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  1. Guitars
  2. Acoustic Guitars

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

News
By Chris Vinnicombe published 10 January 2012

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

Mesa/Boogie Mini Rectifier Twenty-Five (£1099)

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

Page 1 of 16
Page 1 of 16
TwinStomp S21 Overdrive (£189)

TwinStomp S21 Overdrive (£189)

Verdict:

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

4 out of 5

Read the TwinStomp S21 Overdrive review

Page 2 of 16
Page 2 of 16
Nik Huber Orca DSB (£4199)

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

Page 3 of 16
Page 3 of 16
Hardwire TR-7 Tremolo/Rotary (£149)

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

Page 4 of 16
Page 4 of 16
EVH Wolfgang Stealth (£2662)

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

Page 5 of 16
Page 5 of 16
Larrivée 000-3R Ltd (£1299)

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

Page 6 of 16
Page 6 of 16
Fender Blacktop Strat HH Floyd Rose (£682)

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

Page 7 of 16
Page 7 of 16
Fender Modern Player Marauder (£442.80)

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

Page 8 of 16
Page 8 of 16
Fender EC Series Vibro-Champ 1 x 8 (£1102)

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

Page 9 of 16
Page 9 of 16
Fender Modern Player Jaguar (£442.80)

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

Page 10 of 16
Page 10 of 16
Fender EC Series Twinolux 2 x 12 (£3022)

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

Page 11 of 16
Page 11 of 16
Orange TH100 head (£999)

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

Page 12 of 16
Page 12 of 16
Charvel Pro Mod Limited Wild Card #7 Primer Scream (£838)

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

Page 13 of 16
Page 13 of 16
Framus Vintage Hollywood Singlecut (£718)

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

Page 14 of 16
Page 14 of 16
Epiphone Les Paul PlusTop PRO/FX (£499)

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

Page 15 of 16
Page 15 of 16
Framus Vintage Hollywood Doublecut (£769)

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."

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

Page 16 of 16
Page 16 of 16
Chris Vinnicombe

Chris Vinnicombe worked with us here on the MusicRadar team from the site's initial launch way back in 2007, and also contributed to Guitarist magazine as Features Editor until 2014, as well as Total Guitar magazine, amongst others. These days he can be found at Gibson Guitars, where he is editor-in-chief.

Read more
Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst: the all-new high-performance S-style from the GIbson-owned shred brand is a grown-up looking S-style.
“It’s as comfortable as a guitar can”: Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst review
EVH Gear Wolfgang WG Standard T.O.M.
Hold the Floyd: EVH reimagines Wolfgang Standard as a high-performance shredder with a TOM bridge
Spira S-450 TPP
"Up there as one of the better value for money metal guitars that you can currently buy": Spira S-450 TPP review
Harley Benton ST JAM-ster: The new high-performance S-style from the budget gear giant comes in metallic red and gray finishes with black pickguards and vibrato.
Harley Benton’s new entry-level electric is a stylish S-style with a $140 price tag and onboard FX
Jackson Pro Plus Series Misha Mansoor Juggernaut: the newly refreshed signature Superstrat is offered in Red Crystal and Blue Sparkle with a string-through-hardtail, and in Riviera Blue with an EverTune bridge. Stainless steel frets and an ebony fingerboard come as standard.
Jackson gives Misha Mansoor’s Juggernaut a new lick of paint and upgrades to stainless steel frets
Jackson Pro Plus Pure Metal Series: the new limited range strips the Soloist, Rhoads and Kelly down with a single Fishman bridge humbucker, Floyd Rose and black finishes as standard
Jackson unveils stripped down single-pickup shred classics in ltd edition Pro Plus Pure Metal range
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From Parlour to Jumbo: The beginner's guide to acoustic guitar body shapes (and which one is right for you)
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