Reverend Commando

My Commando was manufactured and purchased in 1999. Reverend is largely discontinuing their phenolic semi-hollow guitars to concentrate on a line of more traditional wood instruments that they are importing from Korea. American made Reverends are built around mahogany center block with phenolic tops and backs and an injection molded plastic rim. The Commando model has a medium-high output humbucker at the bridge and an overwound single coil at the neck. Controls include global volume (with bright cap), tone, 3-way blade-type pickup selector, and a mini-toggle to coil tap the humbucker. A number of options (e.g., tremolo, locking tuners, illustrated aluminum tops) are available, but mine is "stock" except for aftermarket Graphech saddles.

Some guitars have perfectly smooth, even tone, but the Commando isn't one of them. Think Tina Turner rather than Diana Ross. Reverends speak with an accent. You hear the accent when you play clean or crunch, especially through the neck single coil. You hear it when you palm or finger mute. You hear it when it goes into feedback (more on that below). Of course, this characteristic resonance is less evident under high gain conditions or with the mids scooped out. Reverends however, being insufficiently black or pointy, weren't really meant for metal. Although its humbucker is strong enough for heavier music (I've even lowered it a bit from factory spec), the attack is not as abrupt as you get from a solid body. Rather, notes have a sweet, complex bloom.

With the neck single coil, I leave the tone control wide open. It sounds fantastic clean (nice and chimey) or with light-to-moderate overdrive for a flute-like tone. It begs you to play the blues, even when you don't want to. Seriously, I've been playing for 22 years and only in the last 6 years (since getting the Commando) have I started playing R & B. Dialing down the very useful tone pot adds some warmth to the relatively bright humbucker for classic rock or rock n' roll styles. Even with the tone pot rolled back all the way, the humbucker remains articulate, taking on a nasal growl. The coil tapped tone is acceptable but a bit anemic. I find it works best with a little bit of drive to add some girth or combined with the neck pick up. Unlike some semi-hollow guitars, the Commando doesn't feedback very easily. That's good news and bad news. You can coax it into a nice moan, but when the mood strikes, I find it easier to get feedback from a solid body.

My 1999 Reverend has what has become known as an "Eastpoint" neck, which is slightly thicker than their current "USA" neck carves. It feels substantial without being bulky. Chord-work is particularly easy on it. Its polished frets were laid down perfectly on a rosewood fretboard with rolled edges. I've kept the medium-low factory-set action with nary a buzz.

The body has lightly beveled edges but is otherwise a flat slab without contours. A chrome plated armrest, however, improves right forearm comfort where it rests against the body. The volume knob sits close to the bridge, which makes for easy adjustments but can get in the way of aggressive picking. It only took a week or so to get used to it. The most dramatic comfort feature of all Reverends is their weight (just over 6 lbs). It's hard to overstate how much that translates into playing enjoyment. It's hard to go back to a 9 - 10 lb guitar after playing with a Reverend. My only complaint is that the saddle height adjustment hex screws are long enough to stick out above the tops of the saddles. These dig into your hands if you like to rest your palm on the bridge or do a lot of palm muting.

As for the finish...it's flawless textured phenolic and plastic, a 10-top in the world of organic resins and polymers. Mine is blood red and has a gold pickguard, so I've a got a real socialist realism meets Chinese restaurant vibe going. Does it feel weird to go from wood to phenolic. Yes, but you'll get over it.

The volume and tone pots got scratchy and then gave up the ghost after about 2-3 years, which seemed rather premature. Otherwise, I haven't had to make any repairs. Construction seems solid despite it's light weight. Mine has a fixed bridge, so I've picked up the dangerous habit of neck whammy. One day, this will lead to utter disaster, but so far the Commando is holding up. Don't worry about it getting dirty or worn. It's made of diner countertop material, so just wipe it off.

I've only e-mailed them once (to confirm a price on their on-line store), and they replied the next day. Reverend has a reputation for outstanding customer service. Company president Joe Naylor regularly contributes to the Reverend Congregation on the Fender Discussion Page.

These are fantastic instruments and a tremendous value. However, after writing this review, I can understand why Reverend is phasing out these unusual guitars. Joe Naylor said that they are niche products without mass market appeal. I'll reveal my shallowness by confessing that it was the Commando's quirky, retro-modern design that attracted me. Ironically, their iconoclastic design, as well as unique construction and absence of corporate legacy, are what troubles most guitar players, who are very conservative in their choice of instruments. Their superb playability and tone become obvious once you overcome your prejudice.

USA's best for under $1,000!!! 2000 model Fireball Red Commando. Great retro meets high-tech look, the BEST neck this side of a pre-CBS Strat, and huge versality from single coil neck plus tapped bridge humbucker set up. If you're reading this, you know the basics about Reverends, so I'll just use this review to add my observations to what you've read elsewhere.

This is a guitar that any blues or rock oriented guitarist could use for a whole set without needing to switch between LPs, Strats, Teles, etc and doing the superstar bs. Every position on the pickup selector gives you a great tone. The neck pickup (Strat style) gives you great clean rhythm and, with some overdrive, gets you into Clapton, Hendrix, SRV country with no sweat. The middle position gives you the neck with one or both bridge coils and these are both very useful rhythm positions. The bridge gives you a pretty good Strat bridge tone (this is the weakest position IMO) and a kick*ss humbucker for leads. Just as important the volume and tone controls actually work - you can roll-off the volume without killing your tone and the tone pot is really worth getting to know. I can't really find anything to dislike about how this guitar sounds. The combination of a hollow body, great design and great pickups is unbeatable. I scored this as a 9 because the guitar is susceptible to 60hz hum in single coil modes.

SUPERB - best made US guitar under $1,000, and quite possibly under $2,000. The fret finish is just the best I've come across. I scored this as a 9 because the action was a tad high for me but the bridge is vry easy to adjust and intonate.

I've owned another Reverend for 2 years and have had some problems with the switch, easily fixed but annoying. The only surprise to me about Reverend's is that the pots and switches they use don't seem to me to be the best quality and this to me to be at odds with Joe Naylor's VERY quality oriented philosphy.

I've never had to call Reverend but I do hope to one of these days as their repuation as a service organization is second-to-none.

I've been playing 25+ years and have owned a Reverend Slingshot (2 x P90s) for 2 years. I added this one to give me Strat and Humbucker capabilities with the same great neck and lightweight body. IMO, every serious guitarist should at least try a Reverend and form their own opinion on these unique guitars. It's great to see an American company that can design and manufacture world class guitars for $700. As their website says, they really are a company that "gives a damn". Thanks folks and HALLELUIAH!!!

The features of this guitar have been pretty well thought out, and documented in the previous reviews, but here goes. It's US made semi-solid body. Mine has the "Bug Eyed Black Chrome" finish, and although this looks like a solid body the interior is mostly hollow with a center block enhanced with "tone bar". A rosewood capped 25.5" scale maple neck with jumbo frets and a graphite nut. Standard die cast tuners and a couple of string trees. The 2 pups consists a Single coil in the neck position and a humbucker w/coil tap in the bridge position. 3 way switch and a mini toggle for tapping. Two knurled chrome knobs for tone & volume. Mine came with a nicely made padded gig bag.

This little gem caught my eye at a vintage guitar show. After playing a lot of nice guitars costing 10 times what this did, I kept being drawn back to this bug eyed monster. I actually laughed out loud when I first saw it, but I'd seen ad's for Reverends and my curiosity got the best of me. I played it for a few minutes and was immediately impressed with the feel and weight. From my experience an electric with a good un-plugged sound is usually going to sound good amplified.
Despite that, the looks just seemed too radical to me, so I put it back and continued my tour of the displays. About an hour later I found myself drawn back to try it again, this time I decided to be more critical, I mean - geez - there was little or no wood except the neck, totally opposite of what I thought made a great instrument. After about 20 minutes of playing I was totally blown away. Here was the combination I'd been looking for....a great strat like neck, the punch and twang of my Tele's, and a live acoustically dynamic body somwhere between my Ric 360 and Gibson ES-335. To tell the truth I didn't even plug it in at the show, I figured for the price if I had to gut it and put in new electronics it was still a great piece. The dealer who offered it was willing to make me a great "show" price and so out came the plastic and it came home with me.
When I got it home I plugged it into my 65 Vibro Champ and OH MY GOD, it was a screamin' demon. I yanked the .09's off it and put on some .11's, set the bridge, adjusted the neck for a little less relief and it got even juicier. This thing just absoulutely slammed the front end of each amp I tried it with. Not just the power but I can't say enough about the dynamics. This is the only passive circuit I've ever played that REALLY keeps the tone when you roll the volume knob back. The pups are DEAD quiet, even the HB in single coil mode. I don't know if the body material has anything to do with the amount of chime, but it has an almost Rickenbacker like shimmer to it. The HB in the bridge position gives me a singing 335 like tone, but when you cut the coil it sounds like a chicken pickin' Tele. The neck pup is more useful than any of my strat's or tele's. Also being a geezer, I had gone to a Parker Nite Fly for gigs to try and save my back, but the Commando feels lighter and more balanced than the Parker. Needless to say this has become my new gigging axe. Can I give it an 11 rating in this category ? - No ?? too bad.

Although this was a new guitar I don't know if the dealer had made adjustments. However the set up was great with the stock .09's on it. It was a little lower action than I like but the bridge was easy to adjust to my preferences and string guage. The pups were set low which I think contributes to the rich tone. The frets were beautifully crowned and dressed and the neck really does feel like it has been played in for years. The only flaw I found was an intermittent short in the 3-way selector. I found this about 24 hours before I was planning on using it for its first gig. I debated delaying it's debut, but instead decided to take a chance, and took the Parker for back-up. Happily the short didn't appear during the gig and the Parker stayed in it's case. More about this in the customer support category. I'd like to give a 10 here but I guess to be objective I'll give a 9. I think the switch was a fluke and doesn't reflect on the over QC used in the making of this guitar. Hell somebody even signs their initials next to the serial number, and like my Grand Pa used to say, if a man signs his work you can bet he puts his all into it.

I wish I had this back in the days we played behind chicken wire !! I bet you could beat back a whole crowd of gap toothed drunks with it. I think this is a PLAYER boys and girls. My bandmates gave me a little kidding when they saw the Chrome finish, but they shut up quick when they heard it. Plus it does neat things under the lights - Mmm - do I feel a flashback coming on ?? I think once I get the switch replaced I'll feel comfortable with it with out a back-up.

THIS is the reason I decided to write a review. Since the dealer I bought it from was out of town and no dealer in my area I decided to call Reverend direct to see about a warranty replacement for the 3-way switch. The person anwswering the phone asked a few intelligent questions and seemed interested in getting me fixed. He quickly agreed to send me a new switch in the mail. I also told him how impressed I was with this guitar despite the minor flaw. After giving him my details I asked his name in case I had to call back - it was Joe Naylor himself !! So the founder and CEO, answers the phone and handles customer issues himself - does that give me a warm and fuzzy ? - you betcha !! I'm guessing there'll be a Lava Swirl Slingshot in my future.

I've been playing over 30 yrs, two to three times a month in a well established regional cover/dance band. I have about 35 guitars. I'm not a collector, I just couldn't bear to ever sell any. I have Gibsons: 81' 335 Dot, 80' Les Paul Heritage 80 Standard, 68'and a 65' non-reverse Firebirds, a 77' Byrdland, a 58' ES-225T. Fenders - an 82' 52'RI Tele, a 97' Custom Tele, an 88 Squier Strat, a 97' Amer Standard Strat. Rickenbakers - a 360/6, 360/12, and a 660. A 52' Gretsch Electomatic, the Parker Nite Fly, a couple of the battle-axe shaped Ovations from the mid 70's, a Breadwinner 6 and a Deacon 12. A Dan Armstrong see-through, and a bunch of other "mutts", basses and lapsteels. For amps I have a 65 BF Vibro Champ, 66 BF Bassman, a late 60's Vox Super Beatle, a Fender Princeton, and a few other solid state amps. Live I've been using a Line 6 AX2 for the past few years. I gotta say this Reverend rates right up there with any of the vintage axes for tone and playability. If I had to improve ONE thing, I'd make the dot markers on the side of the neck a little bigger so us aging rockers can see them better in the dim stage light. But man that's being awfully picky. Try one of these out you won't be sorry - they're tomorrow's vintage guitar - US made at less than most import prices. How are these guys staying in business? I don't know, but I wish them a long happy run of success.

2000 Reverend Commando. Made in the Detroit metro area (Eastpointe or Warren). Single coil Reverend pickup (neck), Double coil (splitable) Reverend pick up in the Bridge position. Maple fingerboard/neck with oversized frets. 3 position toggle, and coil tap for bridge pickup.
Metal DIAMONDPLATE finish.

Want a '66 strat (a GOOD one) w/the pickup in the neck position? It's got it. How 'bout a '69 Les Paul or minibucker deluxe in the bridge position? Got both. TONE TONE TONE. I play a very dynamic style of loud rock (metal) that changes quickly to a nice clean "single coil" tone. I have to wonder if Joe put a little extra time into this one. It sounds AMAZING! Until now my Reverend Commando prototype with Kent Armstrong pickups was my #1...two words...SEE YA!! I got a new #1.

The guitar was set up very well. Pickups were adjusted perfectly.
My only beef is that it STILL doesn't come stock with strap lock buttons. :)

Reverend has been my guitar of choice for 4 years. They are light and durable. Some of the earlier models (the first years '97) are a bit "less" able to handle a beating. I returned my first two guitars to Joe after about a years use (or should I say ABUSE) in several pieces. He then claimed I was his torture tester, and refitted me with newer stronger bodies, and DARED me to break the new bodies?? NEVER tell me that. With my new dare in mind I began testing the "aerodynamics" of these guitars at live shows. No major breakage with the exception of my drummers rack spearing through the back on a "bad landing" (Don't try this at home, I am a trained professional). :) Also, The newer model has less string breakage due to bridge redesign. A REALLY cool feature is the "long screws" on the strap buttons. One less thing I have to change when getting a new guitar! (you serious players KNOW what I'm talking about).

What can I say. Joe Naylor has personally been taking care of me with all my Reverend guitars. He even let me borrow a FLASHY "Engine Turned Aluminum" guitar for my bands national debut TV appearance on FARMCLUB. Plus, how come Leo Fender never returns my calls? (I DID NOT just say that.)Morbid.

I've been playing clubs & touring in my band "20 Dead Flower Children" extensively NATIONWIDE, in a VAN for 7 years. I have 3 things that have never let me down...
1. My band mates
2. My Reverend Guitars
3. My '89 Dodge Ram 250 tour van

I don't care what these things cost or don't cost. A reliable piece of gear is priceless. Cause it make me look damn good when it counts.

This guitar has a number of usefull features. To start one single coil in the neck, and a bucker in the bridge make for a deadly combination. along with a coil tap and a hiperactive tone control make it possible to get almost every straty kind of sound possible. the phonelic fiber top with molded sides make the guitar really sing. then there's the neck maple with rosewood board med-jumbo fretts and a graphite nut, I'M IN HEAVEN,. The mahogney bracing along with the steel tone bar lets the guitar sustain for days.

I've always been prone to wood but after hearing this thing I'm not as bias any more. I have an 82' strat and a new hamer semi-hollow I've had about 8 months ( all american made ) and I gotta say, I don't play them any more. The commando has all the tones I get in both the strat and the hamer combined, along with an arsenal of tone all of all of it's own

I have always liked heavy strings I did half to go through a fiew sets of strings before I found one that's comfy on that particular neck but when I did I never looked back. Though I had to make minor adjustments to fit my style, It was still better than most factory setups

I haven't really put it through enough abuse to tell if can live through a war or not but from what I can tell It's pretty tough

I purchased mine through DISCOVER MUSIC, in tinley park Il and they were able to put my mind at ease about trying sompthing new. And man am I glad they did

I love this guitar, I own a classic 30 w/a 112 ex. which Is my main amp right now, I have also owned a peavey studio pro and a houghes and kettner. I am currently looking into a peavey DUEL 112 unfortunately that model has been out of production for many years now. I've been playing for around 8 years now and have owned over 25 guitars and I can tell you I'm never getting rid of this one.

1999 Reverend Commando...57 turqoise blue...American Made,in Deroit by Joe Naylor...1 humbucker and 1 single coil in the neck position.coil tap switch...1 vol..1 tone...maple neck and fingerboard..medium jumbo frets...Phenloic resin body with solid mahogany center strip...semi-hollowbody...insanely light!..fixed bridge...hand serial numbered on back of headstock!

THIS GUITAR IS SO DECEIVING...YOU LOOK AT IT AND THINK,WOW..CRAZY LOOKING...AND THEN WHEN YOU PLAY IT AND HIT A CHORD ITS AMAZING..THE REVEREND IS SO RESONANT..I PLAY MINE THRU A MESA BOOGIE TREMOVERB..I NEED A GUITAR THAT IS EXTREMELY FLEXABLE...IM A HUGE STRAT FAN....OWNING A 1969 STRAT AND 2 NEWER FENDER LONESTARS...THIS GUITAR HAS AN AMAZING HIGH END...YOU KNOW HOW MUDDY STRATS CAN GET AS YOU TURN THE VOLUME DOWN TO GET SPANKY CLEAN?..WELL ,THE COMMANDO HAS A TONE CIRCUIT THAT KEEPS THE HIGH END THERE EVEN WHEN YOU ROLL DOWN THE VOLUME!..I MUST ADMIT TO NOT REALLY LIKING TONE CONTROLS,BUT ON THIS GUITAR IT ENHANCES AN ALREADY HUGE ARSENAL OF TONES!,,THE PICKUPS ON THIS GUITAR SOUND AS GOOD OR BETTER THAN MOST SEYMOUR DUNCANS I USE..I HAVE NO DESIRE TO CHANGE THEM..I CAN GET FUNKY CLEAN TONES ....DISTORTED BRIDGE PICKUP TONES ARE AWESOME,WHILE RETAINING CLARITY..CAN YOU SAY VARIETY?..SINCE GETTING THIS COMMANDO,IM REALLY FEELING GUILTY ABOUT NEGLECTING MY STRATS

WHEN I FIRST GOT MY REVEREND IT CAME WITH 009S AND THE ACTION WAS REALLY LOW...I THREW 11S ON IT AND IT AND IT REALLY CAME TO LIFE!..THERE WERE NO FLAWS...VERY METICULOUS LOOKING GUITAR...THE ACTION WAS WAY TOO LOW FOR ME...SO I RAISED IT AND WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT MADE!..I PLAY PRETTY HIGH ACTION...IT JUST SEEMS TO MAKE EVERY GUITAR MORE RESONANT..THE NECK IS A DREAM!..FAT AND CHUNKY AS YOU MOVE UP...THINNER NEAR THE NUT...I CANT IMAGINE A MORE COMFORTABLE NECK!..FRETS ARE HIGHLY POLISHED AND SMOOOTH!!! ALSO THE EDGES OF THE FINGERBOARD ARE ROLLED...MEANING IT FEELS LIKE THE NECK HAS BEEN PLAYED FOR 20 YEARS ALREADY!..REALLY!

THIS GUITAR IS SO UNUSUAL,IM NOT SURE HOW IT WILL AGE...I CAN SAY THAT THE LACQUER FINISH ON THE BACK OF THE MAPLE NECK IS ALREADY WEARING OFF...BUT TO BE HONEST,I DONT MIND...KINDA GIVES IT MORE OF A BROKEN IN FEEL...I TEACH,RECORD,AND PERFORM PROFESSIONALLY...I PLAY AT LEAST 6 TO 8 HOURS EVERYDAY....SO FAR IVE USED IT EVERYDAY FOR 2 MONTHS...NO PROBLEMS...

IVE E MAILED MR.NAYLOR TWICE WITH QUESTIONS...BOTH TIMES HE E MAILED ME BACK WITHIN 24 HOURS AND PERSONALLY ANSWERED MY QUESTIONS!..ANYONE KNOW OF AN AMERICAN GUITAR COMPANY OWNER WHO PERSONALLY ANSWERS CUSTOMERS QUESTIONS?

IVE BEEN PLAYING 29 YEARS...VARIETY OF STYLES...ROCK,FUNK,METAL,ALTERNATIVE...EVERYTHING ROCK..I LOVE THIS GUITAR!..ITS SO VERSATILE...FROM COUNTRY TWANG TO CRUNCH HEAVEN...ITS A LITTLE WHACKY LOOKING BUT ITS REFRESHING!..ITS SOOOO LIGHT!!!!...BEWARE THO,THIS GUITAR IS ADDICTING!!MY STRATS ARE MAD