New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (July 2014)

Taylor T5z Custom

MusicRadar's sister mags Guitarist and Total Guitar pen the best independent reviews of guitar gear on a regular basis.

In this gallery, we've collected all their guitar, amp, pedal and other six-string-focussed reviews featured on the site in June. All of the reviews here were originally published in Guitarist issue 381/382, Total Guitar issue 253/254, or by MusicRadar's own reviews team. Kicking things off, it's the Taylor T5z Custom...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“More electric- feeling than the T5, the T5z is still a highly visionary design for the creative player wanting to merge electric and acoustic sounds.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Taylor T5z Custom review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Taylor T5z Custom currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater

Boss OD-1X Overdrive

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Not, er, dirt cheap, but it will give you a different dirtbox experience from just about everything else around.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Boss OD-1X Overdrive review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Boss OD-1X Overdrive currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

PRS SE Zach Myers

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If he wasn't touring the world and helping to sell millions of records, Zach Myers might have a career as a guitar designer.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: PRS SE Zach Myers review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

BUY: PRS SE Zach Myers currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Fender Starcaster Bass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An excellent and viable alternative to Fender's solidbodies, this comfortable and stylish bass will turn heads.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Starcaster Bass review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Fender Starcaster Bass currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Davis Stang JR500

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“For players with a dedicated road crew, it's definitely work checking out. The rest of us might need to see what Davis comes up with next. One to watch out for.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Davis Stang JR500 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 10

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A superbly featured first amp - a no-brainer. A lot of fun for the cash!”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 10 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 10 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Yamaha LL16D ARE

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Poshed-up version of the more plain LL16 ARE, offering stunning spec for very sensible money.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha LL16D ARE review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Yamaha LL16D ARE currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Rotosound The Aftermath Analog Delay

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Give it a go if you like your delay dirty.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rotosound The Aftermath Analog Delay review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

Tone King Royalist 45C

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If you want the ultimate British tone experience, the Royalist is pretty much in a league of its own.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Tone King Royalist 45C review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Tone King Royalist 45C currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music

Ernie Ball MVP Most Valuable Pedal

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Plenty of players could find a use for this Ball in their signal chain.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ernie Ball MVP Most Valuable Pedal review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

BUY: Ernie Ball MVP Most Valuable Pedal currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

MusicNomad Fretboard F-One Oil

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It does the job, lasts ages and represents excellent value for money. What's not to like?”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: MusicNomad Fretboard F-One Oil review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

BUY: MusicNomad Fretboard F-One Oil currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
FR: Woodbrass

Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 20

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“To find such features on a starter amp 10 years ago would have been pretty incredible; today, it's seemingly the norm. Despite stiff competition, the Stereo 20 can carve its niche a little deeper.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 20 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 20 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

IsoAcoustics ISO-L8R430 Stand

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“There are cheaper stands, but the IsoAcoustics' effects are worth experiencing.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IsoAcoustics ISO-L8R430 Stand review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

BUY: IsoAcoustics ISO-L8R430 Stand currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Yamaha LS16M ARE

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Highly capable, traditional-style small-body all-rounder, offering exceptional value for money.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha LS16M ARE review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Yamaha LS16M ARE currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Rotosound The Wobbler Tremolo

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“All in all, it's a great, natural way to add tremolo if you don't have an amp with the effect built in.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rotosound The Wobbler Tremolo review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 253)

Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The guitar's aural presence doesn't sparkle as much as its finish, but it's rammed with usable tones to suit a huge range of genres - yet more proof that 60 years on, the Strat is still worth its weight in gold.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

BUY: Squier 60th Anniversary Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Rotosound The Pusher Compressor

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Plenty of sustain and top-end bite, but no hiss - cool!”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rotosound The Pusher Compressor review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

Yamaha LJ6 ARE

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“Almost unbelievable value for money for such a capable, quality electro-acoustic, especially in Sunburst!”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha LJ6 ARE review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Yamaha LJ6 ARE currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music

Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 40

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“If you like the ID:Core concept but need more power - this is the one!”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 40 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

BUY: Blackstar ID:Core Stereo 40 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
USA: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Zoom G1XON

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It might not stay in your rig forever, but the G1Xon is a stellar introduction to effects.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Zoom G1XON review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

BUY: Zoom G1XON currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Rotosound The King Henry Phaser

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“It's royally good phasing with a funky edge.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rotosound The King Henry Phaser review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

Gretsch G5034TFT Rancher

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A hardly essential visual prop, or a viable electric-meets-acoustic hybrid? We'll go for the latter.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gretsch G5034TFT Rancher review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

BUY: Gretsch G5034TFT Rancher currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Providence Red Rock OD

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“An ideal hotter companion to the boost pedal on your board, that can be tone-tweaked to complement your rig.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Providence Red Rock OD review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 381)

Fender Deluxe Dimension V Bass

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“A Fender bass in touch with the needs of today's players. Sleek, comfortable and full of sonic delight.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Deluxe Dimension V Bass review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 382)

BUY: Fender Deluxe Dimension V Bass currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Palmer Pedalbay 60

MusicRadar’s verdict:

“The Pedalbay 60 is an affordable route to tidy 'boards.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Palmer Pedalbay 60 review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 254)

BUY: Palmer Pedalbay 60 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music