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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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Read more
Strymon EC-1 Single Head dTape Echo: the metallic gray box has cream dials, an LED that lights up blue and/or red, and is photographed here against a wooden background.
“A perfect melding of vintage sound with modern practicality”: Strymon EC-1 review
 
 
Strymon PCH Active Direct Interface: the little black box from the digital effects powerhouse offers routing for sending your signal direct from a pedalboard to a PA or FRFR speakers, and it has a headphones output for silent monitoring.
Strymon unveils the PCH Active Direct Interface – the missing link for your amp-less pedalboard setup?
 
 
Gretsch Electromatic CVT: The bolt-on double-cut assumes a familiar form to the Jack Antonoff signature model, and features dual humbuckers, a wraparound tailpiece, and some neat vintage finishes.
Like the Jack Antonoff signature Gretsch? Then you are going to love the CVT Electromatic
 
 
A Fender Player II Stratocaster and Telecaster on a white piece of wood with lots of holes in it
Best electric guitars under $1,000/£1,000 in 2025: My top picks for players of all styles
 
 
Brian Wampler playing his Telecaster
“It’s analogous to Napster”: Brian Wampler on threat of digital disruption to pedal and tube amp market
 
 
EarthQuaker Devices Rancho de la Luna Dirt Transmitter
“Simply a killer fuzz pedal”: EarthQuaker Devices Dirt Transmitter – Rancho de la Luna Ltd Ed review
 
 
Latest in Guitar Pedals
Walrus Audio Canvas Power USB: The compact pedalboard power supply can be charged via USB.
Walrus Audio’s Canvas Power USB is the super-compact device for powering your rig with a laptop charger
 
 
MXR Randy Rhoads Special Edition Distortion+: A black and white shot of Randy Rhoads with his Jackson Concorde; on the right, the new signature distortion from MXR in a finish inspired by the guitar.
Good news for Randy Rhoads fans – his MXR Distortion+ is back, and you have got to see its supersonic finish
 
 
Strymon PCH Active Direct Interface: the little black box from the digital effects powerhouse offers routing for sending your signal direct from a pedalboard to a PA or FRFR speakers, and it has a headphones output for silent monitoring.
Strymon unveils the PCH Active Direct Interface – the missing link for your amp-less pedalboard setup?
 
 
Boss PX-1 Plugout FX: the white compact series pedal has blue knobs, digital display, and is a platform for 16 digitally modelled Boss effects, one of which is available at a time.
A compact series stompbox you can turn into any one of 16 classic Boss effects? Meet the Plugout FX
 
 
Third Man Hardware x Black Mountain Roto-Echo: the roller wheel equipped delay pedal is a compact and performance-friendly stompbox that's available in black or limited edition white. Jack White has used it onstage and in the studio during the sessions for No Name.
Jack White’s Third Man teams up with Black Mountain for the Roto-Echo, a delay controllable by foot
 
 
A Boss VG-800 guitar processor pedal and electric guitar lying on a sheet of metal
“If you’re looking to turn your guitar or bass into a completely different instrument, there’s no better way to do it than this”: Boss VG-800 V-Guitar Processor review
 
 
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“A unique, talented, and innovative musician”: Tributes paid to Blancmange's Stephen Luscombe
 
 
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Jon Batiste answers the internet’s piano queries and agrees with one potentially controversial musical statement
 
 
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“Ladies and gentlemen, will you please welcome Ilan Rubin”: Dave Grohl introduces new drummer at Foos secret gig
 
 
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“I missed a couple of things": Brian May critiques his Last Night of the Proms performance
 
 

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