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New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (October 2012)

By The MusicRadar team
published 3 October 2012

September's new products at a glance

PRS DGT Standard (£2795)
An all-mahogany model for 2012

PRS DGT Standard (£2795)

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.

We’ve collated the latest guitars, amps, pedals, recorders and interfaces to have fallen under the watchful eyes of Computer Music, Future Music, Rhythm Total Guitar and Guitarist’s test teams. All the gear on show here was originally reviewed in Guitarist issue 359.

Scroll on for this month’s top picks and click through to read each product’s full review. First up: PRS DGT Standard

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Less wide sounding than the maple- topped DGT, this Standard version is another voice: a 21st-century Les Paul Special but with expanded sounds, vibrato and PRS's legendary build quality.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS DGT Standard

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: PRS DGT Standard currently available from:
UK: Thomann

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MXR SF01 Slash Octave Fuzz (£171)
Slash gets further down and dirtier...

MXR SF01 Slash Octave Fuzz (£171)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Fuzz plus octaves up and down: this stomper can cover a vast array of sounds from old-school Hendrix to lo-fi Auerbach, and a pretty cool Slash to boot!”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MXR SF01 Slash Octave Fuzz

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: MXR SF01 Slash Octave Fuzz currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247

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Page 2 of 21
Vox AC4C1-BL (£358)
Chasing the blues away

Vox AC4C1-BL (£358)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“What's not to like (providing you're not changing valves in a hurry)?”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox AC4C1-BL

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: Vox AC4C1-BL currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

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Page 3 of 21
A/DA APP-1 (£339)
A pedal-sized solid-state preamp

A/DA APP-1 (£339)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A/DA returns with a genuinely new product, full of different tones and myriad features.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: A/DA APP-1

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: A/DA APP-1 currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

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Page 4 of 21
Tascam iU2 (£149)
The interface iOS-users have been waiting for?

Tascam iU2 (£149)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A comprehensive portable I/O device for both Apple's iOS and computers - someone needed to invent this, Tascam has, and it's done a brilliant job.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tascam iU2

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: Tascam iU2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Full Compass

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Page 5 of 21
DigiTech Whammy (5th Generation) (£199)
The pitch-bending classic gets updated

DigiTech Whammy (5th Generation) (£199)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The most useful Whammy so far and awesome fun to boot. You need one!”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DigiTech Whammy (5th Generation)

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: DigiTech Whammy (5th Generation) currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

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Page 6 of 21
Roland G-5 VG Fender Stratocaster (£1450)
Roland's first Stratocaster

Roland G-5 VG Fender Stratocaster (£1450)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Less detailed than the Variax, the G-5 VG Stratocaster beats its rival on open/dropped tuning functions at least. Its digital trickery is also loaded on a familiar, much-loved Fender Stratocaster chassis: that goes a long, long way!”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland G-5 VG Fender Stratocaster

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: Roland G-5 VG Fender Stratocaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

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Page 7 of 21
Peavey Xport USB Guitar Interface (£39)
Simple, but effective

Peavey Xport USB Guitar Interface (£39)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The Xport is a great guitarist's companion to a laptop that will work for recording or practice wherever you are.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Peavey Xport USB Guitar Interface

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: Peavey Xport USB Guitar Interface currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

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Page 8 of 21
AKG DMS70 Dual digital wireless system (£349)
Side-stepping the radio setup

AKG DMS70 Dual digital wireless system (£349)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An excellent- sounding wireless system that shouldn't pose any performance problems.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: AKG DMS70 Dual digital wireless system

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: AKG DMS70 Dual digital wireless system currently available from:
UK: DV247

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Page 9 of 21
Vox AC4HW1 (£778)
Creamy tone machine, or beige boredom?

Vox AC4HW1 (£778)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“For recording, this could be all the amp you ever need.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox AC4HW1

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: Vox AC4HW1 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

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Page 10 of 21
Guild GSR D-40 Noir (£2926)
Back in black or, err, le chat noir?

Guild GSR D-40 Noir (£2926)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A visually striking dreadnought with a punchy and instantly likeable acoustic tone.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guild GSR D-40 Noir

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: Guild GSR D-40 Noir currently available from:
UK: Thomann

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Page 11 of 21
TC Electronic MojoMojo (£105)
Vintage tweed overdrive emulation

TC Electronic MojoMojo (£105)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Lovely transparent overdrive that's like adding an extra channel to your amp.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic MojoMojo

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: TC Electronic MojoMojo currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | guitarguitar
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass
FR: Thomann | Michenaud | Star's Music | Woodbrass

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Page 12 of 21
Vox Apache I (£262)
A boom Styled along 60s lines, the latest Vox electric offers the ultimate in self-contained portability via an onboard amp, twin speakers and even a rhythm section

Vox Apache I (£262)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“This distinctive-looking electric offers self-powered performance and play- anywhere portability. Most of all it's great fun.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox Apache I

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: Vox Apache I currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 13 of 21
Page 13 of 21
TC Electronic Dark Matter (£105)
Does the Dark Matter, err, matter?

TC Electronic Dark Matter (£105)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A responsive stompbox that will put a flavour of that cranked Marshall raunch on your board.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Dark Matter

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: TC Electronic Dark Matter currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 14 of 21
Page 14 of 21
Mariner Capstan (£369)
Let's hope she's well rigged...

Mariner Capstan (£369)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Mariner is still a new name in the affordable market, but the Capstan is a fine fingerstyle-friendly performer.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mariner Capstan

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

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Page 15 of 21
Tascam DP-24 (£749)
Need a new one-stop box?

Tascam DP-24 (£749)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A self-contained 24-track recording studio that will take you from the first chord to a finished CD.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tascam DP-24

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: Tascam DP-24 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Full Compass

Page 16 of 21
Page 16 of 21
TC Electronic Röttweiler (£105)
A new high-gain big dog!

TC Electronic Röttweiler (£105)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Pedal to the metal? This one takes you straight there. It barks and it bites.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Röttweiler

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: TC Electronic Röttweiler currently available from:
UK: DV247

Page 17 of 21
Page 17 of 21
Music Man Reflex Game Changer HSH (£2539)
Five pickup positions not enough? How about 250,000?

Music Man Reflex Game Changer HSH (£2539)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Time will tell whether this technology will be a real-world game changer or an interesting footnote. Regardless, this is a very good electric guitar with which to broaden your sonic horizons.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Music Man Reflex Game Changer HSH

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: Music Man Reflex Game Changer HSH currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

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Page 18 of 21
Guild GSR F-30CE Cocobolo (£2926)
Guilding the rose

Guild GSR F-30CE Cocobolo (£2926)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“For those sufficiently well heeled and able to track one down, the F-30CE Cocobolo is pretty much as good as fingerstyle guitars get.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guild GSR F-30CE Cocobolo

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: Guild GSR F-30CE Cocobolo currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 19 of 21
Page 19 of 21
Mad Professor Old School 21 (£1799)
Classic valve tones in one box?

Mad Professor Old School 21 (£1799)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Time will tell whether this technology will be a real-world game changer or an It doesn't quite live up to its rather hefty price tag but the Old School '21 is well worth auditioning for those on a quest for tonal nirvana.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mad Professor Old School 21

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

Page 20 of 21
Page 20 of 21
Vox Apache II (£262)
Styled along 60s lines, the latest Vox electric offers the ultimate in self-contained portability via an onboard amp, twin speakers and even a rhythm section!

Vox Apache II (£262)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“This distinctive-looking electric offers self-powered performance and play- anywhere portability. Most of all it's great fun.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox Apache II

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 359)

BUY: Vox Apache II currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Liked this? Now read: The best music tech gear of 2011: synths, DAWs, plug-ins, keyboards, apps and more

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The MusicRadar team
The MusicRadar team
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MusicRadar is the number 1 website for music makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, djs or producers...

GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high- quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts. TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars. STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music making that no other music website can.
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