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  2. Acoustic Guitars

New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (November 2011)

News
By Chris Vinnicombe published 2 November 2011

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

Morpheus Bomber (£239)

Morpheus Bomber (£239)

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 meticulously tested by either Guitarist or Total Guitar in recent months and published on MusicRadar throughout October 2011.

Flick through this month's picks and follow the links to read each product's full review. First up, the Morpheus Bomber...

Verdict:

"A versatile, easy-to-use and gig-proof polyphonic pitchshifter."

4 out of 5

Read Total Guitar's Morpheus Bomber review here

BUY: Morpheus Bomber currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 1 of 13
Page 1 of 13
BC Rich Joey Jordison Warlock II (£439)

BC Rich Joey Jordison Warlock II (£439)

Verdict:

"Solid mid-priced electric for those fancying a bit of danger."

4 out of 5

Read Total Guitar's review of the BC Rich Joey Jordison Warlock II here

Page 2 of 13
Page 2 of 13
Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST (£634)

Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST (£634)

Verdict:

"A lot of axe for your money - but it's a strong mid-price field out there at the mo."

4 out of 5

Read the Total Guitar review of the Charvel Desolation DS-1 ST here

Page 3 of 13
Page 3 of 13
Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster (£359)

Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster (£359)

Verdict:

"An affordable classic, tweaked just enough to bring it bang up to date."

4 out of 5

Read Total Guitar's review of the Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster here

BUY: Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 4 of 13
Page 4 of 13
Yamaha JR2 (£135)

Yamaha JR2 (£135)

Verdict:

"Easy to carry and packing a respectable sound, the JR2 is a guitar that's cheap and cheerful in the best possible way."

3 out of 5

Read the Total Guitar review of the Yamaha JR2 here

BUY: Yamaha JR2 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 5 of 13
Page 5 of 13
Italia Mondial Classic (£569)

Italia Mondial Classic (£569)

Verdict:

"If you're looking more for electric than acoustic and aren't put off by its eccentricities, the Mondial is well worth checking out."

4 out of 5

Read the Total Guitar review of the Italia Mondial Classic here

BUY: Italia Mondial Classic currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 6 of 13
Page 6 of 13
Michael Kelly Hybrid Special (£587)

Michael Kelly Hybrid Special (£587)

Verdict:

"Gorgeous build and finish, genuinely versatile tone."

4 out of 5

Read the Total Guitar review of the Michael Kelly Hybrid Special here

Page 7 of 13
Page 7 of 13
Fractal Audio Systems Axe-Fx II (£1993)

Fractal Audio Systems Axe-Fx II (£1993)

Verdict:

"It's not for the faint of wallet, but the Axe-Fx II delivers supreme modelling power in a hardy piece of kit."

4 out of 5

Read the Total Guitar review of the Fractal Audio Systems Axe-Fx II here

Page 8 of 13
Page 8 of 13
PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow (£699)

PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow (£699)

Verdict:

"Gorgeously constructed all-rounder."

4 out of 5

Read the Total Guitar review of the PRS SE Custom Semi-Hollow here

Page 9 of 13
Page 9 of 13
Hagstrom Deuce F (£536)

Hagstrom Deuce F (£536)

Verdict:

"For the money, you'll struggle to find a better guitar than this. A real winner."

5 out of 5

Read the Total Guitar review of the Hagstrom Deuce F here

Page 10 of 13
Page 10 of 13
Schecter Chris Garza (£879)

Schecter Chris Garza (£879)

Verdict:

"Awesome modern twist on classic stylings: overcome your preconceptions and check out the range of this grown-up seven-string."

4 out of 5

Read Total Guitar'sSchecter Chris Garza review here

Page 11 of 13
Page 11 of 13
Martin DRS1 (£809)

Martin DRS1 (£809)

Verdict:

"An excellent all-round performer offering unbeatable value for money."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Martin DRS1 review here

BUY: Martin DRS1 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 12 of 13
Page 12 of 13
MXR Noise Clamp (£119)

MXR Noise Clamp (£119)

Verdict

"A quality, no-frills piece of kit that does exactly what it says on the tin."

4 out of 5

Read the Total Guitar review of the MXR Noise Clamp here

BUY: MXR Noise Clamp currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 13 of 13
Page 13 of 13
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.

Read more
Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst: the all-new high-performance S-style from the GIbson-owned shred brand is a grown-up looking S-style.
“It’s as comfortable as a guitar can”: Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst review
Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac: the new semi-hollow signature model is a stunning singlecut with a quilted maple build in a natural finish.
“Unbeatable... A play-anything guitar”: Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac Session Man review
Spira S-450 TPP
"Up there as one of the better value for money metal guitars that you can currently buy": Spira S-450 TPP review
EVH Gear Wolfgang WG Standard T.O.M.
Hold the Floyd: EVH reimagines Wolfgang Standard as a high-performance shredder with a TOM bridge
Jackson Pro Plus Series Misha Mansoor Juggernaut: the newly refreshed signature Superstrat is offered in Red Crystal and Blue Sparkle with a string-through-hardtail, and in Riviera Blue with an EverTune bridge. Stainless steel frets and an ebony fingerboard come as standard.
Jackson gives Misha Mansoor’s Juggernaut a new lick of paint and upgrades to stainless steel frets
Cort KX507MS Pale Moon
"Ordering one before clapping eyes on it will be a lottery": Cort KX507MS Pale Moon 7-string review
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