New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (March 2014)

Fender Vintage Hot Rod '50s Telecaster

MusicRadar's sister magazines Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music feature the best independent gear reviews around.

Here we've collected all the guitar reviews published on the site in February, including guitars, amps, stompboxes and recording interfaces.

All of the gear here was originally reviewed in Guitarist issue 377/378, Total Guitar issue 249/250, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An excellent modern Tele with pro additions and plenty of 50s identity that could become your go-to electric."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Vintage Hot Rod '50s Telecaster review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)

BUY: Fender Vintage Hot Rod '50s Telecaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

Wampler Velvet Fuzz

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Versatile fuzz with two voices for 60s and modern sounds."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Wampler Velvet Fuzz review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)

BUY: Wampler Velvet Fuzz currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Tom Anderson Hollow Drop Top Classic

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A truly beautiful modern take on a classic, with a light weight and exceptional build, playability and sounds."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tom Anderson Hollow Drop Top Classic review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)

Wampler Ego Compressor

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Possibly the best-sounding compact compressor around."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Wampler Ego Compressor review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)

BUY: Wampler Ego Compressor currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Music Man Luke III

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A more 'vintage' version of the original, it's a beautifully made, gig-ready pro, ideal for modern rock and more."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Music Man Luke III review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)

BUY: Music Man Luke III currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Fender Vintage Hot Rod '60s Telecaster

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A well-sorted Tele with a mid-to-late 60s personality and plenty of sonic variations on that theme."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Vintage Hot Rod '60s Telecaster review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)

BUY: Fender Vintage Hot Rod '60s Telecaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann

Wampler Sovereign Distortion

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you like to tailor the top end of your distortion, this is for you."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Wampler Sovereign Distortion review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)

BUY: Wampler Sovereign Distortion currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Tom Anderson Raven

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"One of the least 'posh' Andersons, this subtly downsized 'J' is Tom's favourite. Play one you'll find out why."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tom Anderson Raven review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)

Wampler Plexi-Drive

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Vintage Marshall flavour in a stompbox."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Wampler Plexi-Drive review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)

BUY: Wampler Plexi-Drive currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Wampler Faux Tape Echo

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The flavour of tape echo without the hassle."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Wampler Faux Tape Echo review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)

BUY: Wampler Faux Tape Echo currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Wampler Dual Fusion

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Useful dual overdrive that's not just for fusion players."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Wampler Dual Fusion review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)

BUY: Wampler Dual Fusion currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Music Man JP13

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This latest-gen JP with new DiMarzio pickups is a great-sounding hybrid magnetic/ piezo axe. Are you man enough?"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Music Man JP13 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 377)

BUY: Music Man JP13 currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Danelectro '56 Baritone

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"However you use a baritone, '56 is a damn good place (and time) to start."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Danelectro '56 Baritone review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 250)

DiVill By Italia B100

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"There are some quirks here, but they're small sacrifices to make for the B100's colossal range of vintage-voiced tones."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DiVill By Italia B100 review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 250)

Korg Pandora Stomp

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This is genre-spanning at its most practical - you get a practice and recording tool, but also a stompbox that can offer any sonic flavour you desire, and doubles as a pedal tuner. Kracking idea, Korg!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Korg Pandora Stomp review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 250)

BUY: Korg Pandora Stomp currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

DiVill By Italia M100

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The neat tonal touches and body tweaks could just make the M100 the single-cut for players who don't like single-cuts."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DiVill By Italia M100 review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 250)

Ibanez RG550XH

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The RG550XH is a neat twist on the shred axe, but unforgiving for big, fat sausage fingers. Tommy Tedesco might not approve, but we do."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ibanez RG550XH review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 250)

BUY: Ibanez RG550XH currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

DiVill By Italia F100

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Like the rest of the DiVill series, it spans a huge tonal territory and excels at just about everything it sets out to do - and at this price, that's no mean feat."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DiVill By Italia F100 review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 250)

Mesa Engineering Recto-Verb Twenty-Five

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Mesa scores big time with the Recto-Verb Twenty- Five - it's the best small combo the company has made in ages."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mesa Engineering Recto-Verb Twenty-Five review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 378)

BUY: Mesa Engineering Recto-Verb Twenty-Five currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Peavey ValveKing 100 head

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Big and beefy it may be, but the extended feature set makes it highly versatile. We like those 6L6s, too."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Peavey ValveKing 100 head review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 379)

BUY: Peavey ValveKing 100 head currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass