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
  • Black Friday
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
Craig 'Goonzi' Gowans and Steven Jones from Scottish metalcore heavyweights Bleed From Within pose with their weapons of choice: Goonzi [left] has an ESP LTD M1000, while Jones has a Caparison TAT Special
Artists Bleed From Within’s Craig ‘Goonzi’ Gowans and Steven Jones on the high-performance shred machines behind their heavyweight metalcore sound 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
Guitars “These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
A family photo of the newly refreshed Gretsch Streamliner and Electromatic Jet singlecut electric guitars, in various classic and bold finishes.
Guitars Gretsch relaunches the Jet in Streamliner and Electromatic series – and there is a single-pickup rock 'n' roll machine FTW
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Guitars Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
Gretsch Electromatic CVT Double-Cut in Wychwood greenburst finish
Electric Guitars "For garage, punk, and rock styles, it’s got the tonal firepower on offer": Gretsch Electromatic CVT Double-Cut review
Jackson Pro Series Cory Beaulieu King V: refreshed with quilt maple top, signature Seymour Duncany pickups and offered in six and seven-string versions – both with a Floyd Rose vibrato.
Artists Jackson and Corey Beaulieu ante up with the Trivium guitarist's new Seymour Duncan-loaded next-gen King V
Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN
Electric Guitars “Some might say a guitar at this kind of price point has no business resonating so well”: Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN review
Jackson American Series Rhoads: the Rhoads is now officially being made in the USA again, and is offered with a choice of a hardtail or Floyd Rose, with the hardtail finished in Satin Black and Snow White, and the Floyd in Satin Black, Matte Army Drab and Snow White. Note the reverse headstock.
Guitars All Rhoads lead to California as Jackson brings one of its most-iconic metal guitars home for a high-end upgrade
Charvel Limited Edition Sean Long Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH HT M: the While She Sleeps guitarists artist model is now officially available in Neon Pink by popular demand.
Artists By popular demand, Sean Long of While She Sleeps’ Charvel signature model now comes in Neon Pink
PRS 40th Anniversary Special Semi-Hollow Limited Edition: featuring a black limba neck and body and artist grade figured maple top, these are restricted to just 280 pieces worldwide.
Guitars The ultimate semi-hollow? PRS Guitars’ latest 40th Anniversary release is a jaw dropping electric with an “artist grade” top
Gibson Les Paul and Theodore Standard
Guitars As a Gibson and Epiphone super fan, I've pulled together the very best offers from around the internet this Black Friday - including $600 off a Les Paul Standard, $300 off the Hendrix Flying V, and so much more
Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster in new limited-edition white, photographed against a pink background with the new guitar strap and – freshly refinished in black – Hello Kitty op-amp fuzz.
Guitars The Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster returns in limited edition white as Fender announces expanded capsule collection
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best acoustic guitars 2025: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons tear it up as ZZ Top play the Aragon Ballroom at Chicago in 1980, with Gibbons playing his legendary Les Paul Standard, Pearly Gates
Artists “"There is something magic in that instrument”: Billy Gibbons on why Pearly Gates is one of the greatest Les Pauls ever
More
  • Black Friday plugin deals
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars

Six of the best: eye-catching guitars

News
By Guitarist ( Guitarist ) published 31 July 2013

Get yourself noticed with these shiny electrics

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

Fret-King Black Label Corona GWR Gregg Wright Model

Fret-King Black Label Corona GWR Gregg Wright Model

This Gregg Wright signature is based on the custom-made Charvel he used on Michael Jackson’s 1984 Victory tour, which now resides in a Hard Rock Cafe.

The Fret-King version retains the rising sun graphic and adds a Wilkinson P-90. A chubby neck profile adds to superb playability.

We said: “The bridge WP90 makes this guitar a cool twist on an 80s design, and that neck profile is just sublime”

Read full Fret-King Black Label Corona GWR Gregg Wright Model review

For more information, visit the official Fret-King website.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
PRS 408 Maple Top

PRS 408 Maple Top

The 408 comes in a choice of 21 different finishes: the fine specimen pictured above is in Armando’s Amethyst.

It’s also the first PRS to incorporate Paul Reed Smith’s 21 Rules Of Tone into its build, and we were seriously impressed with its resonance and tonal variety.

We said: “It may not be the only PRS guitar to offer humbucking and single-coil sounds, but the 408 is the best yet”

Read full PRS 408 Maple Top review

For more information visit the official PRS website.

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Gretsch G5191TMS Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollow Body

Gretsch G5191TMS Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollow Body

Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong’s Man Salmon-coloured Gretsch is a pimped punk classic, with a pair of Black Top Filter’Tron humbuckers to dish the dirt and clarity as required.

Tough construction makes it less prone to unwanted feedback than many full-depth hollowbodies.

We said: “Well constructed, excellent playability and with bags of eye candy”

Read full Gretsch G5191TMS Tim Armstrong Electromatic Hollow Body review

For more information, visit the official Gretsch website.

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Kauer Daylighter JR

Kauer Daylighter JR

A kind of cross between a Jazzmaster, a non-reverse Firebird I and a Les Paul Junior, the Daylighter lives up to its name in vivid TV Yellow.

Maker Doug Kauer is a Californian whose merging of his twin talents of hot-rod building and woodwork have found perfect expression in this P-90-driven powerhouse.

We said: “Fabulous and familiar looks in a well crafted and thunderously toneful package”

Read full Kauer Daylighter JR review

For more information visit the official Kauer website.

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Schecter Diamond Series Ultra B-17 Bombshell

Schecter Diamond Series Ultra B-17 Bombshell

Divisive it most certainly is, but the aircraft artwork on this metal machine’s fuselage is backed up in no uncertain terms by its tonal firepower from two Seymour Duncan HB-1 Active Blackout pickups.

We were impressed by its playability and build quality, too.

We said: “The Ultra B-17 Bombshell is a modern retro metal machine with slamming tones and individual looks”

Read full Schecter Diamond Series Ultra B-17 Bombshell review

For more information visit the official Schecter Guitars website.

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Ibanez JS24P

Ibanez JS24P

The JS24P is one of many Joe Satriani signatures, and it’s the first lower-cost model with 24 frets.

It also has versatile electronicspoweringtheMo’Joe and Chopper pickups, an Edge vibrato, and, of course, that 80s Candy Apple finish.

We said: “Very close to Satch’s own JS2400, this has a great neck, great hard-rock tones and is a solid and well-priced version of a classic Ibanez”

Read full Ibanez JS24P review

For more information visit the official Ibanez website.

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

The magazine for serious players image
The magazine for serious players
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Deals not to miss
Craig 'Goonzi' Gowans and Steven Jones from Scottish metalcore heavyweights Bleed From Within pose with their weapons of choice: Goonzi [left] has an ESP LTD M1000, while Jones has a Caparison TAT Special
Bleed From Within’s Craig ‘Goonzi’ Gowans and Steven Jones on the high-performance shred machines behind their heavyweight metalcore sound 
 
 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
“These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
 
 
A family photo of the newly refreshed Gretsch Streamliner and Electromatic Jet singlecut electric guitars, in various classic and bold finishes.
Gretsch relaunches the Jet in Streamliner and Electromatic series – and there is a single-pickup rock 'n' roll machine FTW
 
 
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
 
 
Gretsch Electromatic CVT Double-Cut in Wychwood greenburst finish
"For garage, punk, and rock styles, it’s got the tonal firepower on offer": Gretsch Electromatic CVT Double-Cut review
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Neural DSP Quad Cortex floating with smoke in the background
“A generational leap in modelling technology”: Neural DSP gives Quad Cortex and Nano Cortex an almighty power-up
 
 
Harley Benton Custom Line King-12CE NT: the cutaway jumbo 12-string features an all-maple build, gold hardware and Fishman electronics
Harley Benton unveils Custom Line jumbo 12-string with a $350 price tag that’s for the Byrds
 
 
Positive Grid Mini on a shelf
Positive Grid just set the tone for Black Friday with up to 30% off their range of top-rated smart amps and software - including the Spark 2, Spark Mini & Bias X
 
 
Queen perform live in 1986, with Freddie Mercury wearing a yellow basketball vest over a blue T-shirt, Brian May wearing an open collared white shirt, and John Deacon playing a prototype Warwick Buzzard bass, which was designed by John Entwistle and is up for auction in December 2025.
How the “fingerprint” wood grain of this Warwick bass revealed a connection to not one but two British rock legends (and tripled its value)
 
 
Steve morse and Jon Lord play onstage together during a 1996 Deep Purple show in Amsterdam.
Steve Morse on why he loved writing with Jon Lord and the Deep Purple track that started with a cup of tea
 
 
JHS Kilt 10 Special Edition: the silver overdrive pedal is a best-seller for the Kansas-based pedal company and has just been reissued with user-requested mods.
JHS Pedals revises the “ultimate dirt pedal” with a heap of player-requested features and more headroom
 
 
Latest in News
UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 03: UNDERWORLD Photo of Sarah NIXON and Luke HAINES and BLACK BOX RECORDER, L to R - Luke Haines & Sarah Nixon (Photo by Brigitte Engl/Redferns)
Billie Eilish introduced them to a whole new audience, and now '90s indie band Black Box Recorder are back
 
 
Pope Leo XIV, Robert Prevost arrives on the main central loggia balcony of the St Peter's Basilica
Is God a DJ? Pope makes appearance at religious rave in Slovakia
 
 
ValhallaDSP Supermassive 5.0
Valhalla Supermassive 5 can do everything from clean delay to “nearly eternal space reverbs” – and it’s free!
 
 
Brand New Heavies and Prince
"I thought, 'I can’t play now'": The Brand New Heavies say that Prince came to watch them three times
 
 
Simon Cowell and Bob Dylan
“I would’ve gone, ‘Forget it’": Bob Dylan would fail American Idol audition, according to Simon Cowell
 
 
Warner Music Group logo on a phone
"Artists and songwriters will have full control”: Warners and Suno link up to create new legal AI platforms
 
 

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
  • 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...