Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Black Friday
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
Kids hands on a beginner keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners 2025: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
Man playing Roland TD716 electronic drum set in a studio
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets 2025: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
A Boss RC-10R looper pedal on a wooden floor
Guitar Pedals Best looper pedals 2025: My favourite loop stations for every budget
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
Man presses acoustic bridge pin into an acoustic guitar
Guitar Strings Best acoustic guitar strings 2025: Find your favourite acoustic strings
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN
Electric Guitars “Some might say a guitar at this kind of price point has no business resonating so well”: Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN review
Warm Audio's Tube Squealer is a greatest-hits of Tube Screamer circuits, three-in one, while the Throne Of Tone, the new dual-overdrive twofer from the Texan pedal company channels not one but two classic pedals, which in a way were both inspired by the classic Marshall "Bluesbreaker" amps used by Clapton back in his John Mayall days.
Guitars Warm Audio channels the greatest hits of classic overdrive with the regal Throne Of Tone dual-drive and the 3-in-1 Tone Squealer
A Yamaha Revstar electric guitar on a blue background
Electric Guitars Thomann's Guitar Days sale just hit up to 70% off with £474 off an Epiphone semi-hollow, £132 off a Death By Audio pedal, plus loads more massive savings
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best acoustic guitars 2025: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
Guitars “These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
PRS SE Semi-Hollow Special
Electric Guitars "A stellar build complements a gorgeous aesthetic, and thankfully, it has the tones and playability to back it up": PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow review
Gretsch Electromatic CVT Double-Cut in Wychwood greenburst finish
Electric Guitars "For garage, punk, and rock styles, it’s got the tonal firepower on offer": Gretsch Electromatic CVT Double-Cut review
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Guitars Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
The BEAM SOLO is the new headphone amp for guitar and bass from Blackstar Amplification, and is a compact unit with an integrated jack featuring amp models and effects, and a suite of digital features.
Guitars Blackstar Amplification unveils the BEAM SOLO – has the Fender Mustang Micro Plus found a rival?
More
  • Charlie XCX + John Cale
  • Lily Allen's songwriting camp
  • Fleetwood Mac for Glasto?
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Simon Phillips
  1. Guitars

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

News
By Total Guitar, Guitarist ( Guitarist, Total Guitar ) published 7 January 2015

December's guitar, amp and effects reviews

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

G&L Tribute Series Fallout

G&L Tribute Series Fallout

Every month, Total Guitar and Guitarist magazines - both of which are our sister publications - review the latest amplifiers, electric guitars, acoustics and other guitar-related items.

In this gallery we've gathered every new review featured on the site throughout December and originally published in Total Guitar issues 261/262 and Guitarist 388/389.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A super-freak with Leo Fender's fingerprints on it; don't let it fade into obscurity again."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: G&L Tribute Series Fallout review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 260)

BUY: G&L Tribute Series Fallout currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Full Compass

Page 1 of 26
Page 1 of 26
BluGuitar Amp 1

BluGuitar Amp 1

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The next big thing? We reckon the Amp 1 will do for pedal amps what the iPad did for tablets - watch out!"

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: BluGuitar Amp 1 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 388)

BUY: BluGuitar Amp 1 currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 2 of 26
Page 2 of 26
Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail

Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An analogue delay pedal that extends the sonic palette beyond the standard."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 388)

BUY: Seymour Duncan Vapor Trail currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 3 of 26
Page 3 of 26
Squier Vintage Modified Baritone Jazzmaster

Squier Vintage Modified Baritone Jazzmaster

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Considering the faultless build quality, toneful Duncan Designed pickups and reasonable street prices, you'll struggle to find a baritone that offers more for the money."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Squier Vintage Modified Baritone Jazzmaster review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 261)

BUY: Squier Vintage Modified Baritone Jazzmaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 4 of 26
Page 4 of 26
Seymour Duncan 805 Overdrive

Seymour Duncan 805 Overdrive

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A practical pedal in front of clean or dirty amps. In an over-subscribed genre, the 805's EQ and wide range of gain gives it real versatility."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Seymour Duncan 805 Overdrive review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 388)

BUY: Seymour Duncan 805 Overdrive currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 5 of 26
Page 5 of 26
Fender Classic Player Triple Tele

Fender Classic Player Triple Tele

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Lightweight 50s-vibe Tele with three Tele bridge pickups. Daft? Not at all - a great 'Strat' for the Tele player."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Classic Player Triple Tele review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 388)

BUY: Fender Classic Player Triple Tele currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 6 of 26
Page 6 of 26
Tanglewood Premier Deluxe TPE DC DLX

Tanglewood Premier Deluxe TPE DC DLX

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A classically styled dreadnought cutaway with great build quality, value for money, playability and sound."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tanglewood Premier Deluxe TPE DC DLX review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 388)

BUY: Tanglewood Premier Deluxe TPE DC DLX currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 7 of 26
Page 7 of 26
Xvive V5 Delay

Xvive V5 Delay

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A fine entry point to delay land."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Xvive V5 Delay review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 261)

BUY: Xvive V5 Delay currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 8 of 26
Page 8 of 26
Fender Classic Player Baja '60s Telecaster

Fender Classic Player Baja '60s Telecaster

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Classic 60s-style Tele with extra sounds from the four-way selector and S-1 switch: what's not to like?"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Classic Player Baja '60s Telecaster review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 388)

BUY: Fender Classic Player Baja '60s Telecaster currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 9 of 26
Page 9 of 26
Tanglewood Premier Deluxe TPE SF DLX

Tanglewood Premier Deluxe TPE SF DLX

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A good all-round sound, acoustically and amp'd, but a little less big-hearted tonally than its dreadnought sibling."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tanglewood Premier Deluxe TPE SF DLX review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 388)

BUY: Tanglewood Premier Deluxe TPE SF DLX currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 10 of 26
Page 10 of 26
Xvive V3 Metal

Xvive V3 Metal

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Although the V3 lacks versatility, you'll be hard pushed to find heavier tones elsewhere."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Xvive V3 Metal review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 261)

BUY: Xvive V3 Metal currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 11 of 26
Page 11 of 26
Fender Classic Player Strat HH

Fender Classic Player Strat HH

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A classy looking Strat with dual Wide Range humbuckers and a dual personality to match."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Classic Player Strat HH review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 388)

BUY: Fender Classic Player Strat HH currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 12 of 26
Page 12 of 26
MacPherson Nomad

MacPherson Nomad

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Beautifully made and finished with a very clean modern aesthetic. The supplied pickups are aimed at gain-laden tones but, of course, you can choose your own."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MacPherson Nomad review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 388)

Page 13 of 26
Page 13 of 26
DigiTech Bass Whammy

DigiTech Bass Whammy

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Serious return of a cult pitch-shifting pedal with mono and polyphonic modes."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DigiTech Bass Whammy review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 388)

BUY: DigiTech Bass Whammy currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 14 of 26
Page 14 of 26
Nineboys Tonk Bros Parlour Guitar

Nineboys Tonk Bros Parlour Guitar

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Highly affordable Brit-made electro that comes beaten up and bruised if you want. Not for everyone, but has undeniable mojo."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Nineboys Tonk Bros Parlour Guitar review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 388)

BUY: Nineboys Tonk Bros Parlour Guitar currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 15 of 26
Page 15 of 26
Barnett-Davies 15/30

Barnett-Davies 15/30

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A finely-built Brit amp with workaday looks but purposeful tones and features."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Barnett-Davies 15/30 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 388)

Page 16 of 26
Page 16 of 26
Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Band Of Gypsys FFM6 Fuzz Face Mini

Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Band Of Gypsys FFM6 Fuzz Face Mini

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Another worthy entry in the small Face family - an aggressive vintage fuzz for Hendrix tones and beyond."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Band Of Gypsys FFM6 Fuzz Face Mini review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 388)

BUY: Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Band Of Gypsys FFM6 Fuzz Face Mini currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music

Page 17 of 26
Page 17 of 26
Boss VE-2 Vocal Harmonist

Boss VE-2 Vocal Harmonist

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Easy vocal enhancement and harmonies for singing guitarists."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Boss VE-2 Vocal Harmonist review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 388)

BUY: Boss VE-2 Vocal Harmonist currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 18 of 26
Page 18 of 26
Washburn Parallaxe PXS29FRTBBM

Washburn Parallaxe PXS29FRTBBM

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The metal market is saturated with shred machines, but not many possess more than 24 frets. So, if your playing style demands more at the dusty end, this model is worth serious investigation."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Washburn Parallaxe PXS29FRTBBM review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 261)

BUY: Washburn Parallaxe PXS29FRTBBM currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 19 of 26
Page 19 of 26
Orange Micro Crush Pix

Orange Micro Crush Pix

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It's not very flexible, but if you operate within its parameters you'll find the Micro Crush Pix is a decent mini amp."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Orange Micro Crush Pix review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 261)

BUY: Orange Micro Crush Pix currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 20 of 26
Page 20 of 26
Höfner CS Verythin Limited Edition

Höfner CS Verythin Limited Edition

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Yes, it loses points for some untidy binding and a scratchy jack, but with some TLC, this Verythin could be a retro crowd-pleaser."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Höfner CS Verythin Limited Edition review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 261)

BUY: Höfner CS Club Solid currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 21 of 26
Page 21 of 26
DOD Envelope Filter 440

DOD Envelope Filter 440

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"There are no subtle wah textures; the 440 is all about in-your-face filter goodness, with a host of intuitive, faithfully recreated tones."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DOD Envelope Filter 440 review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 261)

BUY: DOD Envelope Filter 440 currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 22 of 26
Page 22 of 26
Höfner CS Club Solid

Höfner CS Club Solid

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"What Höfner is offering with the Contemporary Series Club Solid is an aristocratic guitar at a price we bums can afford. Sorry, Mr Lebowski - we won after all."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Höfner CS Club Solid review

BUY: Höfner CS Club Solid currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 261)

Page 23 of 26
Page 23 of 26
Blackstar Fly 3

Blackstar Fly 3

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A huge innovation in a tiny field."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar Fly 3 review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 261)

BUY: Blackstar Fly 3 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 24 of 26
Page 24 of 26
Höfner CS Galaxie

Höfner CS Galaxie

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Galaxie was odd in its time and it's odd now, but it has a tone that's unique - and that's rare nowadays."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Höfner CS Galaxie review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 261)

Page 25 of 26
Page 25 of 26
Caparison C2 ANG-QE

Caparison C2 ANG-QE

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If metal is your bag, there aren't many guitars in this price range that are built this well and produce such truly brutal metal tones."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Caparison C2 ANG-QE review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 261)

Page 26 of 26
Page 26 of 26
Guitarist
Guitarist
Social Links Navigation

Guitarist is the longest established UK guitar magazine, offering gear reviews, artist interviews, techniques lessons and loads more, in print, on tablet and on smartphones
Digital: http://bit.ly/GuitaristiOS
If you love guitars, you'll love Guitarist. Find us in print, on Newsstand for iPad, iPhone and other digital readers

The magazine for serious players image
The magazine for serious players
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN
“Some might say a guitar at this kind of price point has no business resonating so well”: Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN review
 
 
Warm Audio's Tube Squealer is a greatest-hits of Tube Screamer circuits, three-in one, while the Throne Of Tone, the new dual-overdrive twofer from the Texan pedal company channels not one but two classic pedals, which in a way were both inspired by the classic Marshall "Bluesbreaker" amps used by Clapton back in his John Mayall days.
Warm Audio channels the greatest hits of classic overdrive with the regal Throne Of Tone dual-drive and the 3-in-1 Tone Squealer
 
 
A Yamaha Revstar electric guitar on a blue background
Thomann's Guitar Days sale just hit up to 70% off with £474 off an Epiphone semi-hollow, £132 off a Death By Audio pedal, plus loads more massive savings
 
 
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Best acoustic guitars 2025: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
 
 
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
“These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
 
 
Latest in Guitars
White PRS on a marble surface
The PRS Black Friday sale is already here and there's huge discounts on SE CE 24, SE Custom 24, SE Studio and other workhorse models – here's 5 deals I rate
 
 
Third Man Hardware x JHS Pedals Troika: the new collab from Jack White's gear brand is a "studio-grade" delay designed for vocals, guitars and other instruments, for the stage or studio, and is available in yellow or black.
Jack White used the prototype on No Name and now you can buy it – meet the JHS Pedals x Third Man Hardware Troika delay
 
 
Universal Audio UAFX pedals: the company has updated its amp modelling pedal lineup, adding MIDI connectivity, improved presets and app integration.
Universal Audio gives its UAFX amp modelling and effects pedals an almighty power up, adding MIDI connectivity, improving presets and app integration
 
 
Johnny Marr demoes his new signature Jaguar Special with its trio of custom-wound lipstick pickups.
Fender and Johnny Marr reimagine the Jaguar with signature stunner featuring three custom-wound lipstick single-coils
 
 
Taylor Jacob Collier GS Mini: featuring a brightly-coloured rosette graphic designed with the musical polymath, this beginner friendly acoustic has a bold five-string design for his signature DAEAD tuning.
Taylor teams up with Jacob Collier for signature acoustics that declare standard tuning DAEAD – and they’re accessibly priced
 
 
A Warm Audio tube condenser microphone
The early Black Friday guitar deals don't get much better than this sale at Thomann - save up to 69% on two top-rated guitars, a Warm Audio condenser mic, a Behringer synthesizer, and loads more
 
 
Latest in News
zenology
"Over 11,000 genre-defining Roland sounds in one powerful instrument": Roland brings Zen-Core to Galaxias with Zenology GX
 
 
Amy Allen and Sabrina Carpenter at the Billboard NMPA Grammy Week Songwriter Showcase held at Nightingale Plaza on February 1, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images)
The "hysterical" songwriting sessions with Sabrina Carpenter that propelled Amy Allen to four Grammy nominations
 
 
Jon Bon Jovi and Noel Gallagher composite image
“The guitar tones were alone the price of admission”: Jon Bon Jovi was impressed by Oasis live
 
 
PreSonus Studio 24c in a home studio
My go-to audio interface is now even better value at under £80 in Gear4Music's early Black Friday sale
 
 
Breaking Rust image - back of a man in a cowboy hat, in the rain
“The audio has this weird digital shimmer”: The biggest country song is the US right now is AI-generated
 
 
Charli XCX shared her new remix album with a few hundred fans at a special event at Storm King Oct. 10
"A pivotal moment for the UK music industry": UK music generated a record £8bn for the economy in 2024, but challenges from AI and Brexit remain
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...