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Reverend Mercalli 5 5-string Electric Bass Guitar - Midnight Black with Rosewood Fingerboard

5-string Electric Bass with Korina Body, Maple/Walnut Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - Midnight Black
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Item ID: Merc5Mbk
Reverend Mercalli 5 5-string Electric Bass Guitar - Midnight Black with Rosewood Fingerboard
Price:$1,299 and 00 cents
Special Financing - Ends Aug 2, 2026. $37/month with 36 month financing asterisk

We Can Get It!

While this isn't an item we normally stock, we can still get it to you as fast as possible due to our great relationship with Reverend. Go ahead and place your order and we'll follow up shortly to let you know when to expect it. Estimated July 2026.

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Reverend Mercalli 5 5-string Electric Bass Guitar - Midnight Black with Rosewood Fingerboard
We Can Get It!
Price:$1,299 and 00 cents
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Five Strings with a Big Attitude

On the fence about which bass to add to your collection? Sweetwater can help you make your decision — enter the Mercalli 5 from Reverend's Bolt-On series. Influenced by the classics and enthused by innovation, this beautifully designed bass features custom-crafted Thick Brick 5 and Split Brick 5 pickups as well as a sturdy, lightweight construction and a richly resonant korina body. 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 and you’ll never know what hit you. In other words: expect seismic low-end decadence for days.

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, the Split Brick 5 in the neck position enhances the output of highs and lows — like a P Bass pickup but cleaner and beefier. Conversely, the Thick Brick 5 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 features a korina body that produces warm lively tones and rich harmonics. The 5-piece maple/walnut neck means lightweight functionality and a stunning vintage appearance. 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 full confidence.

Meticulous attention to detail

With the Reverend Mercalli 5'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 Guitars Mercalli 5 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 5 and Split Brick 5 pickups developed by founder Joe Naylor
  • Pickup pan control allows for blending of the 2 pickups
  • 5-piece maple/walnut neck means stability and less seasonal adjustment
  • 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

Why Buy Your Guitar from Sweetwater?

See how Sweetwater goes to great lengths to give you the very best online guitar buying experience. From our online Guitar Gallery that allows you to see and select the exact instrument you want to our 55-point Inspection process and our in-house guitar techs, we take the guesswork out of buying your next guitar online.

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Tech Specs

  • Number of Strings: 5
  • Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
  • Body Shape: Mercalli
  • Body Material: Korina
  • Color: Midnight Black
  • Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
  • Neck Material: 5-piece Maple/Walnut
  • Neck Shape: Medium Oval
  • Neck Joint: 6-way Bolt-on
  • Radius: 12"
  • Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
  • Fingerboard Inlay: White Dots
  • Number of Frets: 21, Nickel Alloy
  • Scale Length: 34"
  • Nut Width: 1.85"
  • Nut Material: Boneite
  • Bridge/Tailpiece: String-through Body or Top Load Bridge
  • Tuners: Hipshot Ultralites
  • Neck Pickup: Reverend Split Brick Humbucker
  • Bridge Pickup: Reverend Thick Brick Humbucker
  • Controls: 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone, 1 x pan
  • Strings: .045-.125
  • Case/Gig Bag: Sold Separately
  • Manufacturer Part Number: MRC5-G-mdbk-RW-TB5SB5-X-HT

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Reviews

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
The ONE 5-String to have...if you're having JUST ONE!
"Review Beta" being kinda thin on the Reverend Mercalli 5-String Bass, I figured that even though I did not buy my particular unit from Sweetwater (the guy I got it from DID, however), maybe the Review Moderators (and potential buyers) wouldn't mind the input from an otherwise regular Sweetwater customer.
Reverend seems to come up with really innovative models--both in terms of form AND function--and the Mercalli 5 is no exception. It's looks got me interested, and it's playability and tonal options are going to keep it in my "Stable" for a LONG time!
Ergo's are great (if you're not a "high strapper"); the neck is about as minimal and comfortable as one could hope for from a 5-stringer; and the tones and dynamics (esp. for "passive" pickups) are there in spades, suitable for any kind of music with "attitude". I'm figuring that, depending on what kind of strings are used and the choice of routing options provided, just about any player could find the sound they are looking for..
Also, the fit and finish are at a very high level (mine has a couple of years on it, and there are no flaws manifest!).
In summary: the overall utility, aesthetic and value of the Mercalli 5 make it a strong contender...and I can recommend it!
Music background: guitarist, writer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, live performer, producer, studio engineer and online/onairwaves radio host