Reverend Musical Instruments

Last updated
Reverend
Company type Private
Industry Musical instruments
Founded1997;28 years ago (1997)
FounderJoe Naylor
Headquarters,
Area served
Worldwide
Products Electric guitars and basses
Website Reverendguitars.com

Reverend Musical Instruments, commonly known as Reverend Guitars, is an American manufacturer of electric guitars and basses. The company was established in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan [1] 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. [2]

Contents

History

The original Reverend models had distinctive body shape made from non-traditional materials. Inspired by semi-hollow designs produced by Silvertone as well as the venerable Gibson ES-335, the original models were constructed using a core of solid mahogany surrounded by acoustic chambers. [3] 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.

Although Reverend guitars were initially sold in large guitar stores around the country, Joe Naylor eventually made the decision to sell all of his guitars direct through an internet website for a short time. This move was one of many major changes instituted by Naylor over the years, as Naylor tried to adapt to the changing market. A short-lived line of bass-guitars, called the Rumblefish, received excellent reviews from critics [4] but were eventually discontinued. [5]

In 2006, 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 Reverend Guitars, featured solid wood bodies and a variety of shapes. The new Reverend models have been highly regarded by players for their overall quality, affordable price, and distinctive appearance. [6]

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.

The company was bought by Ken and Penny Haas in 2010, and Joe Naylor retained his role as the designer and technical advisor. Under this arrangement, the Reverend Guitars line expanded to over 50 guitar models and more than 10 bass models. The company moved to Sylvania Township, Ohio, in 2015. [7]

Reverend Guitars bought Joe Naylor's pickup company, Railhammer Pickups, in 2017 under the same arrangement as Reverend Guitars. Railhammer Pickups holds a patent for their design: US Patent No. D737891. [8]

Reverend Guitars signature models have been created with several notable artists, including Billy Corgan, [9] Reeves Gabrels, [10] and Mike Watt. [11]

Models

Reverend has over 30 models, including 10 Signature Models. The guitars are made at Mirr Music in South Korea. Every guitar is inspected and set up at the Toledo, Ohio headquarters. Reverend uses their own custom pickups on each model. All of the 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.

Bolt-on neck series

Set-Neck Series

Signature Series

Artists

Reverend guitars have been endorsed by several high-profile musicians over the years. [60]

Reverend Guitars Greg Koch signature model Gristlemaster in Blucifer blue Blucifer.jpg
Reverend Guitars Greg Koch signature model Gristlemaster in Blucifer blue

List of artists endorsed

References

  1. "Born in Detroit". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  2. "Reverend Guitars". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  3. "The Early Days of Reverend Guitars". reverb.com. 2021-06-17. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  4. Patt, Stephen (30 April 2002). "Reverend Rumblefish Bass | Vintage Guitar® magazine" . Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  5. "Reverend Rumblefish Bass". www.revfan.com. Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  6. Tekippe, Bob (5 February 2010). "Reverend's Stage King Series Charger 290 | Vintage Guitar® magazine" . Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  7. "Company settles into new store in Sylvania Twp". Toledoblade.com.
  8. "United States Design Patent do Patent No.: US D737,891 S" (PDF). Patentimages.storage.googleapis.com. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  9. Gill, Chris (22 August 2016). "Review: Reverend Billy Corgan Signature Guitar". Guitarworld.com.
  10. Fanelli, Damian (17 May 2012). "Reverend Guitars Introduces Reeves Gabrels Signature Model with Railhammer Chisel Pickups". Guitarworld.
  11. Wagner, Jordan (13 April 2017). "Reverend Mike Watt Wattplower Review". Premierguitar.com.
  12. "Reverend Guitars » Buckshot". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  13. "Electric & Acoustic Guitar Gear, Lessons, News, Blogs, Video, Tabs & Chords - GuitarPlayer.com". Guitarplayer.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  14. "Reverend Charger 290" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-11-12. Retrieved 2008-08-19.
  15. "Reverend Guitars » Charger HB". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  16. "Reverend Guitars Announces the Return of the Charger Guitar". Premierguitar.com. 16 April 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
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  19. "Reverend Guitars » Club King RT". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  20. "News: Reverend Introduces The Club King RT Electric Guitar". Harmonycentral.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  21. "Reverend Guitars » Double Agent". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  22. "News: Reverend Unveils Double Agent Guitar". Harmonycentral.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
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  24. "Reverend Offers Flatroc in Limited-Edition Colors". Vintageguitar.com. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
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  28. "Reverend Guitars » Six Gun". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  29. 1 2 3 "Reverend Guitars Introduces New Models and Updates". Premierguitar.com. 15 May 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  30. "Reverend Guitars » Kingbolt RA FM". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  31. "Reverend Kingbolt Electric Guitar Review". Premierguitar.com. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  32. 1 2 3 "Summer NAMM 2013 Video: Reverend Guitars Introduces Volcano RA FM, Kingbolt RA and Pete Anderson PA-1 RT Models". Guitarworld.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  33. 1 2 3 "NAMM '13 - Reverend Guitars Kingbolt RA FM, Bayonet, & Tricky Gomez Demos & Volcano RA FM, Sensei RT". Premierguitar.com. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  34. "Reverend Guitars - Trickshot". Archived from the original on 2019-05-30. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
  35. "Reverend » Warhawk III HB". Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2013-09-20.
  36. "Reverend Guitars » Sensei HB FM". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  37. "Reverend Sensei RA Electric Guitar Review". Premierguitar.com. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  38. "Reverend Guitars » Volcano". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  39. "Reverend Guitars » Manta Ray HB". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  40. "Reverend Guitars Introduces the Manta Ray 290 in Flame Top". Premierguitar.com. 14 June 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  41. "Reverend Guitars » Tricky Gomez RT". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  42. "Tricky Gomez: An Enigma, Legend and Reluctant Star". Guitarworld.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  43. "Railhammer Pickups". Railhammer.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  44. "Reverend Guitars » Bayonet RA90". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  45. "Review: Reverend Guitars Bayonet". Guitarworld.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  46. "Reverend Guitars » Pete Anderson PA-1". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  47. "ReverendPete Anderson Signature". Guitarplayer.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  48. "Reverend Guitars » PETE ANDERSON PA-1 RT". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  49. "Reverend Guitars » Pete Anderson Eastsider S". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  50. "Reverend Pete Anderson Eastsider S Guitar Review". Premierguitar.com. 6 April 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  51. "Reverend Guitars » Reeves Gabrels Signature". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  52. "Reverend Guitars Introduces Reeves Gabrels Signature Model with Railhammer Chisel Pickups". Guitarworld.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  53. "Reverend Guitars » Gil Parris Signature". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  54. "Reverend Guitars » Rick Vito Classic". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  55. "Reverend Releases Rick Vito Signature Guitar". Premierguitar.com. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  56. "Ron Asheton: Detroit's Real Cool Guitar Icon". Guitarworld.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  57. "Reverend Guitars » Ron Asheton Signature". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  58. "Official Ron Asheton Foundation Website". Ronashetondoundation.org. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  59. 1 2 3 Herrera, Jonathan (August 30, 2017). "Review: Reverend Guitars Mike Watt Wattplower". Bass Player . Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  60. "Artists - Reverend Guitars". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  61. Bienstock, Richard (July 26, 2019). "Reverend Guitars Unveils Reeves Gabrels Signature RGX". Guitar World . Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  62. "12 Questions with Dan Auerbach". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  63. "Arists". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  64. "12 Questions with Robert "Bucket" Hingley". Reverendguitars.com. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  65. "everend Guitars Unveils the Greg Koch Gristlemaster and Rick Vito Signature Soulshaker". Premier Guitar . January 24, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  66. 1 2 3 "Reverend Guitars - Artists". Reverendguitars.com.