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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)