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

By The MusicRadar team
published 3 January 2014

December's guitar, amps and effects reviews

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Taylor 526ce
Mahogany-topped Taylor electro-acoustic

Taylor 526ce

Each month MusicRadar's sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the best independent gear reviews.

Here we've collected reviews of all the guitar-related gear posted on the site throughout December, including guitars, amps, stompboxes and recording interfaces.

All of the gear here was originally reviewed in Guitarist issue 375, Total Guitar issue 248, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This 'hog beaut is not some retro timepiece; it's a different, punchier-sounding Taylor, fit for full pro duties."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Taylor 526ce

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 375)

BUY: Taylor 526ce currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 1 of 17
Page 1 of 17
Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster w/ Bigsby
Cab looks with vibrato vibes

Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster w/ Bigsby

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Rock 'n' roll thrills, hot-rod cool and a stable Bigsby for truly daft money? Hell, yes!"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster w/ Bigsby

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 375)

BUY: Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster w/ Bigsby currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 2 of 17
Page 2 of 17
Bigfoot Engineering Octo Puss
Passive octave pedal

Bigfoot Engineering Octo Puss

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Vintage-style octave, but needs thoughtful placement in your chain."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Bigfoot Engineering Octo Puss

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 375)

Page 3 of 17
Page 3 of 17
Yamaha TRBX504
High spec, stylish bass guitar

Yamaha TRBX504

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Yamaha's latest bass takes some beating; great playability and a broad range of passive and active sounds."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha TRBX504

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 375)

BUY: Yamaha TRBX504 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 4 of 17
Page 4 of 17
TC Electronic Hall Of Fame Mini Reverb
Tiny 'verb pedal with unlimited potential

TC Electronic Hall Of Fame Mini Reverb

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"For those short on 'board space and keen on computer-based editing, this is an outstanding compact 'verb."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Hall Of Fame Mini Reverb

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 375)

BUY: TC Electronic Hall Of Fame Mini Reverb currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 5 of 17
Page 5 of 17
TheGigRig G2
The ultimate switching system?

TheGigRig G2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Superb switching flexibility, exceptional tonal integrity, sensible price: gold!"

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TheGigRig G2

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 375)

Page 6 of 17
Page 6 of 17
Taylor 324ce
'Hog'-top electro-acoustic

Taylor 324ce

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The 324ce gives a mahogany flavour and aesthetic - alongside a rock solid, playable build - at a reasonable price."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Taylor 324ce

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 375)

BUY: Taylor 324ce currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 7 of 17
Page 7 of 17
T-Rex Alberta II
A double dose of dirt

T-Rex Alberta II

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"T-Rex has managed to satisfy fans of the original, while adding enough new features and versatility to entice players who have yet to pay a visit to Alberta."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: T-Rex Alberta II

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 248)

BUY: T-Rex Alberta II currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 8 of 17
Page 8 of 17
Bigfoot Engineering Octo Puss Prime
Transform your tone with this octave/fuzz

Bigfoot Engineering Octo Puss Prime

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Full-on octave fuzz that's more than meets the eye..."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Bigfoot Engineering Octo Puss Prime

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 375)

Page 9 of 17
Page 9 of 17
PRS SE Clint Lowery
Functional Sevendust signature electric

PRS SE Clint Lowery

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This PRS is full of surprises, not least that you can find one for less than £700 - and that it's a signature model that anyone could pick up and make it their own."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS SE Clint Lowery

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 248)

BUY: PRS SE Clint Lowery currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 10 of 17
Page 10 of 17
Vox Night Train NT15C1
The revamped amp arrives

Vox Night Train NT15C1

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The only bad thing about the NT15C1 is the price. That said, you're getting an awful lot for your money, and when was the last time you could say that about a train?"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox Night Train NT15C1

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 248)

BUY: Vox Night Train NT15C1 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music |Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 11 of 17
Page 11 of 17
Peerless Retromatic P3
A retro-styled semi loaded with vintage goodies

Peerless Retromatic P3

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This Retromatic could easily sit with Gary Clark Jr's swampy blues, Mike Campbell's rootsier rock or Kenny Burrell's bluesier jazz - and it's a great guitar to help you find your own voice."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Peerless Retromatic P3

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 248)

Page 12 of 17
Page 12 of 17
Palmer FAB5
Fabulous five-watt valve amp

Palmer FAB5

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Totally FAB, this little all-valve tone monster offers immense flexibility and has recording amp written all over it."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Palmer FAB5

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 248)

BUY: Palmer FAB5 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 13 of 17
Page 13 of 17
Martin LX1E Ed Sheeran
Chart champion gets a signature model

Martin LX1E Ed Sheeran

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Ed Sheeran's Lil' Martin is the perfect guitar to bring out the inner troubadour in us all. Superb on all counts."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Martin LX1E Ed Sheeran

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 376)

BUY: Martin LX1E Ed Sheeran currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 14 of 17
Page 14 of 17
Squier Vintage Modified Bass VI
Six-string bass for a bargain price

Squier Vintage Modified Bass VI

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Whether your playing encompasses 60s surf, post-rock or anything else for that matter, at this price, the Squier Bass VI is a no-brainer."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Squier Vintage Modified Bass VI

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 376)

BUY: Squier Vintage Modified Bass VI currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 15 of 17
Page 15 of 17
Healey Sapphire
Hand-wired, boutique British-made valve head

Healey Sapphire

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Not perfect for every player, but if you prefer to drive an amp from your guitar, the Sapphire could be right up your street."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Healey Sapphire

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 376)

Page 16 of 17
Page 16 of 17
Fender Cabronita P-Bass
The Cabronita reborn in bass form

Fender Cabronita P-Bass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The rudimentary ethos won't suit everyone but if simple is your thing, here's a very cool-sounding place to start."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Cabronita P-Bass

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 376)

BUY: Fender Cabronita P-Bass currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 17 of 17
Page 17 of 17
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