New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (February 2013)

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.

We've collated the latest guitars, amps, pedals, recorders and interfaces to have fallen under the watchful eyes of Computer Music, Future Music, Rhythm, Total Guitar and Guitarist's test teams.

All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Guitarist issue 363, Total Guitar issue 236, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"No matter if you feel the whole djent thing or not, this is a killer rock guitar for shredders, metalheads and fusion buffs."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Manson E-62 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 363)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"One for the player who fancies typically quirky Dano performance without too many vintage visual overtones."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Danelectro Hodad guitar review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 363)

BUY: Danelectro Hodad guitar currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An attention-grabbing electro in terms of both looks and tone."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Martin Retro Series D-18E review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 363)

BUY: Martin Retro Series D-18E currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Here's to another 15 years of the DSL!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Marshall DSL100 head review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 363)

BUY: Marshall DSL100 head currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Not the most popular Dano design, but the Hodad Bass is fun to play, with an unconventional yet likeable tone."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Danelectro Hodad Bass review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 363)

BUY: Danelectro Hodad Bass currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The ET-72 is easily one of the most playable seven-strings we've ever wrapped our hands around, made more versatile thanks to the Floyd."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Manson Guitars ET-72 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 363)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you're stepping up to your first Marshall, then this new DSL won't disappoint."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Marshall DSL15C combo review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 363)

BUY: Marshall DSL15C combo currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"One of the most exciting and rewarding electros Martin has produced in recent times."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Martin Retro Series HD-28E

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 363)

BUY: Martin Retro Series HD-28E currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you can dare to be different, you'll find the MA-2T a willing accomplice that speaks to reprobates and sophisticates alike."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Manson Guitar Works MA-2T

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 236)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It's built to last, and packs much more versatility than we expected, offering a simple one-stomp solution for classic rock and blues."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Joyo British Sound review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 236)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It might not set your world on fire, but as an entry point to the world of acoustics and an advocate for Cranes' own guitars, it's a winner."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Hudson HD-100ACE review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 236)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Spirited, endlessly playable and extremely difficult to put down, the Cabronita is a Fender unlike any other, and thankfully, one most of us can afford."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Cabronita Telecaster review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 236)

BUY: Fender Cabronita Telecaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"We're usually very sceptical of distortion pedals that breach the £200 mark, but frankly this is one of the best high-gain pedals we've ever heard."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Majik Box Krush Distortion review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 236)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Is this Soloist better than its rivals? In some ways, yes: the EMGs give it the edge, sonically, but we're calling it a draw and declaring the seven-string arms race a victory for players whose needs exceed those offered by puny six-string electrics."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Jackson SLATXMGQ3-7 Soloist review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 236)

BUY: Jackson SLATXMGQ3-7 Soloist currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Like pineapple on pizza, lap steel can be something of an acquired taste, but the Mahalo is the perfect place to start."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mahalo MLG1 lap steel review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 236)

BUY: Mahalo MLG1 lap steel currently available from:
UK: Thomann

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you're a serious student, or just like to dabble with the classic repertoire but on a quality instrument, this is a good place to start. Yamaha's excellent consistency is what makes the brand so easy to recommend, and this GC22S is a fine example of serious factory craft."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha GC22S review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 364)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This is primarily suited for beginners, because it offers decent sounds as well as connections for headphones."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: EBS Classic Session 30 bass combo review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 364)

BUY: EBS Classic Session 30 bass combo currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Blue Comp pedal provides versatile compression in a tiny footprint."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mooer Blue Comp review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 364)

BUY: Mooer Blue Comp currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This latest update of the Jaguar removes some performance problems and adds a menu of sounds made for the modern player."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Pawn Shop Jaguarillo review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 364

BUY: Fender Pawn Shop Jaguarillo currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Full Compass