Reverend guitars

Reverend Guitars is an American manufacturer of electric guitars, established in 1996 by noted guitar and amplifier technician Joe Naylor, a graduate of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery. Reverend guitars are known for their combination of unorthodox construction methods, retro design, playability and affordable price.Fact|date=June 2007

History

The original Reverend models were known for their distinctive body shape as well as their use of non-traditional materials. Inspired by semi-hollow designs produced by Silvertone as well as the venerable Gibson ES-335, the original Reverend models were constructed using a core of solid mahogany surrounded by acoustic chambers. A strip of molded plastic provided the frame while the front and back of the guitar was constructed of phenolic laminate sheets in a variety of colors and finishes. All American-built Reverends were identical in body shape, with various models set apart by their pickup choices and tremolos. Because of its plastic-like texture and non-traditional appearance, the use of phenolic laminate would prove to be a polarizing design feature among players. Some guitarists were wildly enthusiastic about the distinctive style and lively tonal response, while others derided it as being too similar across the line and too plastic for their tastes.

Although Reverend guitars were initially sold in large guitar stores around the country, Joe Naylor eventually made the decision to sell all of his guitar direct through an internet website as a way of making the company more cost-efficient. This move was one of many major changes instituted by Naylor over the years, as Naylor tried to adapt to the changing market. New USA Reverend models were frequently introduced and, if they failed to sell, soon discontinued with only a few stalwarts (such as the Slingshot) being offered consistently. A short-lived line of bass-guitars, called the Rumblefish, received excellent reviews from critics but were eventually discontinued along with various amplifier models such as the Hellhound, Kingsnake, and Goblin. For a relatively brief period of time, a budget line of American-made Reverends—the Workhorse series—were available. Despite all of these changes, Reverend guitars were not able to translate their small, fanatically loyal owner-base into mainstream acceptance.

Naylor surprised many of the company's devoted customers when he announced that all USA Reverends were to be discontinued in favor of an imported line constructed in Korea. These guitars, known initially as the Stage King series and now known as either the "Set Neck" (set-in neck construction) or "Bolt-On Series" (bolt-on neck construction) featured solid wood bodies, and a slightly more traditional shape than the American models. Despite the shift to overseas construction, the new Reverend models have been highly regarded by players for their overall quality, affordable price, and distinctive appearance.

In 2007, Naylor announced that guitars formerly made of mahogany would in the future be made of korina (Terminalia superba, also known as African limba) wood instead. Naylor cited more consistent guitar weight and excellent resonance as the reason for the change, which came into effect with guitars over serial number 07468.

Artists Who Use Reverend Guitars

Reverend guitars have been endorsed by several high-profile musicians over the years.

* Kid Rock was one of the first major-label artists to be associated with Reverends, after being photographed with a Reverend for the cover of "The History of Rock" (2000).

* Billy Corgan has used Reverends on studio recordings as far back as 2000, and has been seen playing Reverends during television appearances. Corgan used Reverends exclusively on this tour supporting his solo album, theFutureEmbrace.

* Ron Asheton of seminal protopunk band The Stooges has been using Reverends on stage for current reunion shows with the group, notable for launching the career of Iggy Pop.

* A premium line of signature guitars was developed by Reverend and guitarist Rick Vito.

*Jason Isbell, formerly of Drive By Truckers fame, often plays Reverend Guitars.

Reverend Guitar Models

The "Stage King" series of Reverend guitars is manufactured in Korea, with each guitar then being inspected, strung, and tested in Reverend's Michigan headquarters. All Stage King guitars feature Reverend's distinctive and highly lauded Bass Contour Control (BCC), a knob allowing the player to control tone more finely than conventional bass/treble knobs (which Reverend guitars also include). The BCC allows the player to add more bass for a fuller, richer sound, or to subtract it, allowing for twangier tones that approximate those of vintage single-coil pickups. The Stage King line has included:

Bolt-Neck Series:

* The [http://www.reverendguitars.com/reverend/guitars/bolt_on_series/buckshot.html Buckshot] , available since 2008 for left-handed players as well as right-handed ones, features a Telecaster-style single-coil pickup at the bridge and, for added versatility in tone, a Revtron mini-humbucker pickup at the neck. The Buckshot is an extraordinarily versatile guitar noted for its ability to produce not only Telecaster-style twang, but also fuller, warmer tones, making it particularly suitable for country, rock, and punk music.
* The [http://www.reverendguitars.com/reverend/guitars/bolt_on_series/charger_290.html Charger] - a retro-styled but distinctive-looking guitar suitable for country, blues, and rock, with either clean or distorted tones. The Charger 290, featuring two Reverend P90 pickups, was a Guitar Player magazine [http://www.reverendguitars.com/reverend/media/reviews/Reverend_Charger_gp.pdf Editors' Pick] , noted for its versatility and snappy attack; it is still manufactured. The Charger HB-FM, which had two Reverend humbucker pickups and a maple top with a flame maple veneer, has been discontinued.
* The Club King, a semi-hollow guitar prized particularly for rockabilly and jazz, is available in an [http://www.reverendguitars.com/reverend/guitars/bolt_on_series/club_king_rt.html RT] model with two Reverend "Revtron" mini-humbucker pickups, a [http://www.reverendguitars.com/reverend/guitars/bolt_on_series/club_king_290.html 290] model with two Reverend P90s, and an [http://www.reverendguitars.com/reverend/guitars/bolt_on_series/club_king_hb.html HB] model with two Reverend humbuckers.
* The [http://www.reverendguitars.com/reverend/guitars/bolt_on_series/double_agent.html Double Agent] and [http://www.reverendguitars.com/reverend/guitars/bolt_on_series/double_agent.html Double Agent-FM] Reverends (the latter being available for left-handed as well as right-handed players) have a Reverend humbucker in the bridge position and P90 in the neck position, offering a unique combination of tones.
* The [http://www.reverendguitars.com/reverend/guitars/bolt_on_series/flatroc.html Flatroc] (available for both left-handed and right-handed players) has two Revtron mini-humbuckers, making it particularly suitable for rockabilly.
* The [http://www.reverendguitars.com/reverend/guitars/bolt_on_series/gil_parris_signature.html Gil Parris Signature model] features a Charger-style body with humbuckers in the bridge and neck positions, but adds a Lace sensor burgundy pickup in the middle position, giving it a versatility especially suitable for jazz, rock, and fusion.
* The Jetstream, prized primarily by rock players for its big tone, is available in a [http://www.reverendguitars.com/reverend/guitars/bolt_on_series/jetstream_390.html 390] model, with three Reverend P90 pickups and has often been described as a "Strat on steroids," and in [http://www.reverendguitars.com/reverend/guitars/bolt_on_series/jetstream_hb.html HB and HB-FM models] with two Reverend humbuckers, the latter also having a maple top with flame maple veneer. For Reverend's tenth anniversary in 2007, a special Jetstream model was released in a sparkling silver finish. In 2008, the Jetstream 390 and HB were made available in versions for left-handed players.

External links

* [http://www.reverendguitars.com Reverend Musical Instruments]
* [http://www.reverendguitars.com/forum/default.asp Reverend Discussion Forum]