You’ve probably familiar with the brand name, but do you know who plays Reverend guitars? In this article, I’ll reveal seven Reverend players that took their craft to another level. It might surprise you to learn who they are!
For those of you that have never played a Reverend guitar, make it your quest to find one and give it a try. What’s one more guitar in the herd? You can sneak it in when no one’s watching. ?
So, sit back and relax with a snack and your favorite beverage. I really think you’ll enjoy this!
You can use the table of contents below to take you to the area that interests you. Click on the little box to open it, and then click on the section of the article you want to read, or you can read from start to finish if you want the full Reverend player experience!
What Are Reverend Guitars?
Reverend guitars are not exactly a household name, but you have probably their trademark sound in at least one of your favorite songs. This “boutique-quality” company has been making guitars and basses since 1977.
They are available in various styles and configurations for all musical genres. Everything from solid-body to hollowbody, single-coil to humbucker, bolt-on to set-neck, Reverend’s distinctive design, playability, and sound shines through
If you’re not already familiar with Reverend guitars, I hope this article will motivate you to seek one out and give it a try!
For more info, see the Reverend company profile that appears later in the article.
Seven “Play It Like You Stole It” Reverend Players
How many of these guitar-slingers are you familiar with?
- Greg Koch – All-around guitar sorcerer
- Pete Anderson – Grammy winning player
- Rick Vito – You wouldn’t believe who he’s played with
- Gil Parris – Grammy nominated virtuoso
- Reeves Gabriels – Guitar player, singer, songwriter, producer
- Jenn Wasner – Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist
- Billy Corgan – “The Smashing Pumpkins” visionary
Keep On Reading To Learn More About Each Player!
Greg Koch
Greg Koch is one of my favorite guitar players! To say that his music is built upon technical wizardry and magic is a bit of an understatement!
Greg was a long-term Fender artist, and he has done tons of clinics and trade shows on their behalf. He is more deadly on six strings than smallpox!
He has worked with several bands, including Greg Koch and the Tone Controls, Greg Koch and Other Bad Men, and The Koch Marshall Trio. Greg has presided over many solo projects throughout the years.
Reverend Signature Series Guitars:
- Greg Koch Gristle 90
- Greg Koch Signature Gristlemaster
Greg Koch Gristle 90 Specs
- Fishman Fluence Greg Koch Gristle-Tone Signature P-90 active pickups (noiseless)
- Push-pull phase switch, when using neck and bridge pickups together
- Bigsby vibrato tailpiece with “Soft Touch” spring
- Chambered body for enhanced resonance and harmonics
- Pin-Lock tuning machines for fast string changes and tuning stability
See Reverend Greg Koch Signature Gristlemaster – Killer Tone! and Reverend Greg Koch Gristle 90 – Noiseless P90 Pickup Magic! for my review on these two guitars.
Pete Anderson
Pete Anderson is a Grammy-winning guitar player and producer. He initially worked with Dwight Yoakam, becoming a country music star.
Pete performs in various musical genres, including country & western, rockabilly, soul, rock, and blues. He has also worked with Roy Orbison, Jackson Browne, Buck Owens, Michelle Shocked, and Meat Puppets.
Reverend Signature Series Guitars:
- Pete Anderson PA-1
- Pete Anderson Eastsider Baritone
- Pete Anderson Eastsider S
- Pete Anderson Eastsider T
- Pete Anderson PA-1 RB
Pete Anderson PA-1 Specs
- Laminated maple back and sides topped with spruce top
- 9A5 neck and bridge pickups for vintage P90 tone
- Treble bleed circuit and bass contour
- Bigsby B-70 tremolo
- Uni-Brace construction for increased resonance and sustain
Rick Vito
Rick is an excellent guitar player and vocalist who began his professional career in 1971 playing with Delaney & Bonnie.
This guy is simply a fantastic player in every regard!
He went on to play pop, R&B, rock, blues, and country with John Mayall, Fleetwood Mac, Jackson Browne, Todd Rundgren, and Bonnie Raitt.
Gil also had musical collaborations with Bob Seger, Little Richard, Dolly Parton, Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, Roy Orbison, Muldaur, Albert Collins, and the list goes on from there!
Reverend Signature Series Guitar:
- Rick Vito Soulshaker
Rick Vito Soulshaker Specs
- Chambered Korina body
- Solid maple top for enhanced resonance
- Alnico 5 Reverend neck and bridge humbuckers for full-bodied tone
- Bigsby B-50 with roller bridge
- Pin-Lock tuning machines for fast string changes and tuning stability
Gil Parris
Grammy-nominated Gil Parris can play anything. He has worked with over 20 groups and artists such as Dr. John, Bernie Williams, Blood Sweat & Tears, and Toni Braxton.
Gil studied at the Berklee College Of Music.
As a soloist, his six albums blend jazz, blues, rock, and pop into his unique mix of high-energy sounds.
Reverend Signature Series Guitar:
- Gil Parris Signature GPS
Gil Parris Signature GPS Specs
- Fishman Fluence Single Width neck, middle, and bridge pickups
- Wilkinson WVS50K Tremolo
- Dual-action truss rod
- Push-pull switch on bridge tone knob for “Tone Shift”
- Pin-Lock tuning machines for fast string changes and tuning stability
Reeves Gabrels
Reeves is an outstanding guitar player, songwriter, and record producer. He formed the band “Tin Machine” with David Bowie in 1989 and worked with him before his solo career with “Reeves Gabrels and His Imaginary Friends.”
Reeves went on to play guitar in the British band “The Cure.”
He has produced six albums as a songwriter and guitarist, including “The Sacred Squall of Now,” “Ulysses (Della Notte),” “Live…Late…Loud,” and “Rockonica.”
Reverend Signature Series Guitars:
- Reeves Gabrels Dirtbike
- Reeves Gabrels Dirtbike Royale
- Reeves Gabrels Signature
- Reeves Gabrels Signature RG-SUS
- Reeves Gabrels Spacehawk
Reeves Gabrels Dirtbike Specs
- Railhammer Reeves Gabrels bridge high-output pickup
- “Bass roll-off,” tightens up the low end for single coil and P90 sounds
- Wilkinson GTB tremolo for excellent sustain
- Set neck for dynamic response
- Pin-Lock tuning machines for fast string changes and tuning stability
Jenn Wasner
Jenn is a fascinating multi-instrumentalist and vocalist that plays guitar, bass, and keyboards.
She is probably best known for playing with the band Wye Oak.
Her solo projects include Flock of Dimes and a collaboration with Jon Ehrens that produced Dungeonesse.
Jenn’s studio albums include “If You See Me, Say Yes,” “Like So Much Desire,” and “Head of Roses: Phantom Limb.”
Reverend Signature Series Guitar:
- Jenn Wasner Signature
Jenn Wasner Signature Specs
- HA5 neck PAF-style humbucker pickup for warm tone with slight mid scoop
- HA5 bridge classic-style humbucker, wound slightly hotter for extra drive
- Treble bleed circuit, keeps treble during volume roll-back
- Lower profile volume and tone control knobs
- Pure Tone Technologies upgraded output jack for improved audio signal
Billy Corgan
Billy is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and professional wrestling promoter. He is best known as the driving force behind the 1991 band “The Smashing Pumpkins.”
From 2002 to 2005, Billy toured with New Order and formed the band Zwan.
Billy reformed The Smashing Pumpkins in 2005, during which time he has been involved in several “non-Pumpkins” related solo projects.
His solo albums have included “The Future Embrace,” “Aegea, “Ogilala,” and “Cotillions.”
Reverend Signature Series Guitars:
- Billy Corgan Signature
- Billy Corgan Terz
Billy Corgan Signature Specs
- Railhammer Billy Corgan Signature neck and bridge pickups for P-90-type humbucker tones
- Bass Contour control tightens the low end and revoices pickups
- Treble bleed circuit, keeps treble during volume roll-back
- String-through-body bridge for percussive attack and enhanced sustain
- Pin-Lock tuning machines for fast string changes and tuning stability
Reverend Company Profile
Reverend Musical Instruments, commonly known as Reverend Guitars, was started by Joe Naylor in a garage in East Detroit in 1977, where he created the first Guitar.
Joe is an outstanding designer, builder, and graduate of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery.
Reverend has been run by Chief Executive Officer Ken Hass & Chief Operating Officer Penny Haas since 2010, while Joe continues to oversee things in the R&D department. The company has produced over 30 models of guitars and bass guitars, including ten signature models.
The guitars are manufactured at Mirr Music in South Korea and then set up and inspected in Toledo, Ohio. They feature Reverend’s custom pickups and “Bass Contour Control (BCC),” which works in conjunction with the guitar’s traditional bass and treble control to add or remove additional low frequencies.
Advantages Of Reverend Guitars
Here are some of the main advantages of owning a Reverend guitar.
- High-quality instruments
- Aesthetically beautiful & easily recognizable
- Play great
- Stay in tune
- Sound awesome
What You Might Not Like About Reverend Guitars
Priced High For Most Beginners
If you are just beginning your guitar journey, a Reverend guitar may not be the instrument for you. It is priced for more advanced players and pros.
Hardshell Case Is Not Included
Considering their list price range, these guitars should come with a hardshell case, at least in my opinion! You can read more about the optional hardshell case available through Reverend in the next section.
Beware Of The Hardshell Case Issue!
Reverend says the hardshell case is “optional,” which means you’re on your own to make guitar transport arrangements!
They sell a TKL Premium Teardrop Guitar Case, which features a multi-ply, hand-laminated wood shell with forge steel-plated hardware.
This case will set you back about $220, but it’s very high quality. You can use any hardshell case that holds a Fender guitar and save yourself some money.
If you buy this guitar without a hardshell case, be sure to bargain for a free gig bag to store and carry it in. It really deserves something more substantial for players who will use the guitar professionally!
Are Reverend Guitars For You?
Adding a Reverend guitar to your tribe doesn’t appeal to every guitar player, but the only way to know is to play one when the opportunity presents itself.
There are so many models to choose from that it’s simply a matter of finding what works best for you. If you can afford one, this is not a guitar you can “outgrow,” no matter how good you get or what music you play.
So, if you really love how a Reverend guitar looks, sounds, and plays, it’s worth the investment. If you decide playing the guitar is ultimately not for you, the resale value should be pretty good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions I get asked about Reverend guitars.
If your question does not appear here, please put it in the comments, and I will get right back to you with an answer.
Where Are Reverend Guitars Made?
The guitars are manufactured at Mirr Music in South Korea and then set up and inspected in Toledo, Ohio. Mirr Music is owned by Hank Cho, a third-generation high-quality guitar builder.
Do Reverend Guitars Come With Cases?
A hardshell case is optional with Reverend guitars. Reverend sells a TKL Premium Teardrop Guitar Case, which features a multi-ply, hand-laminated wood shell with forge steel-plated hardware.
What Strings Do Reverend Guitars Use?
Reverend uses D’Addario Round wound nickel-plated strings. The Gristle 90 comes with string gauge 10-46.
How Does Reverend Set Its Guitar String Height?
4.5/64 inch for the E, A, D, & G strings and 4/64 inch for the B & E strings. Measurements are made from the bottom of each open string to the top of the 12th fret with the guitar tuned to standard pitch and held in the playing position.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article on who plays Reverend guitars has given you a better idea of the quality and versatility of these instruments, especially If you have never heard of this brand!
Let’s face it, they are not commonly used by the average guitar player, and I can’t even remember the last time I saw one on stage in a local band.
I chose these seven artists because they represent a wide variety of musical genres and styles. Still, I strongly recommend you visit the “Artists” page on the Reverend website, which contains a staggering range of professional players and every imaginable guitar configuration!
So, get hold of a Reverend and “Play It Like You Stole It!” ? ?
Tell Me What You Think!
Please leave a comment below if you enjoyed this article, have any questions about Reverend electric guitars, or want to give your point of view. I will be happy to help you.
- Do you own a Reverend guitar? What do you think about it?
- What Reverend model is your favorite?
- Who is your favorite Reverend guitar player? Why?
- After reading this article, are you thinking about trying or buying a Reverend guitar?
I have a few friends who are really really really into guitars and are constantly bringing different models from their collections over to our practice sessions. I can’t say I’ve ever heard them mention Reverend though. I’ve seen a lot of fancy Rickenbackers that are priced much higher than most Fender models that rock musicians seem to have. How do the Reverend and Rickenbackers compare? I’m going to ask my friends about this brand next time we practice. Thanks for the interesting lesson!
Hi, Aly
Thank You for your comments!
Rickenbacker guitars sound very different from the Reverend instruments. Think the Beatles (George Harrison) or the Byrds (Roger McGuinn). They both helped put Rickenbacker “on the map.”
Depending on the model, Reverend guitars sound like a cross between “souped-up” Fenders and Gibsons. The best way to find out is to play one for yourself. They build both 6-string and bass guitars with a lot of attention to detail and top-of-the-line parts.
Frank
A few years ago Reverend guitars came on to my radar when I saw Jack White using one… correct me if I’m wrong!!!
Hi, Chris
I do believe you are correct about Jack. ?
If you haven’t played one, check them out and let me know what you think!
Rock On! ?
Frank ?
I didn’t even know so much about guitar, and did not even know there is such a thing called Reverend Guitar, thought it was some sort of the personnel in some religion house.
anyway, thanks for information, at least now I know a bit more about guitar, though I played a few times this music instrument.
Hi, Chee
Thank You for your comments.
Reverend guitars are typically purchased by guitarists that are intermediate or advanced players. If you are interested in learning to play the guitar, I recommend starting with a cheaper “beginner’s” model, which you can purchase online or at your local music store. I have articles on how to buy a guitar from both places on my website.
Let me know if you need any assistance in this regard, and I will be happy to help you.
Frank
Your passion for the Reverend brand of guitars shines through every word of this article. Well written and researched, and written in such a way that even someone like myself who has no particular interest in guitars felt compelled to read through to the end.
You covered some important considerations in terms of price range, in comparison with other brands, and gave both pros and cons, so anyone considering making a purchase knows what they’re up against. A thorough and enjoyable read.
Hi, Rosemarie
I appreciate your comments!
I’m glad you enjoyed the article.
Frank
Reverend guitars are absolutely top notch. I enjoy that they aren’t a typical knock-off of Fender or Gibson. They sound and play beautifully. They are not cheap, but cost well below what many consider boutique brands. Always worth a look if you need a gig worthy instrument.
Hi, Terry
Thank You for your comments!
I love Reverend guitars for all the reasons you mentioned, plus a whole lot more. It’s not easy to put a Reverend guitar down, and there are so many different styles to choose from. Any serious player should definitely give these guitars a look before buying anything else!
Keep on Playing!
Frank ?
I would like to hear the versatility and range of tones on the Eastside S and T models. I need to hear clean jazz, blues and rocking country sounds. What I seem to find is the rocking sounds, which sound excellent. I like what I see, I wished they had maple necks on a couple of the colors (IMO) Thank you. Great content.
Hi, Mark
Thank You for your comments!
Yeah, I agree that Reverend guitars can really rock!
I guess it depends on what kind of Country music you play. For my money, nothing sounds as good as a vintage-style Tele!
I like maple necks, too!
Hope you find what you’re looking for!?
Frank ?