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

By Guitarist, Total Guitar
published 3 July 2015

The amps, guitars and fx reviewed in June

Wampler Faux Spring Reverb
Digitally generated spring 'verb

Wampler Faux Spring Reverb

From budget pedals, to boutique guitars and fine acoustics, the hard-working testers on Total Guitar and Guitarist magazines reviewed a lot of new guitar gear in June.

In this gallery we've gathered all of the guitar-related reviews that appeared on the site last month and originally featured in the pages of our aforementioned venerable sister publications. First up, it's the Wampler Faux Spring Reverb...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"As spring-like as you'll get in a small footprint."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Wampler Faux Spring Reverb review

BUY: Wampler Faux Spring Reverb currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 1 of 27
Page 1 of 27
JHS Firefly
Flexible fuzz with hand-matched transistors

JHS Firefly

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Fine fuzz at your disposal in a variety of tasty flavours."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: JHS Firefly review

BUY: JHS Firefly currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 2 of 27
Page 2 of 27
Fishman Platinum Stage Analog Preamp
Onstage DI and EQ for your acoustic guitar or bass

Fishman Platinum Stage Analog Preamp

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Portably sized and well-spec'd EQ/DI that's ideal for the stage musician."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fishman Platinum Stage Analog Preamp review

BUY: Fishman Platinum Stage Analog Preamp currently available from:
UK: Thomann
USA: Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 3 of 27
Page 3 of 27
JHS Charlie Brown
Marshall-flavoured overdrive pedal

JHS Charlie Brown

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Vintage Marshall-style mojo in a box."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: JHS Charlie Brown review

BUY: JHS Charlie Brown currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | DV247
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 4 of 27
Page 4 of 27
Taylor Big Baby Taylor-e
The Baby electro gets an ES2 upgrade

Taylor Big Baby Taylor-e

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"15 years on, and now with the ES2-like ES-B pickup, the 2015 Big Baby is better than ever. An excellent introduction to Taylor, and an ideal second, starter or traveller guitar, too."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Taylor Big Baby Taylor-e review

BUY: Taylor Big Baby Taylor-e currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 5 of 27
Page 5 of 27
Farida CT-32
Nostalgic for the P-90s

Farida CT-32

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The CT-32 is fuss-free: you plug in, you play. You don't want to stop."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Farida CT-32 review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 6 of 27
Page 6 of 27
JHS The Emperor
P-p-pick up this chorus/vibrato pedal

JHS The Emperor

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Two analogue modulation types in a single box."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: JHS The Emperor review

BUY: JHS The Emperor currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 7 of 27
Page 7 of 27
TC Electronic Helix Phaser
TC spins you right round, baby

TC Electronic Helix Phaser

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Helix sets our faces to stunned. Mini next, please, TC!"

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Helix Phaser review

BUY: TC Electronic Helix Phaser currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 8 of 27
Page 8 of 27
Lone Wolf Audio Left Hand Wrath
Chainsaw death-metal guitar tone, refuelled

Lone Wolf Audio Left Hand Wrath

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"For anyone who's tried to tame the HM-2's unruly harshness, this is a revelation. Horrifyingly good!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Lone Wolf Audio Left Hand Wrath review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 9 of 27
Page 9 of 27
Farida CT-29
Distinctive electric with the big twang theory

Farida CT-29

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It's impossible not to enjoy the guitar's sharp, retro attack."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Farida CT-29 review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 10 of 27
Page 10 of 27
JHS Twin Twelve
Silvertone impersonation in stompbox form

JHS Twin Twelve

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Garage-rock amp tones in handy stompbox form."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: JHS Twin Twelve review

BUY: JHS Twin Twelve currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 11 of 27
Page 11 of 27
Cordoba Mini O
Nylon-string mini acoustic

Cordoba Mini O

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A quality mini classical travel guitar. Now, can we get a cutaway electro version?"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Cordoba Mini O review

BUY: Cordoba Mini O currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 12 of 27
Page 12 of 27
TC Electronic Viscous Vibe
Vintage modulation for today

TC Electronic Viscous Vibe

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Vintage sounds in a practical package with plenty of potential for sonic creativity."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Viscous Vibe review

BUY: TC Electronic Viscous Vibe currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 13 of 27
Page 13 of 27
Farida CT-36
Classic rocking electric with 'tapped tones

Farida CT-36

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Speed freaks will enjoy the neck's slim-profile come-hithers, and everyone, its tone."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Farida CT-36 review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 14 of 27
Page 14 of 27
Simon & Patrick Showcase Rosewood Concert Hall
000/OM-style medium body acoustic

Simon & Patrick Showcase Rosewood Concert Hall

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A sophisticated instrument with fine attention to detail: an exciting guitar to play."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Simon & Patrick Showcase Rosewood Concert Hall review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 15 of 27
Page 15 of 27
JHS Alpine
Reverbs on reverbs? Step this way...

JHS Alpine

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A reverb pedal that makes practicality its priority."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: JHS Alpine review

BUY: JHS Alpine currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 16 of 27
Page 16 of 27
Seagull Maritime Concert Hall SWS SG
Medium-sized electro-acoustic from Canada

Seagull Maritime Concert Hall SWS SG

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An affordable guitar with a lot of potential. Well worth paying extra for the pickup."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Seagull Maritime Concert Hall SWS SG review

BUY: Seagull Maritime Concert Hall SWS SG currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 17 of 27
Page 17 of 27
Orange Bax Bangeetar Guitar Pre-EQ
An Orange stack-in-a-box

Orange Bax Bangeetar Guitar Pre-EQ

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A great drive pedal that nails the Orange sound - but perhaps a little on the pricey side."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Orange Bax Bangeetar Guitar Pre-EQ review

BUY: Orange Bax Bangeetar Guitar Pre-EQ currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music | DV247
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 18 of 27
Page 18 of 27
Laney Ironheart IRT-Pulse
Multi-tasking for the guitar just got a whole lot easier

Laney Ironheart IRT-Pulse

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"One of the best desktop preamps we've ever used - and one of the year's best bargains."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Laney Ironheart IRT-Pulse review

BUY: Laney Ironheart IRT-Pulse currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
USA: Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 19 of 27
Page 19 of 27
Cordoba Fusion 12 Maple
Steel-meets-nylon with this crossover electro

Cordoba Fusion 12 Maple

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you fancy broadening your acoustic voice, this Fusion range is one of the best places to start looking."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Cordoba Fusion 12 Maple review

BUY: Cordoba Fusion 12 Maple currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 20 of 27
Page 20 of 27
Manson MA-1B Classic
Manson's MA outline gets the vintage treatment

Manson MA-1B Classic

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you're the kind of player who loves rock in all of its forms, we'd advise you to dive in - pronto!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Manson MA-1B Classic review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 21 of 27
Page 21 of 27
Keeley Aurora
A reverb worth slapping on your board?

Keeley Aurora

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Cool parameter adjustment makes 7 this not your standard reverb pedal."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Keeley Aurora review

BUY: Keeley Aurora currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 22 of 27
Page 22 of 27
DigiTech TRIO Band Creator
Backing band in a stompbox

DigiTech TRIO Band Creator

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Tell the TRIO what to play and it will almost always get it right."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DigiTech TRIO Band Creator review

BUY: DigiTech TRIO Band Creator currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 23 of 27
Page 23 of 27
Valeton Tube Engine Vintage Overdrive
TS clone on a tight budget

Valeton Tube Engine Vintage Overdrive

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A cute amp driver with more tone tweaking than many clones on the market."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Valeton Tube Engine Vintage Overdrive review

BUY: Valeton Tube Engine Vintage Overdrive currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 24 of 27
Page 24 of 27
Nik Huber Dolphin Surfmeister
High-end semi-hollow electric

Nik Huber Dolphin Surfmeister

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Expensive, but you get what you pay for; not just for surf players, it's a brilliant all-rounder and drop- dead gorgeous, too."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Nik Huber Dolphin Surfmeister review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 25 of 27
Page 25 of 27
Keeley Recino
Straight-forward clean delay

Keeley Recino

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"No bells and whistles here; this Spin FV-1 chip-based digital delay is all about simplicity."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Keeley Recino review

BUY: Keeley Recino currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 26 of 27
Page 26 of 27
Alvarez AP66SB Artist 66 Parlour
Budget acoustic with a solid mahogany top

Alvarez AP66SB Artist 66 Parlour

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A sharply styled instrument that's just what a parlour of this price should be."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Alvarez AP66SB Artist 66 Parlour review

BUY: Alvarez AP66SB Artist 66 Parlour currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 27 of 27
Page 27 of 27
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