New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (October 2010)
September-October 2010: Guitars, amps, FX and more
Every month MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the 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 issues and published on MusicRadar throughout September and October 2010.
Flick through this month's picks and follow the links to read each product's full review. Up first: Line 6 James Tyler Variax JTV-69US
It looks better than the first Variax, but what else is new?
Line 6 James Tyler Variax JTV-69US (£2299)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"The 2010 Variax updates the previous version with better sounds, functionality and a much, much better chassis: a must-try for any player who requires lots of different sounds or tunings, fast."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Line 6 James Tyler Variax JTV-69US
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 333)
All-valve tone on a budget
Randall RT503 (£840)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"Definitely worthy of consideration for valve virgins. Affordable and accessible if not aimed at heavier tones."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Randall RT503
(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 205)
Epiphone tips its hat to the guitar that wrote Yesterday
Epiphone Inspired By 1964 Texan (£349)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"An affordable and likeable version of what is a classic guitar with bags of history."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Epiphone Inspired By 1964 Texan
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 333)
Meat and potatoes rockabilly machine with extra tonal gravy
Epiphone Emperor Swingster (£499)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"A great looking guitar with an amazing tonal range and fantastic playability - and all for a price you can't refuse!"
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Epiphone Emporer Swingster
(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 206)
High-gain tone from this manageable gigging amp
Orange TH30 combo (£749)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"A portable beast with some fantastic clean, crunch and hard rock sounds."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Orange TH30 combo
(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 206)
Experience large true valve tone from this tiny Scottish newcomer
Glenelg T6A10 (£260)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"A decent first effort from these amp newcomers; far from perfect but cool for powerful valve sounds on the move."
3 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Glenelg T6A10
(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 205)
Create fuzz fuelled mayhem with this UK-made stompbox
Dean Ramsay Doomsday Machine (£150)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"If you're bored with straight OD/distortion, the pedal's harsh clipping could be for you."
3 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Dean Ramsay Doomsday Machine
(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 205)
Mixing passive electronics and a new body shape for some real vintage flavours
Blade Dayton Standard (£629)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"A serious minded mid-price electric that covers plenty of tonal ground and looks unique to boot. One for anyone looking to stand out!"
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Blade Dayton Standard
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 333)
New hybrid amp from Line 6 and valve kings Bogner
Line 6 Spider Valve MkII (£549)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"A whole host of a neat tools without compromising on the valve tone. The best of both worlds indeed."
FULL REVIEW: Line 6 Spider Valve MkII
4 out of 5
(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 206)
The Albert Lee gets the humbucker treatment
Music Man Albert Lee HH (£2025)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"A facelift for the Lee that edges into the 'other' camp. Just try one."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Music Man Albert Lee HH
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 333)
Versatile, pre-worn doublecut from Metallica's favourite metal mavericks
LTD ST203 FR (£469)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"The ST203 FR faces tough competition in a crowded market, but although the aged finish might be a little off, the playability makes this guitar stand out from the crowd."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: LTD ST203 FR
(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 206)
From Hayden's UK custom shop comes this blast from the past
Hayden Petite 2 (£399)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"A very simple, plug-in-and-play hand-wired amp that boasts excellent UK build -quality and a blend of old-school clean and dirty blues tones."
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Hayden Petite 2
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 333)
Smooth wah sounds meet cool aesthetics
Budda Budwah (£179)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"One of the pricier wahs on the market, but you certainly get what you pay for with this quality pedal."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Budda Budwah
(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 206)
This guitar could transform your playing, but there are strings attached
Schecter Damien Elite 8 (£599)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"An eight-string like this is always going to be a divisive instrument, but give it a go and you may find that it opens up a world of playing possibilities you never imagined. Or not. Who knows?"
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Schecter Damien Elite 8
(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 206)
Carr's new amp promises to nail that elusive EL84 British Invasion tone
Carr Amplifiers Artemus 30 1 x 12 combo (£1979)
Musicradar's verdict:
"Like many boutique amps, the Artemus is zeroed-in on a particular vibe. If you get it, you'll be blown away by this amp."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Carr Amplifiers Artemus 30 1 x 12 combo
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 333)
Hellish amounts of gain from this holy distortion pedal
Rocktron Third Angel Distortion (£135)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"A decent, well-made distortion pedal, but it just doesn't blow us away like we'd like it to."
3 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Rocktron Third Angel Distortion
(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 206)
A pair of low-cost multi-FX processors from Zoom
Zoom G2Nu/G2.1Nu (£119)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"Practical and affordable processors for practice, gigging and computer recording."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Zoom G2Nu/G2.1Nu
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 333)
PRS looks and a Fender/Gibson hybrid sound
PRS 25th Anniversary Swamp Ash Special Narrowfield (£2795)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"PRS looks, Fender-style materials and the excellent 'hybrid' pickups combine to create a unique and highly musical-sounding guitar."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PRS 25th Anniversary Swamp Ash Special Narrowfield
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 333)
The world's most popular do-it-all amp gets updated
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III combo (£844.83)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"A market-leading amp, updated. Simple, loud and portable, it rewards players with a good sense of touch."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III combo
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 334)
Has PRS gone all Fender?
PRS 25th Anniversary 305 (£2795)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"A union of PRS's renowned build quality and Stratocaster-inspired tones, the 305 is a superlative take on Fender's #2 son."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PRS 25th Anniversary 305
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 333)
Fender classic cleans plus all new tonehound focused, thick distortion
Fender Super-Sonic 22 combo (£1126)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"A small gig revelation - fat gain with classic fifties and sixties cleans. In one amp? Yep."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Super-Sonic 22 combo
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 333)
PRS enters the acoustic world with a suitably spec'd and priced flat top
PRS Angelus Custom (£6393)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"Undoubtedly one of the world's finest genuine all-rounder acoustic guitars… with a price to match!"
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PRS Angelus Custom
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 334)
With its onboard ATD bridge, this is the latest self-tuning guitar. But is it the best?
Fret-King Super-Matic (£1299)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"The most efficient and affordable self-tuning guitar to date. The Super-Matic not only self-tunes, but opens up the world of altered and open tunings to any player."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Super-Matic
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 334)
Epiphone tips its hat to Yesterday while looking to the future
Epiphone DR-500MCE VS Masterbilt (£449)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"Epiphone has managed to produce a modern electro that still captures the essence of a vintage instrument."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Epiphone DR-500MCE VS Masterbilt
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 333)
A combo version of Nuno Bettencourt's signature amp
Randall NBKing 112 (£1233)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"Balancing the channels is the key here, get that right and you'll have a wealth of great rock and metal tones ready to go."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Randall NBKing 112
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 333)
With magnetic and piezo pickups, this is a long way from Leo's original Tele concept
Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster (£915)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"A beautiful, unpretentious acoustic/electric hybrid, which offers excellent value and playability and a mix of classic electric and highly convincing acoustic tones. A must-try guitar."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 334)
An unusual thinline designed in the UK and made in Vietnam
DRL Thinline CT09 (£899)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"Simple, effective and uncomplicated - the DRL Thinline makes a very good stage companion."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: DRL Thinline CT09
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 334)
The Fly was one of the most futuristic guitar designs ever. The Dragonfly redraws that vision...
Parker Dragonfly DF524 (£1299)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"Regular Flys polarise, but the DragonFly does away with most perceived negatives to leave a truly great electric guitar."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Parker Dragonfly DF524
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 334)
An affordable signature model in honour of an acoustic troubadour
Vintage VE2000GG Gordon Giltrap Signature Model (£479)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"A visually-unique electro suitable for collectors and acoustic enthusiasts alike."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Vintage VE2000GG Gordon Giltrap Signature
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 334)
A well-made, good sounding Brit singlecut
Vanquish Mystique Studio Plus (£2500)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"This is the best Vanquish electric yet: a thoughtful, considered guitar with impeccable build, versatile sounds and a more-than-fair asking price."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Vanquish Mystique Studio Plus
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 334)
Is it a delay pedal? Is it a looper? It's both...
DigiTech JamMan Delay (£387)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"Fully-featured looping and delay nicely integrated together in a single large stompbox."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: DigiTech JamMan Delay
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 334)
Joe Satriani's new signature stompbox has plenty of classic flavour
Vox Ice 9 Overdrive (£117)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"Far from just Satch-in-a-box, this is a versatile overdrive for any rock player not solely obsessed with gain."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Vox Ice 9 Overdrive
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 334)
The first new guitar amp from boutique makers Budda since hooking up with Peavey
Budda Superdrive Series II V-40 (£1749)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"Budda amps have their own sound going on, the V-40 delivers a huge sonic punch and blends boutique cleans with classic rock distortions. If that's your bag, try it!"
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Budda Superdrive Series II V-40
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 334)
A compact, all-valve amp head that's already won a lot of fans in the US
Egnater Tweaker Head (£369)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"A truly great little amp from Egnater that's destined for future classic status."
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Egnater Tweaker Head
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 334)
Side-by-side overdrive and distortion and plenty of control options from the latest Big Muff
Electro-Harmonix Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi (£74)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"Separate overdrive and distortion for the price of a single stompbox, and with enough control to create a wide-ranging dirty tone."
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Electro-Harmonix Germanium 4 Big Muff Pi
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 334)
A visually unique signature electro-acoustic from Guns N' Roses' DJ Ashba
Ovation DJA34 Bone Yard (£350)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"By no means a done deal, but with a price tag of £350, it's certainly worthy of investigation - and given the limited run, you'll need to move fast."
3 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Ovation DJA34 Bone Yard
(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 207)
Five Finger Death Punch guitarist's new model gets a thumbs up
BC Rich Zoltan Bathory Signature ASM (£899)
MusicRadar's verdict:
"For fans of modern, brutal metal riffs this guitar is a really great guitar."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: BC Rich Zoltan Bathory Signature ASM
(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 207)
A unique new pedal to the E-HX range that's part sustain and part looper
Electro-Harmonix Freeze Sound Retainer (£89)
MusicRadar verdict:
"A creative idea that can add a really interesting new dimension to your playing."
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Electro-Harmonix Freeze Sound Retainer
(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 334)
Liked this? Now read August's new guitar gear round-up
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