Skip to main content
Become a MusicRadar VIP - it's free
- Join our community
SampleRadar
Access over 90,000 royalty-free samples
The MusicRadar app
Full access and custom feeds
MusicRadar Newsletters
The latest music and gear news inboxed
Earn Member Badges
Climb the MusicRadar charts
Coming soon: VIP-only Giveaways
Win pro-grade music gear and more
Join the conversation
Connect with other musicians and fans
BECOME A MUSICRADAR VIP
For the quickest way to join, enter your email below. We’ll send a confirmation email and sign you up to MusicRadar newsletters with the latest music news, gear reviews, tutorials and exclusive offers.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get VIP Access Quick

Become a MusicRadar VIP for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to Become a MusicRadar VIP !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Start reading to unlock your first badge
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Hot music news

Hot music news

The latest news from the hottest artists.

Explore
Make better music

Make better music

Explore tutorials, tips and guides for creating music.

Explore

Your membership perks

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Explore now

Get the MusicRadar Newsletter

Get the latest music news, gear reviews, deals and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up here

Sign Out
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
  • Rodrigo's Cure
  • California Dreamin'
  • "Apotheosis of mediocrity" - Rundgren vs Swift
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars
  2. Guitar Pedals

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

News
By MusicRadar
Published 2 July 2018

A scorching selection of guitars, amps and pedals

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

Ernie Ball Expression Tremolo

Ernie Ball Expression Tremolo

We're not sure what's been hotter recently - the weather or the guitar gear we've been putting through its paces.

Here, we present a digested look at everything reviewed on the site during the month of June, starting with the Ernie Ball Expression Tremolo.

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A tremolo that does more than most - well worth investigating for serious wobble heads.”

FULL REVIEW: Ernie Ball Expression Tremolo

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 1 of 17
Page 1 of 17
PRS SE TX20E

PRS SE TX20E

MusicRadar's verdict:

“This bird-decorated beauty has a well-deserved lofty perch in the affordable electro-acoustic pecking order.”

FULL REVIEW: PRS SE TX20E

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 2 of 17
Page 2 of 17
Source Audio Ventris

Source Audio Ventris

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A pedal that offers a pedalboard-friendly footprint and easy hands-on functionality.”

FULL REVIEW: Source Audio Ventris

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 3 of 17
Page 3 of 17
James Collins GTB

James Collins GTB

“A guitar and a maker to take notice of.”

FULL REVIEW: James Collins GTB

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 4 of 17
Page 4 of 17
Fender Pugilist Distortion

Fender Pugilist Distortion

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Providing plenty of variation on the distortion/drive theme, a pedal with two engines at this price is a steal.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender Pugilist Distortion

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 5 of 17
Page 5 of 17
Duesenberg Gran Majesto

Duesenberg Gran Majesto

MusicRadar's verdict:

“We found the Gran Majesto in fine voice during our time in its company.”

FULL REVIEW: Duesenberg Gran Majesto

3.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 6 of 17
Page 6 of 17
DOD Mini Volume and Mini Expression

DOD Mini Volume and Mini Expression

MusicRadar's verdict:

“All things considered, these Mini marvels represent yet another well-considered act of DOD.”

FULL REVIEW: DOD Mini Volume and Mini Expression

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 7 of 17
Page 7 of 17
Duesenberg Paloma 

Duesenberg Paloma 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Duesenberg has done everything possible to make this guitar as irresistible as possible.”

FULL REVIEW: Duesenberg Paloma 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 8 of 17
Page 8 of 17
Seagull S6 Original

Seagull S6 Original

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The S6 still impresses with its tonal voice, tough build quality and price tag.”

FULL REVIEW: Seagull S6 Original

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 9 of 17
Page 9 of 17
Fender Marine Layer Reverb 

Fender Marine Layer Reverb 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A competent reverb that may have missed a trick by not offering more varied options.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender Marine Layer Reverb 

3.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 10 of 17
Page 10 of 17
Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK2 Ash

Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK2 Ash

MusicRadar's verdict:

“If you need a guitar with a tiny neck to get you up to speed go straight for the Pro Series Dinky DK2. Bicycle pump strictly optional.”

FULL REVIEW: Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK2 Ash

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 11 of 17
Page 11 of 17
Fender California Series Newporter Player

Fender California Series Newporter Player

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A contemporary electro in looks, sound and playability.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender California Series Newporter Player

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 12 of 17
Page 12 of 17
Jackson X Series Monarkh SCX Zebrawood 

Jackson X Series Monarkh SCX Zebrawood 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Shredders will love the thin neck and easy access to the upper frets.”

FULL REVIEW: Jackson X Series Monarkh SCX Zebrawood 

3 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 13 of 17
Page 13 of 17
Novo Serus J

Novo Serus J

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A beautiful time-travel piece on every level.”

FULL REVIEW: Novo Serus J

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 14 of 17
Page 14 of 17
Fender Mirror Image Delay

Fender Mirror Image Delay

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A solid, workmanlike pedal that could take care of all your delay needs at a decent price.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender Mirror Image Delay

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 15 of 17
Page 15 of 17
Line 6 HX Effects

Line 6 HX Effects

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The rest of your pedals, analogue or digital, had better watch out: the HX Effects might just replace the lot.”

FULL REVIEW: Line 6 HX Effects

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 16 of 17
Page 16 of 17
Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT 

Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Sweetly priced and surprisingly versatile, this is the sub-$500 twin-humbucker single-cut to beat.”

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch G5220 Electromatic Jet BT 

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 17 of 17
Page 17 of 17
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 July 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s July 2026 guitar gear roundup: featuring Orange Amps, Harley Benton, Epiphone and more
 
 
MusicRadar monthly guitar gear roundup, ft. Lzzy Hale's signature Epiphone Explorer Custom, plus new gear from Hotone, Gibson, JHS Pedals, Death By Audio and more
Guitars “His effects are bonkers in the best way possible”: The MusicRadar guitar gear roundup Aug 2026 edit
 
 
MusicRadar monthly guitar gear round-up September 26, ft. Matteo Mancuso's signature Revstar and more
Guitars The MusicRadar gear roundup Sep 2026 edit, featuring fresh drops from Taylor, Yamaha, ESP and more
 
 
Harley Benton ST-62LA MN BK
Electric Guitars “Makes you realise just how good budget guitars have become”: Harley Benton ST-62LA review
 
 
Harley Benton Fusion-T II HH RW HT in Purple Metallic finish with gold hardware. Shot on white surface.
Electric Guitars “This is a difficult guitar to put a review score on”: Harley Benton Fusion-T II HH RW HT PM review
 
 
Donner Hush X Pro on wood floor
Electric Guitars “When you're away from your main rig, it more than fills a void.”: Donner Hush X Pro review
 
 
Latest in Guitar Pedals
MusicRadar monthly guitar gear round-up September 26, ft. Matteo Mancuso's signature Revstar and more
Guitars The MusicRadar gear roundup Sep 2026 edit, featuring fresh drops from Taylor, Yamaha, ESP and more
 
 
Hotone Ampero II Stage
Guitar Pedals “Even if you have a decent amp, there's enough variety and depth of effects in the Stage to justify integrating it into an existing rig”: Hotone Ampero II Stage review
 
 
Polyend Loop looper pedal
Guitar Pedals Polyend Loop is part looper pedal, part drum machine and comes stocked with over 100 effects
 
 
Boss EX-4 Effects Expander
Guitars “Expands the range of your pedalboard – without changing what already works”: Boss unveils the EX-4 Effects Expander, a compact multi-fx powerhouse that's designed to maximise your pedalboard's potential
 
 
An Eventide H9 Harmonizer Gen 2 multi-effects pedal on a white pegboard
Guitar Pedals "Some of the best quality effect algorithms I’ve ever laid ears on": Eventide H9 Harmonizer Gen 2 review
 
 
Electro-Harmonix Adrian Belew Echoflanger
Guitars “Equal parts smooth operator and agent of chaos”: EHX and Adrian Belew resurrect the Echoflanger
 
 
Latest in News
Oli Howe
Artists Instagram reharm sensation Oli Howe on the formula behind his chaotic reworks of classic hits
 
 
An SSL 2+ MKII audio interface on a desk
Recording I sifted through Sweetwater's massive up to 50% off studio gear sale to bring you the best equipment discounts
 
 
Lola Young performs onstage at the 2025 Coachella Valley music and arts festival on April 11, 2025
Singers & Songwriters “Breathing feels like a chore”: Lola Young bemoans the effect of vaping on her health on TikTok
 
 
tapes
Samples SampleRadar: 485 free tape-treated samples
 
 
John Lennon and Paul McCartney face the press
Singers & Songwriters “He could be a complete idiot, over some things”: Paul McCartney thinks that Lennon “expected more” from him in the early 70s
 
 
Cronos of Venom
Artists “I want people to think, ‘That band Venom was crazy!’”: Heavy metal innovator Conrad ‘Cronos’ Lant dies at 63
 
 

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...