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  3. Total Guitar

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

By Guitarist, Total Guitar
published 2 June 2015

The guitars, amps and effects reviewed last month

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Faith PJE Signature FSGNCLPT London Plane
The dynamic luthier creates a modern acoustic

Faith PJE Signature FSGNCLPT London Plane

There's been a wealth of new gear coming through the Total Guitar and Guitarist office of late and last month saw reviews of new acoustics, stompboxes, electrics, amplifiers and effects.

Browse the gallery to view all of the reviews posted on the site last month, starting with the Faith PJE Signature FSGNCLPT London Plane...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An extremely consistent instrument, with quality at the fore. Excellent attention to detail throughout."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW:Faith PJE Signature FSGNCLPT London Planereview

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 1 of 36
Page 1 of 36
Joyo JF-314 Husky Drive
Doggone good drive

Joyo JF-314 Husky Drive

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Good with single coils, but works OCD-style wonders with a humbucker-equipped guitar."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Joyo JF-314 Husky Drive review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 2 of 36
Page 2 of 36
Farida M-15E
Small yet perfectly formed acoustic

Farida M-15E

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It's well made, sounds fine both acoustically and amplified, and comes in at a decent price - that's all we could ask for."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Farida M-15E review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 3 of 36
Page 3 of 36
Joyo JF-316 Future Chorus
Mini chorus goes back to the future

Joyo JF-316 Future Chorus

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An affordable mini-chorus with sweet, shimmering tones."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Joyo JF-316 Future Chorus review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 4 of 36
Page 4 of 36
Suhr Shiba Drive Reloaded
Overhauled overdrive pedal

Suhr Shiba Drive Reloaded

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Amp-enhancing overdrive with a choice of smoothness."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Suhr Shiba Drive Reloaded review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Suhr Shiba Drive Reloaded currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann

Page 5 of 36
Page 5 of 36
Red Witch Factotum Bass Suboctave Drive
Red Witch's first bass unit

Red Witch Factotum Bass Suboctave Drive

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you want to add distortion and/or sub-octave effects, check this out."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Red Witch Factotum Bass Suboctave Drive review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Red Witch Factotum Bass Suboctave Drive currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 6 of 36
Page 6 of 36
Korg Sledgehammer Pro
Stand-out clip-on tuners

Korg Sledgehammer Pro

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Not the cheapest, but in terms of accuracy, the Pro is the way to go."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Korg Sledgehammer Pro review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Korg Sledgehammer Pro currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 7 of 36
Page 7 of 36
Strandberg Boden 8
Mind-expanding eight-string electric

Strandberg Boden 8

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you're serious about eight-string instruments this is one of the most innovative and intuitive designs out there."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Strandberg Boden 8 review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 8 of 36
Page 8 of 36
Cort CGC7 Electro nylon cutaway
Affordable nylon-string 'crossover' acoustic

Cort CGC7 Electro nylon cutaway

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Affordable and stage-friendly, a good starter for nylon-string wannabes."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Cort CGC7 Electro nylon cutaway review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 9 of 36
Page 9 of 36
Suhr Rufus
Warm fuzzy goodness in stompbox form

Suhr Rufus

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A fuzz for all seasons, with variety and versatility in spades."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Suhr Rufus review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Suhr Rufus currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann

Page 10 of 36
Page 10 of 36
Vigier GV Rock
A sharp-edged, slick-playing single-cut

Vigier GV Rock

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A versatile rock guitar that sports one of the most playable necks out there."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vigier GV Rock review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 11 of 36
Page 11 of 36
Nemphasis Silver Box
A signature boost box

Nemphasis Silver Box

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A versatile boost with useful tonal shifts."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Nemphasis Silver Box review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 12 of 36
Page 12 of 36
Suhr Riot Reloaded
Multi-voiced distortion stompbox

Suhr Riot Reloaded

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A stack-in-a-box with practical voicing options for classy amp-style distortion."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Suhr Riot Reloaded review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Suhr Riot Reloaded currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann

Page 13 of 36
Page 13 of 36
Jackson JS12 Dinky
Shred starter guitar

Jackson JS12 Dinky

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This is a quality guitar that outshines many similarly priced starters - if you'd handed this to us when we were first learning, we'd have been thrilled."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Jackson JS12 Dinky review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

BUY: Jackson JS12 Dinky currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 14 of 36
Page 14 of 36
Nemphasis The Muff
EHX-aping fuzz box

Nemphasis The Muff

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Familiar name, familiar sound, enhanced features."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Nemphasis The Muff review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 15 of 36
Page 15 of 36
Orange Rockerverb 50 MKIII Combo
Classic looks, modern features, killer tone

Orange Rockerverb 50 MKIII Combo

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you're after classic heavyweight British tone and iconic styling, the new Rockerverb doesn't disappoint."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Orange Rockerverb 50 MKIII Combo review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

BUY: Orange Rockerverb 50 MKIII Combo currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 16 of 36
Page 16 of 36
Suhr Koji Comp
One-stop compression stomper

Suhr Koji Comp

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Versatile compression with extra top end if you need it."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Suhr Koji Comp review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Suhr Koji Comp currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann

Page 17 of 36
Page 17 of 36
Nemphasis Liquid Mind
80s-aping chorus box

Nemphasis Liquid Mind

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Languid 1980s-style modulation revived."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Nemphasis Liquid Mind review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 18 of 36
Page 18 of 36
Jackson JS32Q Dinky Arch Top
Floyd Rose-equipped budget shredder

Jackson JS32Q Dinky Arch Top

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Equip this beast with a set of Seymour Duncans or DiMarzios and you'll have a serious electric that's anything but budget."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Jackson JS32Q Dinky Arch Top review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

BUY: Jackson JS32Q Dinky Arch Top currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 19 of 36
Page 19 of 36
Nemphasis VT Comp
Studio style comp pedal

Nemphasis VT Comp

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Keeps your signal consistent and under control without messing with your tone."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Nemphasis VT Comp review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 20 of 36
Page 20 of 36
Nemphasis Mr Q Driwah
Crossbred overdrive/wah pedal

Nemphasis Mr Q Driwah

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Not for everyone, but this pedal has a unique, quirky sound."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Nemphasis Mr Q Driwah review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 21 of 36
Page 21 of 36
Jackson JS32T Rhoads
Affordable V is a total victory

Jackson JS32T Rhoads

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you like the shape, there's very little to dislike about this Rhoads."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Jackson JS32T Rhoads review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

BUY: Jackson JS32T Rhoads currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 22 of 36
Page 22 of 36
Orange Rockerverb 100 MKIII Head
Pro-aimed amp head

Orange Rockerverb 100 MKIII Head

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A loud, versatile head that easily swaps from classic rock and blues tones to modern rock and metal."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Orange Rockerverb 100 MKIII Head review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Orange Rockerverb 100 MKIII Head currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 23 of 36
Page 23 of 36
Nemphasis X7 Tube Overdrive
Valve-driven overdrive stompbox

Nemphasis X7 Tube Overdrive

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Ace overdrive! It seems that, sometimes, only a valve will do..."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Nemphasis X7 Tube Overdrive review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 24 of 36
Page 24 of 36
PRS SE A15AL Alex Lifeson Thinline
Artist joins PRS's SE acoustic ranks

PRS SE A15AL Alex Lifeson Thinline

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It'll need some help on stage, but this is a classy thinline electro that makes a great at-home guitar."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS SE A15AL Alex Lifeson Thinline review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: PRS SE A15AL Alex Lifeson Thinline currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 25 of 36
Page 25 of 36
Italia Fiorano Standard
A reinvented modern classic

Italia Fiorano Standard

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Italia has reimagined a classic-looking guitar for the modern age."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Italia Fiorano Standard review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

BUY: Italia Fiorano Standard currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 26 of 36
Page 26 of 36
Fret-King Corona 60 Fluence Equipped
Fishman's pickup invention produces a super-guitar

Fret-King Corona 60 Fluence Equipped

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A classy version of a classic recipe that, with Fluence's unique attributes, makes a first-class choice."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Corona 60 Fluence Equipped review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 27 of 36
Page 27 of 36
Ibanez JS140
The affordable 24-fret Satriani signature arrives

Ibanez JS140

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"As a mid-priced rock-ready electric, we reckon you'll be impressed."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ibanez JS140 review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

BUY: Ibanez JS140 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 28 of 36
Page 28 of 36
Gibson Memphis ES-335 Satin 2015
Satin-finished take on the classic thinline semi-acoustic

Gibson Memphis ES-335 Satin 2015

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"At this price, we'd ignore the more expensive gloss version - it's simply a killer-sounding contemporary ES-335 with classic looks."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gibson Memphis ES-335 Satin 2015 review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Gibson Memphis ES-335 Satin 2015 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 29 of 36
Page 29 of 36
Fret-King Corona 70 Fluence Equipped
S-style stunner with Fishman innovative new pickups

Fret-King Corona 70 Fluence Equipped

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Fret-King's host guitar is seriously good and it's loaded with one of the most innovative pickup concepts in decades."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Corona 70 Fluence Equipped review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 30 of 36
Page 30 of 36
Gibson Memphis ES-339 Satin 2015
Smaller-bodied satin semi-acoustic shines

Gibson Memphis ES-339 Satin 2015

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Compact dimensions with classic tones and styling; if you want the ES-335 experience in a smaller package, then this is it."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gibson Memphis ES-339 Satin 2015 review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Gibson Memphis ES-339 Satin 2015 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 31 of 36
Page 31 of 36
PRS S2 Vela
The first all-new S2 design and the coolest PRS yet

PRS S2 Vela

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This is the finest S2 to date... and a PRS guitar that certainly isn't for doctors and dentists!"

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS S2 Vela review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

BUY: PRS S2 Vela currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 32 of 36
Page 32 of 36
Fender '63 Tube Reverb
The king of spring, in outboard form

Fender '63 Tube Reverb

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The daddy of all spring reverbs is still potent, even half a century on."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender '63 Tube Reverb review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Fender '63 Tube Reverb currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 33 of 36
Page 33 of 36
IK Multimedia iRig 2
Easy mobile guitar connectivity

IK Multimedia iRig 2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Cheap and cheerful no-brainer plug-in-and-play unit, just add headphones."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia iRig 2 review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: IK Multimedia iRig 2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 34 of 36
Page 34 of 36
JHS Colour Box
Desk-aping preamp stompbox

JHS Colour Box

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A go-to tool for direct guitar recording."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: JHS Colour Box review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: JHS Colour Box currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 35 of 36
Page 35 of 36
Laney L20T 212 combo
Boutique tone from the Black Country

Laney L20T 212 combo

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The colour scheme may be polarising but the sounds aren't: world-class tone at a very affordable price."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Laney L20T 212 combo review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

BUY: Laney L20T 212 combo currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music

Page 36 of 36
Page 36 of 36
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