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

Gibson Derek Trucks SG

MusicRadar's sister mags Guitarist and Total Guitar offer the best independent reviews of the latest guitars, amps, pedals, apps and accessories on a monthly basis.

In this gallery, we've collected all their guitar gear reviews featured on the site in March. All of the reviews here were originally published in Guitarist issue 380/381, Total Guitar issue 253, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team. Kicking things off in style is the new Gibson Derek Trucks SG...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Essentially, this latest Trucks signature is an old-school SG Standard. Nothing wrong with that at all!”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gibson Derek Trucks SG review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 380)

BUY: Gibson Derek Trucks SG currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Yerasov GTA15J

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Forget the rather drab styling, this is a serious boutique tone machine.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yerasov GTA15J review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 380)

Seiko STX7

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Say goodbye to batteries, get in tune and see what you're doing. Nice.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Seiko STX7 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 380)

Supermegaultragroovy Capo 3

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A practical software solution for working out how to play songs.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Supermegaultragroovy Capo 3 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 380)

Free The Tone Red Jasper RJ-1V

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“This pedal isn't cheap, but there's no snake-oil here: one of the more sophisticated and characterful overdrives we've tried.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Free The Tone Red Jasper RJ-1V review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 380)

Gibson SG Futura

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“This is a very affordable SG with nice upgrades such as the Min-ETune system. But is it a great guitar? No.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gibson SG Futura review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 380)

BUY: Gibson SG Futura currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Electro-Harmonix Soul Food

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A new pedal that offers a more affordable option to an established favourite… and does it in style.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Electro-Harmonix Soul Food review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 380)

BUY: Electro-Harmonix Soul Food currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

DigiTech RP360 XP

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“There's a wealth of multi-effects out there, but the RP360 XP has diversity and ease of use on its side.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DigiTech RP360 XP review

(Reviewed inTotal Guitar issue 253)

BUY: DigiTech RP360 XP currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Boss DS-1X Distortion

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The guitar world is saturated with distortion pedals, and this is by no means cheap, but if you're constantly switching between rhythm and lead and can't settle on a middle ground, the DS-1X could be just the pedal you're looking for.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Boss DS-1X Distortion review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

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

Red Witch Violetta Delay

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A delay pedal that shines in more ways than one.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Red Witch Violetta Delay review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 380)

BUY: Red Witch Violetta Delay currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Red Witch Seven Sisters Ruby

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A red-hot fuzz pedal that's great for tight spaces.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Red Witch Seven Sisters Ruby review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 380)

BUY: Red Witch Seven Sisters Ruby currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

GuitarSystems Tony's BenderTool Junior

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Smooth 60s fuzz with extra EQ, and it won't swamp your board.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: GuitarSystems Tony's BenderTool Junior review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

Red Witch Fuzz God II

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Like fearsome fuzz from the top of Mount Olympus.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Red Witch Fuzz God II review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 380)

BUY: Red Witch Fuzz God II currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Jackson 30th Anniversary Soloist

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An authentic recreation of a classic, built by a man who was involved with the original. Not even the SL-1 is as desirable a Soloist as this!”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Jackson 30th Anniversary Soloist review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 380)

BUY: Jackson 30th Anniversary Soloist currently available from:
UK: Thomann

GuitarSystems TrebleTool Junior

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Vintage-style treble boost to excite your amp into action.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: GuitarSystems TrebleTool Junior review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

Red Witch Synthotron

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A game of two halves - funky and bonkers - sometimes at once!”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Red Witch Synthotron review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 380)

BUY: Red Witch Synthotron currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Vox Mark III

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Overwhelmingly, this is a guitar that's a lot of fun to play, and you'll look - and sound - good while you're doing so.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox Mark III review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

BUY: Vox Mark III currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Korg Pitchhawk-G

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It may not be the smallest headstock tuner on the market, but the PitchHawk is the culmination of years of refinement, and it shows.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Korg Pitchhawk-G review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

BUY: Korg Pitchhawk-G currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

GuitarSystems FuzzTool Junior

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A veritable Fuzz Face-lift for your guitar tone.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: GuitarSystems FuzzTool Junior review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

Fender Jim Root Jazzmaster

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A seriously satisfying playing experience, bolstered by the chunky neck and jumbo frets.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Jim Root Jazzmaster review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

BUY: Fender Jim Root Jazzmaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Godin Richmond Dorchester w/ Bigsby

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Would we choose this over a Gretsch Electromatic? Well, it plays beautifully, stays in tune and looks amazing. We just might.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Godin Richmond Dorchester w/ Bigsby review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

GuitarSystems DriveTool Junior

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A solidly-built, classy-sounding dirtbox with plenty of flexibility.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: GuitarSystems DriveTool Junior review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

Godin Richmond Belmont w/ Bigsby

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The Belmont doesn't quite have the palpable vibe of other Richmond models, it ticks a number of boxes few other guitars do.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Godin Richmond Belmont w/ Bigsby review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

GuitarSystems VibeTool

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A practical packaging of the Uni-Vibe sound for ease of use.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: GuitarSystems VibeTool review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

EVH Striped Series

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It apes one of the most iconic electric guitars, but is a tidy, well-made hot-rod S-type that punches well above its price.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: EVH Striped Series review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: EVH Striped Series currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Godin Richmond Empire P90

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The Empire represents good value, so don't let the lack of a certain headstock logo put you off; this is well worth trying out.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Godin Richmond Empire P90 review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

BUY: Godin Richmond Empire P90 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

GuitarSystems Tony's BenderTool

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Authentic ToneBender sound in a pedal made to suit any system.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: GuitarSystems Tony's BenderTool review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)