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
Dirty Boy SilverBOY: This high-end all-analogue preamp pedal was inspired by a digital plugin
Guitars Dirty Boy turns the tables on guitar’s digital revolution with an all-analogue preamp pedal inspired by a plugin
Fender and Jackson's Iron Maiden 50th Anniversary Collection: FMIC has unveiled a signature guitar and bass collection to celebrate 50 years of the British metal institution.
Artists Fender and Jackson celebrate 50 years of Iron Maiden with limited run signature collection
A Fractal Audio VP4 Virtual Pedalboard multi-effects pedal on a concrete floor
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals 2025: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
Victory The Duchess Deluxe MKII Head
Guitar Amps Get the most out of your pedals and save £422 on one of the best pedal platform amps I've played - the Victory V40 Duchess Deluxe MKII Head
Sennheiser in ear monitors on a lit up dj controller
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2025: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best acoustic guitars 2025: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
A Boss RC-10R looper pedal on a wooden floor
Guitar Pedals Best looper pedals 2025: My favourite loop stations for every budget
A Strandberg Boden Essential headless guitar on a concrete floor
Electric Guitars $300 off the 4.5-star rated Strandberg Boden Essential feels like the guitar deal of the year - save big on the most forward-thinking guitar around
The Fender x Palace Limited Edition Telecaster has a 90s-inspired rave graphic finish on the front, and the brand's Triferg on the back – the release also includes a Fender x Palace guitar strap and guitar pick set.
Guitars Rave culture meets the first mass-produced electric guitar – Fender teams up with Palace Skateboards for limited run Telecaster
Gretsch Electromatic CVT Double-Cut in Wychwood greenburst finish
Electric Guitars "For garage, punk, and rock styles, it’s got the tonal firepower on offer": Gretsch Electromatic CVT Double-Cut review
JHS Kilt 10 Special Edition: the silver overdrive pedal is a best-seller for the Kansas-based pedal company and has just been reissued with user-requested mods.
Guitars JHS Pedals revises the “ultimate dirt pedal” with a heap of player-requested features and more headroom
Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ HRG: the reissued high-headroom tube amp is a cult classic that returns here with a heritage finish.
Guitars Mesa/Boogie reissues a cult classic with a design that takes the amp brand back to the beginning
Close up of LR Baggs Anthem pickup in an acoustic guitar
Guitar Pickups Best acoustic guitar pickups 2025: electrify your acoustic for stage, studio and sound fx – our top picks for all budgets
Crazy Tube Circuits Mirage JR review
Guitar Pedals "When it comes to sound, I'm convinced there isn’t a bad tone in this pedal": Crazy Tube Circuits Mirage JR reverb pedal review
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  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
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

Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition. image
Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition.
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
A Fractal Audio VP4 Virtual Pedalboard multi-effects pedal on a concrete floor
Best multi-effects pedals 2025: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
 
 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
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
 
 
A Yamaha Revstar electric guitar on a blue background
Thomann's Guitar Days sale just hit up to 70% off with £474 off an Epiphone semi-hollow, £132 off a Death By Audio pedal, plus loads more massive savings
 
 
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
 
 
Electro-Harmonix Pico Atomic Cluster: the new glitch/synth mini-pedal from the storied NYC pedal brand
EHX expands its Pico series with the Atomic Cluster Spectral Decomposer – a mini-pedal that sounds so wrong its right
 
 
Latest in Guitar Pedals
Dirty Boy SilverBOY: This high-end all-analogue preamp pedal was inspired by a digital plugin
Dirty Boy turns the tables on guitar’s digital revolution with an all-analogue preamp pedal inspired by a plugin
 
 
The Compulsion Drive is Brian Wampler's take on on of his favourite drive pedals, the Fulltone OCD, but it's quite a different proposition with an expanded control setup.
Brian Wampler just reimagined a bona fide modern classic with The Compulsion Drive – but is this OCD-inspired dirt pedal an overdrive, distortion or both?
 
 
MXR FOD Drive on wood floor
It’s an open secret that the MXR FOD Drive is the Dookie Drive circuit under a different name, and for just $99 you can get the tones from Green Day’s best album on your pedalboard this Cyber Monday
 
 
Neural DSP Quad Cortex floating with smoke in the background
“A generational leap in modelling technology”: Neural DSP gives Quad Cortex and Nano Cortex an almighty power-up
 
 
JHS Kilt 10 Special Edition: the silver overdrive pedal is a best-seller for the Kansas-based pedal company and has just been reissued with user-requested mods.
JHS Pedals revises the “ultimate dirt pedal” with a heap of player-requested features and more headroom
 
 
A Neural DSP Nano Cortex amp modeller on a pedalboard
Neural DSP just sweetened the deal when you pick up a Nano Cortex for Black Friday - help yourself to a plugin of your choice free of charge
 
 
Latest in News
ALM Busy Circuits Pamela's Disco module
ALM Busy Circuits new Pamela’s Disco module lets you sync a Eurorack rig to a CDJ or mixer
 
 
Text saying 'Just the way it is'
“It’s quite normal to be groped by men”: Harassment, low pay and exploitation all reported by young musicians and artists in new survey
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: Chappell Roan and Dan Nigro perform at Spotlight: A Night With Chappell Roan and Dan Nigro moderated by Brandi Carlile at GRAMMY Museum L.A. Live on November 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Dan Nigro says that he always knew that Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club was something special
 
 
tape double track
This $99 plugin recreates a classic studio technique invented at Abbey Road for The Beatles – and it's free for the next three days
 
 
Eric Clapton and Sheryl Crow perform at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007 held at Toyota Park on July 28, 2007 in Bridgeview, Illinois.
"They put it on hold so nobody else can record it. But he didn’t actually record it. That was when Don Henley said, ‘You need to quit giving your songs away’”: Sheryl Crow says that she once wrote a song for Eric Clapton that never saw the light of day
 
 
oxi
"We didn't want to make just another controller": OXI Instruments' E16 is a sleek and portable MIDI controller that's more powerful than it looks
 
 

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
  • 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...