Reverend Commando GT

Reverend Commando GT, 2004 Workman series. Standard Commando configuration, SSH, 5 way switch the the coil tap. Black with grey pick guard. Workman series has non locking tuners. No whammy bar. Rosewood fretboard and the really cool Reverend case. I am pleased to say that the guitar is Made In America.
One feature that I love on the guitar is this: the fellow that built the guitar hand writes and initials the guitar when he builds it. You can go to their website and get a look at the guy that built your guitar. May not be a big deal to some but it is to me. It lets me know that he is proud of his work.... enough to put his name on it and his face on the web for everyone to see. Really cool to see these days.

I play blues and Southern Rock. Things along the line of Delbert McClinton and Elvin Bishop with some Allman and BB King kind of things. Currently using a Traynor QV80 with 2-12s and the tubes all changed to groove tubes. I was thinking of an Avenger and ran across this guitar on ebay. Bought it and am really glad I did. The sound is amasing. I have always played LP's until a year ago. Became hooked on Strats. Have a mint 84 with hot gold laces and a 99 with laces - blue in the neck, silver in the middle and red on the bridge. They sound sweet but have not been out of the case since getting the Rev. The guitar is awesome. It really rings out! The tone is so unlike any of my other guitars (have hollow bodies and a couple of Washburns also). I like the sound enough that Reverend will be all I buy from now on.

Like everyone else, I was a little concerned about the body materials..... that is until I heard the guitar. Everything on the guitar is very tight. Frets are excellent. I intended to buy one with all the custom stuff on it but I am really glad I did not. The guitar is very nice looking and oooozzzzes pro quality. The neck is similar to a Strat the finish is very nice. When ordering from the factory they will set the guitar up per your request. I purchased from an individual so I got his set up. It was a bit high for my taste so I adjusted it and went to 9s from 10s. Intonation was dead on when I got the thing. Truss rod was just right also. Not a bunch of gizmos on the guitar but it is built to be played. Many times in the last couple of weeks I have had to force myself to put it down at 1 or 2 in the morning so I could get up to go to work at 7. The thing is addicting.

I have only had the guitar for a couple of weeks. I have found nothing to complain about (and believe me if I spent any money on it the first thing I do is look for something). All the hardware is solid. I intended to buy locking tuners if I had one made but honestly it does not need them unless you get the Bigsby. Holds tune great. Solid as a rock. I would have no concerns about playing with no backup. By the way, fun facts to know and tell, even the workman series comes with the graphite nut. Grafite bridges are an option from the factory.

I have had questions for the factory. Sent emails and got promt responses. It looks like the folks there love to make guitars and are proud of their product. Rev being in MI and me from GA, I have to say the yankees done good on the product and support.

Played a ton when young for about 10 years. Did not play for a long time and then got back into it a year ago. Had some of my old guitars and have bought 7 in the last year. Bought them, modified them, bought some more looking for the sound that just got me. This guitar did it straight out of the case. I love the sound and the playability of the guitar. The pick ups are hot as a firecracker. Really alive. The neck is great and the look is kind a funny mix of retro and futuristic. It sounds so different than anything else I have heard but you need to play it "clean" to really get to know the guitar. It sounds great on my all tube amp and the solid state. The only thing I miss on the guitar is the tapered shape where your picking arm crosses the guitar body.... but that is just because I have been playing Strats for the past year. LPs are not tapered either and no one seems to care. If the guitar were stolen I would find the sucker and beat them to a pulp. Ya I would buy another. I am going to and this one does not need to go anywhere for that to happen. I want one with the flames sand blasted into the top... probably an Avenger next time with 3 singles. You can spend all you want on a guitar but I do not think you will ever find a better value. The guitar is hand built in the States. You can get a new Workman series (standard build with few options) of any model for under $600 and can get the premium series (locking tuners, choiced of finished and other slick stuff) for under a grand. A nice Korean guitar would cost that and I bet you can't call them up with questions. The Reverend had converted me!!!

This is a 2004 Reverend Commando GT that I bought from Beaverton Music Services in Beaverton, Or. Matt there told me that Reverend is currently being somewhat "careful" in selecting shops to sell their gear, which previously was ONLY available direct from Reverend (www.reverenddirect.com). This is a Commando GT with blue brushed aluminum finsh, two single coil p/u (middle and neck), humbucker in bridge position, 5-way toggle and a mini coil tap for the H/B. Bigsby whammy, Sperzel locking tuners, mape neck w/ rosewood fretboard and standard Reverend body and design. I got this guitar in early summer 2004 from a local shop licensed by Reverend as a dealer (a recent development for Reverend). I've made no modifications (I usually don't anyway). All in all, a very solid set of controls and finish options available. Nothing really extrordinary except for the available brushed aluminum finishes.

I play in several musical situations including late 50's through 70's classic and oldies rock, high energy power pop and heavier classic rock and metal (I call it biker rock). This guitar fits all those styles very well. I believe there is very little, genre-wise, that this axe couldn't handle with authority. The single coils provide all the commonly used Strat tones while the neck P/U provides the Les Paul "bite". The body is chambered so I can also get a 335/345 semi-hollow body roundness. This is a surprisingly versatile guitar.

Feels flatter across the fretboard than my Strat did. More like, but not identicle to, an ES-345 I used to have. I really like it. I can get the perfect blend of Gibson suppleness combined with Fender tension. I took it to my guitar guy for an intonation check, but it didn't need an adjustment. I did have the action lowered slightly, but otherwise a fine setup straight from the shop.

This guitar definitely gets used live. I prefer it to every other guitar except my Soloway Swan (check out THAT axe if you get a chance!). I take this guitar to jam nights, use as my backup, loan to guest players onstage, whatever. This is a workingman's guitar, meant to be played and affordable to buy and own. So far the aluminum finish has been fine, but in a few years, who knows? I expect it will be scratched and worn, that's what happens when you use a guitar. I don't worry about it. I treat this guitar like what it is, a workingman's guitar.

The shop has been awesome. If Reverend is hand picking their "brick and mortar" stores to be sure that the representation is controled, then they made the right choice with this one, Beaverton Music Services in Beaverton, Oregon 503-643-5431. Matt has been absolutety terrific. Well worth the 40 minute drive for me to get there.

This thing is a mainstrean guitar killer. If you play a Strat, Tele, Les Paul, ES-335/345/355, SG, PRS or just about any other mainstream, "macro-builder" guitar, you owe it to yourself to check out a Reverend. With a wide array of models offering many different P/u layouts, I think you'll find a better sounding and better playing working axe than any of those mainstream guitars. And, at least in some cases, probably at a far better pricepoint.

Aluminum Lava Swirl finish. S/S/H with switch to split the humbucker and custom switch to allow for bridge and neck pickups to be used at the same time and also all three on at the same time. Locking tuners, graphite saddles and strap locks added by request.It has volume and a tone control that actually works. Mine is a string through body solid bridge. This is a 2001 model, I understand there are some changes and options in the new models. Oh, and mine has a rosewood fretboard.

This guitar suits many styles, but I use it for heavy rock in the vain of Kyuss, Clutch, etc... It is great at clean sounds as well. I use it with an Emery Microbaby and J. Everman Fuzz Drive Deluxe, both of which are superb at heavy, complex, uncompressed, and very natural sound. This guitar is very quiet even on the non hum-cancelling settings, I think the aluminum helps in this regard. I would say the sound of this guitar is very balanced, full and fat, but not muddy. The aluminum adds a touch of brightness, (not thinness), and a great chime that really shines with all three pickups on. As far as variety goes, this thing is outstanding, with the pickup configuration, coil split, and ability to have the bridge/neck or all three on at the same time, I couldn't ask for anything more. The pickups are very good and seem to be expertly chosen to match the sonics of this guitar.

Very good and exceptional at this price point. The action is great. The only thing I didn't care for was that the tuners were slightly crooked at first, but the service is so great that they took care of it for me asap! Who's going to do that for you? Certainly not Fender, you could drop alot more on a guitar that couldn't touch the craftsmanship of this instrument.

Solid as a rock.

Simply the best! I had some custom requests and many questions about this guitar. I think I may have annoyed Mr. Naylor, but he took care of me very thoroughly and promptly. During the process of asking my questions I learned much about this instrument. It has furthered my appreciation of it and let me see how well thought out it really is. Everything piece is chosen for a reason and comes together in a beautiful and original instrument that plays and sounds like a dream.

I've been playing for about 10 years and am very picky about my purchases. I research everything and try to find the best values out there without compromising tone. I don't think you could do better than this even at twice the price.

Mine is a 2001 Commando GT (or Avenger GT). Officially, I think it's a Commando because the neck pick up is angled. It is the Lava Swirl with (what I am told) one of the last available maple necks. :( It has a chrome covered splitable humbucker in the bridge, a single coil in the middle and angled single coil in the neck. Tones span from strat/tele/les paul to it's own spank with absurd sustain due to the metal body. This is my second metal Reverend guitar (10th Reverend total). Upon sending an e-mail regarding the RIDICULOUS cool and amazing tone I get from my first diamond plate metal bodied commando, Joe responded with a casual "yeh, that's all were making now is the metal bodies". Clearly a mind reader, or someone who is REALLY on his shit.

The guitar is virtually silent. Perhaps the most quiet you can get with the kind of REAL TONE (not "EMG"ish) it offers. This guitar can fit ANY music style. I play a high-gain metal style professionally. However, the tones offered here span ANYTHING you can play on it. I'm sure you jazz/blues players would be VERY impressed. Classic rock is nailed with this instrument. Sounds great with no amp. Sounds even better with a good amp.

The action was set up perfectly (as usual). The pick ups adjusted just right. After 10 guitars, I think the folks @ Reverend know how I like em. In fact, (less a set of strap locks added by my trusty tech. POLAR BEAR) I used it just minutes after having it picked up. No Adjustments Needed! No problems..as expected.

Benefits (As Respects Reliability/Durability) Reverend offers over "assembly line" guitars..

Longer, bigger strap button screws that WON'T pull out.
Quality jacks/pots are sealed on (no loose screws EVER)
Smooth "through body" strings (less strings break) sustain! Tightly sealed pots offer less cleaning needed (less noise)

All these things are just a few less things to worry about while doing gigs. This allows the player (me!) to concentrate on playing my guitar...not fixing it!
Although I do have back ups, the ONLY reason I EVER use them is because I am occationally too lazy to change strings on my #1 guitar...and the inevitable happens at the worst possible moment (as usual)!!!

Joe answers the phone and his e-mail. He makes quality products and backs them up quickly and well. The best part is...they do it right the 1st time so you'll probably never need to contact Reverend with the exception of expressing your gushing approval of their product. That's all I ever do!

Been a rockin' 22+ years..'bout 15 as a pro. Almost everything I own is Made in Detroit. Rocktron/ISP makes the best/cleanest effects. Reverend makes the most consistant, best sounding, original guitars. Egnater has been my amp of choice up until I got my Reverend Hellhound 40/60. Now I have a new favorite amp! Needless to say if my Reverend Commando GT guitar were stolen, I'd replace it. Maybe next time I'd get the bug eye chrome. I don't have one of those yet!!! I WANT ONE!!!
-Nameless One/Corporate Avenger-taxesarestealing.com

This is a 2000 USA-made guitar. I've had it for several weeks and have played it a lot. Standard Reverend body shape; semi-hollow wood-based phenolic and injected plastic with 6 inch wide wood block down the middle; overwound angled strat-style pickup in the neck position, mellower strat-style pickup in the middle, and "zebra" humbucker at the bridge with coil tap and 5-way switch; master volume and tone controls; beautiful, satin finished, 12-inch radius maple/rosewood somewhat chunky neck with 22 medium jumbo frets; strat-style string-through bridge; die cast non-locking tuners of unknown make; chrome hardware; silver pickguard with special bug eye chrome metallic aluminum finish. Came with padded gig bag. I also ordered the two-toned hardshell case.

I play rock, blues, roots, and "jam band" music and the guitar suits these styles really well. The body is very resonant and the pickups are very well balanced in their output - not too overwhelming, ranging from bright to full and very nuanced. The volume and especially the tone controls are very responsive. The coil tap is the real deal and shifts the sound from deep humbucker to tele-like with the flick of a switch. The strat-style pickups are quacky and mellow in a good way. The 2nd and 4th positions are hum-cancelling, but the other positions are generally really quiet as well. Maybe the metal finish provides some extra shielding. I play through a 66 Vibro-champ for practice and a mid 90's Vibro-King loaded with 2 Eminence Blue Frames and a Weber P10N. With the Vibroking, I use a pedalboard with the following: guitar > Morley A/B (B goes to Boss TU-2 tuner) > EH Q-Tron > Boss CS3 compressor > Fulltone FullDrive 2 (early orange model) > Boss OC2 octave > T.C. Chorus/Flanger > Boss DM3 analog delay > amp. With the Vibrochamp, I use a Boss DD2 digital delay. Obviously, different sounding through each amp, but both wonderful.

The guitar was set up well. The action was as I liked it - medium low with requested 10s (9s are standard). Pickups were adjusted well. The neck-body joint was a tight fit. The fretwork was nicely done, with a few rough edges, but nothing major. The neck is lovely -the finish is beautiful and it felt like an old friend straight out of the case. There was a slight wear mark on a very small portion of the chrome finish (I was told by Mr. Naylor that it was probably a "factory touchup" rather than a wear mark, but I'm not sure what that means). However, the metal finish is quite unique and flashy and beautifully done. Tuners and bridge are both fine and very functional. Graphite nut is well cut. Pickup selecter and coil tap switch are both quiet.

This guitar will do fine in a live situation. It has the potential for scratching due to the metallic finish, but maybe this would add to it's character. At this time, I don't know how the finish will wear - I would imagine it has the potential to tarnish or even pit like chrome, but I don't know. The hardware appears solid enough, including the strap buttons. I feel I can depend on this guitar, but always have a backup - a 62RI Tele. The tele feels more substantial because it is - weighs about 2lbs more and is a solid-body. I love the contrast in looks between my very conservative 3-tone sunburst tele and this guitar which looks like a prop from the Star Wars set.

I e-mailed Mr. Naylor numerous times and also spoke several times by phone because I bought this guitar sight unseen (due to no stores that sell Reverends within 150 miles) and he was very prompt and patient with me and never made me feel like a pain. I had many questions and each answer gave me more questions to ask. As I get to know the guitar better, I'm sure I'll communicate with him some more. His descriptions were true to the product. It is very cool to be able to communicate directly with the owner/designer!!

I've written enough. I've been playing for 25 years and haven't owned very many guitars and am not a gear junkie. I tend to stick with one guitar for a long time. I feel like I'll be playing this one for a while and learning more about its response to me and my equipment (and vice-versa) along the way. So far, so good.