THANKS IN PART to an elevated design ethos and consistent quality control, the reputation of Reverend Guitars seemed not to suffer in the least when production moved offshore back in 2006, and the willingness of notable artists to keep endorsing creative signature models further attests to that achievement. Both Pete Anderson and Rick Vito already have multiple Reverend guitars in their names, so the release of their new respective Eastsider Custom and Soul Agent models tells us they must still be pleased with founder Joe Naylor’s design stable in Toledo, Ohio, and manufacturing at Mirr Music Ltd. in Korea.
Taking extended riffs on existing models, each of these new artist guitars is rife with Reverend’s familiar originality, while they offer specs and features that should appeal to players well outside each artist’s fan base. And although they share some of the same tonewood choices, they’re about as different as they could be, other than similarly representing the maker’s creative take on retro-modern design.
PETE ANDERSON EASTSIDER CUSTOM
Although Reverend’s first Signature model for Pete Anderson was the semi-hollow ES-style PA-1 — a designFender scale length for a Gibson-leaning 24 ¾ inches, the Eastsider Custom further consolidates that influence with a glued-in neck that’s 1 11/16 inches wide at the nut.
