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Talk to me about Reverend Basses

#23
I have quite a bit of experience with the reverends and am myself an endorser.
I think they are excellent, pro quality basses and represent exeptional value for the price.
I recommend the Thundergun or the Mercalli myself with the Thundergun coming out a little ahead.
Hipshot tuners, set neck construction, dual action truss rod all for around a grand... And light weight too!
 
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#24
Lesfunk said:
I have quite a bit of experience with the reverends and am myself an endorser.
I think they are excellent, pro quality basses and represent exeptional value for the price.
I recommend the Thundergun or the Mercalli myself with the Thundergun coming out a little ahead.
Hipshot tuners, set neck construction, dual action truss rod all for around a grand... And light weight too!
Click to expand...
That's another thing about the Rumblefish as well - big bass physically, but very light weight.
 
#26
I just parted with a Reverend Decision bass that was picked up in a trade. Excellently crafted and a good quality bass. I gigged it twice and it performed well. Lots of different tones and was very "in your face" . Like an active bass seemingly.....only sold it to get a bass that I have been waiting for that dropped in my lap. Case was really nice too. The nut was 42mm and the fretboard was pretty shallow front to back, which I like. The body seemed thinner than my Precisions, also comfortable for playing out. A really cool look, especially if you are into block inlays.
 
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#28
So I actually found a place near my I laws where we are for Thanksgiving that had a few in stock! Got to play the Mercalli and Thundergun. Pretty cool! Nice "burp" with the soap bar. The neck pup isn't exactly a p sound but comes close (more modern). I think I prefer the Thundergun by a bit. Seemed more focused and aggressive. Plus it just felt different from what I amused to (bolt on jazz and ps). Good different. And it was fun to play.

Fit and finish seemed great. It helps that the guys at the store set them up well.

A bit sad they didn't have the Dub King. I would need to try it before buying since it's short scale and I don't Know about those.

Not running out to buy one but if I see a deal or a used one, you never know...

Thanks for the input all!
 
#31
I had 3 usa rev guitars that were great.Had a DUB KING nice enough bass but for some reason I never bonded with it.Played great sounded great.I just didn't love it,tried to but just didn't.I considered making a short scale copy of the usa basses.Would have to make the injection molded "rim" out of wood instead of plastic , I even have the correct textured "sparkle" formica in the basement.Have not hada chance to try any of JOE'S newer basses except the DUB KING.
 
#34
Lesfunk said:
I have quite a bit of experience with the reverends and am myself an endorser.
I think they are excellent, pro quality basses and represent exeptional value for the price.
I recommend the Thundergun or the Mercalli myself with the Thundergun coming out a little ahead.
Hipshot tuners, set neck construction, dual action truss rod all for around a grand... And light weight too!
Click to expand...

Hadn't noticed Hipshots on the new Revs. Is that something new for 2016, or an upgrade option?
 
#36
The new Reverend stuff is great. I have played all of those basses, and there really is no wrong turn. In terms of playability, they are all going to be pretty much the same. The Dub King is a short scale, so it may be a bit different. The Mercalli and Thundergun are pretty similar in terms of tone. The Dub King can get the Gibson or Musicman tone. I prefer the look of the Mercalli and the fact that it is a bolt-on, so I gravitate towards it. The Reverend necks really are the best in their price range IMHO. I can get my action really low with no buzz. They also are among the most stable necks I have seen. I had my Decision for years, and it never budged in the volatile Oklahoma weather.
 
#38
I ordered then returned a MIK Mercalli 5 in the MM/J configuration. It was too heavy (bout 10 lbs) for my troubled back. But boy did it have a great tone and neck geometry. Even tone across the whole neck. Don't think it even had a dead spot which so many basses have. I stand impressed by these basses.
 
#39
Thier office/Factory is here in Michigan right near where I work and an old friend from "back in the day" works there. When speaking to him he says that ALL the instruments pass through that facility and get personally inspected, setup and anything else needed prior to being shipped. Im looking for something lightweight and unique and will seriously consider them for my next purchase.
 
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#40
stringthrough said:
I ordered then returned a MIK Mercalli 5 in the MM/J configuration. It was too heavy (bout 10 lbs) for my troubled back. But boy did it have a great tone and neck geometry. Even tone across the whole neck. Don't think it even had a dead spot which so many basses have. I stand impressed by these basses.
Click to expand...

I agree completely. The first Mercalli 5 I bought weighs 10.5 buts balances great and has amazing tone. It was heavier than I liked but my son loved it, so I gave it to him and bought me another one.

The newer one comes in right at 9 pounds and has the same awesome tone and very even balance from string to string with no dead spots. It doesn't balance quite as nicely as the heavier one so I'm tempted to put on some of the Hipshot ultralites like they are using now.
 

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