Reverend Thundergun vs Reverend Mercalli - poll

[onefretaway]

Decided on a new Reverend Bass, but I honestly can't decide between these two - let me ask your opinion!

Thundergun on the left, Mercalli on the right

 

[gregmon79]

Is it just the color that's different?

I voted Thundergun. Because of the color, pickguard as well the name! Bad a$$ name for a bass. And I prefer black n maple basses btw. Natural is my second fav color/finish though.

 

[noahw1]

I’d go with the mercalli, only because the tuning pegs on the thundergun would drive me nuts.
The thundergun looks killer though.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I would go with this one

 

[Guy Tensen]

I don’t have really informed opinion about Reverend’s painted necks, but I would go Mercalli because of it.

 

[bwildt]

The biggest physical difference is that the Thundergun is a set neck and the Mercalli is a bolt-on neck. All the other specs like neck width and radius, pickups, controls seem to be the same. I have no experience whether they sound similar or different. My assumption would be the they sound pretty similar.

Since I like the modularity and setup options (i.e. shims if needed) of a bolt-on neck. I would go with the Mercalli. I also like the simpler, more futuristic look of the Mercalli.

 

[richardsebolt]

I've owned the Mercalli, I should have NEVER let it go. I since now have a Triad, and a Raymond. Killer basses all the way around. However, to answer your question. I personally would grab the Mercalli. The colour is killer, bolt on neck, and with prior experience it plays great! Just my .02

 

[FirewalZ]

Living near the the HQ and running into Ken at venues and such, I owned a T-Gun for a while. It played nice, super lightweight, flatter neck radius and low action. However, i found it a bit dark, lacking upper mids and I had a hard time getting it to cut. It was explained to me that this is a difference between set-in or neck through vs bolt on necks. The T-Gun reminded me of a Gibson, good "home" tone, but live was a bit lost in the mix. I sold it, but would be a solid choice for someone wanting that sound.

 

[onefretaway]

I’d go with the mercalli, only because the tuning pegs on the thundergun would drive me nuts.
The thundergun looks killer though.

Yep, that's my concern as well. I may want to add a drop tuning at some point which would be problematic...

 

[gregmon79]

Living near the the HQ and running into Ken at venues and such, I owned a T-Gun for a while. It played nice, super lightweight, flatter neck radius and low action. However, i found it a bit dark, lacking upper mids and I had a hard time getting it to cut. It was explained to me that this is a difference between set-in or neck through vs bolt on necks. The T-Gun reminded me of a Gibson, good "home" tone, but live was a bit lost in the mix. I sold it, but would be a solid choice for someone wanting that sound.

See, I didn't know the basses well enough. Having said all this, I'd go Mercalli all the way.

 

[onefretaway]

Thanks for all the feedback! I'm really looking for the swiss army bass and I really like what I'm hearing with the Reverends.

Just for more info, the Thundergun is from 2011 and the Mercalli is from 2017/2018. On the Mercalli, the one I'm looking at apparently doesn't have the roasted maple neck. Is that more of an aesthetic improvement?

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Is it just the color that's different?

I voted Thundergun. Because of the color, pickguard as well the name! Bad a$$ name for a bass. And I prefer black n maple basses btw. Natural is my second fav color/finish though.

Me too~

 

[Cleezmo]

I own a Mercalli 5, purchased new in March of this year. It is a beast, in a good way. Growl, clarity, excellent playability. Even output up and down the fretboard. I have not played a Thundergun, but I'd go Mercalli just because I prefer bolt necks, and I know mine is great! But having said that, anyone I've talked to with a Reverend bass or guitar raves about them, so you likely can't go wrong.

I'd think the only difference between the roasted necks they are using now and a non-roasted neck, would be that the non-roasted is likely a little heavier. I'm not gonna speculate on the impact, or lack of, that roasting has on tone.

 

[Five or Six]

Deleted

 

[lermgalieu]

Never played a Mercalli I can’t vote. But I own. Thundergun and LOVE IT.

 

[Five or Six]

Have you played both? I'd rather have a player than something that's pretty and plays like a brick. If you can't play both it's going to be a flip of the coin.

 

[Rebel Rocker]

I have a Thundergun. plays and sounds great. Very lite for a bass takes a lot off your shoulder. Mine is the Gun metal gray. Don't have a pic of it that I can find. but it's this one.

 

[rooster]

Here's my pick...My modified FatFish 32....

 

[N4860]

I'd go with the one on the right if I had to choose between those 2. The tuners on the wrong side on the thundergun would annoy me a lot to start. But I'm not a big Reverend fan to begin with. Something about the tone never jived with me in a mix. I also like something a bit more traditional looking and the body on these kind of feels boxy to me.

 

[Surely_Bassy]

I would go with this one

View attachment 7013777

Where is this bass, how do I buy it, and where is this bass? I've searched the CME website and can't find it...