Five Strings of Ferocious Force
On the fence about which bass to add to your collection? Sweetwater can help you make your decision — enter the Mercalli 5 FM from Reverend's Bolt-On series. Influenced by the classics and enthused by innovation, this beautifully designed bass features custom-crafted Thick Brick and Split Brick pickups as well as a sturdy, lightweight construction and a richly resonant korina body that’s topped with flame maple, contrasting the rich sonics of its ebony fretboard. High-end appointments abound, including a high-mass bridge for clarity and sustain, a Pure Tone jack for a reliable signal, and aircraft-grade aluminum Hipshot Ultralite tuners. Lay your fingers (or pick, if you will) on the Mercalli 5 FM and you’ll never know what hit you. In other words: expect seismic low-end decadence for days.
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Custom pickups yield versatile tonal options
At Reverend, all pickups are custom crafted to ensure the best tonal complement to their respective instrument. In the case of the Mercalli 5 FM, the Split Brick in the neck position enhances the output of highs and lows — like a P Bass pickup but cleaner and beefier. Conversely, the Thick Brick in the bridge position produces warm mids with a sharp attack much like an active pickup but more organic. Both pickups work exceptionally well together — and with a pickup pan control, forming the right balance for any musical situation comes easy.
Rich tonewoods
Like every Reverend instrument, the Mercalli 5 FM features a korina body that produces warm, lively tones and rich harmonics. Meanwhile, the roasted maple neck pulls double duty, imbuing your sound with full-spectrum warmth with lightweight functionality and a stunning appearance. Up top, an ebony fingerboard delivers a powerful pairing of precision and panache, conjuring bell-like sustain alongside haymaking punchiness in every register that doesn’t sacrifice definition for presence. Tie it all together with a 6-bolt neck plate, and you’re ready to log some serious gigging hours or stroll into your next studio session with complete confidence.
Meticulous attention to detail
With the Reverend Mercalli 5 FM's 3-string tree, Pure Tone jack, and high-mass bridge, you’ll soon realize that the devil is truly in the details. Take an even closer look and you’ll notice leading technician Zack Green’s handwritten serial number and initialed seal of approval that's stamped every Reverend instrument that's left their doors since 1998. Guitarists at Sweetwater who have plugged in a Reverend instrument know the name is akin to detail, precision, and decisive dedication.
Reverend Guitars: expertly crafted and designed with the player in mind
From humble beginnings working out of a Detroit-area garage to worldwide praise and presence on the globe's biggest stages, Reverend Guitars has solidified its place as a reliable source of exquisite guitars and basses. The brainchild of designer and luthier Joe Naylor, Reverend instruments are found accompanying many of today's most influential players, including Billy Corgan, Reeves Gabrels, Meshell Ndegeocello, Matt West, and many others. Now based in Toledo, Ohio, Reverend's firm commitment to quality and exceptional tone is found in every instrument, each donning custom-shop components to deliver the purest sound possible.
Reverend Mercalli 5 FM Bass Features:
- Seismic proportions of deep, punchy tones with magnificent clarity
- Solid korina body makes for consistent tones and rich harmonics
- Specially developed Thick Brick and Split Brick pickups engineered by founder Joe Naylor
- Pickup pan control allows for blending of the 2 pickups
- Roasted maple neck’s increased dimensional stability means less seasonal adjustment and more resilience to twisting or warping
- Versatile high-mass bridge enhances clarity, attack, and sustain
- Reliable and strong Pure Tone jack for improved audio signal
- Hipshot Ultralite tuners made from aircraft-grade aluminum
