Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Christine McVie's masterpiece
  • Macca vs Phil Collins
  • Music theory tricks
  • Kiss From a Rose
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Yes
  1. Guitars

Six of the best black guitars

News
By Guitarist
Published 2 October 2013

Join the dark side

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Knaggs Steve Stevens Signature

Knaggs Steve Stevens Signature

High-end luthier Joe Knaggs pulled out all the stops with this refined-yet-rockin’ single-cut design for Billy Idol man Steve Stevens. Pink binding and raygun motifs pique visual interest, while a superbly playable neck and a cleverly designed bridge deliver the payload.

We said: “A guitar that’s this good to play and that sounds this convincing really deserves to spend its life being heard in the hands of a great player”

Read full Knaggs Steve Stevens Signature review

For more information visit the official Knaggs website

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Music Man Armada

Music Man Armada

Okay, so it does have an unusual bookmatched maple gold wedge, but it qualifies on account of its black body, and because we find it strangely compelling. The guitar combines retro-futuristic looks with its neck-through construction and a powerful humbucking pairing that’s suited to low-slung rock riffing.

We said: “A boutique-level riff- rock machine guaranteed to stand out from the crowd, it could handle a pro tour straight out of the case”

Read full Music Man Armada review

For more information visit the official Music Man website

BUY: Music Man Armada currently available from:
UK: Thomann
FR: Thomann

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
GJ2 Concorde 5 Star

GJ2 Concorde 5 Star

GJ2 is legendary maker Grover Jackson’s new brand, and the Concorde 5 Star is based on the design that Grover and the great Randy Rhoads came up with as the latter’s first signature instrument. The Concorde adds an original Floyd Rose and Grover‘s GJ2 Habanero humbuckers to the recipe.

We said: “A piece of rock history with tones that will surprise with their versatility. Just go steady with the pointy bits!”

Read full GJ2 Concorde 5 Star review

For more information visit the official GJ2 website

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Cort Sunset I

Cort Sunset I

Cort’s latest offering is inspired by Gretsch’s Spectra Sonic Lead model from 2002. The original was designed by pickup legend TV Jones, and this Indonesian- made Sunset I sports a pair of his humbucking units. The result isa slice of retro intrigue, with a distinctive tone for blues, country, rock and more.

We said: “An individual, versatile instrument with refreshing, distinctive looks”

Read full Cort Sunset I review

For more information visit the official Cort website.

BUY: Cort Sunset I currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Reidys
FR: Thomann

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Ibanez UV70PBK

Ibanez UV70PBK

This more affordable Indonesian- made version of Steve Vai’s celebrated signature seven-string is a tribute to the original model, released back in 1990. It does a great job of recreating the killer look, sound and feel of a timeless rock classic.

We said: “A must for Vai fans, the UV’s classic vibe and low-down tones will effortlessly transport you back to the early 90s”

Read full Ibanez UV70PBK review

For more information visit the official Ibanez website

BUY: Ibanez UV70PBK currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater
FR: Thomann | Michenaud | Star's Music | Woodbrass

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
LTD EC-1000 EverTune

LTD EC-1000 EverTune

LTD’s latest is a great metal and rock guitar in a classic mould, with one significant USP – it never goes out of tune. This is accomplished thanks to a mechanical system with springs in the body that keep the strings perfectly in pitch and intonated, whatever you throw at it. Groundbreaking stuff...

We said: “EverTune actually works, increasing the musicality of you and your guitar at a stroke”

Read full LTD EC-1000 EverTune review

For more information visit the official ESP website

BUY: LTD EC-1000 EverTune currently available from:
UK: Thomann
USA: Sweetwater
FR: Thomann

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Guitarist
Guitarist
Social Links Navigation

Guitarist is the longest established UK guitar magazine, offering gear reviews, artist interviews, techniques lessons and loads more, in print, on tablet and on smartphones
Digital: http://bit.ly/GuitaristiOS
If you love guitars, you'll love Guitarist. Find us in print, on Newsstand for iPad, iPhone and other digital readers

Read more
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
Harley Benton ST-62LA MN BK
Electric Guitars “Makes you realise just how good budget guitars have become”: Harley Benton ST-62LA review
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up July 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s July 2026 guitar gear roundup: featuring Orange Amps, Harley Benton, Epiphone and more
 
 
Sire Larry Carlton X1
Electric Guitars “Ideal for beginner guitarists chasing heavier sounds”: Sire Larry Carlton X1 review
 
 
The Ibanez Standard Series RGR431PB finished in Charcoal Gray Flat
Electric Guitars “Ibanez serves up another RG that’s built for stunt guitar, priced for virtuosos-in-training, and with enough sounds to please the fusion kid and headbanger alike”: Ibanez RGR431PB review
 
 
Harley Benton Aged Series
Guitars Harley Benton is making hand-aged relic'd guitars for under 250 bucks
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Two classic 1979 images of two icons: Ronnie Wood [left] plays a custom-made Zemaitis single-cut; Bob Marley wears a blue denim shirt and sings into the mic.
Guitarists Ronnie Wood’s strange encounter with Bob Marley when they jammed together in California
 
 
Joe Bonamassa and Tim Curry
Guitarists How Joe Bonamassa and Kevin Shirley took an obscure Tim Curry track to a whole new level
 
 
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitars Neural DSP adds Device Presets and expands Quad Cortex functionality in biggest ever CorOS update
 
 
Harley Benton SC-Special Hybrid
Guitars Harley Benton’s new $195 single-cuts have got a touch of the Nik Huber boutique vibe about them
 
 
Jackson and Charvel Sleep Token Signature Models: the Jackson Monarkh and Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass V are designed for low-end metal riffing.
Artists Jackson and Charvel’s Sleep Token signature models are officially here – and are officially kind of insane
 
 
Johnny Marr [left] and Andy Burnham [right] playing some Smiths for a Ukrainian soldier
Artists Johnny Marr reacts to British PM Andy Burnham playing the Smiths on guitar for soldiers in Ukraine:
 
 
Latest in News
Two classic 1979 images of two icons: Ronnie Wood [left] plays a custom-made Zemaitis single-cut; Bob Marley wears a blue denim shirt and sings into the mic.
Guitarists Ronnie Wood’s strange encounter with Bob Marley when they jammed together in California
 
 
Joe Bonamassa and Tim Curry
Guitarists How Joe Bonamassa and Kevin Shirley took an obscure Tim Curry track to a whole new level
 
 
AMAGANSETT, NEW YORK - AUGUST 26: John Mayer performs live for SiriusXM at The Stephen Talkhouse on August 26, 2026 in Amagansett, New York. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Gigs & Festivals John Mayer honours Dolly Parton with a tender electric guitar cover of I Will Always Love You
 
 
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitars Neural DSP adds Device Presets and expands Quad Cortex functionality in biggest ever CorOS update
 
 
Dreamtonics
Software & Apps Dreamtonics’ Instrument X provides a range of classical instruments - and expressive control over them - with a tiny footprint
 
 
A Suzuki Omnichord on a green background
Gear & Gadgets Sweetwater just launched its massive Labor Day sale early
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...