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
  • 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
  • Christine McVie's masterpiece
  • Macca vs Phil Collins
  • Music theory tricks
  • Kiss From a Rose
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Yes
  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 June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and 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
 
 
Harley Benton ST-62LA MN BK
Electric Guitars “Makes you realise just how good budget guitars have become”: Harley Benton ST-62LA review
 
 
Stranberg x Jam Stik MIDI
Electric Guitars “Sounds you'll never have heard from a guitar before”: Strandberg x Jamstik Chameleon review
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: A guide to the best music sales right now
 
 
Latest in Guitar Pedals
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
 
 
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitars Neural DSP adds Device Presets and expands Quad Cortex functionality in biggest ever CorOS update
 
 
Hotone Freqlux Tri-Pitch pedal review
Guitar Pedals "I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of what is possible with this pedal": Hotone Freqlux review
 
 
A Beetronics Seabee Lite chorus pedal on a honeycomb rubber mat
Guitar Pedals "A great chorus pedal that treads its own path: Beetronics Seabee Lite review
 
 
Crazy Tube Circuits White Whale Junior
Guitar Pedals Crazy Tube Circuits White Whale Junior review
 
 
EarthQuaker Devices Towers
Guitar Pedals “An excellent example of the genre’s shifting atmospheric soundscapes”: EarthQuaker Devices Towers review
 
 
Latest in News
A pair of Positive Grid Spark Neo Core headphones lying on a Stratocaster guitar
Guitar Amps One of my top-rated guitar practice tools just dropped to $99 - save nearly 40% on the Positive Grid Spark Neo Core
 
 
Olivia Rodrigo at Daisy Chain Fields Festival 2026 held at Great Park on August 29, 2026 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
Artists “I am still in a bit of disbelief": Olivia Rodrigo reflects on the success of Daisy Chain Fields
 
 
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
 
 
Sam Smith and Tom Petty
Artists "That's why I was annoyed”: Sam Smith reflects on their 2015 songwriting dispute with Tom Petty
 
 
British singer, songwriter and record producer Freddie Mercury (1946 - 1991) of British rock band Queen with his friend Mary Austin
Singers & Songwriters “I thought it was a terrible name”: How Queen almost became Build Your Own Boat
 
 
MUNICH, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 01:  Amy Winehouse performs during the show at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2007 at the Olympiahalle on November 1, 2007 in Munich, Germany.
Artists Amy Winehouse “knew exactly what she had created” with Back to Black, says her former bass player
 
 

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...