Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Guitar Amps
  • Plugin Week 25
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Artist news
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • Drums
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Plugin Week A-Z
  • You Oughta Know
  • Fake AI band
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Wrecking Crew
Recommended reading
Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst: the all-new high-performance S-style from the GIbson-owned shred brand is a grown-up looking S-style.
Electric Guitars “It’s as comfortable as a guitar can”: Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst review
EVH Gear Wolfgang WG Standard T.O.M.
Guitars Hold the Floyd: EVH reimagines Wolfgang Standard as a high-performance shredder with a TOM bridge
Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac: the new semi-hollow signature model is a stunning singlecut with a quilted maple build in a natural finish.
Electric Guitars “Unbeatable... A play-anything guitar”: Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac Session Man review
Guitar Center Guitar-A-Thon sale
Guitars Guitar Center’s massive Guitar-A-Thon sale has landed, and it includes $600 off a Gibson Les Paul and a host of exclusive models from Epiphone, Taylor, and more
Jackson Pro Plus Series Misha Mansoor Juggernaut: the newly refreshed signature Superstrat is offered in Red Crystal and Blue Sparkle with a string-through-hardtail, and in Riviera Blue with an EverTune bridge. Stainless steel frets and an ebony fingerboard come as standard.
Guitars Jackson gives Misha Mansoor’s Juggernaut a new lick of paint and upgrades to stainless steel frets
Scott Ian of Anthrax introduces his new X Series signature King V in black with gold hardware, and the original Jackson logo on the headstock.
Guitars Jackson gives the Scott Ian King V a classy makeover and puts an old school logo on the headstock
Spira S-450 TPP
Electric Guitars "Up there as one of the better value for money metal guitars that you can currently buy": Spira S-450 TPP review
  1. Guitars

New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (August 2010)

News
By Guitarist, Total Guitar, Chris Vinnicombe ( Guitarist, Total Guitar ) published 20 August 2010

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

August 2010: Guitars, amps, FX and more

August 2010: Guitars, amps, FX and more

Every month MusicRadar's industry-leading sister magazines - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm, Future Music and Guitar Techniques - 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 meticulously tested by either Guitarist or Total Guitar in recent issues and published on MusicRadar throughout August.

Flick through this month's picks and follow the links to read each product's full review. Up first: Peavey 6505+ 112 combo

Page 1 of 18
Page 1 of 18
Peavey 6505+ 112 combo

Peavey 6505+ 112 combo

MusicRadar's verdict:

"For those who want to play with true stadium metal tones but on a smaller budget, this amp is perfect."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Peavey 6505+ 112 combo

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 205)

Page 2 of 18
Page 2 of 18
T-Rex Room-Mate reverb pedal

T-Rex Room-Mate reverb pedal

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A classy reverb for your rig in nicely compact package."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: T-Rex Room-Mate

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 332)

Page 3 of 18
Page 3 of 18
Vox SSC-33 electric guitar

Vox SSC-33 electric guitar

MusicRadar's verdict:

"An excellent guitar that's very well executed from design to manufacture."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox SSC-33

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 332)

Page 4 of 18
Page 4 of 18
Dean Michael Amott Tyrant Bloodstorm electric (£999)

Dean Michael Amott Tyrant Bloodstorm electric (£999)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"There are a lot of good things to say about this guitar, but it's a serious investment - and a decision to give you a real pain in the skull."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Dean Michael Amott Tyrant Bloodstorm

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 204)

Page 5 of 18
Page 5 of 18
Framus Mayfield Custom Flamed Maple electric

Framus Mayfield Custom Flamed Maple electric

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A classy, if not hugely original, take on Gibson's ES-335."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Framus Mayfield Custom Flamed Maple

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 331)

Page 6 of 18
Page 6 of 18
PRS SE Nick Catanese electric (£749)

PRS SE Nick Catanese electric (£749)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"We like it when Paul Reed Smith's brand turns its hand to metal and Washburn's loss is definitely PRS's gain."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS SE Nick Catanese

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 204)

Page 7 of 18
Page 7 of 18
Vox SDC-33 electric guitar

Vox SDC-33 electric guitar

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A contender against anything from the big brands under £1,000. Huge tonal versatility from the excellent CoAxe pickups."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox SDC-33

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 332)

Page 8 of 18
Page 8 of 18
T-Rex Mudhoney II distortion pedal (£215)

T-Rex Mudhoney II distortion pedal (£215)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"This is effectively two overdrive/distortion pedals for the price of one pedalboard slot."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: T-Rex Mudhoney II

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 332)

Page 9 of 18
Page 9 of 18
Crafter GLXE-6000/RSB electro-acoustic (£1499)

Crafter GLXE-6000/RSB electro-acoustic (£1499)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Once the preamp is sorted, Crafter has a deserving flagship electro on its hands."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Crafter GLXE-6000/RSB

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 332)

Page 10 of 18
Page 10 of 18
Framus Mayfield Pro Mahogany electric

Framus Mayfield Pro Mahogany electric

MusicRadar's verdict:

"This less posh Mayfield is quite simply an excellent working thinline."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Framus Mayfield Pro Mahogany

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 331)

Page 11 of 18
Page 11 of 18
PRS Sweet 16 amp head (£2299)

PRS Sweet 16 amp head (£2299)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"Are PRS's amps as good as its guitars? Not yet, but despite some reservations, the Sweet 16 stands as a very strong statement of intent."

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS Sweet 16

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 332)

Page 12 of 18
Page 12 of 18
Hofner HCT-J17TR archtop (£510)

Hofner HCT-J17TR archtop (£510)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A big-bodied jazzer that offers a lot of class and quality for comparatively little money."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Hofner HCT-J17TR

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 332)

Page 13 of 18
Page 13 of 18
LAG S1000PC-HOS Phil Campbell Signature electric (£899)

LAG S1000PC-HOS Phil Campbell Signature electric (£899)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"This is a no-nonsense shape guitar that's perfectly suited for all rock styles. It's a signature model you can enjoy, irrespective of your devotion to Motörhead."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: LAG S1000PC-HOS Phil Campbell Signature

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 332)

Page 14 of 18
Page 14 of 18
AER Cheeky D 1x10 combo (£1359)

AER Cheeky D 1x10 combo (£1359)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A top-quality, high-spec, small combo that takes a unique route to electric and acoustic tones. Jack of both trades…"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: AER Cheeky D

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 332)

Page 15 of 18
Page 15 of 18
Tanglewood TSB C 58 LTD2 electric (£449)

Tanglewood TSB C 58 LTD2 electric (£449)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"You may think you've got this guitar's number just from looking at it - but think again, this one's a wolf in sheep's clothing."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tanglewood TSB C 58 LTD2

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 204)

Page 16 of 18
Page 16 of 18
Vigier Excalibur Kaos electric (£1703)

Vigier Excalibur Kaos electric (£1703)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"A nice twist on a great Vigier design aimed squarely at technique-led rockers. Shame it's only in black…"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vigier Excalibur Kaos

(Reviewed in Guitarist magazine issue 332)

Page 17 of 18
Page 17 of 18
Pro Co Reissue '85 Whiteface RAT distortion pedal (£229)

Pro Co Reissue '85 Whiteface RAT distortion pedal (£229)

MusicRadar's verdict:

"This Rat does make some great sounds, but that price tag is a lot for a pedal of this type. It's worth considering whether you really need that LM308 chip."

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pro Co Reissue '85 Whiteface RAT

(Reviewed in Total Guitar magazine issue 203)

Liked this? Now read New guitar gear of the month: June-July 2010

Connect with MusicRadar viaTwitter, Facebook and YouTube

Get MusicRadar straight to your inbox: Sign up for the free weekly newsletter

Page 18 of 18
Page 18 of 18
Chris Vinnicombe

Chris Vinnicombe worked with us here on the MusicRadar team from the site's initial launch way back in 2007, and also contributed to Guitarist magazine as Features Editor until 2014, as well as Total Guitar magazine, amongst others. These days he can be found at Gibson Guitars, where he is editor-in-chief.

The magazine for serious players image
The magazine for serious players
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Read more
Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst: the all-new high-performance S-style from the GIbson-owned shred brand is a grown-up looking S-style.
“It’s as comfortable as a guitar can”: Kramer Volante HSGT Triburst review
EVH Gear Wolfgang WG Standard T.O.M.
Hold the Floyd: EVH reimagines Wolfgang Standard as a high-performance shredder with a TOM bridge
Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac: the new semi-hollow signature model is a stunning singlecut with a quilted maple build in a natural finish.
“Unbeatable... A play-anything guitar”: Duesenberg Alliance Series Tom Bukovac Session Man review
Guitar Center Guitar-A-Thon sale
Guitar Center’s massive Guitar-A-Thon sale has landed, and it includes $600 off a Gibson Les Paul and a host of exclusive models from Epiphone, Taylor, and more
Jackson Pro Plus Series Misha Mansoor Juggernaut: the newly refreshed signature Superstrat is offered in Red Crystal and Blue Sparkle with a string-through-hardtail, and in Riviera Blue with an EverTune bridge. Stainless steel frets and an ebony fingerboard come as standard.
Jackson gives Misha Mansoor’s Juggernaut a new lick of paint and upgrades to stainless steel frets
Scott Ian of Anthrax introduces his new X Series signature King V in black with gold hardware, and the original Jackson logo on the headstock.
Jackson gives the Scott Ian King V a classy makeover and puts an old school logo on the headstock
Latest in Guitars
[Left] Richie Faulkner plays his custom Les Paul Custom while Rob Halford looks on; [right] Late-stage Ozzy-era Sabbath the first time around, with Ozzy cheering on guitarist Tony Iommi
Judas Priest salute the OG metal gods with a cover of Black Sabbath's War Pigs
Fender Chris Shiflett Cleaver Telecaster Deluxe
Meet the guitarist who’s worked his dad’s ashes into his Telecaster
MXR MB301 Bass Synth: the six-knob pedal is pictured in use against a petrol-blue background.
“Thunderous sub-octave, expressive envelope, and lush modulation effects with killer tracking and sustain”: MXR unveils the MB301 Bass Synth – instant funk for your pedalboard
Liam and Noel Gallagher in 1994
The Oasis song Liam hated because it was 'reggae': "I remember Our Kid saying 'Why are you writing reggae songs?' And I was like, there speaks a man that has never heard reggae"
Thin Lizzy live in 1978, Brian Robertson in white, playing his Les Paul, Phil Lynott in the middle on bass and vocals, and Scott Gorham in red trousers and an open blue shirt playing a tomato burst Les Paul
Scott Gorham recalls Thin Lizzy’s close shave when they nearly split over Brian Robertson’s beard
Phil Collins and Daryl Stuermer
“It was confusing to me": Guitarist Daryl Stuermer on recording Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight
Latest in News
Joe Perry and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith
“I know there’s going to be at least another Aerosmith gig”: Joe Perry is convinced that band will play again
[Left] Richie Faulkner plays his custom Les Paul Custom while Rob Halford looks on; [right] Late-stage Ozzy-era Sabbath the first time around, with Ozzy cheering on guitarist Tony Iommi
Judas Priest salute the OG metal gods with a cover of Black Sabbath's War Pigs
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters mark their 30th anniversary with a new song
Doja Cat
"I could not sing”: Doja Cat says that she now knows how to use her voice “as an instrument”
Fender Chris Shiflett Cleaver Telecaster Deluxe
Meet the guitarist who’s worked his dad’s ashes into his Telecaster
MXR MB301 Bass Synth: the six-knob pedal is pictured in use against a petrol-blue background.
“Thunderous sub-octave, expressive envelope, and lush modulation effects with killer tracking and sustain”: MXR unveils the MB301 Bass Synth – instant funk for your pedalboard

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • 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...