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  1. Guitars

New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (November 2013)

News
By The MusicRadar Team published 5 November 2013

All of the guitars, effects and amps reviewed

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

Mission Engineering VM-PRO

Mission Engineering VM-PRO

Every month MusicRadar's sister magazines Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music publish the best new independent gear reviews.

In this gallery we've gathered every guitar-related review posted on the site throughout October, including guitars, amps, stompboxes and recorder/interfaces.

All of the gear here was originally reviewed in Guitarist issue 373/374, Total Guitar issue 246, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team. First up is the Mission Engineering VM-PRO volume pedal...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Yes, it's another volume pedal, but few can match the VM-PRO's versatility, not to mention its high-integrity buffer."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mission Engineering VM-PRO review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Mission Engineering VM-PRO currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 1 of 23
Page 1 of 23
Carvin NS-1

Carvin NS-1

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Beautifully made nylon stage electro-acoustic with Synth Access and superb feedback resistance."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Carvin NS-1 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

Page 2 of 23
Page 2 of 23
IK Multimedia iRig Pro

IK Multimedia iRig Pro

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It might be on the pricey side, but the iRig Pro could meet all your iOS interfacing requirements at a stroke."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia iRig Pro review

BUY: IK Multimedia iRig Pro currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 3 of 23
Page 3 of 23
LTD Elite ST-1/M STBC

LTD Elite ST-1/M STBC

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A modern masterpiece of a rock guitar, with a gorgeous neck and a versatile tonal performance."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: LTD Elite ST-1/M STBC review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: LTD Elite ST-1/M STBC currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 4 of 23
Page 4 of 23
Guild X-175 Manhattan

Guild X-175 Manhattan

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Purists and musical tourists alike can find inspiration in limitations. Less is definitely more!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guild X-175 Manhattan review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Guild X-175 Manhattan currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 5 of 23
Page 5 of 23
Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister 36

Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister 36

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"One amp to rule them all? H&K might just have launched the amp of the decade."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister 36 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister 36 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 6 of 23
Page 6 of 23
HardWire V-10 Power Block

HardWire V-10 Power Block

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you're serious about your 'board (and if you're using all 10 outputs, you probably are), the V-10 is a good contender for your power needs."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: HardWire V-10 Power Block review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: HardWire V-10 Power Block currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 7 of 23
Page 7 of 23
Gibson Custom 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue

Gibson Custom 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The most historically accurate Gibson Les Paul '59 Reissue to date. Wallet-worryingly desirable and it sounds fantastic too."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gibson Custom 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Gibson Custom 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Gear4Music

Page 8 of 23
Page 8 of 23
Gordon-Smith Ghostrider

Gordon-Smith Ghostrider

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A sound-laden semi for players who know how to handle their guitars. The best-ever GSG guitar."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gordon-Smith Ghostrider review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

Page 9 of 23
Page 9 of 23
Godin xtSA Koa

Godin xtSA Koa

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A well-priced 'three-voice' super guitar, with sound options that are virtually limitless via the SA output."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Godin xtSA Koa review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Godin xtSA Koa currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 10 of 23
Page 10 of 23
Walden D810

Walden D810

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A competent, well-priced all-solid acoustic dreadnought that will hopefully mature with age and playing."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Walden D810 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

Page 11 of 23
Page 11 of 23
LTD Elite Eclipse-I

LTD Elite Eclipse-I

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The lines might be 1950s-inspired, but they belie the Eclipse's wholly modern feel, tone and intentions."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: LTD Elite Eclipse-I review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: LTD Elite Eclipse-I currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann

Page 12 of 23
Page 12 of 23
Guild Starfire IV

Guild Starfire IV

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A grand to spend? Put this straight at the top of your double-cut semi shopping list."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guild Starfire IV review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Guild Starfire IV currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 13 of 23
Page 13 of 23
Line 6 POD HD500X

Line 6 POD HD500X

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A do-it-all effects solution for onstage use that's also a great recording and practice tool."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Line 6 POD HD500X review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Line 6 POD HD500X currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 14 of 23
Page 14 of 23
IK Multimedia iRig HD

IK Multimedia iRig HD

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Nicely upgraded, the iRig HD is a quality route to get your guitar into your i-device."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia iRig HD review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: IK Multimedia iRig HD currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 15 of 23
Page 15 of 23
Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster

Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An impressive sonic performance from a guitar that nails the Cabronita mojo at a dangerously attractive price point."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 245)

BUY: Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 16 of 23
Page 16 of 23
Bigfoot Engineering King Fuzz

Bigfoot Engineering King Fuzz

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"These tones could be the pride of your 'board for some time to come."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Bigfoot Engineering King Fuzz review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

Page 17 of 23
Page 17 of 23
Jackson Pro Series DKA8 Dinky

Jackson Pro Series DKA8 Dinky

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A guitar designed with the post-progressive metaller in mind - it takes the hot-rodded S-type concept to new extremes."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Jackson Pro Series DKA8 Dinky review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Jackson Pro Series DKA8 Dinky currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 18 of 23
Page 18 of 23
Seagull Excursion Natural Folk SG

Seagull Excursion Natural Folk SG

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Excursion has become our go-to home guitar. It holds its own with far more expensive guitars and has impressed everyone who's heard it. Put some power back into your acoustic playing and try one."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Seagull Excursion Natural Folk SG review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Seagull Excursion Natural Folk SG currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 19 of 23
Page 19 of 23
Fender Cabronita Telecaster Thinline

Fender Cabronita Telecaster Thinline

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Anyone who enjoys arpeggiated picking and a crunchy valve tone is in for a treat here - both for the eyes and the ears."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Cabronita Telecaster Thinline review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Fender Cabronita Telecaster Thinline currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 20 of 23
Page 20 of 23
Fret-King Corona DBR

Fret-King Corona DBR

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A powerful and versatile instrument that offers quality and bags of canny design upgrades for extremely sensible money."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Corona DBR review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

Page 21 of 23
Page 21 of 23
Vox Tone Garage Flat 4 Boost

Vox Tone Garage Flat 4 Boost

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A versatile boost pedal with tonal options and low-level overdrive."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox Tone Garage Flat 4 Boost review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Vox Tone Garage Flat 4 Boost currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 22 of 23
Page 22 of 23
Sigma JRC-40E

Sigma JRC-40E

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A little bit of posh at a sensible price with a wide piano-like tonality that's especially good plugged in."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sigma JRC-40E review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

Page 23 of 23
Page 23 of 23
The MusicRadar Team
The MusicRadar Team
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