Reverend Jetstream 390

Made in Korea, end 2005. In essence, a solid-body import version of the Slingshot Custom. Components are excellent; one point off for absence of Reverend "studio switch", which provides two more pickup configs. Specs as follows, adapted from Reverendguitars.com: BODY 5.5 mm solid spruce top, chambered basswood body. Black back and sides with cream binding. 18-1/4" x 13" x 1-3/4".
PICKUPS three Reverend P90's.
NECK bolt-on maple. 25-1/2" scale, rosewood fingerboard, 12" radius, 22 medium-jumbo frets. VERY similar to post-Eastpointe Reverend necks.
TUNERS Sperzel locking; Reverend has since replaced with Wilkinson EZ-Lock.
BRIDGE Wilkinson tremolo.
CONTROLS 5-way pup swith, volume, tone and bass contour. The last one is a killer; more on this under "sound."
WEIGHT Feels very light; approx. 7.5 pounds.
STRINGS Came with 9-42; Reverend now says this is "unless otherwise requested", but did not offer that choice at the time I purchased.

This instrument does everything but humbucker sounds, and I do mean everything. The bass contour sharpens the tone into Gretsch (!!) and Tele spectra; with everything full on, you have a deep single coil sound -- like Reverend's semi-hollow models, though rounder and less bright and piano-chimey. I'm using with tube and solid-state amps (from Microcube to Bassman 100) and Digitech effects, no noise or other issues. It's got power on both low and high ends -- perfectly balanced pickups, and the P90 growl, which takes out the icepick from highs. I actually find the bridge pup useable on its own, which I can't say for strats. However, if you want a Les Paul sound you won't find it here. For my contemporary juke style, meaning fingerpicked bass, chord and slide lines on material running from Johnson to Motown, it's a great choice.

The black finish with white binding and cream pickups is gorgeous. Setup was perfect for a lead player, with 9-42s and low action. Like my two other Reverends, the action and fretwork is just phenomenally good; it's a pleasure to put your hands on this neck and play. However, springs on Wilkinson tremelo were left slack, as were the front screws that hold it down. Be aware of this, because if you don't adjust the springs and screws, the bridge will pull up when you tune and throw the strings off. This was the first Wilkinson I ever had on a guitar, and I would have appreciated instructions on how to adjust; I had to figure out what to tweak and loosen myself when I restrung with 10-46 and changed intonation. Removing back plate to tighten springs, I saw that one of the screw holes for the plate was drilled too close to the cavity, and the wood was splitting off. Only other quibble is that grain on the neck is less gorgeous than on my premium US Reverends, but the satin finish is just as fast.

I bought this guitar, precisely, to play live, after biting my nails once too often over how various clowns handled my US Reverends. It is light but very sturdy, the hardware is tops. I will use it without a backup, which is what I always do when I play solo gigs.

Reverend is a great company that works with owners of their instruments, and that is why I bought this one from them new, sight unseen, after buying two of their guitars used.

This is my 40th year of playing -- in bands, solo, on the road, in the studio, guitar and bass. I've owned Fender, Gibson, Charvel, Washburn, Curlee, and other very good gear. I bought this guitar because my Slingshot Customs became collector's items, which wasn't in my plan. Does it sound like a US Reverend? Nope -- it's a little more conventional, though it still beats similar configurations hands down for versatility, and offers an original voice. It's a sharp-looking pro axe at a great price. Thanks, Reverend.