The Reverend Charger 290 is a killer, pro quality instrument

I take a look at my first Reverend guitar, the Charger 290, detailing it's construction, features, controls, P90 style pickups, and overall quality. I demonstrate the use of Reverend's Bass Contour control and include a playing demo, showcasing the model in a mix. As usual, I'm plugged into my Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb and indicate when I change pickups. I also give a taste of how the Charger 290 sounds with a little extra gain, using the Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive.
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[@Robbie63]

I just bought one of these guitars today. I wasn't planning on buying a guitar, I was just in a guitar shop with a friend who was buying a gigbag. Anyway, I spotted the guitar, it was a black version, I'm not usually a fan of black guitars, but this one was stunning. I remembered seeing this review and thought I'd give it a try. I fell head over heels in love with it. It's an incredible guitar. It ticked all the right boxes for me. A bit like a les paul. A bit like a telecaster and a lot of it's own idendity. It also has maple fretboard, which is my personal preference. It sounds amazing and I love the bass roll off effect. It's extremely well made and feels perfect in my hands. I'm a very happy man today. 🙂

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

That’s great. If my review was any help I’m very happy. Thanks so much for watching.

[@Tyrell_Corp2019]

SWEET sounding and a badass design!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yes, they’re very cool instruments. Thanks for watching.

[@mel290]

So glad to see you review a Reverend. They are incredible value for money. Such good quality. I now have 3 different models, but have also been looking at the periwinkle 💜

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

They are. You know you gotta have the periwinkle! 😆

[@bobdavis761]

Great video. This review is the reason I bought this very guitar from Grif yesterday. Can't wait for this baby to arrive.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

On its way very soon. 😊

[@guitarzan0515]

Great review! That’s a sweet guitar. The Bass control really does something 😱 Enjoyed your playing today, as everyday!!💥👍

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks, it is a very cool model.

[@ew6629]

I've never owned or played a Reverend guitar but this review has made me rethink that. P90's are my absolute favorite pickups and having that bass contour knob is a great idea. Looks like it's priced nicely at around a grand. Great demo!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you my friend. It feels very nice and it’s great you can get them with a rosewood fingerboard these days.

[@greatvanzini]

Love everything about my Charger RB except mine has a pau ferro fretboard. Good that they went back to rosewood. Very good vid here, Respect from up in Salem way!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you my friend. I appreciate it.

[@thelastnic]

I have Reverend Roundhouse and love it. Been looking at the Charger style

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

As I said in the video, I find the Charger a great mix of guitar styles. Thanks so much for watching.

[@ckallaher]

Excellent demo, Leonard. I’m looking for a P90 guitar. Very tempted by the Epiphone Les Paul Special but a little concerned about the fat neck and I’m very iffy on the TV Yellow as the only option. That periwinkle is stunning. Live the Fender scale length too. A bit more than the Epi but jeez it seems worth it.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. Yes, the Reverend is in a different league, though the Epiphone LP Special is a lot for the money. It does have a pretty fat neck though.

[@sixstringcity3931]

Tasty chops and interesting guitars

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

They are and thanks so much for watching.

[@TheNemorosa]

I hadn't heard of Reverand guitars before - having just checked their website they have quite a nice range. It's nice to see makers doing their own thing but without straying to far from familiar styles and shapes. Looks to be great quality too.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

They are quite nice. Very well built.

[@steveyankees1]

Reverend makes great guitars!! I bought one couple of years ago used Double Agent. Live everything about it. The neck, the quality workmanship. I LOVE the P90 coupled with a HB both pups made by Reverend. I own expensive guitars and middle to budget guitars. My Reverend cuts me less than $700 new and it is so damn versatile. Locking tuners and satin neck and the bass contour control is a great feature. All guitars should have this. I’m on the lookout for another Reverend

[@RocktCityTim]

The periwinkle color caught my eye, but then I saw the Venetian Pearl. That's a sweet fix with the bass contour control. From growl to funk in one knob.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yes, it’s actually useful and. It just a gimmick. Especially with the neck pickup, but it sounds really cool with both as well. Does a pretty good Tele impersonation using that control.

[@MrFuzzleupagus]

Very nicely done demo! Some demos drone on and on about unrelated info. You gave the specs then shut upped and played! I wish all who demo’ed would follow your lead! I’m Looking to grab this very model. I’m used to Fender’s neck profile, though. Are you able to share how the two compare to each other? Thanks for the video!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Well thank you so much. I appreciate that. As you probably know, Fender has a number of different profiles, but the Reverend profile is pretty much what I would think of as average. Not fat, not thin, and a basic C shape. Of course it does have a 12 inch fingerboard radius and a bit larger frets than the average Fender, so if those differences don’t put you off, the neck should feel reasonably familiar.

[@MrFuzzleupagus]

Thank you so much! I’ll be driving to Sweetwater in Fort Wayne, IN to demo one for myself in the next couple weeks. Thank you for the info/demo! I will know what to expect.

[@lazvt8469]

I have the version with the humbucker (Double Agent?) on the bridge...AMAZING guitar...the bass contour knob is very functional. My research says Reverend has their guitar bodies made by the same people who make the bodies for Due$$enberg....and I believe it...fit/finish is top notch!!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I have to agree. Top quality workmanship and materials. Enjoy yours and thanks for watching.

[@davemassie3726]

Nice playing and good review, love the color. Curious about the weight?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks. I haven’t weighed this one yet, but most seem to fall right around 8 lbs. some a few ounces less, some a couple ounces more.

[@namenorg]

Very interested if you could compare the feeling of this Reverend to the Eastman SB56 since you've reviewed both relatively recently. Both of these brands are hard to find in my area to try myself. I can read specs online like the Eastman should have a thicker feeling neck up high and more vintage spec etc...but overall are they comparable quality/competitors, or in different leagues altogether? One biggest similarity/difference? They both sound good in your hands. Great content!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. They are both fine quality, but very different animals. Neck profile, scale length, fingerboard material, fret size, woods, on and on, all different. The Reverend, with it’s bolt on maple neck and 25.5 inch scale, is more Fender like in feel, whereas the Eastman, with it’s set in mahogany neck and 24.75 inch scale is squarely in the Gibson camp. The Reverend has more of it’s own thing going though, whereas the Eastman is a lot closer to a 50s Gibson. I hope this is some help.

[@lazvt8469]

@@leonardgriffieblues5845 Yep...100% agree...two very different and very special guitars to own.

[@philnewton2011]

Testify, Reverend!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Indeed it do

[@lazvt8469]

AMEN, brotha....love mine!

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

👍🏻❤️

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much for watching.