review

Great tones in all settings. Practical design, High quality.

Recombined tones may not be better than the originals to some ears.

$199

Keeley Noble Screamer
robertkeeley.com

4.5
5
5
4.5

Robert Keeley marries the best of two beloved green machines in one smart box.

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Pretty sounds live alongside freakish modulations in a phaser, flanger, and filter combo with super-impressive range.

Fantastic range of phase, flange, and filter tones that span conventional and radical sounds. Cool, practical, and functional trip switch. Beautiful design.

Some tones tend toward metallic, which might put off classicists.

$250

Death By Audio Disturbance
deathbyaudio.com

5
4.5
4
4.5

Somehow I sense that the Death By Audio team would appreciate that I wrote the review for their new Disturbance on the day I got a root canal. Dental drills whirring, bright lights, and flying spittle—this is the stuff of many DBA products. Yet the ominously named Disturbance—which manages to be a phaser, flanger, auto wah, and a sort of cocked-wah filter all in one—is actually capable of sounds that fall squarely in the category of beautiful. And like almost all DBA effects, it’s also capable of radical and jarring tones. Its ability to span these extremes is the Disturbance’s strength.

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High-end playability distinguishes an entry-level Taylor that shines, for less than 800 bucks.

Crazy playability that matches much more expensive instruments. Excellent fit and finish. Super comfortable.

Midrange can dominate in strumming situations. Expression System 2 electronics highlight midrange emphasis.

$799

Taylor 112ce-S
taylorguitars.com

4.5
5
4
5

There’s nothing new about Taylor building great, affordable guitars. Even instruments like the modest GS Mini always feel inviting and capable of inspired musical moments. The build-quality in these Tecate, Mexico-constructed guitars always impresses, too. But taking a spin with the new 112ce-S suggests that Taylor has reached another level of balance to go with their sense of affordable guitar craft.

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