New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (February 2014)
It's the pedal for the metal
G2D Morpheus
Every month Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - all of which are MusicRadar's sister publications - feature the best independent gear reviews around.
Here we've collected all the guitar-related gear reviewed on the site in January, including guitars, amps, stompboxes and recording interfaces.
All of the gear here was originally reviewed in Guitarist issue 376/377, Total Guitar issue 248, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team. This month, things kicked off with the G2D Morpheus pedal...
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Decent, if a little overpriced, distortion from Down Under if you don't mind a three-inch-tall pedal."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: G2D Morpheus review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 376)
Cost-effective USA dreadnought
Larrivée D-40R
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A beautifully expansive dreadnought that is equally at home strummed or fingerpicked. A must-try."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Larrivée D-40R review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 376)
A truly monstrous pedal supply
T-Rex Fuel Tank Goliath
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"It's not the cheapest example on the market, but the Fuel Tank Goliath demonstrates T-Rex's unending dedication to improvement. A highly capable power supply."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: T-Rex Fuel Tank Goliath review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 376)
BUY: T-Rex Fuel Tank Goliath currently available from:
UK: Thomann
Brand new braces for this acoustic
Larrivée OM-40
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The slightly tighter-sounding OM is our choice for recording and ensemble use."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Larrivée OM-40 review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 376)
Massive distortion from a tiny pedal
Hotone Chunk
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"For classic Maiden leads and sleazy Slash riffs, the Chunk is what you want."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Hotone Chunk review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 249)
BUY: Hotone Chunk currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
A vulgar display of amp power
Blackstar HT Metal 60
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The authenticity and versatility of the tones never fails to satisfy - nobody's going to mess with your riffs with this behemoth behind you."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Blackstar HT Metal 60 review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 249)
BUY: Blackstar HT Metal 60 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
It's time for T with this UK-exclusive electric
LTD TE-212 UK
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"This guitar has tweaks and tradition in all the right places, and that's just our cup of T."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: LTD TE-212 UK review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 249)
Stripped-back shred guitar
Blade X-Fire XF-120
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"There's a lot of guitar here for the money, a successful slice of classic and contemporary."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Blade X-Fire XF-120 review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 249)
Digital mini-pedal doing analogue delay
Hotone Eko
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"From subtle ambience to wild noises, the Eko's got you covered."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Hotone Eko review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 249)
BUY: Hotone Eko currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
The mini-amp turned little devil
Blackstar HT Metal 1
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"If you're after a combo for heavyweight bedroom jams and backstage warm-ups, this could be the HT Metal for you."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Blackstar HT Metal 1 review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 249)
BUY: Blackstar HT Metal 1 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
DO step on the grass (pedal)
Hotone Grass
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The Grass's punchy, midrange-focused tone only sounds better as it gets louder, making it an awesome gig-friendly overdrive."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Hotone Grass review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 249)
BUY: Hotone Grass currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Pricey-sounding affordable multi-FX
Digitech Element XP
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Like the best multi-effects, rather than leaving you endlessly tweaking sounds, the Element XP actually makes you want to play."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Digitech Element XP review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 249)
BUY: Digitech Element XP currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
A classy grand auditorium
Alvarez MG75SCE
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A tidily made, good-sounding acoustic with an excellent pickup/preamp system. What's not to like?"
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Alvarez MG75SCE review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)
Teensy tremolo pedal
Hotone Trem
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"If you want to squeeze a tremolo onto an already packed 'board, this is the one to opt for."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Hotone Trem review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 249)
BUY: Hotone Trem currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Feature-rich reverb with star quality
Strymon BigSky
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"This kind of quality doesn't come cheap, but reverbs don't get much better than this - a superlative stompbox in every way."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Strymon BigSky review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)
BUY: Strymon BigSky currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
Bluetooth MIDI/app foot controller
IK Multimedia iRig BlueBoard
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A flexible bit of kit and essential if you already use IK Multimedia's apps."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia iRig BlueBoard review
BUY: IK Multimedia iRig BlueBoard currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Heavy head delivering a metal hammering
Blackstar HT Metal 5H
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Run this head through just about any cab in any studio, and your heavy tones are sorted - it's as simple as that."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Blackstar HT Metal 5H review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 249)
BUY: Blackstar HT Metal 5H currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Foxx-y octave fuzz
MXR CSP203 La Machine
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"If you're after exceptional octaves and functional fuzz in one, La Machine is well worth plugging in."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: MXR CSP203 La Machine review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 249)
BUY: MXR CSP203 La Machine currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
Small all-valve combo with mass-produced electronics and boutique looks
Fender Pawn Shop Special Ramparte
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Not every player's cup of tea, but for retro rock or indie styles the Ramparte could find a big fanbase."
3 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Pawn Shop Special Ramparte review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)
BUY: Fender Pawn Shop Special Ramparte currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass
A straight forward looper pedal?
DigiTech JamMan Express XT
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"The JamMan Express XT is a no-brainer for your pedalboard, whether you're a loop newbie or a seasoned loop fiend."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: DigiTech JamMan Express XT review
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 249)
BUY: DigiTech JamMan Express XT currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Is Line 6's new-for-2014 launch a game changer?
Line 6 AMPLIFi 150
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"Putting a music playback system and a versatile guitar amp in a single box is a mad/genius idea that actually works, and works well."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Line 6 AMPLIFi 150 review
BUY: Line 6 AMPLIFi 150 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
12-fret all-solid build parlour electro
Alvarez MP70E
MusicRadar’s verdict:
"A fingerstyle-friendly belter: yet more proof that small is the new big! Track one down and try it out."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Alvarez MP70E review
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)
MusicRadar is the number 1 website for music makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, djs or producers...
- GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high- quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
- TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
- STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music making that no other music website can.