I used to have a Club King HB. It was decent guitar, but weighed a ton. I really don't have much use for the bass contour. The only issue I have is that a Reverend like I want (not a Manta Ray), is a bit out of my price range. Also, there's zip for Reverend dealers around here nowadays (there hasn't been one in the Milwaukee area since at least 2007). The nearest dealers are in Madison and Chicago ( Chicago Music Exchange, which from first hand experience, I can tell you is a rather pricey place). I could do the payments thing from zZounds or American Musical Supply, but they don't carry the Reverend I'd be interested in - the Club King 90.
That makes sense. I will describe my encounter of the brand and the guitar as purely accidental -- I had zero interest until I saw it used on the wall at my local, and after picking it up I simply couldn't put it down. Plugged it in and ... wow.
I get that you seem to want a burst, now-ish; still, hindsight being 20/20, if I were you I'd look for a used club king and just offer what you think you should pay. I got my Manta Ray for $350 w/case, and I've seen Club Kings for $500 at MGR here (and it being New Mexico, we are both a very artsy community but not very large).
The Revs I've played have all - every single last one - had build quality comparable to nice Fender Am Deluxes or Custom Shop, or Nash guitars (those being brands that are prevalent around here for comparison). As an example, that Manta Ray body is a single piece, with a one piece cap.
Shrug, I don't mean to be tone deaf or a worse one-note Charlie than I already am, but like I said, having had an actual 335 at one point, a Casino, a Sheraton, an AS93, an Ibanez SHB 12-string (NICE guitar!), a Starfire, a Wildkat, etc. etc. etc., if I were to go looking right now, I'd just find a used Rev if I couldn't get a Gibby.
Either way, ain't the research fun? LOL! I've acquired most of my guitars 'accidentally' ("it followed me home" syndrome, in other words it was in the store and I played it and loved it, though I wasn't looking for it), but when I have set out to get a certain type of guitar, I've really enjoyed looking at all of that.
Another question - you seem very focused on purchasing new rather than used. Is that a strategic decision? Curious to know your POV on this.
