New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (January 2012)

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.

Read more: Guild S-100 Polara

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

Verdict:

"High-calibre drive pedal that's worthy of your attention."

4 out of 5

Read the TwinStomp S21 Overdrive review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."

TYPE: stars | CAPTION: null | SRC: 4 | WIDTH: | HEIGHT: . (Click the Edit Attributes/Cog button with cursor placed in this area to edit this tag.)

Read the Framus Vintage Hollywood Doublecut review