Vintage Guitar's Willie Moseley
"I got yer 'Retro-Vibe' right here!"

What in the world could have motivated a successful builder of an acclaimed line of guitar amplifiers to completely switch gears in the middle of his career, opting to design and manufacture a new brand of electric guitars and basses that have such a terrific time-warp vibe, you'd half expect to catch a whiff of Brylcreem whenever you open the case of a Reverend instrument?

Joe Naylor is a graduate of the respected Roberto-Venn luthiery school, but his new instruments are unlike any "traditional" electric guitars or basses. He readily admits he designed his products because of his respect for both the classic sonic properties and aesthetics of vintage guitars: however, like a lot of so-called "retro-vibe" items in today's electric guitar market, Reverend guitars actually best the originals when it comes to quality and innovations.

Examining a Reverend instrument in detail reveals that its unique and versatile tonal capabilities are elicited from a combination of internal and external construction features. The most obvious and eye-catching facet is their wood-based phenolic tops and backs, but it helps to know that this ain't no regular, uh, "counter-top" material - the company orders it in a specific thickness to facilitate optimum resonance. What's more, those terrific colors (including the perfectly-monikered "57 Turquoise") and textured surface are also custom ordered.

The one piece molded side rim is also innovative, because it's an integral part of the instrument's construction, not just decorative. Nevertheless, it probably does conjure up memories of certain egalitarian for many an aging boomer, and such was okay with Naylor. Even the metal forearm rest is a cool-but-absolutely-functional feature.

"Beneath the surface", a Reverend instrument's construction is also unique, which adds to the uniqueness of it's sound. A center block of white mahogany runs the full length of the body, a la "semi-hollow" guitars and basses; however, there's also a small steel block embedded into the mahogany block, which not only enhances the sustain capabilities of the instrument even more, it also contributes to the balanced ergonomics of a stereotypical Reverend. It all adds up to what Naylor has dubbed the "high resonance body design". Tonally essential, and innovative enough to garner Joe his first U.S. Patent.

Not surprisingly, the pickup configurations offered on Reverend guitars include all of the classic styles (and sounds) - mating 'em to Reverend guitar body (with its innovative construction) offers a player a dependable and inspiring sonic experience (vibratos are available on all guitars as well). Then there's the redoubtable Rumblefish model (of particular interest to a bass player like yours truly). The original four-string Rumblefish comes with a standard 34-inch scale, and is available in two different control configurations. Like its six-string siblings, it's balanced, comfortable, and extremely resonant and responsive, which makes it a joy to play.

However, when one examines the Rumblefish 5L, other examples of the innovations of Naylor and associates are encountered. The five-string electric bass (low B string) is a fairly new development in the bass market, i.e., there wasn't a vintage counterpart for the Rumblefish 5L to emulate. And in an effort to maximize the performance of this particular instrument, the scale on a Rumblefish 5L is 35 inches instead of 34. Moreover, the sharp-eyed observers will note that the two pickups on a Rumblefish 5L are closer together. According to Naylor, that's where the "sweet spot" on the model will provide the most resonance and response. Shrewd, huh? (There's also a Brad Houser 5 signature model 5-string.)

Not content to rest on the acclaim afforded the original Reverend instruments, the company one-upped itself in early 2000, when their even-more-eye-catching-yet-sonically-innovative Real MetalÙ finishes were introduced as an option. Consisting of a thin piece of textured aluminum bonded to a phenolic laminate, these new tops and backs offer even more sustain and better attack and chime, according to Naylor. The company must have done something right, because the first Real MetalÙ finish Reverend introduced, "Bug Eye Black Chrome", is now the most popular Reverend finish, Real MetalÙ or standard phenolic, says Naylor.

Other options on all instruments include maple fingerboards and upgrade tuning keys. Reverend guitars and basses are available with a standard gig bag (included with instrument) or a hip-looking "teardrop" hardshell case; the color scheme on the hardshell case correlates with the instrument therein - it has a white "sidewall" all the way around!

Anytime a guitar manufacturer can deliver a new innovation to the marketplace and make it look as cool as a stereotypical Reverend guitar or bass, there's gonna be a buzz that gets goin' among players. Word of mouth is the best and cheapest kind of advertising in the music business, and it shouldn't come as any surprise that Reverend instruments have already been in the hands of players in genres as diverse as Blues, Contemporary Christian, and Rap Metal. And by the way, Joe's marketing amplifiers again, as well as an overdrive unit and speakers.

Reverend guitars and basses owe a tip of the hat to the classic instruments of yore, regarding their looks and sound. But when it comes to the way they're built, they're light years ahead of the instruments that inspired Joe Naylor, and the Reverends are an affordable and intriguing alternative to many of the so-called "reissues" in today's guitar market.

And isn't that what being a successful upstart is all about?

Willie G. Moseley has been a feature writer and columnist for Vintage Guitar Magazine since 1989, and is the author of several books on guitars and popular music.

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