REVIEW: Spear TC-Silver

A great value for money metal / shred machine that stands out from the crowd.

Spear TC-Silver

Facts:

• Vietnam made
• Luthite body
• 2 x spear humbuckers
• Fast neck
• RRP £229 GBP

Build Quality
We have had a few Spear's in the last couple of weeks and they all consistently amaze us with the build quality out of the box.  I couldn't find any issues on this review guitar, all frets were fine and all it needed was a retune.

In use
First thing you notice about this guitar is how nice the neck feels, in unfinished maple it's a dream to play and a shredders paradise.  It's a shallow cut, reminds me of a wizard neck if you are familiar with one.

One volume and one tone work fine and the only downside for this reviewer was the position of the pickup selector switch, which I kept accidentally knocking when strumming.  Could be down to my playing style but would have preferred it to be to the left of the tone dial.

It's a very light guitar and comfortable when played standing or sitting.

Sounds
You will not be surprised to hear that this sits firmly in the metal camp, nice high output pickups love to be driven especially on the bridge pickup.  Lead sound is nice and the notes ring out, I'm very pleased given the price of the guitar.

The neck pickup is great for rhythm and picked chords.

Overall
This is a great starter guitar for any metal and shred fans, especially at this price.  I haven't played a guitar as good as this for the money ever!

Pros:

• Standard pickups are great
• Unique styling
• Price

Cons:

• Finish won't be for everyone
• Be good to have an option of a tremolo

G | H rating 4/5 - A great starter guitar with distinctive looks to stand out from the crowd.

Thanks to Black I Distribution.

- Lee

REVIEW: Spear SHL1 Evil Monkey

Single pickup single cut that is affordable and great out of the box for beginners and experienced players looking to add to their collection.

Evil Monkey

Facts:

• Vietnam made
• Single Seymour Duncan SH-4 Jeff Beck
• Mahogany body and maple top
• RRP £379 GBP

Build Quality
As with other Spear guitars reviewed the build quality is excellent for the money, no sharp frets and well setup.  In particular the binding is excellent and no issues were found on this review guitar.

Looks like it will take a beating, but please don't and treat this Monkey nicely.

In use
A single pickup at the bridge makes this an easy guitar to use, only a volume and tone to worry about.

Nice weight for a single cut and comfortable to play standing up.

Sounds
The SH-4 is a very bright pickup but also holds it's own when used in conjunction with a OD pedal, recommended for rock and punk players.

The clean tones are nice and clear and I found it to be great for playing lead.

Overall
This isn't going to be for everyone due to only having a single humbucker at the bridge, but what a pickup...  It will be great for people looking for a straight up no nonsense rock and punk machine.

Pros:

• Nice and simple
• Funky graphic
• Quality pickup
• Great for beginners looking for a single cut

Cons:

• Not versatile for someone looking for one guitar that covers a lot of bases due to the single pickup

G | H rating 4/5 - pure rock and punk at a great price.

Thanks to Black I Distribution.

- Lee

REVIEW: Spear RD Relic

Every now and again a guitar comes along which you either love or hate, I think the SPEAR RD RELIC is one of those.  It's finish won't be for everyone but from playing it for a couple of hours I would like people to see past this and actually pick one up and give it a chance.

Spear RD Relic

It's a single cut fitted with two P90's and sanded back to give a worn finish, but the thing that makes this stand out from the crowd is the top.

Few facts:

• Vietnam manufactured
• Two Spear P90's
• Set neck
• Sanded back finish
• 22 Frets

RRP £329 GBP

Build Quality
Setup out of the box was good, just needed a tune up.  Had a good look around the guitar and there were no sharp frets to be seen and everything worked as expected.  As seen with other Spear guitars they appear to have a good checking process at the factory, although I would suggest that it is shipped with a set of 10's instead of 9's.

In use
Nice weight for a single cut, after playing stood up for half an hour I wasn't feeling the strain that I normally do with a single cut.

The unfinished neck is very comfortable and there is excellent access to the higher frets thanks to the set neck and cutaway design.

Sounds
This is the first time I've used a guitar with P90's and they give a great vintage vibe that harks back to the 50's.  They are very bright and great for blues and can also deal with some gain to give a nice tone for rocking out.

Not recommended for metal players.

In the bridge and neck positions I experienced a lot of hum but when using both pickups (middle setting on selector) the hum is cancelled.

Relic'd Top

Overall
If you can see past the finish then this is a great blues guitar and good value for money, if you can't then at least give it a sound test before making your mind up.

Pros:

• P90 goodness
• Comfortable neck
• Nice weight for a single cut

Cons:

• That finish wont be for everyone

G | H rating - 3.5/5

- Lee

Thanks to Black I Distribution.