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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
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  1. Guitars

The 6 best new guitar innovations of 2016

News
By The MusicRadar Team published 15 December 2016

Which guitar company thought outside the box in 2016?

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

Electro-Harmonix Mel9

Electro-Harmonix Mel9

The Total Guitar Best in guitars 2016 polls have received over 68,000 votes, and we're now ready to roll out the winners. The nominees were what we considered to be the guitarists and guitar gear that have excelled in 2016. Here, we present the best guitar innovation of 2016. First up we have the Electro-Harmonix Mel9…

We said: “Guitarists with MIDI guitars have had access to Mellotron sounds before, but this is the first time any six-stringer can recreate that vintage vibe from a plug-in-and-play pedal.”

Full review: Electro-Harmonix Mel9

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
T-Rex Replicator

T-Rex Replicator

We said: “Here's the opportunity to own a real tape echo, endowed with a practical feature set in a compact stage-ready form.”

Full review: T-Rex Replicator

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
DigiTech Trio+

DigiTech Trio+

We said: “Adds everything on our wish list from the original. This is truly a band in a box, and one that you can use live to boot.”

Full review: DigiTech Trio+

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Yamaha TransAcoustic

Yamaha TransAcoustic

We said: “Everything you need for an enhanced playing experience, without the fuss of outboard effects. Bags of fun and with a definite practical edge, too. Seriously, try one.”

Full review: Yamaha TransAcoustic

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
TC Electronic Mimiq Doubler

TC Electronic Mimiq Doubler

We said: “TC is aiming this one at the metalheads among you, and based on the evidence we've seen so far, it should fatten up riffs and solos a treat.”

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Winner: Line 6 Helix

Winner: Line 6 Helix

We said: “The Helix is a real powerhouse that can be used on its own or as the centre piece of an extended gear system.”

Full review: Line 6 Helix

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
The MusicRadar Team
The MusicRadar Team
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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?
 
 
The Sterling By Music Man Kaizen is a more affordable version of the Animals As Leaders guitarist Tosin Abasi's signature model, and is offered here in Firemist Purple Satin and Stealth Black.
Sterling By Music Man unveils affordable version of Tosin Abasi’s futuristic Kaizen signature model
 
 
Strandberg Boden N2 Original
"A versatile, brilliantly engineered machine that will have your back, no matter what the gig": Strandberg Boden N2 Original review
 
 
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
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A Strandberg Boden Essential headless guitar on a concrete floor
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Roland TD716 Black Friday
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If I was buying my first Apple MacBook for music-making, this is the bargain $749 Black Friday deal I’d go for
 
 
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SYNTHDEALS
I've spent all day looking at Black Friday synth deals and these are the 5 I'd actually buy - grab them while you can!
 
 

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