New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (July 2012)
28 products at a glance
Every month, MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the best independent and in-depth music-making gear reviews.
This is a selection of electric and acoustic guitars, amps and FX units - all of which have been tested rigorously by the Guitarist or Total Guitar teams in recent months and published on MusicRadar throughout June 2012.
Flick through this month's picks and follow the links to read each product's full review. We kick off with a digital/valve hybrid amp from Fender...
NEXT: Fender Super Champ X2
A new digital/valve hybrid from Fender that's equally at home in your studio or on the stage
Fender Super Champ X2 (£347)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“For home use and the occasional small gig, the Super Champ X2 is hard to beat at the price.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Super Champ X2
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Fender Super Champ X2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
This new top-end production line Strat flexes its muscles
Fender Select Stratocaster HSS (£2062)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Quite simply a very classy, big-sounding Strat with a classic 'modded vintage' vibe.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Select Stratocaster HSS
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Fender Select Stratocaster HSS currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass
Fender's new Select Series is straight off the production line, but can it really compete with the many Fender-inspired boutique brands?
Fender Select Carved Koa Top Telecaster (£2518)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A sort of grown-up take on the Telecaster. Great feel, weight and Tele-plus sounds.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Select Carved Koa Top Telecaster
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Fender Select Carved Koa Top Telecaster currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Full Compass
Martin tweaks the D-18 - but can such a classic be changed for the better?
Martin D-18 (£1849)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Martin has managed to improve and refine what was an already great guitar. This new D-18 is truly fantastic.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Martin D-18
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Martin D-18 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
In a bold move, Martin revises one of its best-loved dreadnoughts.
Martin OM-21 (£1949)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“New Performance neck profile, same instantly likeable tone - the new OM-21 will remain a firm favourite with fingerstyle players.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Martin OM-21
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Martin OM-21 currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Has Trevor Wilkinson been cloning American classics, or is there more to this Fret-King than meets the eye?
Fret-King Black Label Country Squire Semitone (£629)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“This cracking little tone machine doesn't conjure up the classic Tele bite, but the bulk of its sonic palette offers classic rock tones.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Black Label Country Squire Semitone
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
Fret-King dares suggest tone, playability and fit and finish are more important than a headstock squiggle
Fret-King Black Label Eclat Standard (£649)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“You can't move for good LP-inspired guitars around £600 at the moment. But the Standard is the best we've tried so far.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Black Label Eclat Standard
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Fret-King Black Label Eclat Standard currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
Fret-King heads into battle against another Fender classic
Fret-King Black Label Corona SP (£599)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“It won't half face some stiff competition from mid-price Fenders but the versatility injected by the P-90 should help the Corona SP win some fans.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Black Label Corona SP
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
Godin's 5th Avenue range gets a top-of-the-line addition. Time to get down with your flat fives
Godin 5th Avenue Jazz (£1999)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“From humble beginnings, the 5th Avenue range now looks very attractive and the Jazz is a fine-quality addition.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Godin 5th Avenue Jazz
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Godin 5th Avenue Jazz currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater
A hollowbody bass with big sounds and retro appeal - what's not to like?
Hagstrom Viking Bass (£566)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A hard bass to fault. Semi basses have never been as popular as solids, but at this price it's well worth trying out.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Hagstrom Viking Bass
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Hagstrom Viking Bass currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
FR: Thomann | Michenaud | Woodbrass
A sound engineer's nightmare?
Crushsound Farmer's Mill (£300)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Niche? Certainly, but for a certain type of guitarist the Farmer's Mill is a beautifully chaotic experience.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Crushsound Farmer's Mill
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
Add some more scuzz to your thumping
MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe (£158)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“For low-end dirt, this is simply the perfect choice.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: MXR M84 Bass Fuzz Deluxe currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | guitarguitar | Reidys
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass
FR: Thomann | Michenaud | Woodbrass
Need your tone at neighbour-friendly volume?
Koch Dummybox DB60-HM & DB60-ST (£166 and £239)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Well-made and easy to use, the prices are reasonable for such high-end products.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Koch Dummybox DB60-HM & DB60-ST
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Koch Dummybox DB60-HM & DB60-ST currently available from:
FR: Michenaud
Another 'super' guitar polish, apparently
Music Nomad Guitar One (£13.99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Less is more when it comes to cleaning and polishing but this all-in-one preparation is a very good light solution that'll keep your guitars in prime condition.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Music Nomad Guitar One
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Music Nomad Guitar One currently available from:
FR: Woodbrass
Travel guitar or toy?
Fender Newporter Mini (£238)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Yup, it works! Quite well actually, but there's little to make it stand out from the crowd.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Newporter Mini
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Fender Newporter Mini currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | Reidys
FR: Thomann
This latest Olympus digital recorder offers multi-track recording as well as high-quality stereo
Olympus LS-100 (£399)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A classy portable stereo recorder with the added attraction of multi-track recording for songwriting, working out arrangements and for creating quick demos.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Olympus LS-100
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Olympus LS-100 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
USA: Full Compass
FR: Thomann | Star's Music | Woodbrass
PRS's long-standing semi-solid Custom is given a stylish retro makeover...
PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow with Bigsby (£849)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A neat special-run addition to the SE range with oodles of retro flavour at a price that's extremely enticing.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow with Bigsby
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow with Bigsby currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
A new seven-string from France that mixes quality luthiery with a flamed maple top and a veritable rainbow of finish options
Vigier Excalibur Special 7 (£2179)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you're in the market for a high-end seven-string that doesn't necessarily scream 'metal' right in your face, this is a serious contender.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Vigier Excalibur Special 7
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Vigier Excalibur Special 7 currently available from:
FR: Woodbrass
Zoom's latest multi-FX processor packs plenty of processing power at a tidy price
Zoom G5 (£259)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A practical floor unit that could easily serve as your sole onstage pedal while taking on practice and recording roles at home.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Zoom G5
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Zoom G5 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | guitarguitar
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass
FR: Thomann | Woodbrass
What can this tiniest of Terrors offer, beyond cuteness?
Orange Micro Terror (£99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“For just £99, this is impossible for us to not recommend.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Orange Micro Terror
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Orange Micro Terror currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | guitarguitar | Reidys
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass
FR: Thomann | Michenaud | Woodbrass
The coolest delay ever? Want Tibet?
JAM Delay Llama Plus (£269)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“True analogue delay with foot control for freaky sounds… what's not to like?”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: JAM Delay Llama Plus
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: JAM Delay Llama Plus currently available from:
UK: Thomann | guitarguitar
FR: Thomann
We get our mitts on the Slipknot guitarist's signature amp
Orange Signature #4 Jim Root Terror (£439)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A versatile addition to the Terror range with no shortage of dirt.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Orange Signature #4 Jim Root Terror
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: Orange Signature #4 Jim Root Terror currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
USA: Full Compass
FR: Thomann | Michenaud | Woodbrass
Wah with knobs on (well, one knob…)
JAM Wahcko Plus (£249)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“One of the best of its breed, both in sound and practicality - an LED lights when it's active and you can change how loose the treadle is with an Allen key.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: JAM Wahcko Plus
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
A variation on that lil' green box
JAM TubeDreamer 72 (£169)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A perfect pedal to give you that little bit of extra bite or dirt from your amp.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: JAM TubeDreamer 72
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: JAM TubeDreamer 72 currently available from:
UK: guitarguitar
Fuzz and distortion, Soviet-style
JAM Red Muck (£179)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A wide yet classy range of fuzz and distortion effects, in a pedalboard-friendly form.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: JAM Red Muck
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 356)
BUY: JAM Red Muck currently available from:
UK: Thomann | guitarguitar
FR: Thomann
Avoiding the broken Strat blues
Fender Custom Shop Reunion Blues Gig Bag (£226)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“It's expensive, but the flexoskeleton, one-inch solid-cell foam padding and interior cushions will go a long way to protecting your Fender.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Custom Shop Reunion Blues Gig Bag
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 229)
BUY: Fender Custom Shop Reunion Blues Gig Bag currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater
FR: Star's Music | Woodbrass
Hit the right note
Rotosound ATC-10 Guitar Tuner & Chord Finder (£17.95)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Simple chord-finding process - and the added bonus of a tuner makes this a useful accessory for songwriters and strummers.”
3 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Rotosound ATC-10 Guitar Tuner & Chord Finder
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 229)
Smart gizmo for smartphones
Castiv Guitar Sidekick (£19.95)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Would make a useful addition to anyone with a growing collection of guitar apps.”
3 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Castiv Guitar Sidekick
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 229)
