A Prudent, Precise 12-string Stunner from Reverend
Rather than retrofitting a 6-string design, Reverend crafted the Airwave 12-string semi-hollow electric guitar from the ground up — a claim that few, if any, classic 12-string electrics can make! What results is an accessible instrument with boutique-level appointments. A thin semi-hollow mahogany body yields a warm, rich tone that's further enhanced by a spruce top for a touch of acoustic zing. An ebony fingerboard and roasted maple neck facilitate top-notch playability for years to come. When it’s time to plug in, the Airwave quickly adapts to any rig or recording scenario thanks to Reverend’s signature Bass Contour and two custom P-90 pickups packed with single-coil clarity, enhanced output, and midrange oomph that let all 12 strings shine. Distinctive in tone and designed for peak 12-string performance, the Reverend Airwave is the go-to instrument for countless Sweetwater guitarists when the show or session calls for ringing chime and jangle.
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The 12-string zing of mahogany and spruce
Mahogany bodies are well known for their presence and midrange depth in many instruments, exuding rich warmth while balancing lows, mids, and highs exceptionally well. The Airwave’s mahogany body does just that with a dash of extra energy, courtesy of a spruce top. Spruce adds just the right amount of acoustic resonance and snappy response that fuels tried-and-true 12-string tone and helps the Airwave stand out in a mix.
The Steelhead P-90: modern design meets classic tone
Reverend’s Steelhead P-90 pickups deliver the sought-after grit of classic P-90s alongside a healthy dose of modern output and response. Two Alnico V magnets ignite the Steelhead P-90s with a smooth tone and shimmering highs, while the overwound coils contribute the familiar punch, firmness, and immediacy to your sound. Reimagined for today's player, the Steelhead P-90s feature a unique sidewinder design, eliminating the 60-cycle hum that plagues traditional models, and combine a wide magnetic field with oversized pole pieces to deliver enhanced headroom and unfaltering output consistency from string to string. From raw rhythm work to responsive leads, the noiseless Steelhead P-90s deliver modern reliability and a vintage-inspired snarl that feels alive beneath your fingers.
Boutique tone tweaking
The 12-string sound is iconic, but it can be a finicky beast for players to dial in. Thankfully, the Airwave is set up for immediate, versatile tone tweaking, which boosts sound quality and saves time hunting for usable tones. For starters, the Tone control features a treble bleed circuit that retains high end, even at low volumes, and then further enhances that with ±10% poly caps and pots for extremely consistent performance. Moreover, Reverend’s signature Bass Contour knob expands control even further with the power to tighten up flub and change the characteristics of your pickups. Tone possibilities range from cutting 12-string shimmer to meaty low-mid heft for driven electric blues. And like all Reverend instruments, the Airwave comes equipped with an upgraded jack courtesy of Pure Tone Technologies. Rather than employ the standard single contact, Pure Tone jacks use a pair of contacts for a tighter connection and a more consistent signal. With a Reverend guitar, you can rest assured that only the best components are under the hood.
The ultimate 12-string electric
The Airwave truly stands apart with a blend of masterful features and hardware that address unique 12-string challenges. For starters, 12 locking tuners onboard mean tuning breaks are rare, and string changes are fast. A dozen tuners often make for a hefty, diving headstock, especially on a semi-hollow, but this is remedied on the Airwave by an extended upper horn that wards off neck dive for balanced playing comfort while standing. A custom bridge offers fully adjustable independent saddles to ensure perfect intonation for each string. The Airwave bridge’s innovative split design also boosts resonance: six strings mount on top, and six are string-through. What’s more, this design cuts down body and bridge strain. By diversifying string anchor points, the Airwave’s string pressure is more equitably distributed, which means excellent stability and a significantly reduced risk of the “bellying” effect that plagues many 12-string acoustic and electric guitars as they age.
Finally, Reverend outfitted the Airwave with a strong, durable roasted maple neck. Masterfully set for extra security, the Airwave’s neck handles both long-term stability and the short-term climate and humidity challenges like a champ — perfect for gigging musicians and hobbyists alike! As a matter of fact, these features were all road-tested and developed with working musicians like Chris Funk of the Decemberists to ensure quality.
Reverend Airwave Features:
- Boutique-quality 12-string with top-level playability
- Semi-hollow mahogany body delivers full-bodied electric tone
- Spruce top enhances tone with extra warmth and speedy articulation
- Roasted maple neck — outstanding 12-string neck stability ensures playability and reduces long-term maintenance requirements
- Reverend Steelhead P-90 pickups deliver sparkling P-90-style tone while eliminating traditional 60-cycle hum
- Bass Contour knob and treble bleed circuit offer huge tonal refinements compared to other 12-string guitars
- Hybrid bridge with independently adjustable saddles for all 12 strings
- Unique 6 string-through/6 top-load bridge boosts resonant sustain while decreasing bridge wear
- Pure Tone jack and ±10% pots and poly caps deliver a consistent, professional performance
- Low-profile dome knobs and jack plate
- Synthetic bone nut reduces friction while improving stability and resonance
- Premium pin-lock tuners mean fewer tuning breaks and speedy string swaps
- Independent bridge intonation for each string ensures top-notch performance for studios and stages
