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

Mission Engineering VM-PRO

Every month MusicRadar's sister magazines Guitarist, Computer Music, Total Guitar, Rhythm and Future Music publish the best new independent gear reviews.

In this gallery we've gathered every guitar-related review posted on the site throughout October, 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. First up is the Mission Engineering VM-PRO volume pedal...

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Yes, it's another volume pedal, but few can match the VM-PRO's versatility, not to mention its high-integrity buffer."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Mission Engineering VM-PRO review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Mission Engineering VM-PRO currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Carvin NS-1

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Beautifully made nylon stage electro-acoustic with Synth Access and superb feedback resistance."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Carvin NS-1 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

IK Multimedia iRig Pro

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"It might be on the pricey side, but the iRig Pro could meet all your iOS interfacing requirements at a stroke."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia iRig Pro review

BUY: IK Multimedia iRig Pro currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

LTD Elite ST-1/M STBC

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A modern masterpiece of a rock guitar, with a gorgeous neck and a versatile tonal performance."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: LTD Elite ST-1/M STBC review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: LTD Elite ST-1/M STBC currently available from:
UK: Thomann

Guild X-175 Manhattan

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Purists and musical tourists alike can find inspiration in limitations. Less is definitely more!"

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guild X-175 Manhattan review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Guild X-175 Manhattan currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister 36

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"One amp to rule them all? H&K might just have launched the amp of the decade."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister 36 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Hughes & Kettner GrandMeister 36 currently available from:
UK: Thomann | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

HardWire V-10 Power Block

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"If you're serious about your 'board (and if you're using all 10 outputs, you probably are), the V-10 is a good contender for your power needs."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: HardWire V-10 Power Block review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: HardWire V-10 Power Block currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Gibson Custom 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The most historically accurate Gibson Les Paul '59 Reissue to date. Wallet-worryingly desirable and it sounds fantastic too."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gibson Custom 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Gibson Custom 1959 Les Paul Standard Reissue currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Gear4Music

Gordon-Smith Ghostrider

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A sound-laden semi for players who know how to handle their guitars. The best-ever GSG guitar."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gordon-Smith Ghostrider review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

Godin xtSA Koa

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A well-priced 'three-voice' super guitar, with sound options that are virtually limitless via the SA output."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Godin xtSA Koa review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Godin xtSA Koa currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Walden D810

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A competent, well-priced all-solid acoustic dreadnought that will hopefully mature with age and playing."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Walden D810 review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

LTD Elite Eclipse-I

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The lines might be 1950s-inspired, but they belie the Eclipse's wholly modern feel, tone and intentions."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: LTD Elite Eclipse-I review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: LTD Elite Eclipse-I currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann

Guild Starfire IV

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A grand to spend? Put this straight at the top of your double-cut semi shopping list."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Guild Starfire IV review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Guild Starfire IV currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater

Line 6 POD HD500X

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A do-it-all effects solution for onstage use that's also a great recording and practice tool."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Line 6 POD HD500X review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: Line 6 POD HD500X currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

IK Multimedia iRig HD

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Nicely upgraded, the iRig HD is a quality route to get your guitar into your i-device."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: IK Multimedia iRig HD review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 373)

BUY: IK Multimedia iRig HD currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"An impressive sonic performance from a guitar that nails the Cabronita mojo at a dangerously attractive price point."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 245)

BUY: Squier Vintage Modified Cabronita Telecaster currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann
US: Sweetwater

Bigfoot Engineering King Fuzz

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"These tones could be the pride of your 'board for some time to come."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Bigfoot Engineering King Fuzz review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

Jackson Pro Series DKA8 Dinky

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A guitar designed with the post-progressive metaller in mind - it takes the hot-rodded S-type concept to new extremes."

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Jackson Pro Series DKA8 Dinky review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Jackson Pro Series DKA8 Dinky currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music

Seagull Excursion Natural Folk SG

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"The Excursion has become our go-to home guitar. It holds its own with far more expensive guitars and has impressed everyone who's heard it. Put some power back into your acoustic playing and try one."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Seagull Excursion Natural Folk SG review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Seagull Excursion Natural Folk SG currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater

Fender Cabronita Telecaster Thinline

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"Anyone who enjoys arpeggiated picking and a crunchy valve tone is in for a treat here - both for the eyes and the ears."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender Cabronita Telecaster Thinline review

(Reviewed in Total Guitar issue 246)

BUY: Fender Cabronita Telecaster Thinline currently available from:
UK: Andertons | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Fret-King Corona DBR

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A powerful and versatile instrument that offers quality and bags of canny design upgrades for extremely sensible money."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Corona DBR review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

Vox Tone Garage Flat 4 Boost

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A versatile boost pedal with tonal options and low-level overdrive."

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox Tone Garage Flat 4 Boost review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)

BUY: Vox Tone Garage Flat 4 Boost currently available from:
US: Sweetwater

Sigma JRC-40E

MusicRadar’s verdict:

"A little bit of posh at a sensible price with a wide piano-like tonality that's especially good plugged in."

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Sigma JRC-40E review

(Reviewed in Guitarist issue 374)