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
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Kate Bush Army Dreamers
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Theory of Feels
  1. Guitars

The 6 best guitar innovations of 2018

News
By MusicRadar Team published 3 December 2018

The guitar gear moving things forward

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

6. DigiTech SDRUM

6. DigiTech SDRUM

The Total Guitar/MusicRadar Best in guitars 2018 polls received an astonishing 126,000 votes, and we're now ready to roll out the winners. The nominees were what we considered to be the guitarists and guitar gear that have excelled in 2018. Here, we present the best guitar innovations of 2018. First up we have the DigiTech SDRUM...

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

Read the review: DigiTech SDRUM review

The MusicRadar Best in guitars awards are brought to you in association with Ernie Ball. #colorsofrocknroll

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
5. Line 6 Powercab Plus

5. Line 6 Powercab Plus

We say: Another guitar gear revolution from Line 6, and a perfect companion for modelling floorboard users.

Read the review: Line 6 Powercab Plus review

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
4. Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2

4. Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2

We say: Positive Grid has raised the amp plugin game with this fully featured, tone-filled update.

Read the review: Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2 review

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
3. TC Electronic Ditto Jam X2 Looper

3. TC Electronic Ditto Jam X2 Looper

We say: An innovative approach that offers clever beat sync functionality, the ability to slow down loops and tap tempo.

Read the review: TC Electronic Ditto Jam X2 Looper review

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
2. Universal Audio OX Amp Top Box

2. Universal Audio OX Amp Top Box

We say: The OX is a flawed yet potentially brilliant design, aimed shamelessly at the top end of the pro market, where most potential customers will already have the means to exploit its current capabilities.

Read the review: Universal Audio OX Amp Top Box review

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Winner: Fractal Axe-Fx III

Winner: Fractal Axe-Fx III

We say: Other, more affordable units will probably scratch the itch for most players, but if you simply, positively have to have the best road-ready modeller in the world, then accept no substitutes.

Read the review: Fractal Axe-Fx III review

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
MusicRadar Team
MusicRadar Team
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the number 1 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 actual craft of music making that no other music website can.
Read more
MusicRadar author Matt McCracken plays a Manson 007 electric guitar at The Guitar Show in Birmingham, UK
Guitars Here's 7 of the hottest guitar gear releases I tried at The Guitar Show this weekend that are available to buy right now
 
 
Close up of LR Baggs acoustic guitar pickup
Guitar Pickups Best acoustic guitar pickups 2025: electrify your acoustic for stage, studio and sound fx – our top picks for all budgets
 
 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2026: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals 2026: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
 
 
Woman in orange hat plays classical guitar in front of a laptop
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials What are the best online guitar lessons in 2026? I’m a professional guitar gear reviewer and these are my highest-rated lessons platforms
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: A guide to best Memorial Day sales
 
 
[L-R] Khemmis' Phil Pendergast and Ben Hutcherson [inset] A Behringer Super Fuzz
Artists Khemmis just made one of the heavy metal records of the year using a $28 plastic fuzz pedal
 
 
Gretsch Jim Dandy Parlor Ltd in Vintage White
Guitars Gretsch just released the most vibey acoustic guitar of the year and it’s only $249
 
 
Eastman Guitars Fullertone Offset
Electric Guitars “We’re back in Laurel Canyon in the late '60s”: Eastman Fullertone Offset review
 
 
Harley Benton DNAfx AmP10
Guitars It’s $92, weighs 4.5kg and is packed with features, and Harley Benton calls it “ultimate grab-and-go practice station” – meet the DNAfx AmP10 modelling combo
 
 
Sean Hurley plays the Fender 75th Anniversary Precision Bass Collection
Bass Guitars Geezer Butler, Tal Wilkenfeld and Nate Mendel hail the legacy of the P Bass, as Fender celebrates its 75th anniversary
 
 
Latest in News
NEW YORK - MAY 21: Stephen Colbert and Paul McCartney on the CBS series The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images)
Gigs & Festivals Paul McCartney recalls The Beatles' first US TV appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show
 
 
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 8: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Olivia Rodrigo performs on stage during an exclusive Billions Club Live show to celebrate the partnership between Spotify and FC Barcelona before El Clásico on May 8, 2026 in Barcelona, ​​Spain.
Artists Olivia Rodrigo gives the answer to the question that everyone’s been asking about her new single
 
 
Spotify
Tech Spotify and Universal confirm that fan-generated AI remixes and covers are coming
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Harry Styles attends The 71st Ivor Novello Awards 2026 at The JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel on May 21, 2026 in London, England.
Singers & Songwriters Harry Styles pays a very personal tribute to Thom Yorke at the Ivor Novello awards
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: A guide to best Memorial Day sales
 
 
[L-R] Khemmis' Phil Pendergast and Ben Hutcherson [inset] A Behringer Super Fuzz
Artists Khemmis just made one of the heavy metal records of the year using a $28 plastic fuzz pedal
 
 

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...