Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist (opens in new tab)
  • Guitar Techniques (opens in new tab)
  • Total Guitar (opens in new tab)
  • Bass Player (opens in new tab)
More
  • Lennon on Eleanor Rigby
  • Jimmy Page demos classic Led Zep gear
  • Classic rock riffs for beginners
  • Omnichord @ 70
  • SampleRadar: 163 tape loops samples

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

  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Guitarist

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

By Guitarist, Total Guitar
published 7 July 2014

All of the June reviews, in one place

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Taylor T5z Custom
A unique hollowbody hybrid

Taylor T5z Custom

MusicRadar's sister mags Guitarist and Total Guitar pen the best independent reviews of guitar gear on a regular basis.

In this gallery, we've collected all their guitar, amp, pedal and other six-string-focussed reviews featured on the site in June. All of the reviews here were originally published in Guitarist issue 381/382, Total Guitar issue 253/254, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team. Kicking things off, it's the Taylor T5z Custom...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“More electric- feeling than the T5, the T5z is still a highly visionary design for the creative player wanting to merge electric and acoustic sounds.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Taylor T5z Custom review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Taylor T5z Custom currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 1 of 25
Page 1 of 25
Boss OD-1X Overdrive
The overdrive pedal, overhauled

Boss OD-1X Overdrive

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Not, er, dirt cheap, but it will give you a different dirtbox experience from just about everything else around.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Boss OD-1X Overdrive review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Boss OD-1X Overdrive currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 2 of 25
Page 2 of 25
PRS SE Zach Myers
Shinedown-man's semi-hollow signature

PRS SE Zach Myers

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If he wasn't touring the world and helping to sell millions of records, Zach Myers might have a career as a guitar designer.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS SE Zach Myers review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

BUY: PRS SE Zach Myers currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 3 of 25
Page 3 of 25
Fender Starcaster Bass
The characterful bass makes its debut

Fender Starcaster Bass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An excellent and viable alternative to Fender's solidbodies, this comfortable and stylish bass will turn heads.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Starcaster Bass review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Fender Starcaster Bass currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 4 of 25
Page 4 of 25
Davis Stang JR500
Beefy head and cab combo

Davis Stang JR500

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“For players with a dedicated road crew, it's definitely work checking out. The rest of us might need to see what Davis comes up with next. One to watch out for.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Davis Stang JR500 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

Page 5 of 25
Page 5 of 25
Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 10
The practice amp redefined

Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 10

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A superbly featured first amp - a no-brainer. A lot of fun for the cash!”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 10 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 10 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 6 of 25
Page 6 of 25
Yamaha LL16D ARE
Glam and affordable acoustic

Yamaha LL16D ARE

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Poshed-up version of the more plain LL16 ARE, offering stunning spec for very sensible money.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha LL16D ARE review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Yamaha LL16D ARE currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 7 of 25
Page 7 of 25
Rotosound The Aftermath Analog Delay
Not your everyday delay

Rotosound The Aftermath Analog Delay

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Give it a go if you like your delay dirty.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rotosound The Aftermath Analog Delay review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

Page 8 of 25
Page 8 of 25
Tone King Royalist 45C
Exclusive British-style valve amp

Tone King Royalist 45C

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If you want the ultimate British tone experience, the Royalist is pretty much in a league of its own.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tone King Royalist 45C review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Tone King Royalist 45C currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

Page 9 of 25
Page 9 of 25
Ernie Ball MVP Most Valuable Pedal
Magnificent Volume Pedal

Ernie Ball MVP Most Valuable Pedal

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Plenty of players could find a use for this Ball in their signal chain.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ernie Ball MVP Most Valuable Pedal review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

BUY: Ernie Ball MVP Most Valuable Pedal currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 10 of 25
Page 10 of 25
MusicNomad Fretboard F-One Oil
Clean 'boards, Nomad-a what

MusicNomad Fretboard F-One Oil

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It does the job, lasts ages and represents excellent value for money. What's not to like?”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MusicNomad Fretboard F-One Oil review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

BUY: MusicNomad Fretboard F-One Oil currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
FR: Woodbrass

Page 11 of 25
Page 11 of 25
Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 20
A small combo with big ideas

Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 20

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“To find such features on a starter amp 10 years ago would have been pretty incredible; today, it's seemingly the norm. Despite stiff competition, the Stereo 20 can carve its niche a little deeper.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 20 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 20 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 12 of 25
Page 12 of 25
IsoAcoustics ISO-L8R430 Stand
Sound on stand

IsoAcoustics ISO-L8R430 Stand

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“There are cheaper stands, but the IsoAcoustics' effects are worth experiencing.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IsoAcoustics ISO-L8R430 Stand review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

BUY: IsoAcoustics ISO-L8R430 Stand currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 13 of 25
Page 13 of 25
Yamaha LS16M ARE
Small body acoustic that's big on value

Yamaha LS16M ARE

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Highly capable, traditional-style small-body all-rounder, offering exceptional value for money.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha LS16M ARE review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Yamaha LS16M ARE currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 14 of 25
Page 14 of 25
Rotosound The Wobbler Tremolo
Throw a Wobbler on your 'board

Rotosound The Wobbler Tremolo

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“All in all, it's a great, natural way to add tremolo if you don't have an amp with the effect built in.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rotosound The Wobbler Tremolo review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

Page 15 of 25
Page 15 of 25
Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster
The 'Caster going for gold

Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The guitar's aural presence doesn't sparkle as much as its finish, but it's rammed with usable tones to suit a huge range of genres - yet more proof that 60 years on, the Strat is still worth its weight in gold.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

BUY: Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 16 of 25
Page 16 of 25
Rotosound The Pusher Compressor
More sustain with less noise

Rotosound The Pusher Compressor

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Plenty of sustain and top-end bite, but no hiss - cool!”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rotosound The Pusher Compressor review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

Page 17 of 25
Page 17 of 25
Yamaha LJ6 ARE
Jumbo acoustic that's hard to beat

Yamaha LJ6 ARE

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Almost unbelievable value for money for such a capable, quality electro-acoustic, especially in Sunburst!”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha LJ6 ARE review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Yamaha LJ6 ARE currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 18 of 25
Page 18 of 25
Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 40
A stereo starter amp with more to offer

Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 40

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If you like the ID:Core concept but need more power - this is the one!”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 40 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 40 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 19 of 25
Page 19 of 25
Zoom G1XON
A well-priced portal into the effects realm

Zoom G1XON

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It might not stay in your rig forever, but the G1Xon is a stellar introduction to effects.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Zoom G1XON review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

BUY: Zoom G1XON currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 20 of 25
Page 20 of 25
Rotosound The King Henry Phaser
Phasing that goes phurther

Rotosound The King Henry Phaser

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It's royally good phasing with a funky edge.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rotosound The King Henry Phaser review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

Page 21 of 25
Page 21 of 25
Gretsch G5034TFT Rancher
Bizarre or beautiful? A Bigsby-loaded electro-acoustic

Gretsch G5034TFT Rancher

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A hardly essential visual prop, or a viable electric-meets-acoustic hybrid? We'll go for the latter.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch G5034TFT Rancher review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

BUY: Gretsch G5034TFT Rancher currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 22 of 25
Page 22 of 25
Providence Red Rock OD
Overdrive with an American soul

Providence Red Rock OD

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An ideal hotter companion to the boost pedal on your board, that can be tone-tweaked to complement your rig.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Providence Red Rock OD review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

Page 23 of 25
Page 23 of 25
Fender Deluxe Dimension V Bass
Five-string bass from the big F

Fender Deluxe Dimension V Bass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A Fender bass in touch with the needs of today's players. Sleek, comfortable and full of sonic delight.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Deluxe Dimension V Bass review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)

BUY: Fender Deluxe Dimension V Bass currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 24 of 25
Page 24 of 25
Palmer Pedalbay 60
Affordable, adjustable pedalboard

Palmer Pedalbay 60

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The Pedalbay 60 is an affordable route to tidy 'boards.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Palmer Pedalbay 60 review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

BUY: Palmer Pedalbay 60 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 25 of 25
Page 25 of 25
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
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

More about guitars
Catalinbread STS-8 Flanger/Reverb

Catalinbread launches the STS-88, “a love letter to the flanger” that can cloak its modulated swoosh in huge dreamy reverb

Harley Benton 25th Anniversary Firemist

Harley Benton strikes gold for its 25th Anniversary, debuting a Firemist finish and high-quality specs on eight Special Edition models priced under £500

Latest
Millenium MPS-1000 in white and natural finishes

Millenium expands its MPS-1000 full-shell electronic drum kit with a new configuration and two new finish options

See more latest ►
Most Popular
Was Paul McCartney the "best drummer in The Beatles"?* Listen to the fab 4 tracks he played on, and the isolated drum parts, and decide for yourself

By Will Groves30 March 2023

Jackson and Anthrax’s Scott Ian join forces for a signature X Series King V that pays tribute to Dimebag Darrell

By Jonathan Horsley30 March 2023

This is Wikipedia’s new audio logo, which is designed to be ‘The Sound of All Human Knowledge’

By Ben Rogerson30 March 2023

Marshall has been sold to Swedish speaker company Zound, ending over 60 years of family ownership

By Jonathan Horsley30 March 2023

Soundtracking secrets: How to get started writing music to picture

By Andy Price30 March 2023

Spectrasonics’ Keyscape 1.5 includes a Double Felt Grand piano, and existing users get this “#1 most requested sound” for free

By Ben Rogerson30 March 2023

Best hardware vocal compressors 2023: analogue studio hardware to suit all budgets and styles

By Simon Truss30 March 2023

Gear Expo 2023 is coming - tune in on 28 April

By Gear Expo 202130 March 2023

Hear the oldest guitar effects pedal demo ever from 1962

By Rob Laing30 March 2023

A drummer has recorded 75 new versions of the Amen break for you to use in your music

By Ben Rogerson30 March 2023

DW announces Alex Gonzalez ICON snare drum

By Stuart Williams29 March 2023

  1. Paul McCartney and John Lennon in 1966
    1
    John Lennon on completing Eleanor Rigby's lyrics for Paul McCartney: "It's his first verse, and the rest of the verses are basically mine"
  2. 2
    Hear the oldest guitar effects pedal demo ever from 1962
  3. 3
    A faulty mixing console meant that Prince’s The Ballad of Dorothy Parker was recorded ‘wrong’, but he used it anyway
  4. 4
    How to use the '3 reverb approach' to nail reverb in almost any mixing scenario
  5. 5
    An audio engineer shows you "how the pros mix vocals" and get that ‘glued-in’ sound
  1. The microphone brand enlisted engineer Darrell Thorp and drummer Joey Waronker for a fly-on-the-wall video session
    1
    Take a deep dive into drum recording at Foo Fighters’ Studio 606 courtesy of Lauten Audio's in-depth video
  2. 2
    A faulty mixing console meant that Prince’s The Ballad of Dorothy Parker was recorded ‘wrong’, but he used it anyway
  3. 3
    Thom Yorke on his 'executive producer' role for Clark's new album Sus Dog: "I ended up being a kind of backseat driver"
  4. 4
    An audio engineer shows you "how the pros mix vocals" and get that ‘glued-in’ sound
  5. 5
    Hear the oldest guitar effects pedal demo ever from 1962

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Contact Future's experts (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

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