Thoughts on Reverend Mercalli 5?

[arepa_funk]

Question here to Mercalli 5 users. (Btw, I sold mine to @monkeyfinger and missed it, so I waited until a great deal showed up on another one--FM purple--and got lucky.)

Is anyone running into phasing/volume issues when blending the pickups? When I'm fully on either to the P or MM side, the sound is full, but as I turn the pan knob, the volume decreases until I reach the center detente, and then gradually increases until I get fully to the other side. I tested using my amp, headphone amp, and audio interface. It happens across all three, so I don't think it's an playback issue or input problem.

Pic here because why not:

 

[monkeyfinger]

I had that issue too. In my case, the input I was connected too had too low an impedance. I would also try adjusting pickup height. That could cause a volume loss when blended. What are you playing through?

 

[monkeyfinger]

BTW, I love the purple flame top!! Looks really sharp.

 

[arepa_funk]

Thanks for the word, @monkeyfinger! I ran it through a Fender Bronco practice amp, Saturnworks headphone amp, and Behringer audio interface. I haven't tried it through a DI though, that might have an effect if it's an impedance issue.

Haven't tried pickup height. That might be next if I can't find another fix.

 

[sPiKi]

In one of their live streams Ken explained the reason for this. It is not a fault. If you search through their YT channel when he's demoing basses you'll find it. I have a Merc 4. Same thing.

 

[BassNGuns]

I was thinking about getting one, but then I heard the neck dive was pretty bad.
Is that true?

 

[monkeyfinger]

I was thinking about getting one, but then I heard the neck dive was pretty bad.
Is that true?

That's not been my experience, and I hate neck dive.

 

[Z-Bass]

I was thinking about getting one, but then I heard the neck dive was pretty bad.
Is that true?

I think the initial runs of the Mercalli (and the revamped Reverend line of basses) had full size Reverend non-lightweight tuners. Not the smaller, lightweight versions they now use so that may have been related to what you heard. When Reverend launched these a while back, a friend of mine who ran a music store got a bunch of models in and that's what I recall but the only model that seem to have a bit of neck dive was the Dub King. I wouldn't expect neck dive on any of the current models with the lightweight tuners.

 

[reeljerc]

I was thinking about getting one, but then I heard the neck dive was pretty bad.
Is that true?

Not my experience either, it’s super comfortable all the way around.

 

[ras1983]

Zombie thread resurrection, apologies... but on the neck dive question - I've had a Mercall 5 (with the older tuners) for a few months now. I'd say there is definitely neck dive whilst sitting down and if you're resting the bass on your leg, but I suspect that is due to the relatively short lower horn (not the tuners).

Standing up, the bass seems well-balanced.

Overall it's actually quite a light bass for its size. And the tone / playability are brilliant. I gladly put up with the "neck-dive" in the sitting position because the bass is a joy to play and hear.

 

[monkeyfinger]

Have you tried placing it between your legs while sitting, like a classical guitar player?

 

[ras1983]

Have you tried placing it between your legs while sitting, like a classical guitar player?

yep that does work but I find that position a bit awkward (regardless of instrument actually). Probably have to work on my technique or posture

 

[Zbysek]

How do they sell on the second hand market?