Reviews:

Durham Zia Drive

As well as adding a chewy harmonic Class A-style complexity, the Zia exhibits a bumped-up midrange like a Vox amp ...

Brazen Dynasty Vintage

A meeting with Elton John’s guitarist Caleb Quaye led Steve Tsai to found Brazen guitars, an imported line with an intriguing blend of features. Review by Huw Price ...

Squier James Johnston Jazz Bass

Last month we reviewed the Squier Simon Neil Strat, and it was good. Very, very good. Can the Biffy Clyro bassist’s budget signature model keep up? Review by Gareth Morgan ...

MTD Kingston Artist

With Tobias basses now owned by Gibson, the company’s founder is doing his own thing – and he hasn’t forgotten the affordable end of the business. Review by Gareth Morgan ...

MTD KZ

With Tobias basses now owned by Gibson, the company’s founder is doing his own thing – and he hasn’t forgotten the affordable end of the business. Review by Gareth Morgan ...

Electric Babes Layla 07

Underwear-loving Austrians Norbert Lechner and Helmut Frank launched their Electric Babes guitars at NAMM 2007. A brave Huw Price takes a trip into the basque region ...

Breedlove D250/SBe Passport Plus

Have guitar, will travel: Breedlove’s vast and varied range now includes Passport Plus electro-acoustics in both traditional and original-design formats. ...

Duesenberg 52 Senior

Elevating the single-pickup Junior concept to fully carved-top status and adding clever switching for extra adaptability – it’s a stroke of rock genius. ...

Charvel Pro-Mod Wild Card

The Wild Card's humbucker is articulate and the single coils have a classic Stratty tone. It's more versatile than the So-Cal, but is it as much fun? ...

Line 6 M5 Stompbox Modeler

Line 6 are making the brave move of providing a sound-crammed multi-FX unit that you can’t use for multi-FX. Do the modelling specialists know something that we don’t? Review by Richard Purvis ...

Hayden HGT-A20

A mere four hundred drinking vouchers sounds like a good deal for an all-valve combo with three channels and reverb, especially as the first ones will be put together in the UK. Review by Huw Price ...

Music Man Stingray 4 Classic

Simple, stylish and faultlessly practical, this authentic reissue of an all-time great –complete with two-band EQ and string mutes – will take you straight back to the ’70s, at a price. Review b ...

Orange OPC

Beneath its chirpy citrus tolex the Orange OPC is no valve-powered air-pusher but a personal computer for the recording guitarist with AmpliTube III and a pair of DAWs. Review by Richard Purvis ...

Ibanez Grooveline G104

Bravely, radically sculpted and totally modern both inside and out, the Grooveline G104 pushes Ibanez basses into a price bracket we’re unused to. Review by Gareth Morgan ...

Gretsch Electromatic G5435T Pro Jet

With smart looks that echo the fabulous single-cut Gretsch Duo Jet of the ’50s, the well-priced Electromatic Pro Jet does that rock’n’roll slapback thing well – and a few other styles besides. ...

Peerless PGC-65 Concert Acoustic

Gather round, sunburst fans, and warm your hands in front of a brace of handsome, retro-liveried strummers from Korean makers Peerless. Review by Jerry Uwins. ...

Eastwood Airline Tuxedo

Simultaneously conjuring the ghosts of Jimmy Reed and Cary Grant, Eastwood’s latest near-reissue promises ’50s sonic thrills and damn cool looks. Review by Marcus Leadley ...

Squier Classic Vibe Jazz Bass '60s

The Squier Classic Vibe Strat and Tele reviewed elsewhere in this issue have three bass brothers. Gareth Morgan wraps his mitts around a Jazz that’s got the bass world buzzing ...

Michael Kelly Hex Deluxe

Making a bid for mid-priced success is a new range which includes this high-powered all-rounder and a full-on rocker with EMGs and a Floyd Rose. Review by Marcus Leadley. ...

Tanglewood TSB-57

Three single coils, a bolt-on neck, a whammy bar: Can Tanglewood bring something new to the most crowded area of the budget market? Marcus Leadley investigates. ...

65Amps Lil' Elvis

Surprisingly loud clean sounds, juicy overdrive and all points inbetween. Review by Huw Price. ...

Tanglewood TRSF-CE Rosewood Reserve

A fair toned acoustic sound and an excellent, clear-sounding powered palette. Jerry Uwins reviews Tanglewood's TRSF-CE Rosewood Reserve. ...

Torres British Invasion

If you’re chasing a great valve sound but money’s too tight to mention, then Torres offers both factory-assembled amps and build-your-own kits. Review by Huw Price ...

Yamaha FGX730SC Electro-Acoustic

An accomplished and good looking Dread that can deliver fine sounds. Jerry Uwins samples the brand that rarely misses. ...

Fender '57 Champ

The diminutive tweedy Champ has been responsible for some of the most rip-roaring sounds ever recorded. So 50 years on, how does it stack up? Review by Dave Petersen ...