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  1. Guitars
  2. Guitar Pedals

New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (February 2019)

News
By Guitarist magazine, Total Guitar ( Total Guitar, Guitarist ) published 1 February 2019

The latest pedals and things with strings

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

Gamechanger Audio Plasma Pedal

Gamechanger Audio Plasma Pedal

Rejoice: January is over, and you've finally been paid again. And that can mean only one thing: it's time to go shopping for some new guitar gear.

Here, we've rounded-up all the guitar-related product that was reviewed on MusicRadar in January, starting with the Gamechanger Audio Plasma Pedal.

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Though it may not replace your classic distortion boxes, the Gamechanger Audio Plasma is without doubt startlingly unique, both aesthetically and sonically.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gamechanger Audio Plasma Pedal

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 1 of 14
Page 1 of 14
Line 6 HX Stomp

Line 6 HX Stomp

MusicRadar's verdict:

“It's not as flexible on-the-fly as its larger forebears, but the HX Stomp offers a staggering number of tones from a pedalboard-friendly package.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Line 6 HX Stomp

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 2 of 14
Page 2 of 14
Source Audio True Spring Reverb

Source Audio True Spring Reverb

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Although this pedal is perfect for surf instrumentals and Spaghetti Western/spy movie soundtracks, the True Spring goes beyond genres to provide a spring reverb and tremolo experience that adds vintage flavour to any amp.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Source Audio True Spring Reverb

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 3 of 14
Page 3 of 14
Fender American Performer Telecaster Hum

Fender American Performer Telecaster Hum

MusicRadar's verdict:

“There’s little here to disappoint thanks to some nice upgrades and a welcome price tag.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender American Performer Telecaster Hum 

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 4 of 14
Page 4 of 14
Fender American Performer Stratocaster HSS

Fender American Performer Stratocaster HSS

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The last thing we thought we needed was another Strat, but this American Performer got under our skin and got the majority of our play time.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender American Performer Stratocaster HSS 

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 5 of 14
Page 5 of 14
Fender American Performer Stratocaster

Fender American Performer Stratocaster

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The last thing we thought we needed was another Strat, but this American Performer got under our skin and got the majority of our play time. Enough said.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender American Performer Stratocaster

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 6 of 14
Page 6 of 14
Thorpy FX The Dane

Thorpy FX The Dane

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A deceptively useful, well-executed pedal.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Thorpy FX The Dane

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 7 of 14
Page 7 of 14
G&L CLF Research Skyhawk

G&L CLF Research Skyhawk

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Put simply, an extremely likeable guitar.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: G&L CLF Research Skyhawk

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 8 of 14
Page 8 of 14
Smitty Custom Guitars Model 3

Smitty Custom Guitars Model 3

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A fantastic build. You really should experience this.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Smitty Custom Guitars Model 3 

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 9 of 14
Page 9 of 14
Yamaha LLX26C AREII

Yamaha LLX26C AREII

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The LLX is probably the most well behaved and sweetly voiced dreadnought we’ve encountered in recent years.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha LLX26C AREII

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 10 of 14
Page 10 of 14
Smitty Custom Guitars Model 4

Smitty Custom Guitars Model 4

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Some of the coolest sounds you’ll hear; a jangle monster but with enough bite for blues/classic rock.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Smitty Custom Guitars Model 4

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 11 of 14
Page 11 of 14
Yamaha LS26 ARE II

Yamaha LS26 ARE II

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A fine instrument, just watch out for that price tag.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha LS26 ARE II

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 12 of 14
Page 12 of 14
G&L Fullerton Deluxe Comanche

G&L Fullerton Deluxe Comanche

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Excellent build with more of a nod to Leo’s finest moment.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: G&L Fullerton Deluxe Comanche

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 13 of 14
Page 13 of 14
Ibanez Artwood Vintage AVD11 Thermo Aged

Ibanez Artwood Vintage AVD11 Thermo Aged

MusicRadar's verdict:

“This affordable thermally treated acoustic certainly has the looks, but all-solid models still have the tonal edge.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ibanez Artwood Vintage AVD11 Thermo Aged 

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 14 of 14
Page 14 of 14
Total Guitar
Total Guitar
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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

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More Info
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Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
 
 
Latest in Guitar Pedals
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“For percussionists who want to take matters into their own hands”: Walrus launch the DFX-1, an effects unit built for drummers
 
 
The J, from Thorpy FX, is a new collab between the high-end British guitar effects pedal company and boutique amp brand Lazy J, and the amp that inspired it can be seen illustrated in white on. black on the enclosure's front.
Thorpy FX teams up with Lazy J to give guitarists premium vintage Tweed tone in a preamp/drive pedal
 
 
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.
The Squier Hello Kitty Stratocaster returns in limited edition white as Fender announces expanded capsule collection
 
 
Orange King Comp: the new compressor from the British amp legend has what looks like a gorilla illustrated on the enclosure and has a road-ready build with a kick bar to protect your settings.
Orange’s King Comp is a monster compressor with the feel of a real amp and super low-noise operation
 
 
The Strymon Olivera is a five-knob stompbox in bronze-brown that offers an emulation of an oil-can delay
Strymon’s Olivera is a oil can delay without the oil, without the mechanics, and with a lot more control over your tone
 
 
Warm Audio's Tube Squealer is a greatest-hits of Tube Screamer circuits, three-in one, while the Throne Of Tone, the new dual-overdrive twofer from the Texan pedal company channels not one but two classic pedals, which in a way were both inspired by the classic Marshall "Bluesbreaker" amps used by Clapton back in his John Mayall days.
Warm Audio channels the greatest hits of classic overdrive with the regal Throne Of Tone dual-drive and the 3-in-1 Tone Squealer
 
 
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