD EC-330 (£559)
A new single-cutaway LTD enters the fray…

ESP LTD EC-330 (£559)

Verdict:

"The EC is fine for cleans, but the metal tones let it down."

3 out of 5

Read the ESP LTD EC-330 review

BUY: ESP LTD EC-330 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 22 of 34
Page 22 of 34
Bogner Goldfinger 45 (£1999)
An off-the-wall head from a true amp master

Bogner Goldfinger 45 (£1999)

Verdict:

"The Goldfinger is one seriously versatile head - take it for a spin…"

4 out of 5

Read the Bogner Goldfinger 45 review

BUY: Bogner Goldfinger 45 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 23 of 34
Page 23 of 34
Hagstrom Viking Rex-Tone (£515)
Is this the king of tone, or merely another pretender to the throne?

Hagstrom Viking Rex-Tone (£515)

Verdict:

"It looks the business and Elvis played one of its ancestors. What's not to love?"

5 out of 5

Read the Hagstrom Viking Rex-Tone review

BUY: Hagstrom Viking Rex-Tone currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 24 of 34
Page 24 of 34
Bogner Barcelona (£1449)
A specialised combo from one of the world's top amp designers

Bogner Barcelona (£1449)

Verdict:

"The Barcelona is a great example of a perfect niche-market amp - audition it."

4 out of 5

Read the Bogner Barcelona review

BUY: Bogner Barcelona currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 25 of 34
Page 25 of 34
Tanglewood TW15H-E (£859)
A highly impressive entry-level electro dreadnought from Tanglewood

Tanglewood TW15H-E (£859)

Verdict:

"A picker-friendly dread with winning sounds and looks to match."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Tanglewood TW15H-E review

Page 26 of 34
Page 26 of 34
Neo Instruments Ventilator (£379)
This German stompbox offers the most faithful Leslie emulation to date…

Neo Instruments Ventilator (£379)

Verdict:

"One of the most realistic rotary speaker emulations we've seen - the next best thing to a real Leslie."

4 out of 5

Read the Neo Instruments Ventilator review

BUY: Neo Instruments Ventilator currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 27 of 34
Page 27 of 34
Simon and Patrick Woodland Pro Spruce SG A3T (£870)
A simple yet highly accomplished electro

Simon and Patrick Woodland Pro Spruce SG A3T (£870)

Verdict:

"Plainish looks but a versatile powerhouse when fired up."

4 out of 5

Read the Simon and Patrick Woodland Pro Spruce SG A3T (£870) review

BUY: Simon and Patrick Woodland Pro Spruce SG A3T currently available from:
UK: DV247

Page 28 of 34
Page 28 of 34
ESP LTD H-330NT (£529)
Don't be fooled by the snow-white livery - this beast was made for dark business…

ESP LTD H-330NT (£529)

Verdict:

"Probably the best sounding guitar in the LTD 330 Series."

3.5 out of 5

Read the ESP LTD H-330NT review

BUY: ESP LTD H-330NT currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music | DV247

Page 29 of 34
Page 29 of 34
Guitar Man Plug 'N' Play Lead With Delay (£17.95)
A rock solo overdrive complete with delay

Guitar Man Plug 'N' Play Lead With Delay (£17.95)

Verdict:

"For rock rhythm and solos alike, this is a great sounding unit - the best in the Plug 'N' Play range."

4 out of 5

Read the Guitar Man Plug 'N' Play Lead With Delay review

Read the Guitar Man Plug 'N' Play Metal review

Read the Guitar Man Plug 'N' Play Acoustic review

Read the Guitar Man Plug 'N' Play English Channel review

Page 30 of 34
Page 30 of 34
Visual Sound Dual Tap Delay (£249)
Two delays in one pedal…

Visual Sound Dual Tap Delay (£249)

Verdict:

"A fine piece of kit for occasional, old-school delayists."

4 out of 5

Read the Visual Sound Dual Tap Delay review

BUY: Visual Sound Dual Tap Delay currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 31 of 34
Page 31 of 34
Coopersonic Germaniac Vintage Fuzz (£99)
A fuzzbox for sonic terrorists

Coopersonic Germaniac Vintage Fuzz (£99)

Verdict:

"A fuzzbox that goes beyond the normal into sonic mania."

3.5 out of 5

Read the Coopersonic Germaniac Vintage Fuzz review

Page 32 of 34
Page 32 of 34
IK Multimedia AmpliTube 3.7 & Custom Shop add-ons
A new update and some added toys to play with…

IK Multimedia AmpliTube 3.7 & Custom Shop add-ons

Verdict:

"At 20 credits each (from €9, depending on how you buy credits) this has something to appeal to a variety of players for the price of a few pints."

4 out of 5

Read the IK Multimedia AmpliTube 3.7 & Custom Shop add-ons review

BUY: IK Multimedia AmpliTube 3.7 & Custom Shop add-ons currently available from:
US: Full Compass

Page 33 of 34
Page 33 of 34
Fret-King Black Label Eclat DBC (£599)
A raw, quirky rock machine…

Fret-King Black Label Eclat DBC (£599)

Verdict:

"Anyone need a raw rock machine? This is it."

4 out of 5

Read the Fret-King Black Label Eclat DBC review

BUY: Fret-King Black Label Eclat DBC currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 34 of 34
Page 34 of 34
Chris Vinnicombe
Social Links Navigation

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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