Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases.

GALLERY: Gear of the Month 2012

See all 12 unique instruments featured as Gear of the Month in 2012.

October: 1985 Fender Performer
"John Pageуs Performer was commissioned in 1985 to combat lost sales to the рsuper stratsс that were flooding the market in the mid-у80s. In January of that year, CBS sold the company to Bill Schultz and nine other employees and distributors for $12.5 million. Page continued on with the Performer project and readied it for production once FMIC was in control of the company. However, within the agreement, the newly formed FMIC wouldnуt gain ownership or access to the currently standing Fullerton facilities so they were forced to continue importing lower-priced instruments and Fender moved ahead with production and the instrument was made in Fujigen, Japan."
Adrian Belew Exclusive Beat Tour Interview
- YouTube

Learn how Adrian Belew's BEAT Tour came together to include Tony Levin, Danny Carey and Steve Vai—plus King Crimson, Bowie, Zappa, Talking Heads, and more.


Read MoreShow less

A rare Honey Happening that survived the era of the Happening.

Our columnist’s musings on honey bring him back to a forgotten little guitar company in Japanese history that didn’t last very long, but produced some interesting models.

One of the guys I work with is such an interesting fella. Dylan has an opinion on literally every topic, and I take amusement by asking him all sorts of probing questions.

Read MoreShow less

Discover the SoloDallas Orbiter Fuzz, a meticulously crafted effects pedal designed to blend genuine vintage tones with user-friendly versatility.

Read MoreShow less

Revisiting the very first wah circuit with delicious vintage-flavored results.

Delicious, present voice. Satisfying, expressive range and filter curve. Well-made. Very little noise.

Toppy tones could be too hot for some players.

$279 street

Vox Real McCoy VRM-1 Wah voxamps.com

4.5
4.5
5
3.5

Some pedals are more fun than others. And on the fun spectrum, a new Vox wah is like getting a bike for Christmas. There’s gleaming chrome. It comes in a cool vinyl pouch that’s hipper than a stocking. Put the pedal on the floor and you feel the freedom of a marauding BMX delinquent off the leash, or a funk dandy cool-stepping through the hot New York City summertime. It’s musical motion. It’s one of the most stylish effects ever built. A good one will be among the coolest-sounding, too.

Read MoreShow less