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
  • 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
Harley Benton NAMM 2026 releases include left-handed options on its V-style electric and offset bass guitars, fresh finish options for the SC single-cuts, and new colours for its HSS S-style
Guitars Harley Benton’s 2026 mega-drop: Metallica makeovers, fresh colours and a baritone SC Custom III, all-solid acoustics for under $250 and more
Cherry Audio SH-MAX
Soft Synths “Offers power, warmth, charm and usability, in a highly convincing virtual analogue reproduction, with real heart and soul”: Cherry Audio SH-MAX review
Lag HyVibe HV10ACE
Acoustic Guitars “Powerful, extremely versatile and creatively refreshing, it offers a ton of inspiration if you click with it”: LAG HyVibe 10 HV10ACE review
Man wearing black hat playing the Roland TD716 electronic drum set
Electronic Drums Best electronic drum sets in 2026: Top picks for every playing level and budget, tested by drummers – plus video and audio demos
Nord Piano 6
Keyboards & Pianos Best stage pianos 2026: Our pick of the finest keyboards for live performance
An UDO Super Gemini synthesizer on a white table
Synths Best synthesizers 2026: Top analogue, digital, mono and polysynths
Gibson Original Collection (L-R) featuring the SJ-200 60s, J-160E, and the LG-2 50s.
Guitars The Beatles-approved J-160E makes its return as Gibson unveils a trio of Original Collection flat-tops celebrating the golden era of acoustic guitar making
Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH MultiScale
Guitars Harley Benton just dropped an 8-string for southpaw players that has a multi-scale fretboard, high-gain humbuckers and offers change from 300 bucks
A boy with brown hair playing the keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
A pair of Audio-Technica in-ear monitors on top of a carry case
Studio Monitors Best budget in-ear monitors 2026: My pick of cheap in-ears for every type of musician
NAMM 2026
Tech NAMM 2026: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
Hottest music tech gear of NAMM
Tech The best music tech gear of NAMM 2026: Epic polys, acoustic synths, budget samplers, a Behringer Juno and more
Headphones next to electric guitar
Headphones Best guitar amp headphones 2026: My top picks for practicing your guitar quietly
All the best guitar gear from this year's NAMM Show
Guitars The best new guitar gear of NAMM 2026: More effects, more amps, more guitars and more tech than ever
More
  • NAMM 2026: as it happened
  • Best NAMM tech gear
  • Joni's Woodstock
  • 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
All the best guitar gear from this year's NAMM Show
The best new guitar gear of NAMM 2026: More effects, more amps, more guitars and more tech than ever
 
 
Close up of Squier Classic Vibe '50s Telecaster
Best electric guitars under $500/£500 2026: Affordable electrics
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Save a colossal $500 off one of my favourite Sterling by Music Man guitars, grab $200 off a super cool D'Angelico, plus all the week's biggest sales on music gear
 
 
Harley Benton NAMM 2026 releases include left-handed options on its V-style electric and offset bass guitars, fresh finish options for the SC single-cuts, and new colours for its HSS S-style
Harley Benton’s 2026 mega-drop: Metallica makeovers, fresh colours and a baritone SC Custom III, all-solid acoustics for under $250 and more
 
 
NAMM 2026
NAMM 2026: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show
 
 
Music technology gear of the year 2025
Music technology gear of the year 2025: Our favourite new synths, drum machines, plugins and more
 
 
Latest in Guitars
ring stinger
Behringer clones the Lovetone Ring Stinger, a cult classic ring mod/fuzz pedal heard on Radiohead's Kid A
 
 
Gibson Custom Shop Aged Greenybucker Set: with the nickel housings given the Murphy Lab treatment, these are exacting replicas of the pickups found in the Gibson Custom Kirk Hammett “Greeny” Les Paul, complete with the out-of-phase middle position sound.
Gibson unveils the $449 Murphy Lab aged humbucker set that will make your Les Paul sound like ‘Greeny’
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: We round up all the best Presidents' Day discounts from Guitar Center, Musician's Friend, and Sweetwater
 
 
Cliff Burton and Kirk Hammett in 1986
"Cliff took Kirk's solo, which I think is just so cool": Robert Trujillo on the time Metallica mixed up their solos
 
 
Harley Benton NAMM 2026 releases include left-handed options on its V-style electric and offset bass guitars, fresh finish options for the SC single-cuts, and new colours for its HSS S-style
Harley Benton’s 2026 mega-drop: Metallica makeovers, fresh colours and a baritone SC Custom III, all-solid acoustics for under $250 and more
 
 
Harley Benton R-458MN LH WH MultiScale
Harley Benton just dropped an 8-string for southpaw players that has a multi-scale fretboard, high-gain humbuckers and offers change from 300 bucks
 
 
Latest in News
vape synth
Hack your disposable vape into a mini wind synth with this DIY guide
 
 
Clyde Lawrence and Greg Phillinganes
Greg Phillinganes schools Clyde Lawrence on how to play the piano part in Toto’s Rosanna correctly
 
 
Concert crowd arms raised in mosh pit
“What kind of ecosystem do we want for live music in Europe?”: New research shows the grip four companies have on live music
 
 
Guitarist Greg Brown is shown performing on stage during a live concert appearance with Cake on November 12, 1996
His creative contributions were immense”: Greg Brown, co-founder of 90s band Cake has died
 
 
British New Wave & Pop musician Howard Jones plays keyboards as he performs onstage at Forest Hills Stadium, Queens, New York, August 3, 1984. (Photo by Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)
"It will always be my favourite”: Howard Jones takes you on a tour of the synth he’s owned since 1983
 
 
Claw.fm screenshot
“Give your agent a music career”: New online radio station launches for AI agents’ music
 
 

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...