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
  • 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
Custom Line King-12 CE NT
Acoustic Guitars "For a guitar that comes in at this price, the overall build is impressive, with a level of attention to detail that’s more than respectable": Harley Benton Custom Line King-12 CE NT review
YouTuber Jamie Slays puts the Charvel Standard Series SD2 through its paces
Guitars Charvel’s hotrodded shred performance just got more affordable with the launch of the $569 Standard SD Series
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found over £1,000 off a PRS, $200 off the Akai Pro MPC Key 37, and so much more
Christian Andreu plays his Jackson signature Rhoads with a whole lot of pyro in the background.
Artists Jackson launches spectacular EverTune refresh of Christian Andreu’s signature Rhoads
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2026: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage: this computer-gray stompbox is a preamp-cum-distortion that emulates the analogue mojo of the Tascam Portastudio
Guitar Pedals “There’s plenty of output to use the pedal as a conventional boost with tonal options. And there’s a whole area of dirt to be explored”: JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage review
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best acoustic guitars 2026: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
The Harley Benton SpaceShip 40 is a pedalboard with an integrated power supply, and battery power.
Pedalboards “Would I take this to gigs and use it with confidence, knowing that my pedals are being powered sufficiently and safely? Absolutely”: Harley Benton Spaceship Power 40-B review
Two guitars lying on the floor with guitar cables
Guitars Best guitar cables 2026: Leads and patch cables for all budgets
Woman in orange hat plays classical guitar in front of a laptop
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials What are the best online guitar lessons in 2026? I’m a professional guitar gear reviewer and these are my highest-rated lessons platforms
The Gretsch Electromatic Premier Jet reinvents the classic singlecut. Yes, there is the chambered body as before but with a compound radius fingerboard, Twin Six pickups, and contemporary touches such as Luminlay side-markers it is very much a modern update.
Guitars “The perfect marriage of brilliance and brute force”: Gretsch unveils the reinvention of the Jet
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score hundreds off PRS, Bose, and Moog - and grab a new guitar pedal for less than £10!
Headphones next to electric guitar
Headphones Best guitar amp headphones 2026: My top picks for practicing your guitar quietly
TC Electronic Polytune next to a Gibson Les Paul
Guitar Tuners Best guitar tuners 2026: From tuning pedals and clip-ons, to guitar tuning apps
More
  • Sly and Survivor
  • In My Life
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • One chord Diamond
  1. Guitars

New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (August 2018)

News
By Guitarist, Total Guitar published 2 August 2018

Serious pedal power and great guitars

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

The summer is in full swing and the sun has been beating down on MusicRadar HQ for the last few weeks.

But, like the troopers that we are, we have braved the blistering heat and barely peeled ourselves away from our desks, putting in the hours with some of the hottest guitar gear on the market. We know: it’s a tough life…

We've rounded-up all of the guitar gear reviewed on the site during the sweltering month of July. We start with the LR Baggs Align Series Reverb Pedal. 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“It’s about as simple a reverb as we’ve seen but it’s a fine fit for electro-acoustic guitar.”

FULL REVIEW: LR Baggs Align Series Reverb Pedal

3.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 1 of 20
Page 1 of 20
Fender Santa Ana Overdrive 

Fender Santa Ana Overdrive 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Natural-sounding overdrive and switchable boost in one box makes this a practical pedalboard proposition.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender Santa Ana Overdrive 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 2 of 20
Page 2 of 20
Origin Effects RevivalDrive Custom 

Origin Effects RevivalDrive Custom 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A staggeringly versatile overdrive that delivers awe-inspiring amp-style tones.”

FULL REVIEW: Origin Effects RevivalDrive Custom 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 3 of 20
Page 3 of 20
Eastman T64/V-GB

Eastman T64/V-GB

MusicRadar's verdict:

“It’s hard to recall a guitar that’s made so many positive waves in our office.”

FULL REVIEW: Eastman T64/V-GB

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 4 of 20
Page 4 of 20
Music Man Cutlass HSS 

Music Man Cutlass HSS 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A top-spec contemporary workhorse.”

FULL REVIEW: Music Man Cutlass HSS 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 5 of 20
Page 5 of 20
Trace Acoustic Transit A

Trace Acoustic Transit A

MusicRadar's verdict:

“This represents an investment for a gigging acoustic player who wants more control - and its performance reflects that.”

FULL REVIEW: Trace Acoustic Transit A

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 6 of 20
Page 6 of 20
Sigma GMC-STE+

Sigma GMC-STE+

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The performance of this guitar further strengthens this company’s commitment to its founding values.”

FULL REVIEW: Sigma GMC-STE+

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 7 of 20
Page 7 of 20
Brantone Electronics Woodstock

Brantone Electronics Woodstock

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Sporting a helpful array of Jimi-inspired tones, the Woodstock outclasses most silicon fuzz pedals around this price.”

FULL REVIEW: Brantone Electronics Woodstock

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 8 of 20
Page 8 of 20
DryBell Vibe Machine V2

DryBell Vibe Machine V2

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Your chance to put some casual modulation in your signal chain while using very little ’board space.”

FULL REVIEW: DryBell Vibe Machine V2

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 9 of 20
Page 9 of 20
Sigma DM-SG5+ 

Sigma DM-SG5+ 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The DM-SG5 offers some of the Hummingbird character and charm at a more accessible price.”

FULL REVIEW: Sigma DM-SG5+ 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 10 of 20
Page 10 of 20
EarthQuaker Devices Westwood 

EarthQuaker Devices Westwood 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“From clean to saturated overdrive with a range of characterful tones, the Westwood keeps the sound of your guitar wonderfully intact.”

FULL REVIEW: EarthQuaker Devices Westwood 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 11 of 20
Page 11 of 20
Boss MD-500

Boss MD-500

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A powerful machine with a flexibility that’s hard to beat.”

FULL REVIEW: Boss MD-500

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 12 of 20
Page 12 of 20
D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir SS

D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir SS

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Sniff out the right deal and you might just snap up a Bob Weir SS in a New York minute.”

FULL REVIEW: D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir SS

3.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 13 of 20
Page 13 of 20
D'Angelico Premier DC 

D'Angelico Premier DC 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Sniff out the right deal and you might just snap up a DC in a New York minute.”

FULL REVIEW: D'Angelico Premier DC 

3.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 14 of 20
Page 14 of 20
Dowina Rustica GACE-DS

Dowina Rustica GACE-DS

MusicRadar's verdict:

“An intriguing new take on the grand auditorium electro format, with mixed results.”

FULL REVIEW: Dowina Rustica GACE-DS

3 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 15 of 20
Page 15 of 20
Fender Player Stratocaster

Fender Player Stratocaster

MusicRadar's verdict:

“One of the best mid-priced Strats Fender has ever produced.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender Player Stratocaster

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 16 of 20
Page 16 of 20
Boss GT-1000 Guitar Effects Processor

Boss GT-1000 Guitar Effects Processor

MusicRadar's verdict:

“While it's not the easiest multi-effects to get to grips with, Boss's latest is the company's best yet, and a worthy competitor to Fractal and Line 6.”

FULL REVIEW: Boss GT-1000 Guitar Effects Processor

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 17 of 20
Page 17 of 20
Solar A2.6 Trans Blood Red Matte 

Solar A2.6 Trans Blood Red Matte 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Given it's one of the most affordable offerings in the Solar Guitars range, we'd say Ola Englund may have just changed the metal guitar game: the A2.6 is near-impossible to fault.”

FULL REVIEW: Solar A2.6 Trans Blood Red Matte 

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 18 of 20
Page 18 of 20
Fender Player Jaguar 

Fender Player Jaguar 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The Jaguar remains an acquired taste, but this is one of the most well-spec'd takes on the format yet.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender Player Jaguar 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 19 of 20
Page 19 of 20
TC Electronic Aeon 

TC Electronic Aeon 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“With the Aeon, TC Electronic has created a worthy challenger to the EBow that delivers on sound, build and price.”

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Aeon 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 20 of 20
Page 20 of 20
Total Guitar
Total Guitar
Social Links Navigation

Total Guitar is Europe's best-selling guitar magazine.

Every month we feature interviews with the biggest names and hottest new acts in guitar land, plus Guest Lessons from the stars.

Finally, our Rocked & Rated section is the place to go for reviews, round-ups and help setting up your guitars and gear.

Subscribe: http://bit.ly/totalguitar

Read more
All the best guitar gear from this year's NAMM Show
Guitars The best new guitar gear of NAMM 2026: More effects, more amps, more guitars and more tech than ever
 
 
MusicRadar author Matt McCracken plays a Manson 007 electric guitar at The Guitar Show in Birmingham, UK
Guitars Here's 7 of the hottest guitar gear releases I tried at The Guitar Show this weekend that are available to buy right now
 
 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2026: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Save a colossal $500 off one of my favourite Sterling by Music Man guitars, grab $200 off a super cool D'Angelico, plus all the week's biggest sales on music gear
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score hundreds off PRS, Bose, and Moog - and grab a new guitar pedal for less than £10!
 
 
NAMM 2026
Tech NAMM 2026: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found over £1,000 off a PRS, $200 off the Akai Pro MPC Key 37, and so much more
 
 
Guitars baggage handler LAX
Guitars Viral footage shows a baggage handler throwing multiple guitars to the ground at LAX
 
 
Roland Pedal
Tech Exploring the new industry of AI-integrated hardware effects pedals
 
 
Christian Andreu plays his Jackson signature Rhoads with a whole lot of pyro in the background.
Artists Jackson launches spectacular EverTune refresh of Christian Andreu’s signature Rhoads
 
 
Harley Benton TE Tremolo Series
Guitars Harley Benton unveils three entry-level T-styles with Bigbsy-style vibratos and vintage mojo to burn
 
 
THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON -- Episode 2270 -- Pictured: Musical guest Flea performs on Monday, March 23, 2026 -- (Photo by: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images)
Artists Flea covers Frank Ocean and explains why he’s scratching a long-standing trumpet itch on his new album
 
 
Latest in News
Kenny Loggins, Charlie Puth, Michael McDonald
Artists Charlie Puth on making “yacht rock in 2026” with Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins
 
 
Teddi Mellencamp presents the iHeartRadio Icon Award to honoree John Mellencamp onstage during the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Award
Singers & Songwriters “He saved my life”: Teddi Mellencamp pays tribute to her dad at iHeart Radio Awards
 
 
suno
Tech Suno takes another step into music production with AI step sequencer MILO-1080
 
 
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 26: Olivia Dean performs onstage during the 2026 MOBO Awards at Co-op Live on March 26, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/Getty Images for MOBO)
Artists Olivia Dean cleans up at the Mobo Awards, as Pharrell Williams accepts a special prize for songwriting
 
 
Sam Fender performs onstage during day two of the Syd For Solen Festival at Valbyparken on August 08, 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmar
Singers & Songwriters “Projects like these are so important”: Sam Fender has raised £50,000 for youth music charity
 
 
Anderson .Paak
Drummers “That thing’s got great breaks”: Anderson .Paak rides through LA… playing a drum kit on wheels
 
 

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...