New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (September 2012)
August's guitar reviews in one place
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.
This is a collection of electric and acoustic guitars, amps and effects - all of which have been tested meticulously by either Guitarist or Total Guitar in recent months and published on MusicRadar throughout August 2012.
Flick through this month's picks and follow the links to read each product's full review. First up, a high-end French fancy...
Next: Vigier Excalibur Indus
At this price, could this French fancy have that certain 'Je ne sais quoi' or is it just a case of déj vu?
Vigier Excalibur Indus (£1389)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Built with a master's hand, with all the sophistication of one of Vigier's top-end models and the handsome aesthetics of a Parisian playboy, the Excalibur Indus is a lot of guitar for the money.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Vigier Excalibur Indus
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 230)
A European-made beauty with enhanced electronics
Hagstrom Northen Super Swede Flame (£1225)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Hagstrom's best Super Swede yet offers very viable competition in the classic, single-cutaway electric stakes.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Hagstrom Northen Super Swede Flame
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 358)
Former Marshall man enters the amp-sim market
Scuffham S-Gear ($90)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“S-Gear eschews bells and whistles for a straightforward user experience and quality tonal options.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Scuffham S-Gear
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 358)
A rock beast that now has a gentler side
Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HSH (£598)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A rock beast now has a gentler side. That extra pickup offers a lot more options too.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Blacktop Stratocaster HSH
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 358)
Here's to growing old gracefully
Takamine EG50TH Anniversary (£550)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A slice of the extraordinary, without the matching hiked price tag – an excellent all-rounder.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Takamine EG50TH Anniversary
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 358)
A pocket-friendly way to (over-) drive a Jag
Fender Blacktop Jaguar 90 (£598)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“As much as we like the existing Jaguar HH, we had our fingers crossed for a twin-P-90- loaded version. The Jaguar 90 is every bit as great as we hoped it would be.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Blacktop Jaguar 90
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 358)
A piezo-loaded 22-fret solidbody
PRS P22 (£3695)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“A high-line PRS electric solidbody with arguably the best-sounding and functioning piezo system currently available. Almost faultless.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: PRS P22
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 358)
BUY: PRS P22 currently available from:
US: Sweetwater
A huge range of tones at an affordable price point
Fender Modern Player Stratocaster HSS (£442)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Near frighteningly good value for money, where playability and tonal range seal the deal on this do-it-all Strat.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Modern Player Stratocaster HSS
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 358)
The Japanese firm celebrates its fifth decade in style
Takamine LTD 2012 'Michi' (£2518)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Beautiful for the studio – a real keeper and first-port-of-call instrument for most genres. A work of art with practical uses. Cherish it.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Takamine LTD 2012 'Michi'
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 358)
It's a fabulous looking amp, but how does it sound?
Fender Pawn Shop Special Excelsior (£298)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The go-to amp for credible old-school Americana valve sounds on a budget.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Pawn Shop Special Excelsior
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 358)
BUY: Fender Pawn Shop Special Excelsior currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
A workhorse that pines for something different
Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus (£442)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“It's not the prettiest example, but if your tastes run to country and metal, this is one Tele that comes up with the goods.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 358)
BUY: Fender Modern Player Telecaster Plus currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater
Floor-based unit proves it can stand a trampling
Taurus Stomp-Head 4.SL (£841)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“It deserves its place in the market, and we can imagine quite a few guitarists choosing it as their new stomping ground.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Taurus Stomp-Head 4.SL
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 231)
Boasts 12 effects and 90 seconds of loop time
Vox Lil' Looper (£143)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“If you've never used a looper before, this is a great place to start.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Vox Lil' Looper
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 358)
BUY: Vox Lil' Looper currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater
The flagship of the TubeMeister range makes its debut
Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 36 (£799)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Hughes & Kettner has produced a gem we reckon will sell and sell.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 36
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 358)
BUY: Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister 36 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
A rack option for digital defectors
Vintage Revolution PedalPro (1999€)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“The world's first hybrid analogue multi-effects - pure analogue sounds with digital control.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Vintage Revolution PedalPro
(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 358)
A brutal beast that thrives in the wild
DBZ Cavallo AB (£699)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Looks can be deceiving, but try to look past the dressage; the Cavallo is a thoroughbred workhorse in a show pony's body.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: DBZ Cavallo AB
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 231)
Includes six effects and two amp models
IK Multimedia Amplitube Slash for iPad (£6.99)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“Whether you buy it as an expansion to an existing AmpliTube setup or as a standalone app, AmpliTube Slash is bound to leave you impressed.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia Amplitube Slash for iPad
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 231)
Boost, overdrive and distortion in one mad box
Dr Scientist The Elements (£199)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“We'd buy one in a heartbeat.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Dr Scientist The Elements
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 231)
The raw material from which rock 'n' roll is made
Eagletone South State C50 (£105)
MusicRadar’s verdict:
“It may not be a heart-stopper, but empires have been built with guitars like this.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Eagletone South State C50
(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 231)
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Now read: New guitar gear of the month: August 2012
