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
  • Tiny Dancer
  • Browser DAWs
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Restring your guitar
  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
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
 
 
Stranberg x Jam Stik MIDI
Electric Guitars “Sounds you'll never have heard from a guitar before”: Strandberg x Jamstik Chameleon review
 
 
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: A guide to the best music sales right now
 
 
A worn, dirty pedalboard with a variety of different guitar pedals
Pedalboards Best pedalboards 2026: top choice 'boards for guitarists
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: A guide to the best music sales right now
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Sophie Lloyd shreds on her signature Kiesel
Artists Sophie Lloyd pays tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne with a shred cover of Black Sabbath’s Paranoid
 
 
Blackstar Beam Mini
Guitar Amps “What sets it apart is access to a humongous range of amp captures”: Blackstar Beam Mini review
 
 
Harley Benton Fusion-T II: these humbucker-loaded T-styles are packed with features and are offered with myriad hardware, pickups and finish options
Guitars Harley Benton throws a big ol' T party and you are all invited, as it debuts the Fusion-T II series
 
 
A Charvel Type 2 Tele headstock with an inset of the company's founder, the late Wayne Charvel, who died on 12 July
Guitars Remembering Wayne Charvel, visionary luthier and Superstrat pioneer
 
 
Pete Townshend with a freshly smashed Rickenbacker in 1966
Artists Pete Townshend on how Stevie Wonder's producer inspired him to smash guitars
 
 
Warm Audio x Dirty Boy Junior Series
Guitars Dirty Boy teams up with Warm Audio for affordable versions of its boutique stompbox classics
 
 
Latest in News
Sophie Lloyd shreds on her signature Kiesel
Artists Sophie Lloyd pays tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne with a shred cover of Black Sabbath’s Paranoid
 
 
Razorlight perform at STEREO Covent Garden to celebrate 20 years.COPYRIGHT 2026PhotographicGenius.com
Artists Razorlight’s biggest song was originally intended for another artist, says Johnny Borrell
 
 
Moog Minimoog Model D 2022
Samples SampleRadar: 493 free Moog synth samples
 
 
charli xcx
Artists How Charli XCX's producers ran a jam session through an AI sampling plugin to make No One Lasts Forever
 
 
Jay Weinberg and Bruce Springsteen
Artists Jay Weinberg on the Bruce Springsteen test that left him “deathly afraid” when sitting in with the E Street Band
 
 
Ray Davies (left) and his brother Dave Davies, of The Kinks, at a soundcheck before a session for the BBC at the Playhouse Theatre, London, 7th September 1964.
Guitarists “I don’t know, but never say never": Dave Davies isn't ruling out a Kinks reunion
 
 

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...