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
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