New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (December 2013)

Springer Halfbreed

Our sister print publications - Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music -produce the best independent gear reviews around on a monthly basis.

Here we've gathered reviews of all the guitar-related gear posted on the site throughout November, including guitars, amps, stompboxes and recorder/interfaces.

All of the gear here was originally reviewed in Guitarist issue 373/374, Total Guitar issue 246, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team.

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An original take on a very rootsy recipe, this is a raw tone machine that needs to be gigged. Excellent!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Springer Halfbreed review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

Orange Crush Pro Series CR60C

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A brilliant first gigging amp. We wish this had existed in back 1995..."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Orange Crush Pro Series CR60C review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Orange Crush Pro Series CR60C currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Vox Tone Garage Straight 6 Drive

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A Brit-style distortion pedal that loads on the dirt."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox Tone Garage Straight 6 Drive review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Vox Tone Garage Straight 6 Drive currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Sigma JR12-1STE

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A guitar we never thought we needed until we played it! Excellent build and price. One for the collection."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sigma JR12-1STE review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

Victory V50 The Earl

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"With its boutique-meets-mainstream style and immense tonal flexibility, here's an amp that you really need to try."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Victory V50 The Earl review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Victory V50 The Earl currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

Fret-King Corona JV

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A no-nonsense instrument that provides powerful but quiet operation with a host of sensible upgrades on a well-loved theme."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Corona JV review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Fret-King Corona JV currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Washburn Parallaxe PXS20FRTBB

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A genuinely impressive modern guitar, Washburn goes back to its rock and metal roots with gusto."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Washburn Parallaxe PXS20FRTBB review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Washburn Parallaxe PXS20FRTBB currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Gear4Music

Vox Tone Garage V8 Distortion

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Distortion pedal with a wide range of gain and tonal variations."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox Tone Garage V8 Distortion review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Vox Tone Garage V8 Distortion currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Orange Crush Pro Series CR120H

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A budget head that doesn't look or sound like too much of a compromise."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Orange Crush Pro Series CR120H review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Orange Crush Pro Series CR120H currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

MXR CSP265 Joe Bonamassa FET Driver

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A pricey but worthwhile overdrive that suits both clean and dirty amps, especially for bluesy leads."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MXR CSP265 Joe Bonamassa FET Driver review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: MXR CSP265 Joe Bonamassa FET Driver currently available from:
UK: DV247

Victory V10 The Baron

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A cute-looking but seriously designed low wattage combo that's a perfect recording and small gig tool."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Victory V10 The Baron review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Victory V10 The Baron currently available from:
UK: Andertons

Line 6 Sonic Port

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Sonic Port's app integration and connectivity options have upped the game for guitar to iOS connection."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Line 6 Sonic Port review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Line 6 Sonic Port currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Sigma OMR-21

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The perfect steel- string? Damn close. Affordable and classic-looking with a sound that punches above its price."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sigma OMR-21 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Sigma OMR-21 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Gear4Music

Providence DBS-1 Dual Bass Station

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you use two different basses or need an optional sound/boost for your solo bass, this is the pedal."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Providence DBS-1 Dual Bass Station review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

Vox Tone Garage Trike Fuzz

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A versatile octave fuzz that can get quite extreme - try it out first!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox Tone Garage Trike Fuzz review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Vox Tone Garage Trike Fuzz currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Eventide H9

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A 'multi-effect' that's upgradeable, compact and has iOS control. Superb!"

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Eventide H9 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Eventide H9 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Washburn Parallaxe PXM20EFTBM

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The through-body stringing and EMG pickups make this ideal for all metal styles: it looks pretty good, too."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Washburn Parallaxe PXM20EFTBM review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Washburn Parallaxe PXM20EFTBM currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Vigier Excalibur Special Limited Edition

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Whether you shred, funk or rock, make sure this eye-popping modern classic doesn't pass you by."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vigier Excalibur Special Limited Edition review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

Epiphone Les Paul Ultra III

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Ultra-III could prove indispensable for cover band guitarists who need acoustic sounds in their repertoire, or for recording players who want quick access to a range of tones - Ultra, indeed."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Epiphone Les Paul Ultra III review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Epiphone Les Paul Ultra III currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Electro-Harmonix 45000

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The 45000/controller combo is by no means a cheap option, but that multi-track functionality is seriously impressive and could be exactly what experienced loop fiends are looking for."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Electro-Harmonix 45000 review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Electro-Harmonix 45000 currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Blackstar LT Drive

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"With a valve-like response and huge amount of volume on tap, the Drive is insanely good value for money."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar LT Drive review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Blackstar LT Drive currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Hagstrom Pat Smear Signature Electric

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Overall, though, this is one hell of a rock guitar. It feels weighty, has almost over-engineered hardware, and sounds the business."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Hagstrom Pat Smear Signature Electric review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Hagstrom Pat Smear Signature Electric currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music

Blackstar LT Dist

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"There are bountiful tones to be uncovered here, from mid-heavy British crunch to smooth American distortion, with plenty of sweet spots in between."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar LT Dist review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Blackstar LT Dist currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Rob O'Reilly BE Guitar

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The BE Guitar is undoubtedly one heck of a visual statement, but for the money, it plays well and the tones it produces are more than acceptable."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rob O'Reilly BE Guitar review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

Blackstar LT Dual

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"All the LT Pedals are impressive, but the Dual's range of tones makes it worth the extra cash."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar LT Dual review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Blackstar LT Dual currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Zoom Multistomp MS-70CDR

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you're after a highly tweakable chorus, delay and reverb pedal, the MS-70CDR is a worthy investment."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Zoom Multistomp MS-70CDR review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Zoom Multistomp MS-70CDR currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Nineboys Cigar Box Guitar

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Cigar Box Guitar is hardly essential, but it has an undeniable appeal, and it's fun."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Nineboys Cigar Box Guitar review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

Blackstar LT Metal

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If it's skyscraper-demolishing metal tones you're after, the LT Metal has to be top of your list."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar LT Metal review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Blackstar LT Metal currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Bigfoot Engineering Thunder Pup

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Two Brit voices with superlative sound in one box."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Bigfoot Engineering Thunder Pup review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)