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
  • Cyber Monday
  • 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
Neural DSP Quad Cortex floating with smoke in the background
Guitars “A generational leap in modelling technology”: Neural DSP gives Quad Cortex and Nano Cortex an almighty power-up
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
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
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
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
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
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
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
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
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
EVH Gear Hypersonic 5150III 6L6: The new all-digital modelling combo offers the same stylings and super-hot tone as its all-tube predecessor but is 16kg lighter
Guitars EVH Gear turns “holy grail” Eddie Van Halen amp Hypersonic with super-lightweight 5150III 6L6 digital modelling combo
Close up of a Yamaha FG800 acoustic guitar
Acoustic Guitars Best cheap acoustic guitars 2025: Top picks for strummers on a budget
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
Two guitars and a pedal on a blue and white background
Guitars Thomann just carved some serious cash off Harley Benton guitars, pedals and accessories for Black Friday - here's 4 of my favourite deals for you
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
More
  • Cyber Monday plugin deals - LIVE
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars

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

News
By Guitarist, Total Guitar ( Total Guitar, Guitarist ) published 8 June 2018

Red hot gear to welcome in the summer

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

Danelectro Big Spender Spinning Speaker

Danelectro Big Spender Spinning Speaker

The summer is almost here and we have once again welcomed the hottest guitar gear into MusicRadar’s review HQ over the last month.

Here, we take a digested look at everything reviewed on the site during the month of May. We start with a nifty little pedal from Danelectro - the Big Spender Spinning Speaker.

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A stylish, practical and affordable way to add a dedicated rotary speaker pedal to your ’board.”

FULL REVIEW: Danelectro Big Spender Spinning Speaker

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 1 of 18
Page 1 of 18
Pigtronix Mothership 2

Pigtronix Mothership 2

MusicRadar's verdict:

“It might not be a pedal that you’d want to use all the time but the Mothership 2’s small footprint makes it a great way to add that monophonic analogue synth flavour to your pedalboard.”

FULL REVIEW: Pigtronix Mothership 2

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 2 of 18
Page 2 of 18
Martin DCRSG

Martin DCRSG

MusicRadar's verdict:

“This guitar makes a very compelling case for branching out into new areas of timber and tone.”

FULL REVIEW: Martin DCRSG 

3.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 3 of 18
Page 3 of 18
Fidelity Guitars JB

Fidelity Guitars JB

MusicRadar's verdict:

“If you hanker for different retro-informed sounds, here’s a hugely valid choice.”

FULL REVIEW: Fidelity Guitars JB 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 4 of 18
Page 4 of 18
Jackson X Series Dinky Arch Top DKAF7 MS

Jackson X Series Dinky Arch Top DKAF7 MS

MusicRadar's verdict:

“At this price point, Jackson has pulled off an impressive feat. If you can deal with the heel access and the pickups, this is a worthy entry to fan-fret-dom.”

FULL REVIEW: Jackson X Series Dinky Arch Top DKAF7 MS

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 5 of 18
Page 5 of 18
Ibanez RG550

Ibanez RG550

MusicRadar's verdict:

“With this reissue, Ibanez is casually reminding everyone who’s boss.”

FULL REVIEW: Ibanez RG550

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 6 of 18
Page 6 of 18
PRS SE Custom 24 2018

PRS SE Custom 24 2018

MusicRadar's verdict:

“An easy to recommend guitar that brings PRS class without a hefty pricetag.”

FULL REVIEW: PRS SE Custom 24 2018

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 7 of 18
Page 7 of 18
Mayson M3/0*

Mayson M3/0*

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The clean build and clear bright projection from the M/30* make this brand one we’re looking forward to hearing from again.”

FULL REVIEW: Mayson M3/0*

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 8 of 18
Page 8 of 18
EBow

EBow

MusicRadar's verdict:

“An absolute joy to use.”

FULL REVIEW: EBow

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 9 of 18
Page 9 of 18
Gamechanger Audio Plus Pedal

Gamechanger Audio Plus Pedal

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A pedal that provides solid performance, but at a price.”

FULL REVIEW: Gamechanger Audio Plus Pedal

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 10 of 18
Page 10 of 18
Dunlop Cry Baby Mini 535Q

Dunlop Cry Baby Mini 535Q

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Full-grown tone from this bonny baby.”

FULL REVIEW: Dunlop Cry Baby Mini 535Q

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 11 of 18
Page 11 of 18
Fender American Original '50s Telecaster

Fender American Original '50s Telecaster

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A well-made, beautifully playable guitar.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender American Original '50s Telecaster

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 12 of 18
Page 12 of 18
Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster

Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A well-made, beautifully playable guitar.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender American Original '60s Stratocaster

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 13 of 18
Page 13 of 18
Fender American Original '60s Jaguar

Fender American Original '60s Jaguar

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A modern take on an old favourite.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender American Original '60s Jaguar

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 14 of 18
Page 14 of 18
Yamaha FS-TA

Yamaha FS-TA

MusicRadar's verdict:

“So good it’ll put a smile on your face!”

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha FS-TA 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 15 of 18
Page 15 of 18
Yamaha FG-TA

Yamaha FG-TA

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Having spent a good amount of time with this guitar, we can again affirm that this technology is not a gimmick that quickly loses its shine.”

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha FG-TA 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 16 of 18
Page 16 of 18
Taylor Builder’s Edition V-Class K14CE

Taylor Builder’s Edition V-Class K14CE

MusicRadar's verdict:

“V-Class, Builder’s Edition? Get used to those terms. Taylor has just upped the ante. Considerably.”

FULL REVIEW: Taylor Builder’s Edition V-Class K14CE

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 17 of 18
Page 17 of 18
Schecter Demon-6 2018

Schecter Demon-6 2018

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The Demon-6 is a metal guitar, designed to summon something much more sinister, and it delivers in spades.”

FULL REVIEW: Schecter Demon-6 2018

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 18 of 18
Page 18 of 18
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 PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Best electric guitars 2025: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
Fender's American Professional Classic series photographed against the side of a chrome tour bus [L-R]: Jaguar in faded Sherwood Green Metallic, HSS Stratocaster in Faded Lake Placid Blue, Stratocaster in Faded Firemist Gold, Telecaster in Faded Butterscotch Blonde, Precision Bass in Faded 3-Color Sunburst.
Fender gives its US lineup a retro-modern makeover with the American Professional Classic range
 
 
Jackson Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas: these retro S-styles take the high-performance electric guitar brand back to the '80s, offering single and dual-humbucker platforms for shred with the choice of rosewood or maple fingerboards – and what about that "Two-Face" black-and-white finish?
“These guitars empower metal artists with the authentic, crushing tone that built Jackson’s legendary reputation”: Jackson takes us back to the heyday of shred with the Pro Origins 1985 San Dimas series – and what about that Two Face finish?
 
 
Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN
“Some might say a guitar at this kind of price point has no business resonating so well”: Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN review
 
 
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
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in Guitars
EVH Gear Hypersonic 5150III 6L6: The new all-digital modelling combo offers the same stylings and super-hot tone as its all-tube predecessor but is 16kg lighter
EVH Gear turns “holy grail” Eddie Van Halen amp Hypersonic with super-lightweight 5150III 6L6 digital modelling combo
 
 
Adrian Belew with the Fender Stratocaster that he and Seymour Duncan relic'd in the back garden
Adrian Belew on how he and Seymour Duncan made one of the first relic’d guitars
 
 
The Electro-Harmonix ABRAMS100 is a compact, guitar amp head with 100-watts, 3-band EQ, effects loop and bright switch, and it has a yellow control panel and black dials.
Electro-Harmonix presents 100-watts of solid-state power in a compact guitar amp head weighing just 2.5lbs
 
 
Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers performs during a concert at Federation Square on April 11, 2007 in Melbourne, Australia
Flea teases his first solo album with a seven minute jazz rave single
 
 
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.
Fender and Jackson celebrate 50 years of Iron Maiden with limited run signature collection
 
 
The Spice Girls
Greg Lester on how he crafted the classic nylon-string guitar solo in the Spice Girls’ 2 Become 1
 
 
Latest in News
Josh Freese
“People said, ‘Hey, I saw you’re on that Avril Lavigne record.’ I went, ‘Nah!'”: The drummer who’s played on 400 albums
 
 
Jorja Smith performs during day five of Glastonbury festival 2025
"They appeared to revel in the confusion that has been created”: Jorja Smith’s label claim royalties on AI track
 
 
Jon Batiste and Prince
Jon Batiste describes his “gloriously awkward exchange" with Prince at a jam session
 
 
Cyber Monday deals badge over a neon EQ
These 58 Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for musicians are still live - but they'll be gone soon
 
 
Steve Porcaro at the Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary Premiere at The Grammy Museum on November 21, 2024
"The most unbelievable thing I’d ever seen": Synth player Steve Porcaro on writing with Michael Jackson
 
 
Brian Eno
"We stand for love over hate, hope over fear... join us and be a part of it": Paloma Faith, Fontaines D.C., Brian Eno and Kneecap join campaign group Together Against The Far Right
 
 

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...