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  3. Total Guitar

New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (February 2015)

By Guitarist, Total Guitar
published 2 February 2015

All the amps, guitars and effects

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Ibanez RGKP6
Tonal Kaoss on a touchpad guitar

Ibanez RGKP6

It's been a busy month for gear, courtesy of the 2015 Winter NAMM show, but we've still had plenty through the doors for review, too, including a whole heap of guitars, amps, effects and other guitar-related gear.

All of these reviews were originally published in the pages of our sister magazines Guitarist and Total Guitar, starting with the Kaoss pad-loaded Ibanez RGKP6...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"As a guitar it's fairly average, but what's more important is what the RGKP6 represents: an affordable analogue-meets-digital future."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ibanez RGKP6 review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 262)

BUY: Ibanez RGKP6 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
USA: Sweetwater

Page 1 of 27
Page 1 of 27
Fender Mini '57 Twin
The tiny Twin amp

Fender Mini '57 Twin

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"We preferred the Twin with lower-output single coils to humbuckers, but there are some unique tones for sonic adventurers."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Mini '57 Twin review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 261)

BUY: Fender Mini '57 Twin currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 2 of 27
Page 2 of 27
EBS Valve Drive DI
Drive and DI in the same box

EBS Valve Drive DI

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Far more useful than you can imagine - well worth the cost."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: EBS Valve Drive DI review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

BUY: EBS Valve Drive DI currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
USA: Full Compass

Page 3 of 27
Page 3 of 27
Case J2 Semi-Hollow Double Cutaway
The world-class semi-acoustic from Kent...

Case J2 Semi-Hollow Double Cutaway

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Simply a superb modern semi-solid that any serious player should investigate."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Case J2 Semi-Hollow Double Cutaway review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

Page 4 of 27
Page 4 of 27
Cordoba Guilele CE
A uke for guitarists (with small hands)

Cordoba Guilele CE

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An ideal starter for micro-sized beginners or a neat electro uke with bass strings."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Cordoba Guilele CE review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

Page 5 of 27
Page 5 of 27
Gibson 2015 Les Paul Deluxe
Gibson rings the changes

Gibson 2015 Les Paul Deluxe

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A little more niche tonally, but a great option for hot 70s sounds and 80s rock, thanks to the onboard boost."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gibson 2015 Les Paul Deluxe review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

BUY: Gibson 2015 Les Paul Deluxe currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater

Page 6 of 27
Page 6 of 27
Gibson 2015 Les Paul Studio
An LP Studio like never before

Gibson 2015 Les Paul Studio

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Excellent value, high-quality sounds - including those single-coil voices - these will sell by the truckload."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gibson 2015 Les Paul Studio review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 262)

BUY: Gibson 2015 Les Paul Studio currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
USA: Sweetwater

Page 7 of 27
Page 7 of 27
Caparison Dellinger-M3 MJR
A high-end shred machine

Caparison Dellinger-M3 MJR

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A high-end signature axe with serious shredding credentials."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Caparison Dellinger-M3 MJR review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

Page 8 of 27
Page 8 of 27
Gibson 2015 Les Paul Standard
A radical overhaul for the 'Paul

Gibson 2015 Les Paul Standard

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It's expensive, but if you can get on with the 2015 spec there's a depth of tone that's a cut above its siblings."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gibson 2015 Les Paul Standard review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

BUY: Gibson 2015 Les Paul Standard currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater

Page 9 of 27
Page 9 of 27
Pilgrim by Vintage Mayflower Deluxe
Bringing bowlback back?

Pilgrim by Vintage Mayflower Deluxe

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Well-priced, quality package that packs a punch and doesn't slip off your leg as easily as certain guitars."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pilgrim by Vintage Mayflower Deluxe review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

BUY: Pilgrim by Vintage Mayflower Deluxe currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 10 of 27
Page 10 of 27
Rainger FX Dr Freakenstein's Dwarf
Tiny fun-packed fuzz pedal

Rainger FX Dr Freakenstein's Dwarf

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Stompbox of small stature with a massive sound."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rainger FX Dr Freakenstein's Dwarf review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

Page 11 of 27
Page 11 of 27
Rainger FX El Distorto
UK-made dirtbox with a difference

Rainger FX El Distorto

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Two distinct distortion voices in one pedal."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rainger FX El Distorto review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

Page 12 of 27
Page 12 of 27
Yerasov S-Compressor SC-3
Bargain compression with a boost

Yerasov S-Compressor SC-3

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Cost-effective compression with extra gain on tap."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yerasov S-Compressor SC-3 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

Page 13 of 27
Page 13 of 27
Rainger FX Air Traffic Controller
Synth pedal reaching for the sky

Rainger FX Air Traffic Controller

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An engaging new take on the 'synth' pedal."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rainger FX Air Traffic Controller review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

Page 14 of 27
Page 14 of 27
Yerasov Beige Bug BB-1
Get a boost from Beige Bug

Yerasov Beige Bug BB-1

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Bug is Beige but certainly not boring."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yerasov Beige Bug BB-1 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

Page 15 of 27
Page 15 of 27
Fuzzy Rhodes FR75
Transistor supplier turns pedal builder

Fuzzy Rhodes FR75

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"One for the fuzz-tweakers out there, but it's still good value for a boutique vibe and sound."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fuzzy Rhodes FR75 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

Page 16 of 27
Page 16 of 27
Laney A1+
High performing, low cost acoustic amp

Laney A1+

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Compelling performance and a competitive price make this a no-brainer acoustic amp choice."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Laney A1+ review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

BUY: Laney A1+ currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
USA: Full Compass

Page 17 of 27
Page 17 of 27
Yerasov Delay DM-6
A simple, solid delay pedal

Yerasov Delay DM-6

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"No-frills delay that will do the job with no fuss."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yerasov Delay DM-6 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

Page 18 of 27
Page 18 of 27
Mono Guitar Sleeve
Superior case company offers superior gigbag

Mono Guitar Sleeve

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A superbly designed gigbag - we can't fault it: your guitar will love you."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mono Guitar Sleeve review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

BUY: Mono Guitar Sleeve currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
USA: Sweetwater

Page 19 of 27
Page 19 of 27
Yerasov Brown Creature BC-1
A boutique bugged-out distortion

Yerasov Brown Creature BC-1

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Solid rock distortion with creative EQ options."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yerasov Brown Creature BC-1 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

Page 20 of 27
Page 20 of 27
MESA/Boogie Mark Five: 25
The new giant-killing amp in a small package

MESA/Boogie Mark Five: 25

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"In all other respects, though, it's simply mind-blowingly, jaw- droppingly brilliant."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MESA/Boogie Mark Five: 25 review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 263)

BUY: MESA/Boogie Mark Five: 25 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
USA: Sweetwater

Page 21 of 27
Page 21 of 27
Yerasov Black Formica BF-1
Bafflingly blue compression pedal

Yerasov Black Formica BF-1

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Workmanlike compression for a variety of tasks."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yerasov Black Formica BF-1 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

Page 22 of 27
Page 22 of 27
TC Electronic Alter Ego V2 Vintage Echo
Another new twist on the TonePrint formula

TC Electronic Alter Ego V2 Vintage Echo

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Alter Ego V2 is equipped to appeal to just about any player, whether you're well versed in vintage delays or not."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Alter Ego V2 Vintage Echo review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

BUY: TC Electronic Alter Ego V2 Vintage Echo currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 23 of 27
Page 23 of 27
Yerasov Green Tick GT-1
Yerasov ticks off the Tube Screamer

Yerasov Green Tick GT-1

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Familiar sound and functionality with extra fat."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yerasov Green Tick GT-1 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 389)

Page 24 of 27
Page 24 of 27
TC Electronic T2 Reverb
The Trinity taken to infinity

TC Electronic T2 Reverb

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"While it sounds fantastic, the T2's modulated 'verbs could be a little over the top even for ambient fans."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic T2 Reverb review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 263)

BUY: TC Electronic T2 Reverb currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann

Page 25 of 27
Page 25 of 27
Strymon Deco
Old-school tape effects for your 'board

Strymon Deco

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"At £279, it's a serious investment, but this is a pro-quality pedal that will make your guitar sounds and even demo mixes stand out."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Strymon Deco review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 263)

BUY: Strymon Deco currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann

Page 26 of 27
Page 26 of 27
Squier Vintage Modified '72 Telecaster Thinline
Lightweight body, heavyweight tones

Squier Vintage Modified '72 Telecaster Thinline

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"We can't fault the Thinline. Its price tag is seriously competitive, and considering the guitar's attention to detail and expensive-sounding tones, we implore you to give it a go."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Squier Vintage Modified '72 Telecaster Thinline review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 262)

BUY: Squier Vintage Modified '72 Telecaster Thinline currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 27 of 27
Page 27 of 27
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