New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (March 2012)
An elaborate desk toy or a real amp? You might be surprised by the TubeMeister 5
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
A simple but effective solution
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
A tiny pedal that thrives on a bit of tension
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
Here's an acoustic amp that's as serious about great tone as you are
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
Holy Moly! Has Blackstar just gone and put together the ultimate distortion pedal?
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
How does this iPad guitar effects rack stack up?
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
Punk meets shred on Charvel's minimalist new model…
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
Cheap thrills win the day for Washburn
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
Metal gain with plenty of pain
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
Same old shape, but this new MH packs a double dose of active pickup punch
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
Small but perfectly formed strummer from the big 'F'
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
You might find it's all over once this fat baby sings…
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
Four small steps…
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
Chromatically correct
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's Tweaker 40 could be one of the best small club amps you ever heard
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
A rackmount source of amps and effects, plus the industry standard recording software
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
Not only does Edward Van Halen have a new album and tour ready to go for 2012, he also has a new signature amp. We give his 'cute' 50-watt head a try...
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
UK box that boosts, filters and distorts
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
A thoroughbred instrument full of character from the Premier Builders Guild stable
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
Just how brightly does this axe from the Premier Builders Guild's head luthier burn?
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
Is this Premier Builders Guild beauty the ultimate journeyman guitar?
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
The latest Club in Hofner's Contemporary line updates the original model
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
This extreme axe aims to show that, as Tenacious D once said, nothing can destroy the metal
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
If it's a workhorse with some serious pedigree you're after, have a flutter on this GG. It's a Suhr bet…
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