Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist (opens in new tab)
  • Guitar Techniques (opens in new tab)
  • Total Guitar (opens in new tab)
  • Bass Player (opens in new tab)
More
  • Lennon on Eleanor Rigby
  • Jimmy Page demos classic Led Zep gear
  • Classic rock riffs for beginners
  • Omnichord @ 70
  • SampleRadar: 163 tape loops samples

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. News

New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (February 2014)

By The MusicRadar team
published 3 February 2014

All of January's guitar gear reviews

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
G2D Morpheus
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)

Page 1 of 22
Page 1 of 22
Larrivée D-40R
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)

Page 2 of 22
Page 2 of 22
T-Rex Fuel Tank Goliath
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

Page 3 of 22
Page 3 of 22
Larrivée OM-40
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)

Page 4 of 22
Page 4 of 22
Hotone Chunk
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

Page 5 of 22
Page 5 of 22
Blackstar HT Metal 60
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

Page 6 of 22
Page 6 of 22
LTD TE-212 UK
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)

Page 7 of 22
Page 7 of 22
Blade X-Fire XF-120
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)

Page 8 of 22
Page 8 of 22
Hotone Eko
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

Page 9 of 22
Page 9 of 22
Blackstar HT Metal 1
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

Page 10 of 22
Page 10 of 22
Hotone Grass
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

Page 11 of 22
Page 11 of 22
Digitech Element XP
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

Page 12 of 22
Page 12 of 22
Alvarez MG75SCE
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)

Page 13 of 22
Page 13 of 22
Hotone Trem
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

Page 14 of 22
Page 14 of 22
Strymon BigSky
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

Page 15 of 22
Page 15 of 22
IK Multimedia iRig BlueBoard
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

Page 16 of 22
Page 16 of 22
Blackstar HT Metal 5H
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

Page 17 of 22
Page 17 of 22
MXR CSP203 La Machine
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

Page 18 of 22
Page 18 of 22
Fender Pawn Shop Special Ramparte
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

Page 19 of 22
Page 19 of 22
DigiTech JamMan Express XT
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

Page 20 of 22
Page 20 of 22
Line 6 AMPLIFi 150
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

Page 21 of 22
Page 21 of 22
Alvarez MP70E
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)

Page 22 of 22
Page 22 of 22
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
The MusicRadar team
The MusicRadar team
Social Links Navigation

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.
More about guitars
Catalinbread STS-8 Flanger/Reverb

Catalinbread launches the STS-88, “a love letter to the flanger” that can cloak its modulated swoosh in huge dreamy reverb

Harley Benton 25th Anniversary Firemist

Harley Benton strikes gold for its 25th Anniversary, debuting a Firemist finish and high-quality specs on eight Special Edition models priced under £500

Latest
Millenium MPS-1000 in white and natural finishes

Millenium expands its MPS-1000 full-shell electronic drum kit with a new configuration and two new finish options

See more latest ►
Most Popular
Was Paul McCartney the "best drummer in The Beatles"?* Listen to the fab 4 tracks he played on, and the isolated drum parts, and decide for yourself

By Will Groves30 March 2023

Jackson and Anthrax’s Scott Ian join forces for a signature X Series King V that pays tribute to Dimebag Darrell

By Jonathan Horsley30 March 2023

This is Wikipedia’s new audio logo, which is designed to be ‘The Sound of All Human Knowledge’

By Ben Rogerson30 March 2023

Marshall has been sold to Swedish speaker company Zound, ending over 60 years of family ownership

By Jonathan Horsley30 March 2023

Soundtracking secrets: How to get started writing music to picture

By Andy Price30 March 2023

Spectrasonics’ Keyscape 1.5 includes a Double Felt Grand piano, and existing users get this “#1 most requested sound” for free

By Ben Rogerson30 March 2023

Best hardware vocal compressors 2023: analogue studio hardware to suit all budgets and styles

By Simon Truss30 March 2023

Gear Expo 2023 is coming - tune in on 28 April

By Gear Expo 202130 March 2023

Hear the oldest guitar effects pedal demo ever from 1962

By Rob Laing30 March 2023

A drummer has recorded 75 new versions of the Amen break for you to use in your music

By Ben Rogerson30 March 2023

DW announces Alex Gonzalez ICON snare drum

By Stuart Williams29 March 2023

  1. Paul McCartney and John Lennon in 1966
    1
    John Lennon on completing Eleanor Rigby's lyrics for Paul McCartney: "It's his first verse, and the rest of the verses are basically mine"
  2. 2
    Hear the oldest guitar effects pedal demo ever from 1962
  3. 3
    A faulty mixing console meant that Prince’s The Ballad of Dorothy Parker was recorded ‘wrong’, but he used it anyway
  4. 4
    How to use the '3 reverb approach' to nail reverb in almost any mixing scenario
  5. 5
    An audio engineer shows you "how the pros mix vocals" and get that ‘glued-in’ sound
  1. “It works, every single time,” says Streaky, as he reveals his winning formula
    1
    An audio engineer shows you "how the pros mix vocals" and get that ‘glued-in’ sound
  2. 2
    Hear the oldest guitar effects pedal demo ever from 1962
  3. 3
    Take a deep dive into drum recording at Foo Fighters’ Studio 606 courtesy of Lauten Audio's in-depth video
  4. 4
    Thom Yorke on his 'executive producer' role for Clark's new album Sus Dog: "I ended up being a kind of backseat driver"
  5. 5
    A faulty mixing console meant that Prince’s The Ballad of Dorothy Parker was recorded ‘wrong’, but he used it anyway

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Contact Future's experts (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.