New guitar gear of the month: review round-up (June 2017)

Fret-King Country Squire Fluence

We reviewed a bumper crop of new guitar products in May, with acoustics and pedals being particularly well represented.

Let's take a look back at everything that was published on MusicRadar last month, starting with the Fret-King Country Squire Fluence.

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A superb guitar that is masterfully built.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Country Squire 'Fluence'

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Ernie Ball Expression Overdrive

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A great pedal, but it comes at a price.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Ernie Ball Expression Overdrive

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Aria 111 MTN

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A cracking guitar that will last a long time for beginners.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Aria 111 MTN

(Originally reviewed in Acoustic)

Blueridge BR-40

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A good all-rounder that might just win you over. Worth a try.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blueridge BR-40

(Originally reviewed in Acoustic)

Blueridge BR-180CE

MusicRadar's verdict:

“If the looks appeal and you get the frets polished, this could be a very special guitar.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Blueridge BR-180CE

(Originally reviewed in Acoustic)

Andrew White Guitars Freja 112

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A dependable workhorse that perhaps lacks an identity.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Andrew White Guitars Freja 112

(Originally reviewed in Acoustic)

Aria MSG-02

MusicRadar's verdict:

“You get a lot of guitar for your money, and it sounds good.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Aria MSG-02

(Originally reviewed in Acoustic)

Andrew White Guitars Cybele 1010

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A stunning instrument regardless of price or provenance.”

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Andrew White Guitars Cybele 1010

(Originally reviewed in Acoustic)

Bohemian Oil Can Guitar

MusicRadar's verdict:

“If you’re after a different aesthetic, these Bohemians are the right price to take a punt.”

3.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Bohemian Oil Can Guitar

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Cort Sunset Nylectric

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Trying to entice steel-string players over to nylon is a growing market and Cort has made a very playable stab at it.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Cort Sunset Nylectric 

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Strymon Riverside

MusicRadar's verdict:

“An excellent pedal that may even convert analogue purists..”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Strymon Riverside 

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Walrus Audio Mayflower

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Quality overdrive with a neutral tonality that should work well with any sort of amp.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Walrus Audio Mayflower

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

DOD Carcosa

MusicRadar's verdict:

“This is a versatile fuzz with sounds ranging from smooth to very nasty at a very competitive price.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: DOD Carcosa

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Rob O'Reilly Expressiv MIDI Pro

MusicRadar's verdict:

“An exciting tool that has huge sonic potential.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Rob O'Reilly Expressiv MIDI Pro

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Effectrode SR-71 Blackbird Drive/Preamp

MusicRadar's verdict:

“One of the best all-valve preamp pedals money can buy.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Effectrode SR-71 Blackbird Drive/Preamp

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Vox AV30

MusicRadar's verdict:

“At the price, we reckon Vox’s AV30 is a real steal.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Vox AV30 

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Hotone A Station

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A solid pedal let down by that annoying background noise.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Hotone A Station

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Yellow Rock CA35H Head

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Yellow Rock may have cracked the holy grail by making analogue solid-state sound as good as, if not better, than valves.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yellow Rock CA35H Head 

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Elektron Analog Drive

MusicRadar's verdict:

“One of the best all-valve preamp pedals money can buy.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Effectrode SR-71 Blackbird Drive/Preamp

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Fret-King Esprit V 'Fluence'

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Of course, with the active pickups, vintage buffs and fashionistas may turn up their noses, but for the rest of us - you won’t be disappointed.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Esprit V 'Fluence' 

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Greer Tarpit

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A Big Muff at heart, but a great-sounding, well-made and handsome-looking boutique version.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Greer Tarpit

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Supro 1305 Drive

MusicRadar's verdict:

“This pedal is definitely worth a listen.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Supro 1305 Drive 

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Boss AD-2 Acoustic Preamp

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A solid, but not spectacular, pedal. Still worth investigating.”

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Boss AD-2 Acoustic Preamp

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Greer Black Tiger

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A cool-sounding delay with classic voicing and enhanced performance capability.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Greer Black Tiger

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Radial Engineering Tonebone Regency

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A very practical pedal that can fulfil a number of functions, not least giving you three instantly accessible levels of drive.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Radial Engineering Tonebone Regency

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Greer Ghetto Stomp

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Full-fat and great for the natural grit of 8 just-overdriven tones, American-style.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Greer Ghetto Stomp

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Greer Super Hornet

MusicRadar's verdict:

“As cool as a fuzz can be.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Greer Super Hornet

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Walrus Audio Deep Six

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Quality and versatile compression that’s delivered in a functional format.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Walrus Audio Deep Six

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany

MusicRadar's verdict:

“A guitar that would offer plenty of bang for your buck whether you’re a beginner or not.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fender CD-60S All-Mahogany 

(Originally reviewed in Total Guitar)

Pigtronix Philosopher’s Tone Micro

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Easy to slip onto your ’board, this is a great utility pedal for more than just compression.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pigtronix Philosopher’s Tone Micro

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Gordon Smith GS-1 60

MusicRadar's verdict:

“If you’ve never plugged in, now is most definitely the time. Here’s to many, many more GSGs!”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gordon Smith GS-1 60 

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Lucem Paradox Custom

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Dare to be different? Clearly, custom is the way.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Lucem Paradox Custom

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Fret-King Corona 'Fluence'

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Credit where it’s due, this is simply a very good guitar.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Fret-King Corona 'Fluence'

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Radial Engineering Tonebone Classic V9

MusicRadar's verdict:

“Valve-like overdrive and distortion delivered across a marvellously versatile range with bulletproof build quality.”

4.5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Radial Engineering Tonebone Classic V9

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)

Supro 1304 Fuzz

MusicRadar's verdict:

“While fuzz can be a very personal thing, this one offers extra versatility through its tone knobs.”

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Supro 1304 Fuzz 

(Originally reviewed in Guitarist)