New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (March 2012)

Hughes and Kettner TubeMeister 5 Head (£329)

Every month MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the world's best independent and in-depth music-making gear reviews.

This is a collection of electric and acoustic guitars, amps and effects - all of which have been tested meticulously by either Guitarist or Total Guitar in recent months and published on MusicRadar throughout February 2012.

Flick through this month's picks and follow the links to read each product's full review. First up, something cute from Germany...

Verdict:

"A brilliant all-round, all-valve mini head with oodles of character… but no reverb."

4 out of 5

Read the Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 5 Head review
Read the Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 5 Combo review

BUY: TubeMeister 5 Head currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Dunlop DVP1 Volume Pedal (£134)

Verdict:

"A pedal that combines fuss-free performance with confidence-inducing durability."

4 out of 5

Read the Dunlop DVP1 Volume Pedal review

BUY: DVP1 Volume Pedal. currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

TC Electronic PolyTune Mini (£65)

Verdict:

"The cutest, best-value tuner for the price."

5 out of 5

Read the TC Electronic PolyTune Mini review

BUY: TC ElectronicPolyTune Mini currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Full Compass

Tanglewood T6 (£399)

Verdict:

"If you're looking for an acoustic amp, this should definitely be on your list."

4 out of 5

Read the Tanglewood T6 review

BUY: Tanglewood T6 currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Blackstar HT-METAL (£179)

Verdict:

"Truly one of the finest distortion pedals we've ever stepped on."

5 out of 5

Read the Blackstar HT-METAL review

BUY: Blackstar HT-METAL currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

4Pockets StompBox (£13.99)

Verdict:

"A useful practice app for guitarists, though it's far from being the only one."

3.5 out of 5

Read the 4Pockets StompBox review

Charvel Skatecaster SK-3 ST (£298)

Verdict:

"A decent enough first guitar but hardly the sort of release that sets off stampedes."

3 out of 5

Read the Charvel Skatecaster SK-3 ST review

Washburn RX 30 (£210)

Verdict:

"A lean machine that noses to the front of the budget pack."

4 out of 5

Read the Washburn RX 30 review

D*A*M Meathead M-25 (£195)

Verdict:

"In a time where anyone with a soldering iron and a dream can spell 'boutique', we applaud D*A*M for making things more interesting."

4 out of 5

Read the D*A*M Meathead M-25 review

ESP LTD MH-330FR (£649)

Verdict:

"If you're looking for a metal axe that looks just a little more mature, the LTD MH-330FR could well be your partner in crime."

5 out of 5

Read the ESP LTD MH-330FR review

BUY: ESP LTD MH-330FR currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Fender CF-140S (£178)

Verdict:

"The CF-140S does Leo proud with its tight handling and punchy voice."

4 out of 5

Read the Fender CF-140S review

BUY: Fender CF-140S currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Tanglewood TW28 CSN (£229)

Verdict:

"Like keeping an elephant for a pet, the TW28 is kind of cumbersome and inconvenient, but once you hear it sing you'll make space for it in your life."

4 out of 5

Read the Tanglewood TW28 CSN review

BUY: Tanglewood TW28 CSN currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Griffin Stompbox (£69)

Verdict:

"A great idea, waiting to be fully realised."

4 out of 5

Read the Griffin Stompbox review

BUY: Griffin Stompbox currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Fender FT-004 Clip-on Chromatic Tuner (£9)

Verdict:

"A great little device."

4 out of 5

Read the Fender FT-004 Clip-on Chromatic Tuner review

BUY: Fender FT-004 Clip-on Chromatic Tuner currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Egnater Tweaker 40 1 x 12 combo (£699)

Verdict:

"In a crowded market, the Tweaker 40 is one of the best mid-price amps out there. Don't pass up the chance to try one."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Egnater Tweaker 40 review

BUY: Egnater Tweaker 40 1 x 12 combo currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Avid Pro Tools + Eleven Rack (£759)

Verdict:

"All you'll need to record guitar and more on your computer."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Avid Pro Tools + Eleven Rack review

BUY: Avid Pro Tools + Eleven Rack currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

EVH 5150-III 50W (£911)

Verdict:

"The most attractive EVH amp rig so far? It's certainly not far off and, the odd concern aside, it's well worth trying out."

4 out of 5

Read the EVH 5150-III 50W review

BUY: EVH 5150-III 50W currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Stone Deaf PDF-1 (£135)

Verdict:

"Flexible, innovative take on distortion and boost."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Stone Deaf PDF-1 review

Koll Duo Glide (£2899)

Verdict:

"Bundle up a Tele Thinline with a sprinkle of Gretsch, Rickenbacker and a little ES-335 and add a fifth gear. No wonder the Duo Glide is so popular."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Koll Duo Glide review

b3 Fire (£2899)

Verdict:

"This should be a modern classic design. If you're into single-cut tones but want something a little more comfortable, start your search here."

4.5 out of 5

Read the b3 Fire review

Johan Gustavsson Bluesmaster Special (£2499)

Verdict:

"If classic soapbar single-coil sounds are your thing, this is the sort of guitar you'd sell your entire collection to buy. It's seriously good."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Johan Gustavsson Bluesmaster Special review

Hofner Contemporary Series Club Solid (£420)

Verdict:

"An affordable update that adds modern performance appeal to a distinctive, vintage-orientated image."

3.5 out of 5

Read the Hofner Contemporary Series Club Solid review

BUY: Hofner Contemporary Series Club Solid currently available from:
UK: DV247

Peavey PXD Void II (£699)

Verdict:

"This is a very cool guitar that not only suits heavier styles perfectly, but many more besides. The metal is still going strong…"

4 out of 5

Read the Peavey PXD Void II review

Rasmus Guthrie Govan (£1299)

Verdict:

"John Suhr may have cut some corners to bring the Rasmus in on budget but the crucial strands of DNA remain. This guitar delivers on every level."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Rasmus Guthrie Govan review