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Epiphone goes high-end with its Inspired By Gibson Custom 2025 collection: [from left] the '63 Firebird in Polaris White is joined by a 1959 Les Paul Standard, a '64 SG Standard, a 1960 Les Paul Special in TV Yellow and a 1962 ES-335 reissue.
Guitars Epiphone expands and upgrades Inspired By Gibson Custom range with 8 stunning "reissue" electrics
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On the left, a Gibson Les Paul Standard Double Cut, solid-bodied, in Vintage Cherry Sunburst, it looks like the archetypical singlecut. On the right, the new Les Paul Parlor, a guitar that applies the LP aesthetic to a small-bodied acoustic.
Guitars Gibson has just unveiled a new Les Paul like no other
  1. Guitars

The 7 best new guitar innovations of 2017

News
By MusicRadar Team published 13 December 2017

The true pioneers of the guitar world

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

7. IK Multimedia iRig Acoustic Stage

7. IK Multimedia iRig Acoustic Stage

The MusicRadar/Total Guitar Best in guitars 2017 polls have received over 136,000 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 2017. Here, we present the best new guitar innovations of 2017. First up we have the IK Multimedia iRig Acoustic Stage...

We say: “A quick and simple solution for amplified solo performance.”

Full review: IK Multimedia iRig Acoustic Stage review

The MusicRadar Best in guitars awards are brought to you in association with Allianz Musical Insurance - the UK's Number 1 Specialist Instrument Insurer

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
6. DigiTech SDRUM

6. DigiTech SDRUM

We say: “For players seeking to get quick and easy rhythm tracks down, it’s an inspirational tool.”

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
5. Mooer Micro Preamps

5. Mooer Micro Preamps

We say: “Out of the more ‘rock’ amps, the Marshall JCM900 model (UK Gold 900) is the most convincing. It saturates nicely with a boost or drive in front, although it does lack clarity when cranked.”

Full review: Mooer Micro Preamps review

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
4. Electro-Harmonix Synth9

4. Electro-Harmonix Synth9

We say: “It may be something of a niche product, but for some this will do a job and do it darn well.”

Full review: Electro-Harmonix Synth9 review

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
3. Elixir Optiweb strings

3. Elixir Optiweb strings

We say: “The latest innovation from coated string bods at Elixir yielded a lightweight coating that provides long-lasting tone while sounding remarkably close to uncoated strings. The most natural-feeling - and sounding - coated strings yet."

More info: Elixir Optiweb Strings

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
2. Boss MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher

2. Boss MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher

We say: “A genuinely exciting pedalboard development.”

Full review: Boss MS-3 Multi Effects Switcher review

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
WINNER: TC Electronic MASH footswitch

WINNER: TC Electronic MASH footswitch

We say: “First utilised on the Hall Of Fame 2 Reverb, MASH is a kind of pressure-sensitive footswitch, which allows players to adjust the intensity of the effect by how hard they push - it controls different parameters dependent on the reverb type, and is a little like having an expression pedal built in. Impressive stuff."

More info: TC Electronic MASH footswitch

Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
MusicRadar Team
MusicRadar Team
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  • 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.
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Read more
Epiphone goes high-end with its Inspired By Gibson Custom 2025 collection: [from left] the '63 Firebird in Polaris White is joined by a 1959 Les Paul Standard, a '64 SG Standard, a 1960 Les Paul Special in TV Yellow and a 1962 ES-335 reissue.
Epiphone expands and upgrades Inspired By Gibson Custom range with 8 stunning "reissue" electrics
A Boss IR-2 amp modeller pedal
Best amp modellers 2025: High-tech tone solutions for all guitarists
Jackson X and JS Series Surfcasters: the long-awaited offset electric guitar is now being offered in white, satin black and metallic black, and and at the entry-level JS price point and the mid-priced X Series.
“A bold new take on a classic metal machine”: Having ridden the wave of popular demand, Jackson’s Surfcaster offset has landed – and it’s built for speed
Jackson David Davidson Pro Series Warrior WR7
Jackson and Revocation’s David Davidson unveil 2025's hottest metal guitar so far, the Warrior WR7
EVH Gear Wolfgang WG Standard T.O.M.
Hold the Floyd: EVH reimagines Wolfgang Standard as a high-performance shredder with a TOM bridge
Kiesel Kyber: the all-new electric guitar from the Californian high-performance brand is a bold double-cut with some extreme contouring and a radical headstock design.
Kiesel debuts the Kyber – a radically contoured and super lightweight electric that screams shred
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