The Reverend Club (part 8)

[Git]

Here is a photo of my two Reverends. Apologies, it's not the best, the sun was shining.

My new project needs a 5 string, or rather, it would be much easier for me to accommodate the relatively extreme key changes our singer needs, with a 5 string...so I'm tempted to pull the trigger on a Mercalli 5.

When we get our first gig I'll have an excuse, just have to convince the missus then.

 

[Mr Dalton]

I'd like to join the club! Just got a Decision 2 weeks ago, a 25th anniversary model:

 

[arepa_funk]

Friendly FYI to anyone here who has ever struggled with the Meshell Fellowship bass. I'm on my second go-around with it and I've learned a lot about how to use its design (or apparent design?) to my advantage.

From what I can tell the volume isn't meant to be full on. The center detente position sounds like full on to me, and anything north of that is a boost. The tone control is very sensitive, bright and clanky between full on and the center detente, and too dull full off. I found the sweetspot for me is 70%-80% off.

I've used the volume control as a boost for choruses or jams, or when I'm supporting a soloist. Right hand technique is huge here, because it'll clank no matter the tone control when I plucking between the pickup and the bridge. For "vintage" precision tones, I pluck almost on the fretboard itself. For a single pickup instrument with just V and T controls, it's remarkably versatile.

Anyways, thought I'd share my experiences here. Hope this is helpful!

 

[pisces_bass]

Friendly FYI to anyone here who has ever struggled with the Meshell Fellowship bass. I'm on my second go-around with it and I've learned a lot about how to use its design (or apparent design?) to my advantage.

From what I can tell the volume isn't meant to be full on. The center detente position sounds like full on to me, and anything north of that is a boost. The tone control is very sensitive, bright and clanky between full on and the center detente, and too dull full off. I found the sweetspot for me is 70%-80% off.

I've used the volume control as a boost for choruses or jams, or when I'm supporting a soloist. Right hand technique is huge here, because it'll clank no matter the tone control when I plucking between the pickup and the bridge. For "vintage" precision tones, I pluck almost on the fretboard itself. For a single pickup instrument with just V and T controls, it's remarkably versatile.

Anyways, thought I'd share my experiences here. Hope this is helpful!

Thanks for your insights. Love these types of posts.

I've been interested in the Fellowship as a P to complement my Justice. Playing in a 3-piece I take full advantage of the variety of good tones I can get.

 

[arepa_funk]

Thanks for your insights. Love these types of posts.

I've been interested in the Fellowship as a P to complement my Justice. Playing in a 3-piece I take full advantage of the variety of good tones I can get.

Sure thing, appreciate your note! Let us know if you decide to go for a Fellowship one day.

Good call about using versatile instruments in a three-piece. I'm in a four piece band and the keyboardist wants me to push more, so I've been trying to use more "assertive" tones without overpowering the folks in the ensemble.

 

[Daniel Piper]

Here is a photo of my two Reverends. Apologies, it's not the best, the sun was shining.View attachment 5427053
My new project needs a 5 string, or rather, it would be much easier for me to accommodate the relatively extreme key changes our singer needs, with a 5 string...so I'm tempted to pull the trigger on a Mercalli 5.

When we get our first gig I'll have an excuse, just have to convince the missus then.

Beautiful! How is the Venetian yellow in person? Sparkly?

Which bass are you preferring, even in these early days?

 

[Clark Westfield]

I'd like to join the club! Just got a Decision 2 weeks ago, a 25th anniversary model:View attachment 5427860

Very nice.

Hold on to it, not many were made

 

[Mr Dalton]

Very nice.

Hold on to it, not many were made

I think it's a keeper, definitely has me sold on Reverend. About the only thing I'd want if I didn't have it would be.. well a short scale Rev haha.

 

[Swerve]

My new Mercalli. This is my 3rd Reverend over the years. I briefly had a Mercalli 5 and a Triad. Didn't bond with either of those but this one is a keeper. Reverse P with MM style humbucker is my favorite pickup config on a bass. I get more compliments and questions when I gig with a Reverend than any other basses, people just love the look.

I almost didn't keep this one, but I got a good deal on it. Even though it was brand new the setup was really terrible and the neck was misaligned to where the E string was practically off the fretboard. After I gave it a thorough setup and adjusted the neck it's pretty much perfect now and plays beautifully.

 

[filler83]

View attachment 5429830

My new Mercalli. This is my 3rd Reverend over the years. I briefly had a Mercalli 5 and a Triad. Didn't bond with either of those but this one is a keeper. Reverse P with MM style humbucker is my favorite pickup config on a bass. I get more compliments and questions when I gig with a Reverend than any other basses, people just love the look.

I almost didn't keep this one, but I got a good deal on it. Even though it was brand new the setup was really terrible and the neck was misaligned to where the E string was practically off the fretboard. After I gave it a thorough setup and adjusted the neck it's pretty much perfect now and plays beautifully.

looks great! Is that the stock pick guard? Looks better than the stock pics I see online.

 

[Bass Ape]

I'm curious to hear your thoughts between the Mercalli 4 and 5

 

[Swerve]

looks great! Is that the stock pick guard? Looks better than the stock pics I see online.

Thanks! Yeah it's all stock. The pics of this bass I've seen online show a white pearl type of pickguard (maybe from a different year?). This one is clear but in a frosted glass sort of way.

 

[Swerve]

I'm curious to hear your thoughts between the Mercalli 4 and 5

I had the Mercalli 5 briefly probably around 8 or so years ago so my memory is vague. It was a blue one with pearl block inlays, the earlier design. Very nice bass. I remember liking it but I don't use 5's very often so I let it go.

 

[Bass Ape]

I had the Mercalli 5 briefly probably around 8 or so years ago so my memory is vague. It was a blue one with pearl block inlays, the earlier design. Very nice bass. I remember liking it but I don't use 5's very often so I let it go.

Like this..

 

[Bass Ape]

I have a huge conundrum on that wall. The Mercalli 5 has the best feeling neck for me. But the WAL-Ray sounds like nothing else and everything else.

This Mercalli neck is so nice, I'm actually wondering if another one would feel the same. Thanks for the response.

 

[Git]

Beautiful! How is the Venetian yellow in person? Sparkly?

Which bass are you preferring, even in these early days?

The 'Venetian Pearl' is lovely. It's basically a gold to cream burst with a lemon yellow pick guard, the pictures on the Reverend website don't give an accurate portrayal of its colour. I got the first one that came into the UK.

I played this bass, followed by a green Mercalli 4. I thought the Mercalli sounded better, but both basses sounded great. The Venetian Pearl was just so beautiful, and I thought the gun metal grey and metallic alpine finishes were a bit dull, so I got the Decision P. I had made a special trip to Scotland to buy that bass. (trade off with her indoors: I got a bass, she got a spa break in Scotland; we live in London).

If the new pink finish Mercalli had been available, I might have thought twice (or bought 2 basses).

I got the Triad for the middle pick up option. It doesn't disappoint sonically; I pretty much keep to either neck or middle pup. The neck is beautiful but the Periwinkle burst looks a bit grey, I was hoping for a more mauve look.

My last band split up just before the Triad arrived so I've not gigged it yet. If I had to choose one, I would go with the Decision P, but mainly for the look.

 

[Git]

Decision P in action (through a GK Legacy 800 & Barefaced Super Compact):

 

[johnyrocksville]

I'm looking for some opinions on whether or not this is crazy.

I have a Schecter Corsair that I love the way it looks and plays, but the electronics are pretty meh. It has EMG pickups and an active 2 band preamp with a completely worthless blend control. I am thinking about getting the same Reverend pickups and wiring harness as the Dub King. I would definitely need to have someone do the work for me because this would be a little beyond my skillset as it would also include routing out the openings for the pickups. I already know that I love that pickup configuration because of how much I love my Mercalli 5.

What are your thoughts or opinions? Should I reach out to Reverend to see if they would do the work because I live like 20 minutes from their offices.

 

[Bass Ape]

I'm looking for some opinions on whether or not this is crazy.

I have a Schecter Corsair that I love the way it looks and plays, but the electronics are pretty meh. It has EMG pickups and an active 2 band preamp with a completely worthless blend control. I am thinking about getting the same Reverend pickups and wiring harness as the Dub King. I would definitely need to have someone do the work for me because this would be a little beyond my skillset as it would also include routing out the openings for the pickups. I already know that I love that pickup configuration because of how much I love my Mercalli 5.

What are your thoughts or opinions? Should I reach out to Reverend to see if they would do the work because I live like 20 minutes from their offices.
View attachment 5430777

That's a great looking bass.

I love the Bricks in the Mercallis. Worth a call to rev to ask.

 

[ericplaysbass]

I'm looking for some opinions on whether or not this is crazy.

I have a Schecter Corsair that I love the way it looks and plays, but the electronics are pretty meh. It has EMG pickups and an active 2 band preamp with a completely worthless blend control. I am thinking about getting the same Reverend pickups and wiring harness as the Dub King. I would definitely need to have someone do the work for me because this would be a little beyond my skillset as it would also include routing out the openings for the pickups. I already know that I love that pickup configuration because of how much I love my Mercalli 5.

What are your thoughts or opinions? Should I reach out to Reverend to see if they would do the work because I live like 20 minutes from their offices.
View attachment 5430777

Reverend won't do the work. They're not a repair place. If you're in their area, you can try Small Box Music. John is a trained luthier and would be willing and able to do the work. But, it won't be cheap - I'd expect $300-400 for the routing job since he'd be working without a template.

Honestly, I'd recommend against it. Not only would you have to significantly alter the body, the pickups would be in different positions than the Dub King when they're done and you won't get that sound. Trade the bass toward a Dub King. Small Box also happens to be a Reverend dealer. Heights is as well, and they may also be willing to take on the work, but again, I think it's far cost and risk prohibitive. Easier to trade the instrument toward one you'd prefer.

If you wish to keep the bass no matter what, you should look into what size your pickups are to find direct replacements. They're out there somewhere. You could also try contacting someone like Turner pickups for a custom job if you can't find what you're looking for off the shelf.