musicradar

Every month MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music - publish the world's 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 February 2012.

Flick through this month's picks and follow the links to read each product's full review. First up, something cute from Germany...

Verdict:

"A brilliant all-round, all-valve mini head with oodles of character… but no reverb."

Read the TubeMeister 5 Head review.
Read the TubeMeister 5 Combo review.

BUYHughes and Kettner TubeMeister 5 Head currently available from:
UK/Europe: Thomann | Sounds Great Music | Absolute Music

Verdict:

"A pedal that combines fuss-free performance with confidence-inducing durability."

Read the DVP1 Volume Pedal review.

BUY Dunlop DVP1 Volume Pedal currently available from:
UK/Europe: Thomann | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Verdict:

"The cutest, best-value tuner for the price."

Read the PolyTune Mini review.

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

Verdict:

"If you're looking for an acoustic amp, this should definitely be on your list."

Read the T6 review.

BUYTanglewood T6 currently available from:
UK/Europe: Gear4Music | Absolute Music

Verdict:

"Truly one of the finest distortion pedals we've ever stepped on."

Read the HT-METAL review.

BUY Blackstar HT-METAL currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Gear4Music | Absolute Music
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Verdict:

"A useful practice app for guitarists, though it's far from being the only one."

Read the StompBox review.

Verdict:

"A decent enough first guitar but hardly the sort of release that sets off stampedes."

Read the Skatecaster SK-3 ST review.

BUY Skatecaster SK-3 ST currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater | American Musical

Verdict:

"A lean machine that noses to the front of the budget pack."

Read the RX 30 review

Verdict:

"In a time where anyone with a soldering iron and a dream can spell 'boutique', we applaud D*A*M for making things more interesting."

Read the Meathead M-25 review.

Verdict:

"If you're looking for a metal axe that looks just a little more mature, the LTD MH-330FR could well be your partner in crime."

Read the MH-330FR review.

BUYESP LTD MH-330FR currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann | Gear4Music
USA: American Musical

Verdict:

"The CF-140S does Leo proud with its tight handling and punchy voice."

Read the CF-140S review.

BUY Fender CF-140S currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann| Gear4Music
USA: Sweetwater | American Musical

Verdict:

"Like keeping an elephant for a pet, the TW28 is kind of cumbersome and inconvenient, but once you hear it sing you'll make space for it in your life."

Read the TW28 CSN review.

BUY Tanglewood TW28 CSN currently available from:
UK/Europe: Gear4Music | Absolute Music

Verdict:

"A great idea, waiting to be fully realised."

Read the Stompbox review.

BUY Griffin Stompbox currently available from:
USA: Sweetwater

Verdict:

"A great little device."

Read the FT-004 Clip-on Chromatic Tuner review.

BUY Fender FT-004 Clip-on Chromatic Tuner currently available from:
UK/Europe: Thomann
USA: American Musical

Verdict:

"In a crowded market, the Tweaker 40 is one of the best mid-price amps out there. Don't pass up the chance to try one."

Read the Tweaker 40 review.

BUY Egnater Tweaker 40 1x12 combo currently available from:
UK/Europe: Thomann
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass | American Musical

Verdict:

"All you'll need to record guitar and more on your computer."

Read the Pro Tools + Eleven Rack review.

BUY Avid Pro Tools + Eleven Rack currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co. | Thomann
USA: Sweetwater | American Musical

Verdict:

"The most attractive EVH amp rig so far? It's certainly not far off and, the odd concern aside, it's well worth trying out."

Read the 5150-III 50W review.

BUY EVH 5150-III 50W currently available from:
UK/Europe: Sounds Great Music
USA: Sweetwater | American Musical

Verdict:

"Flexible, innovative take on distortion and boost."

Read the PDF-1 review.

Verdict:

"Bundle up a Tele Thinline with a sprinkle of Gretsch, Rickenbacker and a little ES-335 and add a fifth gear. No wonder the Duo Glide is so popular."

Read the Duo Glide review.

BUY Koll duo Glide currently available from
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co.

Verdict:

"This should be a modern classic design. If you're into single-cut tones but want something a little more comfortable, start your search here."

Read the b3 Fire review.

Verdict:

"If classic soapbar single-coil sounds are your thing, this is the sort of guitar you'd sell your entire collection to buy. It's seriously good."

Read the Bluesmaster Special review.

BUY Johan Gustavsson Bluesmaster Special currently available from:
UK/Europe: Andertons Music Co.

Verdict:

"An affordable update that adds modern performance appeal to a distinctive, vintage-orientated image."

Read the Club Solid review.

Verdict:

"This is a very cool guitar that not only suits heavier styles perfectly, but many more besides. The metal is still going strong…"

Read the PXD Void II review.

Verdict:

"John Suhr may have cut some corners to bring the Rasmus in on budget but the crucial strands of DNA remain. This guitar delivers on every level."

Read the Rasmus Guthrie Govan review.