New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (March 2016)
The latest guitars, amps and pedals rated
DigiTech Ventura Vibe
Our guitar team hasn't been able to decide what to play with next over the past few weeks, as all manner of sublime gear made its way into our office. We're talking everything from new pedals from DigiTech and Walrus Audio to a trio of lush new Gretschs.
Here, we take a look back at all of the guitar gear that was reviewed on the site in February. We start with the DigiTech Ventura Vibe...
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Ignore the joker on the box; the Ventura Vibe is a serious bit of kit.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: DigiTech Ventura Vibe review
(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)
BUY: DigiTech Ventura Vibe currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater
Walrus Audio Iron Horse
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Addictive, versatile and just plain fun. Don't look this horse's gifts in the mouth.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Walrus Audio Iron Horse review
(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)
BUY: Walrus Audio Iron Horse currently available from:
UK: Thomann
Van Weelden Royal Overdrive
MusicRadar's Verdict
“As you might expect for nearly £500, this is one excellent 'always on' pedal that offers a classy tonal foundation, whatever your rig.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Van Weelden Royal Overdrive review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
BUY: Van Weelden Royal Overdrive currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
Red Witch Zeus Bass Fuzz Suboctave
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Sturdily constructed and easy to use, this top-quality pedal sounds fantastic whether you select one or both effects.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Red Witch Zeus Bass Fuzz Suboctave review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
BUY: Red Witch Zeus Bass Fuzz Suboctave currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Sweetwater
Gretsch G2420T Streamliner
MusicRadar's Verdict
“The deep hollowbody G2420T is hugely evocative and perfect for lower-volume older styles.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Gretsch G2420T Streamliner review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
BUY: Gretsch G2420T Streamliner currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Atomic AmpliFire
MusicRadar's Verdict
“The AmpliFire lends itself to headphone-connected practice and might provide instant rock-in-a-box sounds for recording, too, as well as possible scope for live work.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Atomic AmpliFire review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
BUY: Atomic AmpliFire currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
Taylor 562CE-TF 12-String
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Taylor's new 12-strings are something to get excited about – they'll be in the shops this February, and so if a new 12-string is in your sights, seek one out!”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Taylor 562CE-TF 12-String review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
Anderwood Authentic Series C.1927 Style 3
MusicRadar's Verdict
“This is one of those guitars that will likely stay with its owner for a lifetime: a serious, elegant guitar for a Weissy or lap-style player in search of real authenticity.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Anderwood Authentic Series C.1927 Style 3 review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
Neunaber Wet Stereo Reverb
MusicRadar's Verdict
“An easy-to-use reverb pedal with a natural illusion of space that suits guitar tones.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Neunaber Wet Stereo Reverb review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
BUY: Neunaber Wet Stereo Reverb currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
Neunaber Seraphim Stereo Shimmer
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Delivers lovely shimmery backgrounds – not an effect for everyone, but you get straight reverb, too.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Neunaber Seraphim Stereo Shimmer review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
BUY: Neunaber Seraphim Stereo Shimmer currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
Neunaber Echelon Stereo Echo
MusicRadar's Verdict
“A very practical delay pedal that does its own thing with real character.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Neunaber Echelon Stereo Echo review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
BUY: Neunaber Echelon Stereo Echo currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
Gretsch G2622 Streamliner
MusicRadar's Verdict
“The G2622 might well be the bargain 'ES-335' we've all been waiting for.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Gretsch G2622 Streamliner review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
BUY: Gretsch G2622 Streamliner currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Movall Rock Highway
MusicRadar's Verdict
“A high-spec/low-cost pedal that's sure to get your creative motor running.”
5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Movall Rock Highway review
(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)
Cornell Vintage Brown 10 Combo
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Considering the build quality, this amp is good value for money – it's built to last, with lots of old-school valve knowledge, from one of the world's top boutique names.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Cornell Vintage Brown 10 Combo review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
Neunaber Chroma Stereo Chorus
MusicRadar's Verdict
“A musical chorus pedal with the option of becoming something else if you get fed up with chorus.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Neunaber Chroma Stereo Chorus review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
BUY: Neunaber Chroma Stereo Chorus currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
T-Rex Replicator
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Here's the opportunity to own a real tape echo, endowed with a practical feature set in a compact stage-ready form.”
4.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: T-Rex Replicator review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
BUY: T-Rex Replicator currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Fender Bassbreaker 18/30 Combo
MusicRadar's Verdict
“As a new alternative to existing 'Brit sound' choices, the Bassbreaker range has a lot going for it.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Fender Bassbreaker 18/30 Combo review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
BUY: Fender Bassbreaker 18/30 Combo currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Taylor 858E 12-String
MusicRadar's Verdict
“The 858e's sparkling wall of sound will doubtless find a home in many players' hearts.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Taylor 858E 12-String review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
BUY: Taylor 858E 12-String currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music
US: Sweetwater
Patrick Eggle 25th Anniversary Berlin 24V
MusicRadar's Verdict
“A timely reminder that the UK still has a diverse and vibrant range of mainly custom guitar makers that might just have your name on.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Patrick Eggle 25th Anniversary Berlin 24V review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
Boss PW-3 Wah
MusicRadar's Verdict
“Its footprint may be small but this little guy is punching way above its weight.”
4 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Boss PW-3 Wah review
(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)
BUY: Boss PW-3 Wah currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
Juketone Blue Blood
MusicRadar's Verdict
“It may not be the most versatile of combos, but with some of the better-known boutique Deluxe replicas selling for over three times as much, the Blue Blood is a bargain."
3 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Juketone Blue Blood review
(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)
Gretsch G2655 Streamliner
MusicRadar's Verdict
“With the G2655, you'll find a solidbody- sized centre-blocked semi that might be the most 'solid' sounding of the trio but will handle virtually any style.”
3.5 out of 5
FULL REVIEW: Gretsch G2655 Streamliner review
(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)
BUY: Gretsch G2655 Streamliner currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass
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“Honestly I’d never even heard of Klons prior to a year-and-a-half ago”: KEN Mode’s Jesse Matthewson on the greatest reverb/delay ever made and the noise-rock essentials on his fly-in pedalboard
“We are honoured that our company’s relationship with the legendary guitar player continues to this day”: Dunlop salutes wah pedal pioneer Eric Clapton with a gold-plated signature Cry Baby
“Honestly I’d never even heard of Klons prior to a year-and-a-half ago”: KEN Mode’s Jesse Matthewson on the greatest reverb/delay ever made and the noise-rock essentials on his fly-in pedalboard