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New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (September 2015)

By Guitarist, Total Guitar
published 3 September 2015

Last month's guitars, amps and FX

PRS SE Ace Signature Model
Skunk Anansie's guitar-slinger's zinger

PRS SE Ace Signature Model

From testing new signature PRS guitars to a stunning Laney mini head and a trio of Chapmans, August was a typically busy month for the reviews teams of our sister magazines Total Guitar and Guitarist.

All of these reviews were originally published in their pages and appeared on the site throughout August. Here we've rounded them all up for your browsing ease. First up, it's the Skunk Anansie man's signature six-stringer...

MusicRadar's verdict:

"On this evidence, you can trust in Ace. We always said he was a class act: so is his guitar."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS SE Ace Signature Model review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 1 of 21
Page 1 of 21
Mr Black Eterna Gold Modified
Hope springs Eterna

Mr Black Eterna Gold Modified

MusicRadar's verdict:

"This is one of the best ambient pedals we've heard."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mr Black Eterna Gold Modified review

BUY: Mr Black Eterna Gold Modified currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 2 of 21
Page 2 of 21
Mr Black ThunderClaw
Doom-y distortion and high gain-heroics

Mr Black ThunderClaw

MusicRadar's verdict:

"For alt, stoner and doom, we urge you to plug in."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mr Black ThunderClaw review

BUY: Mr Black ThunderClaw currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 3 of 21
Page 3 of 21
Digitech Obscura Delay
Digital delay on a degradation trip

Digitech Obscura Delay

MusicRadar's verdict:

"There's no denying that this is one of the best-sounding and most exciting digital delays we've used in some time, and we can't help but recommend it."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Digitech Obscura Delay review

BUY: Digitech Obscura Delay currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 4 of 21
Page 4 of 21
Valeton Tube Refiner
Refine and dandy OD

Valeton Tube Refiner

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A versatile drive for blues and rock players on a budget."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Valeton Tube Refiner review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 5 of 21
Page 5 of 21
Chapman Guitars ML-3 Modern
Suits shredders to a T

Chapman Guitars ML-3 Modern

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A serious option in the increasingly dog-eat-dog market for mid-priced electrics."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Chapman Guitars ML-3 Modern review

BUY: Chapman Guitars ML-3 Modern currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 6 of 21
Page 6 of 21
Laney L5-Studio review
Recording-friendly valve head

Laney L5-Studio review

MusicRadar's verdict:

"It's another brilliant amp from Laney, which is on a roll with some innovative and highly desirable products at very affordable prices."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Laney L5-Studio review review

BUY: Laney L5-Studio currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 7 of 21
Page 7 of 21
Valeton Wave Shaker
Tiny tremolo stuns

Valeton Wave Shaker

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A brilliant pedal full of vintage warmth - and at a great price."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Valeton Wave Shaker review

BUY: Valeton Wave Shaker currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 8 of 21
Page 8 of 21
Antoria Telstar Deluxe
Playable and affordable... Does this guitar have it all?

Antoria Telstar Deluxe

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Affordable and versatile, with zero sacrifices made in looks or sound. The budget market may just have found its new champion."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Antoria Telstar Deluxe review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 9 of 21
Page 9 of 21
Line 6 Firehawk FX
A do-it-all multi-effects with mobile editing

Line 6 Firehawk FX

MusicRadar's verdict:

"The Firehawk FX offers plenty of bang for your buck for home practice, recording and - given its rock-solid build quality - gigging, too."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Line 6 Firehawk FX review

BUY: Line 6 Firehawk FX currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 10 of 21
Page 10 of 21
Simon & Patrick Concert Hall Songsmith A3T
A new orchestra model from Godin's finest duo

Simon & Patrick Concert Hall Songsmith A3T

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Well made, well priced... this is a good-looking all-rounder that excels when amplified. Add it to your must-try list."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Simon & Patrick Concert Hall Songsmith A3T review

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 11 of 21
Page 11 of 21
Chapman Guitars ML-7 T
Heavyweight seven-string for heavy hitters

Chapman Guitars ML-7 T

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Low-end thunder and sweet-sustaining lead tones from a guitar that's a lot of fun to play - once you get past its weight."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Chapman Guitars ML-7 T review

BUY: Chapman Guitars ML-3 Modern currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 12 of 21
Page 12 of 21
Schecter Banshee Elite-6
The Banshee gives birth to a shred-worthy offspring

Schecter Banshee Elite-6

MusicRadar's verdict:

"One of the best-sounding rock guitars we've played."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Schecter Banshee Elite-6 review

BUY: Schecter Banshee Elite-6 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 13 of 21
Page 13 of 21
Chapman Guitars ML-1 Pro
Premium (mahogany) rush

Chapman Guitars ML-1 Pro

MusicRadar's verdict:

"The ML-1 Pro's imaginative pickup selection and meticulous ride is proof that the Monkey Lord is not just content to ape the opposition."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Chapman Guitars ML-1 Pro review

BUY: Chapman Guitars ML-1 Pro currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 14 of 21
Page 14 of 21
One Control Granith Grey Booster
Simple, clean boost pedal

One Control Granith Grey Booster

MusicRadar's verdict:

"An immensely practical add-on for your signal chain. A very clean boost with a hi-fi sheen."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: One Control Granith Grey Booster review

BUY: One Control Granith Grey Booster currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 15 of 21
Page 15 of 21
Rock 'N' Roll Relics Thunders II
Evocative take on the 'double-cut with P-90s' vibe

Rock 'N' Roll Relics Thunders II

MusicRadar's verdict:

"We can't fault Billy Rowe's execution of the 'plain mahogany with twin-P-90s' theme."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rock 'N' Roll Relics Thunders II review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 16 of 21
Page 16 of 21
One Control Purple Humper
Mini mid boost pedal

One Control Purple Humper

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A fat boost in a slim box: a 'secret weapon' to fill out single coils for a more humbucker-like tonality."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: One Control Purple Humper review

BUY: One Control Purple Humper currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 17 of 21
Page 17 of 21
Fender Custom Shop Ancho Poblano Strat
Another stunning modern relic

Fender Custom Shop Ancho Poblano Strat

MusicRadar's verdict:

"If you're a old-guitar addict, this is a new fix."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Custom Shop Ancho Poblano Strat review

BUY: Fender Custom Shop Ancho Poblano Strat currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 18 of 21
Page 18 of 21
One Control Hooker's Green Bass Machine
Envy-inducing bass overdrive pedal

One Control Hooker's Green Bass Machine

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A brilliant add-on for bassists needing more bottom end, or for guitarists looking for a darker drive."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: One Control Hooker's Green Bass Machine review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 19 of 21
Page 19 of 21
Fender Custom Shop Tele Caballo Tono
A Custom Shop with Cabronita DNA

Fender Custom Shop Tele Caballo Tono

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Yes, just another Telecaster. But, heck, what a Tele!"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Custom Shop Tele Caballo Tono review

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 20 of 21
Page 20 of 21
One Control Anodised Brown Distortion
Nail a new brown sound

One Control Anodised Brown Distortion

MusicRadar's verdict:

"An extremely good distortion that does rock and metal brilliantly, but suits other styles just as well."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: One Control Anodised Brown Distortion review

BUY: One Control Anodised Brown Distortion currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Gear4Music

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 21 of 21
Page 21 of 21
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