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

Fender American Vintage '69 Telecaster Thinline (£1991)

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 September 2011.

Flick through this month's picks and follow the links to read each product's full review. First up, Fender's American Vintage '69 Telecaster Thinline...

Verdict:

"The best-yet production version of a now-classic Tele, with excellent vintage detail and sounds."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Fender American Vintage '69 Telecaster Thinline review

Gibson Firebird X (£3299)

Verdict:

"While we applaud anyone trying to push the electric guitar forwards, we seriously wonder if the Firebird X is the future of electric guitar, especially at this price."

3.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Gibson Firebird X review

Fender Graham Coxon Telecaster (£718)

Verdict:

"A long overdue homage to one of the UK's more interesting guitar players – a Tele to forge some sonic mayhem."

4 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Fender Graham Coxon Telecaster review

DigiTech Whammy DT (£289)

Verdict:

"The best Whammy pedal so far? We think so. If you've ever fancied giving one a go, the time is now."

4.5

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist DigiTech Whammy DT review

BUY: DigiTech Whammy DT currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Rasmus Standard S100 (£899)

Verdict:

"This is a stripped-down, serious tool for amateurs and pros alike."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Rasmus Standard S100 review

Fender '70s Precision Bass (£1102)

Verdict:

"Undeniably attractive, the appeal of this over any of the other Precision models lies in its looks and excellent feel."

4.5

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Fender '70s Precision Bass review

BUY: Fender '70s Precision Bass currently available from:
US: Full Compass

ESP LTD SnakeByte (£1199)

Verdict:

"A pure metal beast, this brings Hetfield's axe closer to the masses."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist ESP LTD SnakeByte review

BUY: ESP LTD SnakeByte currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247

Grosh Guitars ElectraJet (£2199)

Verdict:

"Far from a copy but infused with Fender flavour, the ElectraJet is superbly executed with great sounds, highly detailed build and loads of options. Join the queue…"

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Grosh Guitars ElectraJet review

Fender American Vintage '72 Telecaster Thinline (£1919)

Verdict:

"With street prices already around £1.5k this updated blast from the past remains a powerful draw."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Fender American Vintage '72 Telecaster Thinline review

BUY: Fender American Vintage '72 Telecaster Thinline currently available from:
UK: DV247

Aria Retro-1532 (£249)

Verdict:

"Individual styling combines with a performance that belies the economy-conscious status of this retro revival."

4 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Aria Retro-1532 review

Rasmus Modern M200 (£899)

Verdict:

"An '80s rock monster, but with some fantastic vintage single-coil tones on offer, too."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Rasmus Modern M200 review

Crafter CB-Rose Plus (£749.99)

Verdict:

"A well-made and visually different guitar that proves to be a versatile electro option."

3.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Crafter CB-Rose Plus review

Strymon Lex (£279)

Verdict:

"If you're looking for an extremely natural-sounding rotary speaker emulation in a decent-sized stompbox, you'll find it in the Lex."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Strymon Lex review

BUY: Strymon Lex currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247

Godin Shifter 4 (£1050)

Verdict:

"If you want something that feels, looks and sounds a little different yet has an air of 'rightness' about it, then this Godin as an excellent choice."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Godin Shifter 4 review

BUY: Godin Shifter 4 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Zoom G3 (£190)

Verdict:

"The most practical multi-FX pedal around for under (£200 -quality sounds and loads of ways to use them."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Zoom G3 review

BUY: Zoom G3 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247

Tech 21 RotoChoir (£249)

Verdict:

"The best-yet production version of a now-classic Tele, with excellent vintage detail and sounds."

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Tech 21 RotoChoir review

BUY: Tech 21 RotoChoir currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Schecter TSH-1 (£539)

Verdict:

"The latest incarnation of the TSH-1 is a gene-splicing experiment that has paid off big time."

4 out of 5

Read the Total Guitar Schecter TSH-1 review

BUY: Schecter TSH-1 currently available from:
US: Full Compass

MXR ZW90 Wdyle Phase (£134)

Verdict:

"The latest incarnation of the TSH-1 is a gene-splicing experiment that has paid off big time."

4 out of 5

Read the Total Guitar MXR ZW90 Wdyle Phase review

BUY: MXR ZW90 Wdyle Phase currently available from:
UK: Thomann
USA: Sweetwater
FR: Thomann | Michenaud

Tech 21 Boost Chorus (£199)

Verdict:

"This is one seriously versatile chorus pedal, it's certainly rich and smooth - but we can't decide whether it's manly…"

4 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Tech 21 Boost Chorus review

BUY: Tech 21 Boost Chorus currently available from:
UK: Thomann
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass
FR: Thomann | Michenaud

Schecter Solo 6 Standard (£549)

Verdict:

"The Solo 6 Standard combines classic looks with a touch of individuality and a tonal range that will cover everything from blues through to thrash."

4 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Schecter Solo 6 Standard review

BUY: Schecter Solo 6 Standard currently available from:
UK: Thomann
USA: Full Compass
FR: Thomann | Woodbrass

Schecter S-1 Custom (£679)

Verdict:

"Unless you're a true brand loyalist you should check out what Schecter is doing in the mid-range sector before you fork out for a budget US-brand guitar."

4 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Schecter S-1 Custom review

BUY: Schecter S-1 Custom currently available from:
USA: Full Compass

Schecter TSH-1 (£539)

Verdict:

"One of the best affordable retro-style guitars available. Looks, tones, playability – it's the whole package."

4 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Schecter TSH-1 review

BUY: Schecter TSH-1 currently available from:
US: Full Compass

T-Rex Tonebug Sensewah (£155)

Verdict:

"A pedal that will let you get funky."

4 out of 5

Read the Guitarist T-Rex Tonebug Sensewah review

Larivée L-02 (£799)

Verdict:

"How can you look a gift horse in the mouth? Time to flash the cash, we say."

4.5

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Larivée L-02 review

BUY: Larivée L-02 currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Egnater Tweaker 88 (£799)

Verdict:

"Like the Tweaker 15, this is another great amp from Egnater that's destined for future classic status."

4.5

4.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Egnater Tweaker 88 review

BUY: Egnater Tweaker 88 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Washburn WCD18CE (£210)

Verdict:

"An interesting alternative to a 'regular' shaped dreadnought that proves to be a capable electro."

3.5 out of 5

Read the Guitarist Washburn WCD18CE review

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