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

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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)

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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