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The Reverend Club (part 8)

#3,681
John Stephen said:
Congrats, Gab! Reverends are beautiful basses indeed. When I first played mine in a local shop, I wondered where that bass had been all my life. I wanted to take it out for a drink.

The Fatfish is 32" scale, correct?
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Yup, it's a 32. My first "reduced" scale bass, all my basses have been 34 to 35. Have to say I like the ergonomics of it. With string through and reverse headstock regular strings fit her though. I put on super brights since I have flats on my Lull PT4. Played a full show last Friday in a very known room, it was just huge, but controlled and tight, great tool for a full, supportive in the pocket playing style. Country walking lines were super on it.
 
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#3,682
This bad boy just arrived yesterday. It is good to be back in the club.

20251121_095141.jpg
 
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#3,693
Recently bought a Mercalli 5 in the metallic blue! found for $800 w case and couldn't say no. My first Rev, first 5 string, most expensive and most "pro" bass i've ever owned. I love this finish - black back and headstock, sparkle blue ... can't get that finish new anymore.. This one is i think circa 2011 or 12? Body is square edged, no arm contour like on the newer ones.
Put on some fresh DR Sunbeams light, setup neck and bridge and the thing plays fantastic. this neck is phenomenal! And it sounds amazing. Pickups are great, so responsive.
Going to try to make this my main player for a while, although i'm still more fond of smaller body 4 strings.
Got to play it for the first gig in front of an 810 for a packed house, and a live radio broadcast - what a good time that was! will post some links to the stream soon.
IMG_0191.jpg
 
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#3,694
Skerrvydog said:
Recently bought a Mercalli 5 in the metallic blue! found for $800 w case and couldn't say no. My first Rev, first 5 string, most expensive and most "pro" bass i've ever owned. I love this finish - black back and headstock, sparkle blue ... can't get that finish new anymore.. This one is i think circa 2011 or 12? Body is square edged, no arm contour like on the newer ones.
Put on some fresh DR Sunbeams light, setup neck and bridge and the thing plays fantastic. this neck is phenomenal! And it sounds amazing. Pickups are great, so responsive.
Going to try to make this my main player for a while, although i'm still more fond of smaller body 4 strings.
Got to play it for the first gig in front of an 810 for a packed house, and a live radio broadcast - what a good time that was! will post some links to the stream soon.
View attachment 7404249
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Love this. Looks just like my old Mercalli 5. Total Thump Machine

Screenshot 2026-01-07 at 1.06.50 PM.pngScreenshot 2026-01-07 at 1.07.01 PM.png
 
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#3,698
ericplaysbass said:
There is no difference between the sound nor position of V1 and V2, per Mike Watt:
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I have the same Root Beer Sparkle MkII. As Mike mentioned, the pickup up selector gives your a Reverse P, Normal P or neck Thumpbucker. The Normal P is positioned identically to the MkI and sounds the same. Mike also mentioned that on his current gig, he plays through the neck Thumpbucker exclusively, and uses the P pickups for the Minutemen, et. al gigs. What he didn't mention specifically, but what he said in a different interview, is that he uses the Reverse P vs the Normal P, which I found interesting. It's a great bass.

Wattplower Mk II front.jpg


Wattplower Mk II Switch Selection Guide.jpg
 
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#3,699
ericplaysbass said:
There is no difference between the sound nor position of V1 and V2, per Mike Watt:
Click to expand...

Thanks I have seen that video, and based on my experience owning both versions there is a slight difference in tone between the two.

Mike was born in 1957 in Portsmouth, Va. and I was born in 1956 from Norfolk, Va. We were light neighbors. And I can tell you guys of our age - might hear things different. Older age sucks.

Now it could be the amp, but I used the same amp for both. Could be the extra switch and connections, which can change the resistance of the overall system. Changing the sound.

Mike and I have fathers that were in the Navy in the Norfolk area, and he paid respect to his father with the anchor which I like. And the bass plays great and you have a Gibson type sound and 2 P type sounds in one bass. Also I need to play short scale with my shoulder and left hand issues ( that older age thing again).

I am not saying it is bad, I just like the Ver I a bit better for the straight P setup. I am not challenging anyone on this issue - it is my opinion only.
 
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