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
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Heart of Gold
  • Vince Clarke's favourite synth
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The Beatles' medley masterpiece
  1. Guitars

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

News
By MusicRadar published 3 December 2018

All of the guitar goodness in one place!

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

Morley Custom Shop Mini Steve Vai Bad Horsie 2 Wah

Morley Custom Shop Mini Steve Vai Bad Horsie 2 Wah

Christmas may still be a few weeks away, but the spectacular range of guitar products we've been testing recently has ensured that we're already in good cheer.

This is a time for giving, though, so allow us to share with you a round-up of all the guitar gear that we reviewed in November, starting with the Morley Custom Shop Mini Steve Vai Bad Horsie 2 Wah .

MusicRadar's verdict:

“It’s is a lot of money for a wah, but then it’s a lot of wah for the money...”

FULL REVIEW: Morley Custom Shop Mini Steve Vai Bad Horsie 2 Wah 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 1 of 12
Page 1 of 12
Gretsch Streamliner G2655TG-P90 Center Block Jr

Gretsch Streamliner G2655TG-P90 Center Block Jr

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The Junior feels so comfortable, but there’s still that oddity of the shrunken size that might not appeal to everybody.”

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch Streamliner G2655TG-P90 Center Block Jr 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 2 of 12
Page 2 of 12
Walrus Audio Defcon4

Walrus Audio Defcon4

MusicRadar's verdict:

“While there are other EQ and boost pedals that can do a similar job, this one scores by having a well-thought out feature set with the preset amounts of EQ and boost, and the individual switches for them.”

FULL REVIEW: Walrus Audio Defcon4

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 3 of 12
Page 3 of 12
Fender EU Master Design '53 Telecaster

Fender EU Master Design '53 Telecaster

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A superb build. Download the 2018 Custom Guitar Design Guide and get started!”

FULL REVIEW: Fender EU Master Design '53 Telecaster

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 4 of 12
Page 4 of 12
Fender EU Master Design '56 Stratocaster

Fender EU Master Design '56 Stratocaster

MusicRadar's verdict:

“If you can afford it, we’d wager there are few players who wouldn’t choose a guitar at this level.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender EU Master Design '56 Stratocaster

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 5 of 12
Page 5 of 12
Gretsch Streamliner G2420T-P90 Limited Edition Hollow Body

Gretsch Streamliner G2420T-P90 Limited Edition Hollow Body

MusicRadar's verdict:

“This Hollow Body offers any of us on a budget a taste of Gretsch with a bit more oomph.”

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch Streamliner G2420T-P90 Limited Edition Hollow Body

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 6 of 12
Page 6 of 12
Sterling By Music Man Valentine JV60

Sterling By Music Man Valentine JV60

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A versatile set of features and a superb feel earn the Valentine modern classic status.”

FULL REVIEW: Sterling By Music Man Valentine JV60

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 7 of 12
Page 7 of 12
MXR EVH 5150 Chorus

MXR EVH 5150 Chorus

MusicRadar's verdict:

“If you’re an EVH fan, this pedal is another one to add to the collection.”

FULL REVIEW: MXR EVH 5150 Chorus

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 8 of 12
Page 8 of 12
Mesa/Boogie Fillmore 50-watt 1x12 Combo

Mesa/Boogie Fillmore 50-watt 1x12 Combo

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The Fillmore 50’s price tag may cause a sharp intake of breath for some, but we think it’s justified. Has Mesa just made your perfect amp?”

FULL REVIEW: Mesa/Boogie Fillmore 50-watt 1x12 Combo 

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 9 of 12
Page 9 of 12
HeadRush FRFR-112

HeadRush FRFR-112

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Sonically, the HeadRush is a quality performer.”

FULL REVIEW: HeadRush FRFR-112 

3.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 10 of 12
Page 10 of 12
PRS S2 Studio

PRS S2 Studio

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A classic-sounding and classic-feeling, versatile guitar that any player needing to cover a huge range of styles will lap up. We certainly did.”

FULL REVIEW: PRS S2 Studio

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 11 of 12
Page 11 of 12
Fender EU Master Design '69 Stratocaster

Fender EU Master Design '69 Stratocaster

MusicRadar's verdict:

“At £4k this is no impulse buy, but the money buys you superb quality.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender EU Master Design '69 Stratocaster

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 12 of 12
Page 12 of 12
MusicRadar
MusicRadar
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the number one website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers...

  • GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
  • TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
  • STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the craft of music-making that no other music website can.
Read more
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 logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Score hundreds off PRS, Bose, and Moog - and grab a new guitar pedal for less than £10!
 
 
Close up of LR Baggs acoustic guitar pickup
Guitar Pickups Best acoustic guitar pickups 2025: electrify your acoustic for stage, studio and sound fx – our top picks for all budgets
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found $200 off one of the best microphones around, $100 off a stunning Guild offset and a slew of discounted guitar pedals
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: We've found $200 off a stylish Gibson SG, $100 off an affordable Martin acoustic, hearty discounts on studio headphones and much more
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in Guitars
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
 
 
Meris Ottobit X
Guitars Meris unveils the Ottobit X, a high-end purveyor of lo-fi guitar sounds inspired by the ‘80s
 
 
Harley Benton ST-Modern HH 2026: New models with metallic finishes.
Guitars Harley Benton unleashes a $185 shred-ready hotrod with a roasted maple neck and dual-humbuckers
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: A guide to the best music sales right now
 
 
Fender Tone Master Pro & FR-15 cab
Guitars Fender gives the Tone Master Pro a mighty firmware update, adding some classics from its amp archive
 
 
Epiphone Hummingbird Tribute
Guitars Epiphone unveils beginner-friendly $229 ‘Tribute’ to Gibson’s iconic Hummingbird acoustic
 
 
Latest in News
Taylor Swift Randy Newman
Artists Taylor Swift thanks “the incomparable” Randy Newman as she releases her Toy Story 5 song
 
 
antonoff
Tech “It’s boring to know what you’re doing in the studio – once you know what you’re doing, the magic leaves”: Jack Antonoff on why music production "expertise" is overrated
 
 
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 01: Olivia Rodrigo performs during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on August 01, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Josh Brasted/FilmMagic)
Artists “They inspire me to be weirder and more myself”: Olivia Rodrigo names her current favourite band
 
 
Meris Ottobit X
Guitars Meris unveils the Ottobit X, a high-end purveyor of lo-fi guitar sounds inspired by the ‘80s
 
 
Harley Benton ST-Modern HH 2026: New models with metallic finishes.
Guitars Harley Benton unleashes a $185 shred-ready hotrod with a roasted maple neck and dual-humbuckers
 
 
American Pop Rock musician Christopher Cross plays electric guitar as he performs onstage at Greenwich Village's Bottom Line, New York, New York, May 28, 1980. His instrument is a Fender twin-neck, six & twelve string guitar.
Artists Christopher Cross admits that he "ripped off" Paul McCartney on Ride Like The Wind
 
 

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...