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  1. Guitars
  2. Acoustic Guitars

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

News
By Chris Vinnicombe published 2 March 2012

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Hughes and Kettner TubeMeister 5 Head (£329)

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

Page 1 of 24
Page 1 of 24
Dunlop DVP1 Volume Pedal (£134)

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

Page 2 of 24
Page 2 of 24
TC Electronic PolyTune Mini (£65)

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

Page 3 of 24
Page 3 of 24
Tanglewood T6 (£399)

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

Page 4 of 24
Page 4 of 24
Blackstar HT-METAL (£179)

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

Page 5 of 24
Page 5 of 24
4Pockets StompBox (£13.99)

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

Page 6 of 24
Page 6 of 24
Charvel Skatecaster SK-3 ST (£298)

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

Page 7 of 24
Page 7 of 24
Washburn RX 30 (£210)

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

Page 8 of 24
Page 8 of 24
D*A*M Meathead M-25 (£195)

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

Page 9 of 24
Page 9 of 24
ESP LTD MH-330FR (£649)

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

Page 10 of 24
Page 10 of 24
Fender CF-140S (£178)

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

Page 11 of 24
Page 11 of 24
Tanglewood TW28 CSN (£229)

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

Page 12 of 24
Page 12 of 24
Griffin Stompbox (£69)

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

Page 13 of 24
Page 13 of 24
Fender FT-004 Clip-on Chromatic Tuner (£9)

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

Page 14 of 24
Page 14 of 24
Egnater Tweaker 40 1 x 12 combo (£699)

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

Page 15 of 24
Page 15 of 24
Avid Pro Tools + Eleven Rack (£759)

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

Page 16 of 24
Page 16 of 24
EVH 5150-III 50W (£911)

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

Page 17 of 24
Page 17 of 24
Stone Deaf PDF-1 (£135)

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

Page 18 of 24
Page 18 of 24
Koll Duo Glide (£2899)

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

Page 19 of 24
Page 19 of 24
b3 Fire (£2899)

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

Page 20 of 24
Page 20 of 24
Johan Gustavsson Bluesmaster Special (£2499)

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

Page 21 of 24
Page 21 of 24
Hofner Contemporary Series Club Solid (£420)

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

Page 22 of 24
Page 22 of 24
Peavey PXD Void II (£699)

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

Page 23 of 24
Page 23 of 24
Rasmus Guthrie Govan (£1299)

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

Page 24 of 24
Page 24 of 24
Chris Vinnicombe

Chris Vinnicombe worked with us here on the MusicRadar team from the site's initial launch way back in 2007, and also contributed to Guitarist magazine as Features Editor until 2014, as well as Total Guitar magazine, amongst others. These days he can be found at Gibson Guitars, where he is editor-in-chief.

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