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New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (October 2014)

By Guitarist, Total Guitar
published 6 October 2014

All of September's guitar reviews

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Ibanez RG9
Nine-string mammoth metal guitar

Ibanez RG9

MusicRadar's sister magazines bring you the finest independent guitar, acoustic, amp and effects reviews every month.

In this gallery we've rounded-up all of the reviews from their pages to be featured on the site throughout September. All of the following reviews were originally published in Guitarist issues 385/386 and Total Guitar issues 258/259. Kicking things off, it's the RG9 - a nine-string beast from Ibanez...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Throw your scepticism aside and open your mind to the power of nine."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ibanez RG9 review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 258)

BUY: Ibanez RG9 currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Full Compass

Page 1 of 21
Page 1 of 21
Auden Bowman Cedar Cutaway
OM-style electro-acoustic

Auden Bowman Cedar Cutaway

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A credible take on the OM-cutaway, offering softer cedar tones. Pickers may want wider string spacing.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Auden Bowman Cedar Cutaway review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 385)

Page 2 of 21
Page 2 of 21
Seymour Duncan Dirty Deed Distortion
Duncan does distortion

Seymour Duncan Dirty Deed Distortion

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"In this case, dirty deeds ain't done cheap, and more versatile drives are available, but for amp-like, balls-to-the-wall distortion, the DDD is worth plugging in."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Seymour Duncan Dirty Deed Distortion review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 258)

BUY: Seymour Duncan Dirty Deed Distortion currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 3 of 21
Page 3 of 21
Ibanez AR2619-AV Prestige
Vintage-style blast from Ibanez' past

Ibanez AR2619-AV Prestige

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“This is a viable alternative to the Gibson Les Paul, which has an authentic 70s vibe and heritage all of its own.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ibanez AR2619-AV Prestige review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 385)

BUY: Ibanez AR2619-AV Prestige currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 4 of 21
Page 4 of 21
Taylor 214ce K DLX
An exotic wood makeover for the 200 series

Taylor 214ce K DLX

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A substantial upgrade to the standard 214ce, in terms of appearance and sound: an excellent serious gigger's tool."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Taylor 214ce K DLX review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 385)

BUY: Taylor 214ce K DLX currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 5 of 21
Page 5 of 21
Manson MA-1 EVO
Futuristic Fuzz Factory-loaded electric

Manson MA-1 EVO

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A modern rock guitar par excellence, plus Fuzz Factory!"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Manson MA-1 EVO review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 385)

Page 6 of 21
Page 6 of 21
T-Rex Soulmate
Meet the multi-effects with a stompbox soul

T-Rex Soulmate

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Anyone after a fuss-free alternative to modelling multi-effects and pedalboards would do well to find their SoulMate."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: T-Rex Soulmate review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 258)

BUY: T-Rex Soulmate currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Full Compass

Page 7 of 21
Page 7 of 21
Washburn LSB768SEK
Record-breaking baritone acoustic

Washburn LSB768SEK

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“For any creative musician looking to expand their pitch, this is a great place to start. It won't overly hurt the wallet, either... just your fingers!”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Washburn LSB768SEK review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 385)

Page 8 of 21
Page 8 of 21
Victory V30 'The Countess'
Is Victory's first lunchbox amp a winner?

Victory V30 'The Countess'

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It's the little amp with a very big voice, that you can take to all your gigs."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Victory V30 'The Countess' review

BUY: Victory V30 'The Countess' currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 385)

Page 9 of 21
Page 9 of 21
Manson MA-2 EVO
Forward-looking electric

Manson MA-2 EVO

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"In its standard format, this is an excellent modern rock-intended instrument, superbly made with a Tele-meets-Les Paul-on-steroids voicing."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Manson MA-2 EVO review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 385)

Page 10 of 21
Page 10 of 21
Taylor 150e
Taylor's most affordable 12-string yet

Taylor 150e

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"High value for such a premium brand, this is a serious electro 12-string that focuses on sound and playability."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Taylor 150e review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 385)

BUY: Taylor 150e currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 11 of 21
Page 11 of 21
Ibanez FR6UC-BKF Prestige
Japanese-built modern music machine

Ibanez FR6UC-BKF Prestige

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Just a no-frills modern heavy rock guitar with pro sounds and a solid, road- proof build.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ibanez FR6UC-BKF Prestige review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 385)

Page 12 of 21
Page 12 of 21
T-Rex Karma Boost
T-Ransparent boost pedal

T-Rex Karma Boost

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It's no chameleon, but it'll boost your tone with subtle colour.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: T-Rex Karma Boost review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 386)

BUY: T-Rex Karma Boost currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Full Compass

Page 13 of 21
Page 13 of 21
Korg Nuvibe
Uni-Vibe reimagined for the 21st century

Korg Nuvibe

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The Uni-Vibe and beyond... a fine modulation pedal with the ability to dial in familiar sounds but go further.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Korg Nuvibe review

BUY: Korg Nuvibe currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 386)

Page 14 of 21
Page 14 of 21
Boss GT-001
GT-100 sounds for your desktop

Boss GT-001

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A convenient source of guitar sounds for recording and practice at home.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Boss GT-001 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 386)

BUY: Boss GT-001 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 15 of 21
Page 15 of 21
T-Rex Vulture
Desert distortion with bite

T-Rex Vulture

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It swoops down and adds bite and girth to your tone."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: T-Rex Vulture review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 386)

BUY: T-Rex Vulture currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Full Compass

Page 16 of 21
Page 16 of 21
Fender Blues Junior III
The modern classic combo

Fender Blues Junior III

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An oldie but a goodie, this compact combo may be basic, but the tones it produces never fail to impress.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Blues Junior III review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 386)

BUY: Fender Blues Junior III currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 17 of 21
Page 17 of 21
T-Rex Creamer
T-Rex-sized reverbs with a small footprint

T-Rex Creamer

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Smooth ambience in three flavours.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: T-Rex Creamer review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 386)

BUY: T-Rex Creamer currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Full Compass

Page 18 of 21
Page 18 of 21
Fender Modern Player Short Scale Telecaster
A tiny Tele for short scale fans

Fender Modern Player Short Scale Telecaster

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Super-light, super-resonant, super-priced. Small and well formed, this is a beginner's dream.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Modern Player Short Scale Telecaster review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 386)

BUY: Fender Modern Player Short Scale Telecaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Page 19 of 21
Page 19 of 21
Supro 1690T Coronado
Another all-American amplifier revived

Supro 1690T Coronado

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“With massive clean headroom, this is a perfect amp to run your outboard effects into - it looks damn cool, too!”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Supro 1690T Coronado review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 386)

BUY: Supro 1690T Coronado currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Page 20 of 21
Page 20 of 21
T-Rex NeoComp
Stomp-based comp

T-Rex NeoComp

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Versatile, controllable compression with a small footprint.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: T-Rex NeoComp review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 386)

BUY: T-Rex NeoComp currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Full Compass

Page 21 of 21
Page 21 of 21
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