Ep17 - Reverend Eastsider S vs American Original 60's Strat

[@tommc49]

Back to back comparisons were very well done. thanks for posting.

[@TheBluesBox]

Thank you, glad it was useful 🙂

[@andykirk1827]

Thanks guys. Lovely to see my rev on the telly. I love it, especially the neck pickup. It's given me a new love for playing(and practicing). Loved how the strat was so composed under all that drive. Many thanks for your insights Andy

[@TheBluesBox]

Cheers for the Lend Andy, really nice guitar, Rev certainly know how to build quality guitars for a fraction of the big boys prices.

[@TheBluesBox]

Jeff here. Massive thank you for the loan. A great guitar, I love the Rev’s neck. A beast really, loads of great sounds in there, loved it…

[@blueshawk5649]

I recently purchased a FlatRoc with Filtertron style pickups, and the guitar sounds great, but I just love the Neck. It is so comfortable

[@TheBluesBox]

They’ve nailed the neck profile and fretting for me too.

[@jamesdawson9624]

Great episode. The rev is a great sounding guitar. Reminded me of Hendrix on Wind cries Mary.

[@TheBluesBox]

Great song… yep, it’s a great guitar. Pull back volume and roll off a bit of top and it’s very close to being classic strat. But it has other sounds as well. It has a great neck too. But then I really like Reverend necks and I know some don’t. Thanks for the comment James 👍

[@therealtech833]

@@TheBluesBox Reverend bolt-on necks feel bit more like a classic fender neck, except a flatter fretboard. Much like a classic fender, smooth fret edges, but not a rolled fretboard. I personally like this also, as I can feel the intervals on the inside of my palm, personal preference. My schechter's do have a rolled fretboard, feels nice, but I don't like playing it as much.

[@TheBluesBox]

@@therealtech833 not measured them but Rev necks feel like they have significantly less depth of material than any fender neck (including 70’s type necks). Need to play more fenders really to know for sure. They (reverend necks) are pretty much perfect for me to be honest, really like them.

[@therealtech833]

@@TheBluesBox I can't speak to the pre CBS, baseball bat. But compared to my 70s tele deluxe reissue, the neck thickness is approximately the same, I own one. The radius is the only real difference, and the gloss neck on the Tele, which I hate.

[@TheBluesBox]

That bodes well for me then as I’d love to add the Strat sound to my collection but never enjoyed a Strat neck to date. 70’s neck it is then… 👍

[@therealtech833]

Nothing wrong with Fender, but Reverend for the win. I own both, in my case a 70's Tele deluxe re-issue and the Reverend Jetstream RB, and can tell you the Reverend is a much better instrument for the money💰. Most noticeable as the electronics, the Reverend has more output, but has less hiss, this is particularly noticeable the higher the gain level. I'm sure a custom shop fender could match it, but it costs thousands more.

[@rosskoko100]

nice vid again chaps. that rev sounds pretty hot but i must say steve's strat just sounds sweeeet. how about a semi hollow shootout, overview type thing. I can help with guitars.

[@TheBluesBox]

It does doesn’t it, love my Strat. Nice idea too, your Rev semi would be a good comparison.

[@marc-yv7cu]

Thanks for this comparison, which confirms that my next guitar "Fender type" will not be a Fender !...

[@TheBluesBox]

That’s a bold call 🙂, there are so many variations in the Fender stable, but if it’s made you think about other manufacturers and the quality out there then that’s great. All the best in your search… what do you think you’re after? I still can’t shake the need for the vintage Strat sound that I can’t quite find anywhere else…

[@pieve5516]

New subscriber. I like your laid back style. I am a Reverend fan and own two. But I would take the yellow Fender based upon tone and looks. The Reverend models that really shine are those that have Railhammers. Incredible tones. Thanks guys.

[@TheBluesBox]

Thank you for the kind words and subscription. Steve’s Strat is a great sounding guitar, just classic stuff. What Rev’s do you own? I love the p90’s on my Charger. Must check out those railhammers at some point.

[@pieve5516]

I have been watching more of your videos and find them really entertaining and informative. I have the Airsonic W with e the Railhammer Huevos that are voiced like P90s and the Shade Balderose that is my favorite tone of my current 11. Ken the CEO of Reverend is quite accessible and quite a character. Cheers.

[@TheBluesBox]

@@pieve5516 we appreciate the views, glad to hear we’re on the right track - I know we can talk too much sometimes 😅. Recently the subs are ticking up nicely and we’re both blown away by that. We’re still learning and hopefully our videos will keep getting better over time. 👍 thank you again.

[@Lipscombe14]

Another top episode and a great advert for Reverend Guitars, I have Steve's old Eastsider T, my main squeeze, the guitar not Steve. If I had the cash it would be the Strat but at half the price it has to be the Reverend.

[@TheBluesBox]

Reverend shills that we are…! 😅

[@Lipscombe14]

@@TheBluesBox some nice guitar playing too.

[@TheBluesBox]

Thanks Kevin 👍

[@pierreyveshuet1763]

They sound very close but the Tele shape will always win over the Strat for me. The only issue with Reverend is they are harder to find...

[@TheBluesBox]

They are harder to find, I bought my Charger blind from the US. Thankfully that worked out… I’m with you, Tele shape over Strat shape every time. And it is close, a bit of eq and pulling back vol would work wonders. It’s a great instrument. I’d love a real Frankenstein myself, Gibson scale length, Strat sound. Is that heresy? Maybe scale is part of that sound though. Thanks for watching and the comment.

[@TheBluesBox]

Don’t forget there are chapters/time codes if you want to skip the chatting… An interesting guitar here with the Reverend Eastsider S. Any thoughts? Have you tried or owned one? Tried the Nashville Tele? Thanks for watching…

[@dhammo749]

For some reason i enjoyed this vid ,feedback buzz rules .im looking of screen at pre amp levels yeah my wife is gona kill me fer rattlin the windows .

[@TheBluesBox]

Easy on the painkillers there David 😅

[@ergonomiesolcomp5501]

I have a fender stratocaster élite and i love the pickups

[@TheBluesBox]

Is that the 80’s model with the active pick ups?

[@spider5001]

I have an eastsider S. I always thought I had a ground problem but yours sounds pretty noisy also. Mine the action was a little high too. Maybe this is just how Pete Anderson likes his setup?

[@TheBluesBox]

Hi, it’s a fairly noisy room electrically speaking, one of the lights gives off noise into the electrical system too so single coils suffer (p90’s even worse seems to pick up everything). Par for course with single coils I guess. Action wise, This one had had a set up so I comment on how they are from factory, but a good set up on a new guitar is often a great investment. It played lovely. Many thanks for watching and commenting, really appreciated 👍

[@therealtech833]

You may be correct about that, they make their signature guitars very close to the spec the actual guitar player prefers. The action my Jetstream RB is lower.

[@blutonemusic]

I totally agree regarding the Fender Noiseless pickups. I just don’t feel inspired. In fact the other day I picked up a Player Strat which has ‘noisy’ pickups and I was surprised by its tone. I really enjoyed playing it. Ideally I would love a Nashville Tele but they currently have the noiseless pickups and the one I tried again didn’t get me excited. Time to try the Eastsider S… PS a really cool cheaper alternative is the Squire Paranormal Nashville. That surprised me too and with a pick up upgrade would go from a great guitar to a fantastic and quirky alternative that would knock the spots of the current MIM Nashville!

[@TheBluesBox]

I’ve been thinking the same, cheaper guitar and swap for some nice vintage PUs. That squire has passed me by, I’ll take a look! Need to try one of those. Thanks…

[@blutonemusic]

@@TheBluesBox It's a pleasure!

[@OTOss8]

The Fender is lovely but for someone like me, the price difference would push me toward the Rev. If I had the kind of money where I could buy that Fender though, I'd buy both. Lovely guitars.

[@TheBluesBox]

Sums it up pretty well. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@robholt2865]

Having looked at the nashville tele with you the other week Steve, I so nearly just bought the reverend in white. Its in my basket...the devil made me do it

[@TheBluesBox]

I like the white too - Jeff (Peach Guitars have one at £859). I keep looking… 😬

[@robholt2865]

Thats the one in my basket!!

[@TheBluesBox]

😂 it’s a shootout, who’s gonna cough up first? My moneys on you Rob 😂

[@TheBluesBox]

We’ve had a heavy month so no chance on me! 😅

[@TheBluesBox]

Seriously thinking of routing out my tele and putting a vintage US pickup in the middle with a five way switch. Am I brave enough is the question…

[@clairepaulkayam]

Oh, so my Strat isn't just noisy because it's a cheap knock-off?! They're all like that? 😂🤦🏽‍♀️

[@TheBluesBox]

Yep! But what a tone, and I can picture Jeff’s face trying to edit it out 😂

[@simoneric8183]

I find the Rev guy is a nice bloke : he has more than what he needs (soundwise, qualitywise, price point) to leave his Fender buddy far behind but like I said he did not use all the Eastsider possibilities there...

[@TheBluesBox]

What are you thinking would make the Rev better…

[@7of9kids]

They really sound very similar. I would have preferred a cleaner amp and less hum! Need to check lights and face away from the hum. In particular, the opening intro had some nasty dirt on the Reverend….and lots of hum throughout the video. Just my humble opinion.02 or whatever. I will take the Reverend!

[@TheBluesBox]

It’s one of the LED lamps we use, complete pain!

[@Jane-wz7ic]

Lovely looking guitar

[@TheBluesBox]

It is, I particularly love the roasted neck.

[@JF-em6hr]

I'm really hoping that Reverend makes this tele-style with the 3-p90's pickups (like they do with their jetstreams) to cut back on the harshness and make it more for Rock and/or Jazz. Good review. Thanks.

[@TheBluesBox]

I’ll second that idea! Yeah, that would be sweet. I love their p90s…

[@caffeine596]

👍

[@TheBluesBox]

👍🙂

[@markgowans]

You can get the bridge and neck together on strats these days thanks to their S1 switch. You can even get all three at the same time but I'm personally not a fan of all three together

[@TheBluesBox]

Yes, good point. I think Seymour Duncan also do a ‘super switch’ which can be wired several way to do the same. Thanks for the comment. Yeah all three is a bit full on 🙂 bridge and neck can be useful. 👍 Sound wise, which of these two guitars does it for you?

[@markgowans]

@@TheBluesBox I am starting to really like the sound of reverend guitars and have had my eye on a charger 290 for a while now. I'd never part with my strat though.

[@TheBluesBox]

@@markgowans I love my charger. Love Reverend necks too…

[@simoneric8183]

I feel the Reverend is more sensitive

[@TheBluesBox]

I’d agree. It’s a great guitar. Just not quite what I was after tone-wise. But still a great guitar if you like the Reverend neck… thanks for watching…

[@simoneric8183]

Yes I am with you. As a player I reckon everytime I feel like I can dig in the sound and get as much reaction from the guitar as I want. That's why I cherish my Revs as much as I do (I own 4 : Buckshot, Airsonic RA, Warhawk RT, Crosscut).

[@TheBluesBox]

Nice collection of Revs 👍

[@calvinevans6347]

Reverend's fretwork and neck playability are very disappointing to me. I bought the Flatroc on-line. The neck sucks. Dry fretboard, slight fret sprout. I certainly have buyers remorse.

[@TheBluesBox]

That’s a real shame. I hope that’s not a sign of things to come from them. Always disappoints me when a music retailer doesn’t check over stuff before it goes out though. I now run a small effects pedal online only - for now - shop and everything is checked before it’s sent. No way I’m sending out something I don’t know works properly. Is that a rosewood (or similar) board? Can you not take that up with the retailer? I have to say every Rev we’ve tried has been very good.

[@stillpist]

Reverend uses jumbo frets. Hard pass. You hardly feel the fretboard, and if you do the note will go sharp. It's a shame because I was about to buy a sensei ra but then tried it out and nope.

[@TheBluesBox]

Have to say I’ve never had issues with notes being sharp in my Rev Charger. Maybe you’re putting a little too much pressure on the strings when fretting…?But this is why all sorts of fret sizes, neck radius, nut widths, and a billion other variable still exist and we’re not all playing the same ‘perfect’ guitar, because it’s personal and just what suits. So important to try stuff out in a shop if possible and get to know what you like. Thanks for the comment, I’m still looking for a vintage strat sound that isn’t a strat! Not sure it has or will ever exist… Cheers

[@zookiebudeck3428]

They are using Medium Jumbo in this Eastsider S guitars… Don‘t know about the Sensei. Hard to test here in Germany.