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When they stopped making these, I talked to Joe Naylor about it.
At the time, he said this style of instrument was just too complicated and labor intensive to take overseas, and keep the quality he wanted, at a price point he felt would work for them.
I sort of doubt that's changed.
The new basses are nice, and I've played them, but I personally prefer my old BH5 and PJ4.
Old Reverend Construction:
some, like my BH5, were a laminate top sort of like Formica; and, some, like my PJ were Al-u-min-ium.
I think you're correct? Not sure about the swirl, honestly
the back of mine is black phenolic.
Man, the BH model is so cool, I wish they'd made a 4 as well.building the laminates.
shaping them and making them into a hollowbody; much different than chucking a wood blank in a cnc driven mill and hitting "go"
finish work
fret work: the neck on the old Rev's are glorious. beautiful hand done fretwork, rolled edges on the fingerboard make it feel like it's been played in for decades.
go build one, and see how well you can make it come out, and see how long it takes you![]()
"hows the steel rod in there?"
I believe a 1" hole is drilled thru the mahogany, but, I don't know for certain.