musicradar

Every month, MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the best independent and in-depth music-making gear reviews.

This is a collection of electric and acoustic guitars, amps and effects - all of which have been tested meticulously by either Guitarist or Total Guitar in recent months and published on MusicRadar throughout July 2012.

Flick through this month's picks and follow the links to read each product's full review. First up, Fender wades into the multi-FX marketplace…

Next: Fender Mustang Floor

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A worthy contender, but in this instance the mighty 'F' isn't yet at the top of the heap.”

FULL REVIEW:Fender Mustang Floor

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 229)

BUY Fender Mustang Floor currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Sounds Great Music | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It's bags of fun, and we don't want to give it back.”

FULL REVIEW:Tonebutcher Weewah

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 229)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

A pedal that you'll need to demo before you make the commitment.

FULL REVIEW:Chandler Limited Germanium Drive

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 327)

BUY Chandler Limited Germanium Drive currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A killer one-two combination: superstar looks and boasting more under the hood than you could possibly conceive.”

FULL REVIEW:Gibson Firebird Studio Non-Reverse

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 229)

BUY Gibson Firebird Studio Non-Reverse currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann
USA: Sweetwater | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“For jazzers or punks looking for a bit of class, this beast is the business.”

FULL REVIEW:ESP LTD EC-256P

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 229)

BUY ESP LTD EC-256P currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“This guitar is at the upper end of quality and playability for its price range making it unbeatable for crime-fighting shredders on a budget.”

FULL REVIEW:Peavey Captain America Predator

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 229)

BUY Peavey Captain America Predator currently available from:
UK/Europe: Thomann
USA: American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An outstanding guitar, whatever your style.”

FULL REVIEW:Sabre Wraith

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 229)

BUYSabre Wraith currently available from:
UK/Europe:Andertons Music Co.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“With a pickup upgrade, the improved tones would take the Jim Root Tele to the next level, but even at its most basic, this is simply a great rock guitar.”

FULL REVIEW:Squier Jim Root Telecaster

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 229)

BUY Squier Jim Root Telecaster currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“This is one guitar that deserves to be on your most-wanted list, and you won't have to spend an outlaw's bounty to get it.”

FULL REVIEW:Tanglewood Sundance Natural TW15 OP

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 229)

BUY Tanglewood Sundance Natural TW15 OP currently available from:
UK/Europe: Gear4Music | Absolute Music

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The GT-100 continues the lineage of this series with sonic and ergonomic advances that make it a powerful tool for both recording and live use.”

FULL REVIEW:Boss GT-100

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

BUY Boss GT-100 currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co.|,Thomann | Sounds Great Music | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Finally, a high-powered, all-valve amp that comes in a more than portable package.”

FULL REVIEW:Carvin VL300 Legacy 3

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A superb grab-and-go club amp, perfect for the working musician and tonally in a class of its own.”

FULL REVIEW:Koch Jupiter 1 x 12 Combo

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An inexpensive pedal to provide some '80s-style chorus flavour, especially if you like your effects to cut through when you kick them in.”

FULL REVIEW:Joyo Analog Chorus

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Analogue or digital, it does a great job at a bargain price. If you want 100 per cent genuine BBD analogue delay, you need to pay a whole packet more.”

FULL REVIEW:Joyo Analog Delay

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The Roll Boost offers transparent boost when you need it at a budget price and is doubles as a viable alternative to an overdrive pedal for valve amps. Blimmin' excellent.”

FULL REVIEW:Joyo Roll Boost

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“There are Tube Screamer clones everywhere you look. This one has the advantage of taking care of the overdrive and amp-driving duties for under 30 quid, even if the design is highly derivative.”

FULL REVIEW:Joyo Vintage Overdrive

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Do we really need another twin-bucker rock machine clogging up our music shops? When it's as good as the Setius GTM6, why the heck not?”

FULL REVIEW:Mayones Setius GTM6

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If you use a wah in a rock environment and don't necessarily need to double as a Nile Rodgers-style funk guitarist at weekends, you should give this a try.”

FULL REVIEW:Dunlop SC95 Slash Cry Baby Classic

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

BUYDunlop SC95 Slash Cry Baby Classic currently available from:
UK/Europe:Andertons Music Co. | Gear4Music

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Vintage can't seem to decide who this is for. The strings don't match the pickup and what for many is a slide guitar is set up as a standard electric. Nicely made though…”

FULL REVIEW:Vintage VRC-800AMF electro resonator

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Overall, the Pitchblack Poly is a fine unit that does nothing to dilute Korg's reputation as a maker of quality tuners.”

FULL REVIEW: Korg Pitchblack Poly

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

BUY Korg Pitchblack Poly currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Not the most vintage or modern Tele in Fender's range, this is nonetheless a thoroughly competent modern Tele: plug in, play.”

FULL REVIEW:Fender American Standard Telecaster 2012

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

BUY Fender American Standard Telecaster 2012 currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Sounds Great Music | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Not the most vintage or modern Strat in Fender's range, but hard to fault on any level.”

FULL REVIEW:Fender American Standard Stratocaster 2012

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

BUYFender American Standard Stratocaster 2012 currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann| Sounds Great Music | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Looks like a classic 'Paul but has numerous good-sounding additional tones. A very well-made guitar indeed.”

FULL REVIEW:Gibson 2012 Les Paul Standard

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

BUYGibson 2012 Les Paul Standard currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Gear4Music
USA: American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A pro-sounding and playing guitar with heritage features that are suitable for home, gigging and the studio.”

FULL REVIEW:Vintage Paul Brett Signature VE8000PB-12

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

BUY Vintage Paul Brett Signature VE8000PB-12 currently available from:
UK/Europe: Gear4Music

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A worthy addition to any collection. Professional performance without the eye-watering pricetag to match.”

FULL REVIEW:Vintage Paul Brett Signature VE8000PB

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A piece of history that all self-respecting guitar players should own.”

FULL REVIEW:Marshall JMP1 combo

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

BUYMarshall JMP1 combo currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If you want easy onstage access to a range of different delay times and types, the DelayLab sets a new practical standard: superb.”

FULL REVIEW:Vox DelayLab

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

BUY Vox DelayLab currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Sounds Great Music | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A comfortable, powerful electro equally at home on stage or in the studio.”

FULL REVIEW:Yamaha APX1200II

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If you can afford it, take the chance to grab a little slice of rock history.”

FULL REVIEW:Marshall JCM1 combo

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

BUYMarshall JCM1 combo currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Great looks, great tone, well-priced - what's not to like?”

FULL REVIEW:Yamaha CPX1200II

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 357)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“As an all-in-one product it's a smart buy, and there's also a winter version for colder climes. Just make sure to pack the right set…”

FULL REVIEW:Midland Subzero Sun Headphones

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 230)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If you prefer your slides on the porky side, check it out.”

FULL REVIEW:Steve Clayton Pork Knuckle Slide

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 230)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Brilliant stuff - we'd love to see a more affordable plastic version for bedroom players, though.”

FULL REVIEW:Coda 251 Foot pedal

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 357)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Added luminosity is a very welcome feature indeed.”

FULL REVIEW:Planet Waves Cellu-Glo Picks

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 230)

BUYPlanet Waves Cellu-Glo Picks currently available from:
UK/Europe: Thomann

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The V3M may be a micro amp but there's nothing small about how it delivers its tonal payload.”

FULL REVIEW:Carvin V3M Micro Amp

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 230)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A real peach.”

FULL REVIEW:Custom 77 'The Watcher' DL3

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 230)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Bags of fun, completely affordable and stylishly bridges the gap between living-room gadget and a proper practice tool.”

FULL REVIEW:Fender Pawn Shop Special Greta

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 230)

BUYFender Pawn Shop Special Greta currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Sounds Great Music | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Full Compass | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Whether you've picked up any of TC's other drive pedals or not, you'll be in fine company with the Spark Booster.”

FULL REVIEW:TC Electronic Spark Booster

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 230)

BUY TC Electronic Spark Booster currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Sounds Great Music | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“This is an underpriced, overachieving axe that's cheap enough to drag around the festival circuit, but good enough to use for low-key recording.”

FULL REVIEW:Farida Guitars Marina MD-10

(Reviewed in Total Guitar 230 issue 230)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“When it comes to big performance on a tight budget, this workhorse from the Windy City comes up trumps.”

FULL REVIEW:Washburn WD7S

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 232)

BUYWashburn WD7S currently available from:
UK/Europe: Gear4Music
USA: American Musical

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If you really need a baritone seven-string as well as a throwing/bludgeon weapon, this simply has to be at the top of your list.”

FULL REVIEW:Peavey PXD Vicious Devin Townsend

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 230)

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“This is for the flamboyant among you. Are you going to live your life a chicken, or strut like a peacock?”

FULL REVIEW:Charvel Desolation DST-1 ST

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 230)

BUYCharvel Desolation DST-1 ST currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“With its extra grunt and tonal versatility, we'd go with function over form, dress down and tool up with the EX-360.”

FULL REVIEW:ESP LTD EX-360

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 230)

BUYESP LTD EX-360 currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann
USA: American Musical