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

By The MusicRadar team
published 2 October 2013

All of September's guitar, pedal and amp reviews

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Larrivée P-03W
Solid-wood parlour for under a grand

Larrivée P-03W

Every month MusicRadar's sister print publications Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music publish brand new independent gear reviews - and we think they're the best around.

Here we've collected every guitar-related review featured on MusicRadar throughout the month of September, including guitars, amps, stompboxes and recorder/interfaces.

All of the gear here was originally reviewed in Guitarist issue 371/372, Total Guitar issue 244, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The P-03W is the perfect house, songwriting and recording guitar."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Larrivée P-03W review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 245)

Page 1 of 35
Page 1 of 35
Vonhatski Purelight 1206 100-watt head
Hats off to new UK amp brand

Vonhatski Purelight 1206 100-watt head

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Superbly built with a wide range of classic to metal tones and oodles of volume: add Vonhatski to your must-try list."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vonhatski Purelight 1206 head review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

Page 2 of 35
Page 2 of 35
Fret-King Power Boost
This boost is made for stomping

Fret-King Power Boost

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A nicely voiced boost for a lot more than increased volume."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Power Boostreview

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

Page 3 of 35
Page 3 of 35
Fishman TriplePlay
Wireless MIDI controller

Fishman TriplePlay

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The TriplePlay takes the world of MIDI guitar to a new level - it's an ideal entry point for any MIDI guitar novice."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fishman TriplePlay review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

BUY: Fishman TriplePlay currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 4 of 35
Page 4 of 35
Peavey Vypyr VIP 1
Make way for the mini VIP

Peavey Vypyr VIP 1

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It's no small task trying to cover all the bases like this, but with the VIP 1, Peavey has done an admirable job of making it look rather easy."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Peavey Vypyr VIP 1 review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 245)

BUY: Peavey Vypyr VIP 1 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 5 of 35
Page 5 of 35
Ibanez AKJ95
Traditional archtops' arch rival?

Ibanez AKJ95

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Be warned - not all low-end hollowbodies are created equal. This is a good one and a great place to start."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ibanez AKJ95 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

BUY: Ibanez AKJ95 currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247

Page 6 of 35
Page 6 of 35
Fret-King Line Doctor
Patch up your tone

Fret-King Line Doctor

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A no-brainer for keeping your tone intact with long cable runs."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Line Doctor review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

Page 7 of 35
Page 7 of 35
TC Electronic PolyTune 2
Six-strings-at-once tuner returns

TC Electronic PolyTune 2

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"As long as you don't need to alter your reference pitch from A-440, this remains the best pedal tuner available."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic PolyTune 2 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

BUY: TC Electronic PolyTune 2 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 8 of 35
Page 8 of 35
Fender Select Stratocaster HSS
Class - not crass - upmarket electric

Fender Select Stratocaster HSS

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Upmarket do-it-all Strat with modern features but a very vintage feeling neck. Treat yourself..."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Select Stratocaster HSS review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

BUY: Fender Select Stratocaster HSS currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 9 of 35
Page 9 of 35
Vintage Gordon Giltrap Signature Deluxe
Veteran Brit picker gets another signature

Vintage Gordon Giltrap Signature Deluxe

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Hats off to Mr Giltrap and his team. A rather good guitar just got even better."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vintage Gordon Giltrap Signature Deluxe review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

BUY: Vintage Gordon Giltrap Signature Deluxe currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247

Page 10 of 35
Page 10 of 35
Antares AT-200 Complete Pack software
Guitar hardware gets software upgrade

Antares AT-200 Complete Pack software

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A further advancement to an already revolutionary piece of technology, which could prove indispensable to recording guitarists."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Antares AT-200 Complete Pack software review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

Page 11 of 35
Page 11 of 35
Fret-King Clean Boost
Good, clean fun from Fret-King

Fret-King Clean Boost

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A transparent volume boost for in front of your amp or overdrive."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Clean Boost review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

Page 12 of 35
Page 12 of 35
Zilla Custom 4x10 cabinet
Custom quality speaker cab

Zilla Custom 4x10 cabinet

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Great build quality, sounds, options and value for money from the English cabinet company."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Zilla Custom 4x10 cabinet review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

Page 13 of 35
Page 13 of 35
Gretsch G6139CB Falcon Center-Block Single Cutaway
Hollowbody with a backbone

Gretsch G6139CB Falcon Center-Block Single Cutaway

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A top-drawer looker with wonderful sounds, but without a Bigsby, it feels less compelling than other models in the range."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch G6139CB Falcon Center-Block Single Cutaway review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

BUY: Gretsch G6139CB Falcon Center-Block Single Cutaway currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 14 of 35
Page 14 of 35
LTD Surveyor-4 Bass
Great value, flexible bass guitar

LTD Surveyor-4 Bass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"LTD is not always on the radar for us bassists, but on this performance it most definitely should be."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: LTD Surveyor-4 Bass review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

Page 15 of 35
Page 15 of 35
Fret-King Classic Wah
Fret-King's take on the Vox box

Fret-King Classic Wah

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Old-school wah with a musical tonal range."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Classic Wahreview

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

Page 16 of 35
Page 16 of 35
Larrivée OM-03E 'Vintage'
World class Canadian-built acoustic

Larrivée OM-03E 'Vintage'

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An exceptionally beautiful guitar that hits all the right notes in looks, sound, feel and playability."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Larrivée OM-03E 'Vintage' review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

Page 17 of 35
Page 17 of 35
Gibson SG Deluxe
Gibson's workhorse electric does dressage

Gibson SG Deluxe

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Maple top, three pickups, hot rod looks and a Bigsby? It shouldn't work, but it absolutely does!"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gibson SG Deluxe review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

BUY: Gibson SG Deluxe currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 18 of 35
Page 18 of 35
Zilla Studio Pro 2x12 cabinet
UK-made, customisable cab

Zilla Studio Pro 2x12 cabinet

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Another impressive cab from Zilla."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Zilla Studio Pro 2x12 cabinet review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

Page 19 of 35
Page 19 of 35
Fender Select Carved Blackwood Top Telecaster SH
Boutique-style USA carved top Tele

Fender Select Carved Blackwood Top Telecaster SH

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Chambered body, carved hardwood top, Wide Range neck humbucker - it shouldn't work, but it does."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Select Carved Blackwood Top Telecaster SHreview

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

BUY: Fender Select Carved Blackwood Top Telecaster SHreview currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 20 of 35
Page 20 of 35
Gretsch G6139T-CBDC Falcon Center-Block Double Cutaway
High gain-handling hollowbody

Gretsch G6139T-CBDC Falcon Center-Block Double Cutaway

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The coolest video guitar in the world just got reinvented as a viable stage guitar... if you can afford it!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch G6139T-CBDC Falcon Center-Block Double Cutawayreview

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

BUY: Gretsch G6139T-CBDC Falcon Center-Block Double Cutaway currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 21 of 35
Page 21 of 35
Fret-King Klassic Drive
Emulating a mythical stompbox beast

Fret-King Klassic Drive

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Valve-like overdrive that works well with single notes or chords."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Klassic Drive review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

BUY: Fret-King Klassic Drive currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Page 22 of 35
Page 22 of 35
Gibson ES-335 Studio
Stripped-back semi acoustic

Gibson ES-335 Studio

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A tinker too far? Just far enough, we'd say."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gibson ES-335 Studioreview

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 245)

BUY: Gibson ES-335 Studioreview currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Page 23 of 35
Page 23 of 35
Gibson SG Supra
Modern mentality, classic design

Gibson SG Supra

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This is a thoroughly capable modern hybrid guitar with the ultimate classic credentials."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gibson SG Supra review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

BUY: Gibson SG Supra currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Page 24 of 35
Page 24 of 35
Vonhatski Purelight 1206 50-watt 2x12 combo
Brit amps new rival

Vonhatski Purelight 1206 50-watt 2x12 combo

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Like the head, this is tremendously well built with very similar sounds and an 'all-round' 50-watt 2x12 format."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vonhatski Purelight 1206 combo review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

Page 25 of 35
Page 25 of 35
Fret-King Distortion XXX
Top shelf take on the RAT pedal

Fret-King Distortion XXX

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A reasonably priced and versatile source of familiar distortion."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Distortion XXX review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

Page 26 of 35
Page 26 of 35
Hughes & Kettner Edition Blue 60-DFX
Time to reinstate the solid-state?

Hughes & Kettner Edition Blue 60-DFX

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Add a few pedals and you'll be left singing the unassuming solid-state's praises, whatever your amp background."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Hughes & Kettner Edition Blue 60-DFXreview

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

BUY: Hughes & Kettner Edition Blue 60-DFXreview currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247

Page 27 of 35
Page 27 of 35
Gretsch G6137TCB Panther Center-Block
Hollowbody with cool cat looks

Gretsch G6137TCB Panther Center-Block

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Although there's less bling here, the Panther is a great player and offers the best value of the Center-Block range!"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch G6137TCB Panther Center-Block review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 372)

BUY: Gretsch G6137TCB Panther Center-Block currently available from:
UK: DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 28 of 35
Page 28 of 35
Washburn PXL10WA
An axe with its own brown sound

Washburn PXL10WA

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If melting faces is your modus operandi - and you can consider it mission accomplished with this axe's effortless playability."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Washburn PXL10WA review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 245)

BUY: Washburn PXL10WA currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 29 of 35
Page 29 of 35
MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion
The mean stompbox gets, err, meaner

MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"MXR now has a Best Buy Badass on its hands."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 245)

BUY: MXR M75 Super Badass Distortion currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 30 of 35
Page 30 of 35
Washburn PXS10EC
A cut(away) above the rest

Washburn PXS10EC

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A bit of playing in is sure to ease this axe into its natural role as a true speed machine."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Washburn PXS10EC review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 245)

BUY: Washburn PXS10EC currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 31 of 35
Page 31 of 35
LTD EC-330FM
Can this affordable axe nail metal?

LTD EC-330FM

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"In this dog-eat-dog world, the EC-330FM doesn't have enough bark to be heard."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: LTD EC-330FM review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 245)

BUY: LTD EC-330FM currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 32 of 35
Page 32 of 35
Washburn PXM18EB
Brutality made accessible

Washburn PXM18EB

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Washburn has done the impossible and made the eight-string guitar a tameable proposition."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Washburn PXM18EB review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 245)

BUY: Washburn PXM18EB currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 33 of 35
Page 33 of 35
Walden G830
Solid-wood, auditorium acoustic

Walden G830

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The near faultless, well-priced all-solid G830 just needs to live a little to really impress."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Walden G830 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

Page 34 of 35
Page 34 of 35
Fender '57 Bandmaster
Drool-inducing vintage amp revamp

Fender '57 Bandmaster

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Simply tremendous, naturally overdriving tweed tones in a gig-friendly 3x10 package."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender '57 Bandmaster review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Fender '57 Bandmaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Page 35 of 35
Page 35 of 35
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