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The Reverend Club (part 8)

#2,303
chrisabides said:
So I mentioned this earlier, but I'm currently GASsing hard for a Wattplower Mark II. I have a Triad, and I feel I really appreciate tonally versatile instruments (and since I play in an instrumental/kinda-experimental band, I make use of different tones).

My impression is that there's the main P-bass mode, the "alternate P-bass" mode that, I would guess, is a brighter tone but only on the lower strings (since the engaged blade pickup is closer to the bridge), and the humbucker mode that is meant for pushing out prevalent high notes.

I'd go and watch demos, but the only demo I could find is from Reverend, and they're playing out of a guitar amp because...I don't know why? It baffles me that they wouldn't do a proper demo of what is essentially their flagship bass guitar. Heck, in that video the guy actually exclaims "You should hear this through the Hi-Watt amp!" Yeah, we should!

Anyways, my main questions to Wattplower owners are as follows:

- Is the "alternate P-bass" pickup configuration meaningfully different from the normal P-mode?
- How muddy is the humbucker mode? The positioning indicates that it's meant to emulate the old "mudbuckers" from EB-0s; is it muddy? Uh, how muddy? I like some but not a ton.
- I plan on getting the green finish; just to confirm, it's a satin finish on the neck? I normally despise painted necks because they're almost all glossy-finished, but I've read elsewhere that it's all satin so that should be fine.
- This bass is very light, right? I know all Reverends are pretty light in general, but I've heard featherweight reports on the Wattplowers (like <7 lbs). This is a good thing for me, by the way.

Would love some feedback before I drop the dough on one. I'll probably wait for one to hit the used market, but we'll see; they don't pop up often.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
I've only had my Mark II for a week (an awesome Christmas Day surprise!), so bear in mind that these are very early impressions based only on bedroom noodling. The third position, using the rear P half-pickup, yields a noticeably tighter low end than the standard P position. Playing along with my band's demos (where I play my Lakland P bass exclusively), the third position does seem to work better for certain songs. The humbucker has a lot less top end, but the lows aren't especially muddy to me thus far. I played along to a couple of songs with it. Someone noted a few pages ago that the humbucker on their Mark II had less output than the other two positions, and that's been my experience as well--I'll eventually raise that pickup and maybe try a different set of strings. It might work better with a pick, I haven't tried that yet.

The back of the neck definitely has a satin finish. I used to have a Ric 4003 with a painted neck that got sticky on occasion--no such issue at all with the Watt. The satin green, by the way, looks even better in person IMO. As far as weight goes, every one I've seen online has been under 8 lbs. and mine, though I haven't weighed it yet, surely is as well. Under 7 lbs. seems more rare based on my research since these came out.

One other thing I'd note is that the front strap pin is on the neck heel rather than the upper horn. That's going to take a bit of getting used to for me. But overall, I'm thrilled with the bass in terms of sound, playability, looks, and overall QC.
 
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#2,304
GregC said:
I've only had my Mark II for a week (an awesome Christmas Day surprise!), so bear in mind that these are very early impressions based only on bedroom noodling. The third position, using the rear P half-pickup, yields a noticeably tighter low end than the standard P position. Playing along with my band's demos (where I play my Lakland P bass exclusively), the third position does seem to work better for certain songs. The humbucker has a lot less top end, but the lows aren't especially muddy to me thus far. I played along to a couple of songs with it. Someone noted a few pages ago that the humbucker on their Mark II had less output than the other two positions, and that's been my experience as well--I'll eventually raise that pickup and maybe try a different set of strings. It might work better with a pick, I haven't tried that yet.

The back of the neck definitely has a satin finish. I used to have a Ric 4003 with a painted neck that got sticky on occasion--no such issue at all with the Watt. The satin green, by the way, looks even better in person IMO. As far as weight goes, every one I've seen online has been under 8 lbs. and mine, though I haven't weighed it yet, surely is as well. Under 7 lbs. seems more rare based on my research since these came out.

One other thing I'd note is that the front strap pin is on the neck heel rather than the upper horn. That's going to take a bit of getting used to for me. But overall, I'm thrilled with the bass in terms of sound, playability, looks, and overall QC.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for the early impressions; very helpful. Interesting that the humbucker's the quieter of the pickups; I think you're right to raise the pickup and experiment a bit.

I did find an old post here by Mike here (strings) where he states he uses EB Slinkies on his EB-3, heavier gauge (50-105). Worth checking that out, I think.

Pretty sure I'm in for one of these.
 
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#2,305
Clark Westfield said:
So I'm on the fence for. gunmetal Mercalli 4, but can't decide on the color.

It the gunmetal blue or silver?

There are no dealers around, so I'm limited to an iPad image to have GAS over.

Any pics of that color with a different light would be great along with some feedback.
Click to expand...
Pretty fond of this green as well.

What do you all think, graphite or green?
 

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#2,315
Hey everyone. I've been eyeballing a decision for atleast a year now. I see all these Rev instruments in wild colors and have been waiting to try and catch one used somewhere since all they have available new is ocean green, natural, and black. My question is when do they announce the new years line? Do they announce a new line every year? Thanks!
 
#2,317
Clark Westfield said:
That's what I'm doing.
I contacted Reverend, and they said nothing is coming.

Possible they need to move the old colors out before the new colors are released.

I'm patient.
Click to expand...
It appears that Reverend is very slow to change colors for various reasons. It seems like they'll change one or two colors here and there occasionally, but not do the "all new 2022 lineup" sort of thing. Added to that, Ken has mentioned some supply chain issues (which is kind of a universal problem right now, but perhaps more so for small companies).

I like my Decision P enough that I have my eye on a couple other models. Another purchase would be a bit down the road. That's a good thing as I don't care much for the colors that those models come in. They look really nice, just not colors I gravitate towards. At the same time, unique or quirky colors are part of what's cool about Reverend. There's plenty of "me too" stuff out there already.
 
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#2,320
Clark Westfield said:
So I'm on the fence for. gunmetal Mercalli 4, but can't decide on the color.

It the gunmetal blue or silver?

There are no dealers around, so I'm limited to an iPad image to have GAS over.

Any pics of that color with a different light would be great along with some feedback.
Click to expand...

I don't have a great camera but this is mine. I think I probably applied 'white balance' filter because the lighting in this room is a little yellow. So this looks true to color, but maybe is a little dark.

Feedback though, it is a great sounding bass. Very balanced as far as tones go in the scheme of different bases. Exceptionally usable on either pickup alone, bridge doesn't drop out too much bass, neck doesn't get too muddy.
It has a very woody sound. Like blind, you could easily convince me it was chambered.


reverend_mercalli.jpg
 
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