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

By Guitarist, Total Guitar
published 3 June 2014

All the reviews from last month

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Gibson Derek Trucks SG
Slide-man's traditional signature

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

Page 1 of 27
Page 1 of 27
Yerasov GTA15J
Boutique amp on a budget

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)

Page 2 of 27
Page 2 of 27
Seiko STX7
2-in-1 torch and tuner

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)

Page 3 of 27
Page 3 of 27
Supermegaultragroovy Capo 3
iTunes-friendly phrase-trainer app

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)

Page 4 of 27
Page 4 of 27
Free The Tone Red Jasper RJ-1V
Amp-aping overdrive pedal

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)

Page 5 of 27
Page 5 of 27
Gibson SG Futura
Economy SG with tricks up its sleeve

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

Page 6 of 27
Page 6 of 27
Electro-Harmonix Soul Food
Affordable Klon clone

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

Page 7 of 27
Page 7 of 27
DigiTech RP360 XP
Multi-moded multi-fx unit

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

Page 8 of 27
Page 8 of 27
Boss DS-1X Distortion
X-rated digital dirt pedal

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

Page 9 of 27
Page 9 of 27
Red Witch Violetta Delay
Retro delay in a modern stompbox

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

Page 10 of 27
Page 10 of 27
Red Witch Seven Sisters Ruby
Rude Ruby is a fuzz with real attitude

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

Page 11 of 27
Page 11 of 27
GuitarSystems Tony's BenderTool Junior
Pedal with a Sola Sound soul

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)

Page 12 of 27
Page 12 of 27
Red Witch Fuzz God II
A praise-worthy fuzz pedal? Amen.

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

Page 13 of 27
Page 13 of 27
Jackson 30th Anniversary Soloist
Handmade recreation of the iconic electric

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

Page 14 of 27
Page 14 of 27
GuitarSystems TrebleTool Junior
Rangemaster-style boost pedal

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)

Page 15 of 27
Page 15 of 27
Red Witch Synthotron
Guitar synth/filter pedal for the space-deprived

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

Page 16 of 27
Page 16 of 27
Vox Mark III
Tear-inducing classic electric guitar

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

Page 17 of 27
Page 17 of 27
Korg Pitchhawk-G
Headstock tuner with hawk-like tracking

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

Page 18 of 27
Page 18 of 27
GuitarSystems FuzzTool Junior
A new 'Face in fuzz pedals

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)

Page 19 of 27
Page 19 of 27
Fender Jim Root Jazzmaster
Taking the jazz out of 'Jazzmaster'

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

Page 20 of 27
Page 20 of 27
Godin Richmond Dorchester w/ Bigsby
Retro curves on a modern electric

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)

Page 21 of 27
Page 21 of 27
GuitarSystems DriveTool Junior
New pedal, old chips

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)

Page 22 of 27
Page 22 of 27
Godin Richmond Belmont w/ Bigsby
Chic electric with power

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)

Page 23 of 27
Page 23 of 27
GuitarSystems VibeTool
Familiar vintage-style vibrato/chorus

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)

Page 24 of 27
Page 24 of 27
EVH Striped Series
Van Halen's Franken-axe on a budget

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

Page 25 of 27
Page 25 of 27
Godin Richmond Empire P90
Affordable tone machine

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

Page 26 of 27
Page 26 of 27
GuitarSystems Tony's BenderTool
Tone Bender-style stompbox

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)

Page 27 of 27
Page 27 of 27
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