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
NAMM 2026
Tech NAMM 2026: Rumours, predictions and live updates from the world’s biggest music technology show
A black and white photo of Chris Isaak playing his Silvertone 1446 in 1987. On the right, a cutout of the recently reissued guitar in black and sunburst finishes, with the black version offered with a Bigsby B70 vibrato.
Guitars Silvertone resurrects the cult semi-hollow electric guitar loved by Elvis Costello, Hubert Sumlin and Chris Isaak
Taylor Next Generation Grand Auditorium: the two refreshed cutaway electro-acoustic guitars are photographed in front of a green sofa and a vintage hi-fi unit.
Guitars Taylor refreshes flagship acoustic with a trio of game-changing features – meet the Next Generation Grand Auditorium
Boss GX-1 Guitar Effects Processor
Guitars Boss tackles budget rivals head-on with feature-packed entry-level GX series multi-fx pedals for guitar and bass
The new models of theMartin Road Series 2026 are photographed in a living space.
Guitars Has Martin redefined the workhorse acoustic? Legendary brand announces blockbuster refresh of its Road Series
Squier Sonic Series: featuring mini-Stratocasters, single-humbucker Esquires and cult offsets too, the Fender-owned budget brand has made a big play for the beginner market in 2026
Guitars Squier unveils huge Sonic Series refresh – super-affordable, beginner and child-friendly versions of classic Fender models
Strymon Fairfax review
Guitar Pedals "Like a good valve amp, it responds to your pick attack and guitar volume with proper character": Strymon Fairfax Class A Output Stage Drive pedal 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
Epiphone Blues King Studio
Acoustic Guitars "Where this guitar truly shines is under the fingers of a blues or folk picker": Epiphone Blues King Studio review
Warm Audio Fluff Drive: the new signature overdrive for Ryan 'Fluff' Bruce is a five-knob pedal finished in white and Teal.
Guitars “I wanted to fix every issue I’ve ever had dialling in metal tones on similar pedals or even the original”: Warm Audio has just made Ryan ‘Fluff’ Bruce its first ever signature pedal and he explains why, yes, the world needs another overdrive
A boy with brown hair playing the keyboard
Keyboards & Pianos Best keyboards for beginners 2026: Get started with our expert pick of beginner keyboards for all ages
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals 2026: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: It's all about guitars with hundreds slashed off Gibson, Fender, Strandberg, and more
Mark Tremonti throws the horns and points to something during a live performance with Creed. His signature PRS singlecut is strapped on his shoulder.
Artists “I had no idea that he was that good”: Mark Tremonti on Alter Bridge’s “secret weapon” and his soloing strategies
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Acoustic Guitars Best acoustic guitars 2026: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
More
  • NAMM 2026: Rumours, predictions and live updates
  • Mad World
  • The Cure's "happy land"
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars

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

News
By Guitars ( Guitarist, Total Guitar ) published 1 May 2018

Put a little spring in your step

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

Vintage VSA500

Vintage VSA500

MusicRadar's verdict:

“This guitar illustrates just how good ‘low-end’ Chinese guitars have become.”

FULL REVIEW: Vintage VSA500

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
Walrus Audio ARP-87

Walrus Audio ARP-87

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A neat pedal that delivers fun in spades.”

FULL REVIEW: Walrus Audio ARP-87

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
PRS John Mayer Silver Sky 

PRS John Mayer Silver Sky 

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A superb vintage and experience-informed three single-coil bolt-on.”

FULL REVIEW: PRS John Mayer Silver Sky 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
Fender Eric Johnson Thinline Stratocaster

Fender Eric Johnson Thinline Stratocaster

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A guitar fit for a guitar hero.”

FULL REVIEW: Fender Eric Johnson Thinline Stratocaster

4.5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
Gibson Les Paul Tribute 2018

Gibson Les Paul Tribute 2018

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A great guitar and an even greater price.”

FULL REVIEW: Gibson Les Paul Tribute 2018

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
TC Electronic Flashback 2

TC Electronic Flashback 2

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A versatile delay pedal elevated by that MASH feature.”

FULL REVIEW: TC Electronic Flashback 2

5 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
DigiTech SDRUM

DigiTech SDRUM

MusicRadar's verdict:

“For players who are seeking to get quick and easy rhythm tracks down, this is an inspirational tool.”

FULL REVIEW: DigiTech SDRUM 

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
Sigma LGM-SG2

Sigma LGM-SG2

MusicRadar's verdict:

 “The dark horse delivers again.”

FULL REVIEW: Sigma LGM-SG2

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
Fidelity Guitars Double Standard

Fidelity Guitars Double Standard

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Heaps of cool with sounds to match.”

FULL REVIEW: Fidelity Guitars Double Standard

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Danelectro Battery Billionaire

Danelectro Battery Billionaire

MusicRadar's verdict:

“The Battery Billionaire is perhaps a bit specialist, and of questionable interest to many players, but others will see its advantages and regard it as a more practical purchase.”

FULL REVIEW: Danelectro Battery Billionaire

4 out of 5

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
Guitars
The magazine for serious players image
The magazine for serious players
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
Close up of a Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar lying on a wooden floor
Best acoustic guitars 2026: Super steel string acoustics for all players and budgets
 
 
PRS SE Fiorre HH
“These are classy sounds with no danger of single coil hum... a near-perfect function-gig guitar”: PRS Fiore HH Satin review
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: It's all about guitars with hundreds slashed off Gibson, Fender, Strandberg, and more
 
 
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Best multi-effects pedals 2026: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
 
 
A Cort G200SE on a dirty white floor
"Just as good as many affordable Squier, Epiphone, or Yamaha guitars I’ve played": Cort G200SE review
 
 
Close up of a Yamaha FG800 acoustic guitar
Best cheap acoustic guitars 2026: Top picks for strummers on a budget
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Neural DSP Quad Cortex mini: it still has the same four rotary footswitches, the 7" touchscreen, but it's more than 50 per cent smaller than Neural's game-changing original amp modeller.
“Our goal has been to define the standard for what an all-in-one digital rig can be”: Neural DSP’s game-changing Quad Cortex amp modeller just got a lot smaller – but it’s got the same sounds, the same power, and a 7” touchscreen too
 
 
Casio DN-SE10 Dimension Shifter: this ground-breaking device allows guitar players to control their effects via their guitar strap.
“It transforms how a guitarist commands the stage”: Casio’s Dimension Shift lets you control effects with your strap
 
 
Ed Sheeran with his new PRS SE Ed Sheeran Cosmic Splash Hollowbody Baritone Piezo, a limited edition signature guitar featuring his own original artwork.
PRS and Ed Sheeran team up for SE Hollowbody Piezo Baritone featuring pop superstar’s own artwork
 
 
Warm Audio Fluff Drive: the new signature overdrive for Ryan 'Fluff' Bruce is a five-knob pedal finished in white and Teal.
“I wanted to fix every issue I’ve ever had dialling in metal tones on similar pedals or even the original”: Warm Audio has just made Ryan ‘Fluff’ Bruce its first ever signature pedal and he explains why, yes, the world needs another overdrive
 
 
The OR60 is the new 60-watt all-tube, single-channel head from the legendary British amp brand Orange
Orange Amps rolls out the OR60, a single-channel 60-watt tube powerhouse officially approved by Down/COC’s Pepper Keenan
 
 
The Vox VTB-1 Treble Booster is a Rangemaster-inspired pedal that features a single chicken-head dial and a Fat switch, and has gold text on a black paint job.
Vox unveils “re-engineered” treble booster with all the tone and none of the inconsistency of vintage units
 
 
Latest in News
PDP Concept Clear Acrylic Kit and Snare with acrylic hoops
"Cutting rimshots and controlled overtones": PDP brings a "world-first" to the acrylic drum market with its latest Concept Acrylic Kit and Snare
 
 
Limited Edition DW MFG True-Cast 14x4" sand-cast snare drum
DW’s Limited Edition MFG True-Cast 14x4” snare brings a piccolo to its sand-cast, machined bell bronze range, but if you want one you’re going to need to be quick
 
 
Alanis Morissette (L) and Taylor Swift perform onstage during Taylor Swift The 1989 World Tour
Taylor Swift to become youngest woman inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall Of Fame
 
 
Roland Go:Mixer Studio
Roland’s Go:Mixer Studio could be the perfect portable mixer and audio/MIDI interface for your iOS devices,
 
 
British singer and drummer Phil Collins and his son Nic Collins (drummer) of the band Genesis perform live on stage during a concert at Mercedes Benz Arena on March 7, 2022 in Berlin, Germany
“At first I was like, 'Oh God, what is he gonna critique me?'”: How Phil Collins guided his son Nic through his first big gig
 
 
Reason Rack plugin
You can now buy Reason’s iconic Rack of virtual outboard as a standalone plugin for the first time
 
 

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...