Gear Reviews
Here we look at some of the best value gear on the market - you're not going find our opinions on the bigger than big names, unless we think that they really have eceede3d our expectations for great value. Here we hope to introduce you to some of the best gear the ordinary musicians can buy. These reviews are not slick journalistic pieces of prose, they are written by real musicians, who know what they are talking about when it comes to quality and value.
This issue we take a look at the very exciting range of acoustics from the good people at Walden. We also look at some fine electrics from Rally and a classic from Fender. Yes, we know we said we would not be looking at the big names, but this Squier machine is awesome.
Squier Telecaster from Fender
OK, so this is not so new - but we are starting off our gear reviews with probably one of the most underrated guitars on the market. A sub £140 guitar. Yes there are compromises some of the less important components may have been substituted, but with respect.
These guitars have the looks and they back it up with the sound - OK, so we played this through a real beaut of an Fender Blues Deluxe re-ssue valve amp, but wow, we really got a great Fender sound, in fact everything you would hope to get from Albert Lee and beyond. There may not be a finer exampl of great sound and value in this range. The range of sounds from the three way selector of the two picks ups are fairly extreme, they can be either all or nothign with regards to the tonal quality, but with some tweaking with the amp, then all was fine.
The palyability of this machine is excellent, well weighted, lovely feel to the neck and while the frets may be a little edgy, we soon adapted. This machine had a factory set up, which as it happens suits us just fine, others may like a little more height on the action but that is not a difficult DIY operation.
We love this and for the money, only £139 then this gets 82% rating from us.
For more info on this machine or to get your hands on one now click here
Coming up next we are looking at the imptressive Walden acoustics. Mmmmmm!