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

PRS SE Custom 24 7-string — The first PRS 7-string guitar

PRS SE Custom 24 7-string

Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - MusicRadar's sister print publications - publish the best independent gear reviews around on a monthly basis.

In this gallery we've brought together every guitar-related review featured on the site throughout August, including guitars, amps, pedals and recorder/interfaces.

All of the gear here was originally reviewed in Guitarist issue 370/371, Total Guitar issue 243, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The most impressive thing here is that, with the company's first seven-string guitar, PRS has absolutely nailed it."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW:PRS SE Custom 24 7-string review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 243)

BUY: PRS SE Custom 24 7-string currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Knaggs Steve Stevens Signature — A super signature guitar

Knaggs Steve Stevens Signature

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A superb modern take on the classic Les Paul inspiration. Collect it or play it, it's great for both!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Knaggs Steve Stevens Signature review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

Fender Chorus Pedal — Board-friendly stereo chorus

Fender Chorus Pedal

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you like chorus, you'll find plenty of variations on the theme here."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Chorus Pedal review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: Fender Chorus Pedal currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

PRS S2 Custom 24 — 'Affordable' US-made Custom

PRS S2 Custom 24

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The S2 Custom might lack some bling, but you won't be disappointed with its sounds or playability."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS S2 Custom 24 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: PRS S2 Custom 24 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Fender American Vintage '63 P-Bass — A true classic returns

Fender American Vintage '63 P-Bass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A real time warp - it's no cheapie, but dangerously close to the original and just as valid today as it ever was."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender American Vintage '63 P-Bass review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: Fender American Vintage '63 P-Bass currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Sonuus G2M — A plug 'n' play MIDI interface

Sonuus G2M

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The simplest way to get MIDI out of your guitar with good note detection and string-bend tracking."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sonuus G2M review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: Sonuus G2M currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Music Man Armada — The through-neck guitar's maiden voyage

Music Man Armada

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A boutique-level riff-rock machine guaranteed to stand out from the crowd."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Music Man Armada review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: Music Man Armada currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

TC Electronic Spark Mini Booster — Tiny boost rules the roost

TC Electronic Spark Mini Booster

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A compact booster that won't mess with your tone and features an ingenious switching system."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Spark Mini Booster review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: TC Electronic Spark Mini Booster currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Fender Distort Pedal — Competition series pedals get nasty

Fender Distort Pedal

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Decent distortion at a good price but be wary of the tone knob."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Distort Pedal review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: Fender Distort Pedal currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Schecter USA Production Series PT — Custom Shop electric at a grounded price

Schecter USA Production Series PT

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The gene-splicing of Fender Telecaster and Gibson Les Paul DNA finds superb expression here."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Schecter USA Production Series PT review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

Free The Tone HB-2 Heat Blaster — High-end distortion pedal

Free The Tone HB-2 Heat Blaster

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A superb, fat rock distortion with edge to cut through in real-life playing."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Free The Tone HB-2 Heat Blaster review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

Takamine P6NC — Stage-worthy electro-acoustic

Takamine P6NC

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The pro-spec P6NC has everything you need to plug in and play. Just add talent."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Takamine P6NC review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: Takamine P6NC currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

PRS S2 Mira — Slim body, slim price (for a PRS!)

PRS S2 Mira

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A no-brainer rock 'n' roll guitar. The Mira was always a favourite, and now it's nearly half the price of the original."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS S2 Mira review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: PRS S2 Mira currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Roland GR-55 — The complete guitar synth package

Roland GR-55

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An easy to use package that enables you to blend sounds and even offers guitar and amp simulations."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland GR-55 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: Roland GR-55 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Peavey Vypyr VIP 3 — Digital amp for guitar, bass and acoustic

Peavey Vypyr VIP 3

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Instrument modelling in a guitar amp is a first - and that's just for starters. Don't pass up a chance to try it."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Peavey Vypyr VIP 3 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: Peavey Vypyr VIP 3 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Fender Drive Pedal — There are no clean getaways

Fender Drive Pedal

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Mild but natural overdrive that can kick your amp up a notch."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Drive Pedal review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: Fender Drive Pedal currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Dunlop DVP3 Volume (X) — Expression and volume in one

Dunlop DVP3 Volume (X)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The switches can be awkward, but smooth action and solid build quality make this the volume pedal to beat."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Dunlop DVP3 Volume (X) review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: Dunlop DVP3 Volume (X) currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Schecter USA Production Series CET-Contoured Exotic Top — Schecter shows off with an exotic double-cutaway

Schecter USA Production Series CET-Contoured Exotic Top

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"This instrument encapsulates everything that's great about the contemporary rock guitar."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Schecter USA Production Series CET-Contoured Exotic Top review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

Hughes & Kettner Red Box 5 — Cab sounds without the mics

Hughes & Kettner Red Box 5

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it - just give it more tonal options. Take one to every gig: your soundman will love you."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Hughes & Kettner Red Box 5 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: Hughes & Kettner Red Box 5 currently available from:
UK: DV247

PRS S2 Starla — Has PRS built an indie guitar?

PRS S2 Starla

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Few players won't enjoy its evocative, classic voice - the guitar that might turn doubters on to PRS."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS S2 Starla review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: PRS S2 Starla currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Fender Delay Pedal — Competitive, compact delay

Fender Delay Pedal

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"No extras but its simplicity and practicality are this pedal's strength."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Delay Pedal review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: Fender Delay Pedal currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Radial Firefly Tube Direct Box — Serious valve DI box

Radial Firefly Tube Direct Box

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A thoroughly professional valve DI box, should you need one."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Radial Firefly Tube Direct Box review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 371)

BUY: Radial Firefly Tube Direct Box currently available from:
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Danelectro '67 Heaven Hawk — Hardboard Hawk guitar lands

Danelectro '67 Heaven Hawk

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The '67 Heaven Hawk is inspiring to look at and play, and from Danelectro, we wouldn't expect anything less."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Danelectro '67 Heaven Hawk review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 244)

Electro-Harmonix Epitome — 3-in-1 stompbox fun

Electro-Harmonix Epitome

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"You won't get this range of sounds from any other single pedal."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Electro-Harmonix Epitome review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 244)

BUY: Electro-Harmonix Epitome currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

MXR M69 Prime Distortion — Stompbox in the pole position

MXR M69 Prime Distortion

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A lot of pedal for not much cash - it could make a worthy addition to your arsenal, even if it's not the only distortion pedal you own."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MXR M69 Prime Distortion review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 244)

BUY: MXR M69 Prime Distortion currently available from:
UK: Andertons | DV247