New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (January 2012)
The genre-defining Rectifier Series gets its own Mini-Me. Enfant terrible or chip off the old block?
Mesa/Boogie Mini Rectifier Twenty-Five (£1099)
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 December 2011.
Flick through this month's picks and follow the links to read each product's full review. First up, an iconic hard rock tone in a smaller package...
Verdict:
"Tiny, surprisingly loud and chock full of great tones. A preconceptions gauntlet thrown down for rock guitarists everywhere."
4 out of 5
Read the Mesa/Boogie Mini Rectifier Twenty-Five review
BUY: Mesa/Boogie Mini Rectifier Twenty-Five currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Two channels, tons of character
TwinStomp S21 Overdrive (£189)
Verdict:
"High-calibre drive pedal that's worthy of your attention."
4 out of 5
With obvious influences, but build quality of the highest order, this German beauty makes its own mark in the densely populated boutique sector
Nik Huber Orca DSB (£4199)
Verdict:
"Nik Huber needs little introduction to the high-end guitar world. Great craft, vintage-credentials - this is a truly superb single-cut."
4.5 out of 5
Read the Nik Huber Orca DSB review
Tried everything but the swirl? Give this a spin
Hardwire TR-7 Tremolo/Rotary (£149)
Verdict:
"If you're after a versatile trem pedal, give this a look."
4.5 out of 5
Read the Hardwire TR-7 Tremolo/Rotary review
BUY: Hardwire TR-7 Tremolo/Rotary currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | DV247
US: Full Compass
Thirty-odd years after Eddie Van Halen met Floyd Rose, the pair's iconic ideas are still bearing fruit
EVH Wolfgang Stealth (£2662)
Verdict:
"It may be a modern rock guitar but it's the Wolfie's old school feel that makes it such fun to hang with. Yes, the price tag is eye-watering, but in this case you really do get what you pay for."
4.5 out of 5
Read the EVH Wolfgang Stealth review
BUY: EVH Wolfgang Stealth currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater
Larrivée continues its attack on the entry-level pro market with a fine, affordable 12-fret picker
Larrivée 000-3R Ltd (£1299)
Verdict:
"Impressive pro-quality picker that deserves a permanent slot in Larrivée's roster."
4.5 out of 5
Read the Larrivée 000-3R Ltd review
This new Blacktop reminds us just how good a Floyd Rose looks on a Strat
Fender Blacktop Strat HH Floyd Rose (£682)
Verdict:
"We'd like to see a bit more quality control but overall the Blacktop Strat HH Floyd Rose is a good working musician's rock guitar."
4 out of 5
Read the Fender Blacktop Strat HH Floyd Rose review
BUY: Fender Blacktop Strat HH Floyd Rose currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater
A Triplebucker loaded design 45 years in the making
Fender Modern Player Marauder (£442.80)
Verdict:
"The Fender classic that never really was, now 'is'. Fender virgin or not, everyone should test-drive this cool alternative to the usual Strat models."
4 out of 5
Read the Fender Modern Player Marauder review
BUY: Fender Modern Player Marauder currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass
What's the baby of Fender's new EC series of signature amps got to offer?
Fender EC Series Vibro-Champ 1 x 8 (£1102)
Verdict:
"Like most signature models it's mostly for the fans - but worth a look if you're a wealthy bluesman."
3 out of 5
Read the Fender EC Series Vibro-Champ 1 x 8 review
BUY: Fender EC Series Vibro-Champ 1 x 8 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
Can this stripped-down Jag bring new players into the Fender fold?
Fender Modern Player Jaguar (£442.80)
Verdict:
"It's not the prettiest representative of the Jaguar family, but this Modern Player edition pumps out some great P-90 tones."
4 out of 5
Read the Fender Modern Player Jaguar review
BUY: Fender Modern Player Jaguar currently available from:
UK: Thomann
It's been a while coming, but this new EC Series comprises Fender's first ever signature amplifiers
Fender EC Series Twinolux 2 x 12 (£3022)
Verdict:
"Mainly for Clapton fans, but if blues is your thing then definitely check them out."
3.5 out of 5
Read the Fender EC Series Twinolux 2 x 12 review
BUY: Fender EC Series Twinolux 2 x 12 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Orange's cleanest and dirtiest amplifier to date promises thrills, spills and lots of volume...
Orange TH100 head (£999)
Verdict:
"This is an amp for the road, not the pub at the end of your road. Crystal cleans and blistering raunch make this a must-try amp in its class. Turn it up, stand back and grin!"
4.5 out of 5
Read the Orange TH100 head review
BUY: Orange TH100 head currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Back to basics with the latest Japanese limited edition. It's a blank canvas in more ways than one…
Charvel Pro Mod Limited Wild Card #7 Primer Scream (£838)
Verdict:
"Guitars don't come much more stripped-down than this. Grab a brush and have some fun while you rock."
4.5 out of 5
Read the Charvel Pro Mod Limited Wild Card #7 Primer Scream review
A new singlecut revives one of the earliest solidbodies to bear the Framus name
Framus Vintage Hollywood Singlecut (£718)
Verdict:
"An instrument that successfully looks back to the past but also possesses modern performance appeal."
4 out of 5
Read the Framus Vintage Hollywood Singlecut review
BUY: Framus Vintage Hollywood Singlecut currently available from:
UK: Thomann
More evidence of the return of the Floyd Rose or defiling a perfectly good LP? We investigate…
Epiphone Les Paul PlusTop PRO/FX (£499)
Verdict:
"Like a sweet and sour recipe, this classic/modern combo shouldn't work - but it does."
4 out of 5
Read the Epiphone Les Paul PlusTop PRO/FX review
BUY: Epiphone Les Paul PlusTop PRO/FX currently available from:
BUY: Epiphone Les Paul PlusTop PRO/FX currently available from:
US: Sweetwater
A rockin' doublecut revived by this famous old German name
Framus Vintage Hollywood Doublecut (£769)
Verdict:
"With gorgeous vintage looks and great tones, this guitar packs old-school charm and modern appeal. Here's hoping it'll soon be part of a bigger range."
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