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  1. News

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

By Guitars
( Guitarist, Total Guitar )
published 2 January 2018

Guitar goodies galore

SamSystems IM12

SamSystems IM12

If the January blues have kicked in already, why not see them off by gazing upon a bounty of beautiful guitar gear?

That is exactly what we reviewed throughout December, bringing you our verdicts on the finest new guitar products. Here, we take a digested look at everything that was appraised last month, kicking off with the SamSystems IM12.

MusicRadar's verdict:

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

“Check it out now and hear your on-stage sound improve.”

FULL REVIEW: SamSystems IM12

4.5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 1 of 13
Page 1 of 13
Vigier Expert Classic Rock 

Vigier Expert Classic Rock 

MusicRadar's verdict:

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

“A superbly made and conceived modern bolt-on.”

FULL REVIEW: Vigier Expert Classic Rock 

4.5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 2 of 13
Page 2 of 13
Fender EOB Sustainer Stratocaster

Fender EOB Sustainer Stratocaster

MusicRadar's verdict:

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

“A brilliantly realised take on the Strat whose appeal reaches far further than just Radiohead fans.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender EOB Sustainer Stratocaster

5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 3 of 13
Page 3 of 13
Yamaha A5R ARE

Yamaha A5R ARE

MusicRadar's verdict:

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

“A great-looking cutaway dread’ with plenty to offer.”

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha A5R ARE

4.5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 4 of 13
Page 4 of 13
Eastman SB 59/v

Eastman SB 59/v

MusicRadar's verdict:

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

“A seriously good single-cut.”

FULL REVIEW: Eastman SB 59/v

4 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 5 of 13
Page 5 of 13
Fender Brad Paisley Road Worn Telecaster 

Fender Brad Paisley Road Worn Telecaster 

MusicRadar's verdict:

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

“All in all, this is a collaboration that’s really worked, and you can’t say fairer than that.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender Brad Paisley Road Worn Telecaster 

4.5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 6 of 13
Page 6 of 13
Orange Getaway Driver

Orange Getaway Driver

MusicRadar's verdict:

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

“Whether you favour a touch of breakup or a harmonically dense wall of sound, this pedal can get you there.”

FULL REVIEW: Orange Getaway Driver

5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 7 of 13
Page 7 of 13
Epiphone Ltd Ed Lee Malia Explorer Custom Artisan 

Epiphone Ltd Ed Lee Malia Explorer Custom Artisan 

MusicRadar's verdict:

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

“If the look appeals, you may well be surprised at where this guitar takes you - so much so we’d really like to see this pickup configuration on even more guitars.”

FULL REVIEW: Epiphone Ltd Ed Lee Malia Explorer Custom Artisan 

4 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 8 of 13
Page 8 of 13
Chapman ML2 Modern Standard

Chapman ML2 Modern Standard

MusicRadar's verdict:

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

“The mid-price market is a real street fight but the ML2 Modern more than punches above its weight.”

FULL REVIEW: Chapman ML2 Modern Standard

5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 9 of 13
Page 9 of 13
Jackson X Series Signature Adrian Smith SDXQ 

Jackson X Series Signature Adrian Smith SDXQ 

MusicRadar's verdict:

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

“A very special signature model indeed.”

FULL REVIEW: Jackson X Series Signature Adrian Smith SDXQ 

5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 10 of 13
Page 10 of 13
Guild M-240E Troubadour

Guild M-240E Troubadour

MusicRadar's verdict:

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

“A solid choice for those on a budget.”

FULL REVIEW: Guild M-240E Troubadour

4 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 11 of 13
Page 11 of 13
Maxon AF-9 Auto Filter

Maxon AF-9 Auto Filter

MusicRadar's verdict:

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

“An excellent pedal.”

FULL REVIEW: Maxon AF-9 Auto Filter

5 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 12 of 13
Page 12 of 13
Electro-Harmonix Blurst

Electro-Harmonix Blurst

MusicRadar's verdict:

MusicRadar's got your back Our team of expert musicians and producers spends hours testing products to help you choose the best music-making gear for you. Find out more about how we test.

“A great pedal blessed with a vast array of options.”

FULL REVIEW:  Electro-Harmonix Blurst

4 out of 5 

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 13 of 13
Page 13 of 13
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