Reverend Workhorse Series

by Jude Gold
Guitar Player Magazine

Reverend guitars typically weigh in at a mere 6-1/2 lbs each. Style-wise, however, these sleek, 6-string hunks of Americana are undeniable heavyweights, simultaneously evoking the chromed-out glory of hot rod cars and the comforting steel-rimmed-Formica vibe of classic American diners. In an age that seems to have seen every guitar design imaginable, the semi-hollow bodies on Reverend guitars have achieved the most elusive goal of every guitar designer-a distinct look and a unique tone, without being freak-of-nature instruments thattest the bounds of taste and class.

Common Features Aside from color choice and the option of a maple fretboard, the chief variation between each Workhorse model is the pickup/electronics configuration. All Workhorses ship with the same bridge, satin-finished neck, graphite nut, S.I.T. strings (in the gauge of your choice), and semi-hollow body, but, unlike Premium Series Reverends, they don't have a beveled, multi-ply pickguard or Sperzel locking tuners. This small amount of corner cutting helps Workhorses come in at well under $600. Reverend founder Joe Naylor deserves extra credit for being obsessive about setting up each guitar perfectly before it is shipped from his Michigan factory. One would think more guitar makers would adhere strictly to this ideal, because nothing helps a brand new guitar sell better than a straight neck, butter-smooth frets, perfect intonation, and strings that can be bent up as much a major third without fretting out.

On The Gig There's something really satisfying about strolling a few blocks to the club with three guitars slung over your shoulder and not getting a muscle cramp or a tweaked back. Normally, I bring only one axe to the gig and just risk it. (If a string pops, I just yell, "Drum solo!") But the Workhorses are so portable it's hard leave any of them behind, especially when they each have such a unique sound. I brought all three to a handful of performances, primarily running them through either a Fender Vibroverb outfitted with a 15" Eminence, or a Marshall JCM2000 DSL50 driving a 4x12 bottom loaded with '70s Celestion greenbacks. It was only when I was chasing a legit jazz tone that I was stumped. (Hey, there's just no substitute for a fat archtop.) For everything else-from Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye on up through No Doubt and Radiohead, I had nearly every era of guitar tone covered.

Instant Gratification Workhorse Avenger TL Who's it for? Disciples of the single coil who like boosted bridge-position cluck and increased overall sustain. Kudos Stratocaster shimmer. Telecaster intonation. Great playability. Personality for days. Concerns May irk traditionalists. Price $559 direct Avenger TL The Avenger TL, with its 5-position pickup selector switch and three single coils (including one that is wound for classic Telecaster cluck and angle-mounted in the bridge position) instantly reminded me of my first Fender Stratocaster, but without the tuning hassles of a standard vibrato system. For this reason, the Avenger TL excels in the studio, because it delivers traditional single-coil glory without sacrificing solid intonation and the ability keep stationary notes in tune while playing oblique bends (in which you hold one note while bending another). Sound-wise, the guitar radiates crystalline timbres worthy of reverb-soaked'60s surf rock treatments, Robin Trower grunge, or high-gloss '80s-style digital makeovers.

Instant Gratification Workhorse Commando Who's it for? Passionate riff sculptors who rock hard in the bridge position but want single-coil sparkle at the neck. Kudos Pickups are perfectly matched in output. Humbucker coil tap. Great playability. Personality for days. Concerns May irk traditionalists. Price $579 direct Commando The Commando's specialty is combining the dramatically different sonic worlds of single-coil and humbucking pickups. I was truly astonished by how balanced its two pickups are in output. Even without the coil-tap switch engaged, the roar of the bridge-position humbucker never out-shouts the guitar's fluty neck-position single-coil tones. It was also with this guitar's bridge pickup in full scream mode through the Marshall that I first noticed the aural dividends earned by having Reverend's standard treble-bypass circuit rigged to the volume pot. Involving an extra capacitor, this bit of McGuyvery allows you cut your volume without losing most of your high frequencies (as you would with a typical passive volume circuit).

Instant Gratification Workhorse Slingshot Custom Who's it for? Greedy rock and blues tone mongers who want five glorious soap-bar sounds from one guitar. Kudos Punchy, in-your-face chime and girth from each pickup. Great playability. Personality for days. Concerns May irk traditionalists. Price $579 direct EDITORS' PICK AWARD Slingshot Custom Loaded with three P-90-style pickups the Slingshot Custom is my personal fave of the Workhorse line. Like the other two it has monster sustain, perfect playability, and undeniable style, so it won over my ears, eyes, and hands in an instant. But with its three soap bar pickups, the Slingshot also won my heart, because in both vibe and spirit, these pickups seem to perfectly match Reverend's whole ethos of hollow metal-on-plastic construction-a perfect match of function and form. Plus, P-90s have a truly festive sound for the simple reason that they let just about every frequency into the tone party. If you like wide-bodied blues and rock sounds that are plenty rough around the edges (especially when overdriven), this guitar-with its 5-position selector switch-serves 'em hot and in five different flavors. The Slingshot Custom wins an Editors' Pick Award.

End of the Workday Nearly everybody who picked one up commented on what a nice ring the guitars have- unplugged. Amplified, these guitars are all the more vocal, and, in high gain/volume situations, they sing with feedback without, tonally speaking, coming loose at the seams. In fact, in terms of sound and playability, I have absolutely zero complaints about the Workhorses. That doesn't, however, mean these guitars are perfect for everyone. Their distinctive shape, for instance, may not appeal to all players, especially on darker stages, where I noticed that sometimes the jagged, bright white pickguard seems to be the only thing visible. Also, the standard chrome armrest for the strumming arm may take some getting used to. It is, of course, more comfortable than the body's beveled plastic edge would be in its absence, but, at about 3/32" high beneath your elbow, it does alter your arm angle slightly, which may bug guitarists who are particularly technique-conscious. Finally, these guitar bodies are just a tad on the small side. If, like me, you're 6'1" and possibly in need of one or two visits to the gym, you may find these guitars make you look a bit, well, lumberjack-y. That said, there's something so undeniably groovy about the unique looks, tone, and feel of Workhorses that you may dream of owning the entire line. Maybe it's because these imaginative guitars are perfectly symmetrical and look like a chiseled, matching set of colored gems in your guitar rack. Or perhaps it's because you can spill hamburger grease and ketchup on them and wipe 'em clean with a paper towel and Windex. Or maybe it's because they're as American as apple pie and Harley Davidsons, yet are as affordable as much of the "outsourced" competition they face from domestic guitar makers who contract out their low-end lines to overseas manu facturers. Whatever the case, Reverend deserves mad props for their vibey guitars, inspiring tones, and unshakable faith in the American dream.