NBD: Reverend Rumblefish R5L (used)

[CPplaysBASS]

I was searching for a used 5-string online. My very first thought when I saw this posted locally was, "man, those Reverends look odd.” At the same time, I kept coming back to it. Glad I did I now own it.

It's a US-made Reverend R5L (Rumblefish) from near the end of their run I think.
Only 289 R5Ls were made from 1999 to 2006. Only 4 ever in this finish (Bluewood). Two of those are known to have been "parted out", making this one of two of a kind. Obviously never quite set the world on fire. That said, despite my long held Fender love, I never liked Fender 5-string basses. This Reverend has hollowed chambers, and sounds amazing. Very deep bass (with Chromes), but clear, not mudddy. 35" scale for a nice taut B-string. Cheap tuners is the only thing I can criticize.

Also, it was the previous owner - not me - who installed a B string with the threads going through the nut. New, proper-length, strings are going on tonight

From RevFan.com:
5-string with 35 inch scale, two Reverend J-style pickups, 3-position voicing switch (parallel, single coil, series), volume and tone controls. Simple yet versatile, with ultra-deep piano-like clarity and resonance. The comfortable neck profile and tight B string make for a modern classic. Approx. 9 lbs.

A reviewer relates his impression of the 5L that he first saw at NAMM in 2000: "The neck is a touch slimmer that I would like, construction makes it nice and light on the shoulder. It was the full humbucking function of the 2 Jazz bass style pickups that I liked the most, as it provided a really fat low end, especially on the low B string".

 

[bholder]

I was searching for a used 5-string online. My very first thought when I saw this posted locally was,”man, those Reverends looks odd.” At the same time, I kept coming back to it. Glad I did I now own it.

It's a US-made Reverend R5L (Rumblefish) from near the end of their run I think.
Only 289 R5Ls were made from 1999 to 2006. Only 4 ever in this finish (Bluewood). Two of those are known to have been "parted out", making this one of two of a kind. Obviously never quite set the world on fire. That said, despite my long held Fender love, I never liked Fender 5-string basses. This Reverend has hollowed chambers, and sounds amazing. Very deep bass (with Chromes), but clear, not mudddy. 35" scale for a nice taut B-string. Cheap tuners is the only thing I can criticize.

Also, it was the previous owner - not me - who installed a B string with the threads going through the nut. New, proper-length, strings are going on tonight

From RevFan.com:
5-string with 35 inch scale, two Reverend J-style pickups, 3-position voicing switch (parallel, single coil, series), volume and tone controls. Simple yet versatile, with ultra-deep piano-like clarity and resonance. The comfortable neck profile and tight B string make for a modern classic. Approx. 9 lbs. View attachment 3129817 View attachment 3129818 A reviewer relates his impression of the 5L that he first saw at NAMM in 2000: "The neck is a touch slimmer that I would like, construction makes it nice and light on the shoulder. It was the full humbucking function of the 2 Jazz bass style pickups that I liked the most, as it provided a really fat low end, especially on the low B string".

Looks just like mine!

 

[jd56hawk]

Sometimes I like to tell people how good Reverend basses are, but sometimes I think it's good to know they're still one of the best-kept bass secrets.

Congratulations on your really nice, retro-cool Rumblefish.

 

[bholder]

The rest of my set. Snagged 3 during the factory closeout sale - had only just heard about them and they were gone! Glad I was in a position to take advantage of the prices, though.

Red White and Blue!

 

[CPplaysBASS]

Looks just like mine!

View attachment 3129832

Wow. I was just about to post this in the thread about "Basses That No One Else On TB Has ... " LOL Right down to finish. I read there was only 4 made, and two were eventually disassembled for parts. I can't verify, and don't care, but would be neat if these were in fact the only two.

Edit: I meant only 4 R5Ls in "Bluewood" specifically.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

Whoaaaaaaaa

 

[Rezdog]

Greetings from the North,

Congrats!

Rezdog

 

[Dub56]

Congrats! I love my Rumblefish, I just got done restringing one of them actually. Really cool basses.

 

[CPplaysBASS]

Greetings from the North,Congrats!
Rezdog

Thanks Rezdog. I too hail from the north!

 

[CPplaysBASS]

Congrats! I love my Rumblefish, I just got done restringing one of them actually. Really cool basses.

Thanks! Just about to restring this guy and planning for a late night of playing despite work tomorrow morning!

 

[Charley Umbria]

My 4-string J/J Rumblefish was one of the biggest-sounding basses I’ve ever owned. I only wish it had a P-width neck, or it would still be with me...

 

[pudge]

As I've said before,it's a damn shame these (basses and guitars) are not made anymore.

 

[CPplaysBASS]

Thanks all. I'm very much enjoying the bass. Love the tone and the feel of the neck (narrow spacing, not for everyone, but 100% perfect for me).

The only tweak I think need to do it add a bar-type string retainer to get proper pressure on all strings at the nut - especially for the E-string. Only an issue, of course, when playing open strings, but I notice a significant enough difference between the A and D strings with the retainer and the other strings. A bit of a pain that the retainer will have to go across the truss-rod access, but not a huge concern (unless the retainers that attach directly to the tuner are made for these smaller sized tuners. I have those on one of my Fenders with larger tuning posts, and it works great without having to add a screw into the headstock). The strings are wound as low on the post as possible, but still not quite enough of an angle.

Curious if anyone else noticed this?

 

[Microbass]

Always loved the Reverands when I first joined TB and everyone was loving them. Never seen one this side of the pond tho. Sad to hear the factory closed, I did wonder what happened to them after my hiatus...

I love a blue bass and this is awesome! @bholder has a nice collection too...

 

[gt96g]

Had one (4 string) briefly a few years back, got it in a 2 for one trade. I traded one got two. I believe it was this and a sting ray.

I was impressed with it, didn't really appreciate it when I owned it, sold it, probably shouldn't have, but hindsight is 20/20 and all.

 

[Chef]

Reverend made some cool basses back then. I've had several of each.
You do not need a string retainer. Just make sure the wraps are pushed down to the very bottom of the tuner post.

 

[ppiluk]

I had this ad favourited in Kijiji but I couldn't sell enough gear! Nice bass!

 

[JRA]

ha! pretty cool! congrats on your new instrument!

 

[CPplaysBASS]

I had this ad favourited in Kijiji but I couldn't sell enough gear! Nice bass!

Well he still has the gold one and may sell it eventually! It was a fun visit. The seller is an avid collector and self-described "couch player only." Super nice guy to deal with and very knowledgeable. He has an insane amount of gear, most of it on the slightly unusual side. For example, his only Fender bass was a Performer until I traded a Fender Precision I wasn't using much (as I have three other Precisions I was using more ... I was due for something a little different).

 

[CPplaysBASS]

Reverend made some cool basses back then. I've had several of each.
You do not need a string retainer. Just make sure the wraps are pushed down to the very bottom of the tuner post.

Thanks! Yes, the string is wound down the post but the angle of the E string is still not optimum. That said, it's one of those things I torture myself about even though I can only hear a little rattle unplugged when letting the E string ring for a bit. If I just plug the damn thing in and play it normally, all is fine! Lol. Cheers!