NGD... Reverend Content

JordanM82

JordanM82

New member
Well yesterday I traded my Carvin Bolt locally for a Reverend Manta Ray HB. Here are the pics from the seller, I am yet to take my own but will soon.

Now there are some interesting things on this guitar for sure. Firstly, the bass contour, a very unique feature that can add alot of warmth to the guitar making it sound very smooth and jazzy on both pickups. Second, the reverend pickups, I wanted to know some information about them so I went to the site to get the specs. They are ceramic magnet 6.5k neck and 13k bridge. Now normally I would expect that to be too large of a difference in sound and output, but somehow it is not. Also, these pickups are warm and full sounding especially for Ceramic pickups. Now given, they lack alot of the dynamics and touch sensitivity I am used to in my SD pickups so they will probably get replaced very soon. The playability is great, the fretboard feels really flat for me I guess I am adjusted to 10" and 7.25" radius but still it plays like a guitar far more expensive. Great setup. This is my first semi-hollow, I am really suprised at the sweetness that is added to the instrument. Sounds great really, big full cleans with lots of sparkle. Smooth fat overdrive tones, needs to pickups to really excel here as the stock ones really lack in overtones...

So now I have some questions I was hoping you guys could help me answer...

First, How the heck does the bass contour work? Anyone? How do you ADD bass to the sound of the pickups without affecting the rest of the sound. Especially if that bass is not already present in the sound of the pickups? I don't get that....

Second, what's the right pickups for this guitar to get a real classic 335 type sound. I am not very familiar with what pickups were in vintage Gibson instruments but I want that Clapton (Creme) sound. I have a 59' bridge sitting around unused, should I just get a neck and throw those in or would the Alnico 5 be too bright? How concerned do I have to be with feedback on a Semi-Hollow like this?

Just looking for advice one what setups have worked for you guys in live settings for this type of guitar. Thanks.
 
Re: NGD... Reverend Content

I think the 335s had '57 classics in them. Keep the '59b. If it's too bright try a A2 magnet in it.

Certainly the semi hollow is more prone to feedback than a solid.
 
Re: NGD... Reverend Content

I'd go for some potted Seth's in that baby. It'd sound great then. You're on your own about the bass contour. I've never been good with electronics.

But now that you've got that, I'll take that Roadworn off your hands. :D
 
Re: NGD... Reverend Content

That Roadworn is getting a Callaham bridge here shortly...so it's not going anywhere...
 
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Re: NGD... Reverend Content

Proverb-Man said:
bump... any help? Not even a, "Hey, nice guitar!"... ???
Click to expand...

Hey, nice guitar.

I'm a noob at guitar, so I try not to make any statements like I really know my stuff (otherwise, Empty Pockets puts such statements in his signature :D ) so I have no helpful advice. But I have played a Manta Ray and a Club King, and what was interesting was that the Club King gave me the sound I expected from a Manta Ray. That is, it's louder when played acoustically. Could have been those particular guitars, tho.
 
Re: NGD... Reverend Content

Very cool guitar! I'd love to be a reverend owner, but unfortunately, am not. I've loved everything about the three or four I have ever played.

Bass Contour - I believe contour pots work like wah's, they change a wide-Q over a range of tones. Think of it as three eq's all grouped together in order - a cut of frequency, a non-cut area (wider or narrower), and another cut region. The knob can change all three, or move the hump. This is a really bad explanation....

As for the pups, I have to agree Beandip on Seth's. But I might try the 59's as a second choice, finally, I f that thing is uber bright, maybe A2P's...maybe.
 
Re: NGD... Reverend Content

Nice guitar. I have been looking at Rev's off and on again over the last few. I love the V's especially the Asheton sig and I am crazy about the Pete Anderson model too.

Good luck with it.
 
Re: NGD... Reverend Content

So I have to make a correction to my original assessment, the pickups on this guitar are great, but the strings were dead as a possum on I-35 on Thanksgiving weekend. I changed the strings and the guitar came to life. Given I will still probably change them out for Seth's they aren't bad for the time being (till I finish upgrading my Strat)...
 
Re: NGD... Reverend Content

Cool. I figured with the rep Reverend has, the pickups would be decent.

OT: Bill's Records and Tapes 1/23/10 at 4pm. Be there.
 
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