The Complete Reverend Guitar Price Guide 2026: Korina, Railhammers, and the Bass Contour

Last updated: February 2026

In 1997, Joe Naylor founded Reverend Musical Instruments in Michigan with a question: what if a guitar could do more? Naylor had studied industrial design and luthiery. He'd repaired and modified countless instruments. He knew what players wanted—and what manufacturers weren't delivering. So he built it himself. Korina bodies as standard when others charged premium. A unique Bass Contour knob that let players dial bass independently from treble. Pickups designed for clarity and punch. By 2012, Naylor had launched Railhammer Pickups—a separate company that would eventually be acquired by Reverend in 2017. Today, Reverend Guitars manufactures in South Korea with final setup and inspection in the US, offering over 30 models that deliver professional features at accessible prices. The Sensei and Charger at $1,199 each represent the heart of the lineup—Korina, Railhammers, and that distinctive Bass Contour control that no other brand offers.

This guide breaks down Reverend pricing, explains the Bass Contour advantage, and helps you choose the right model for your style.

Reverend Guitar Market Overview 2026

Reverend occupies a sweet spot: professional features and distinctive design at mid-tier pricing.

Key Market Statistics:

• Average Used Reverend Price: $520 (up 9% from 2025)
• Active Listings: Approximately 650 guitars currently for sale
• Monthly Sales Volume: Around 140 guitars sold per month
• Price Range: $250 (used entry models) to $1,200 (new Sensei/Charger)

Reverend's reputation has grown steadily as players discover the Bass Contour knob and Railhammer pickups. Used prices have appreciated 9% annually—strong demand for a brand that's still building recognition. The Korina body standard (when competitors charge $500+ for Korina options) is a significant value proposition.

Understanding Reverend's Philosophy

Joe Naylor's Vision

Joe Naylor didn't set out to copy Fender or Gibson. He set out to improve on them.

Core Innovations:

1. Bass Contour Control (BCC): A knob on every Reverend that adjusts bass independently from treble. Roll it back for thin, vintage jangle. Crank it for full, modern punch. No other guitar brand offers this as standard.
2. Korina Body Standard: Korina (African limba) is lightweight, resonant, and historically premium. Reverend makes it standard on many models when others charge $500+ for the option.
3. Railhammer Pickups: Naylor's own pickup company. Rails under wound strings (tight, clear lows), poles under plain strings (fat, singing highs). Unique design, distinctive tone.
4. Locking Tuners and Quality Hardware: Professional features standard—not premium add-ons.

The Bass Contour Revolution

The Bass Contour Control is Reverend's signature. It's not a tone knob. It's a bass-specific EQ that works alongside the standard tone control. The result: one guitar that can sound like a thin vintage single-coil or a fat modern humbucker—without switching pickups. Recording engineers love it. Live players love it. No one else has it.

Railhammer Pickups

Reverend acquired Railhammer in 2017. The hybrid design—rails for wound strings, poles for plain—delivers clarity and punch that conventional pickups often sacrifice. Many Reverend models feature Railhammer Alnico or Humcutters. The Revtron mini-humbucker offers vintage-style options. Not every Reverend has Railhammers—some use custom designs—but the Railhammer models define the brand's electric character.

Reverend Price Guide by Series

Sensei (~$1,199)

Specifications:

• Body: Korina (African limba)
• Neck: Maple, bolt-on
• Fingerboard: Rosewood or maple, 22 frets
• Pickups: Railhammer Hyper Vintage (Alnico)
• Bridge: Wilkinson VS100 vibrato
• Scale: 25.5"
• Nut Width: 1.6875"
• Controls: Volume, Tone, Bass Contour
• Finish: Gloss or satin options

Why the Sensei: The Sensei is Reverend's flagship double-cut. Korina body. Railhammer pickups. Bass Contour. Full-sized body with comfortable contours. The Wilkinson VS100 vibrato is smooth and stable. At $1,199, it competes with guitars costing $1,500+.

Charger (~$1,199)

Specifications:

• Body: Korina
• Neck: Maple, bolt-on
• Fingerboard: Rosewood or maple
• Pickups: Railhammer or Revtron options
• Bridge: Hardtail or vibrato
• Scale: 25.5"
• Nut Width: 1.6875"
• Controls: Volume, Tone, Bass Contour
• Body: Compact or full-size options

Why the Charger: The Charger offers similar Korina/Railhammer/Bass Contour formula in different body configurations. Some variants feature Revtron mini-humbuckers for vintage Gretsch-style tone. Versatile for rock, indie, and alternative.

Other Bolt-On Models (~$799-$1,099)

Reverend offers over 30 models including:

• Warhawk: Offset body, Railhammer pickups
• Double Agent: P-90 and humbucker combo
• Jetstream: Semi-hollow with Revtrons
• Club King: Hollowbody with Bigsby
• Signature models: Artist collaborations

Used Reverend Values: $350-$900 (excellent condition)

Set-Neck Series

Reverend's set-neck models offer Gibson-style construction with Reverend innovations:

Models: Sensei Jr., Charger HB, and others Price Range: $1,099-$1,299 Features: Set-neck, Korina or mahogany, Railhammer pickups, Bass Contour

Where to Buy Reverend Guitars: Platform Comparison

Online Marketplace Analysis

Reverb (Average Price: $540)

• Best selection of Reverend models
• Growing Reverend community
• 9.5% price appreciation year-over-year
• Best for: Sensei, Charger, used finds

eBay (Average Price: $480)

• Good for budget finds
• 8.0% price trend
• Best for: Entry models, auctions

Guitar Center (Average Price: $510)

• Physical inspection available
• Used Reverend selection
• 7.0% appreciation
• Best for: Try-before-buy, Bass Contour test

Local Shops (Average Price: $450)

• May undervalue Reverend vs. Fender/Gibson
• Negotiation possible
• 6.0% growth
• Best for: Deals on used models

Tips for Buying Used Reverend

1. Test the Bass Contour: The BCC is unique—verify it works in all positions. It's the defining Reverend feature
2. Korina Check: Korina is lightweight. Verify no cracks or damage. It's a premium wood
3. Railhammer Verification: Confirm pickups are original. Railhammer models command premium
4. Locking Tuners: Standard on most Reverends—verify they're present and functional
5. Country of Origin: Reverend builds in Korea, final setup in US. "Set up in USA" is standard
6. Model Proliferation: Reverend has many models—research the specific one. Specs vary

Reverend vs. Competitors

How Reverend compares at similar prices:

Reverend Advantage: Bass Contour control (unique), Korina standard, Railhammer pickups, professional hardware. No other brand offers this combination at any price.

When Others Win: Fender for classic Strat tone. Gibson for Les Paul heritage. PRS for brand recognition. Reverend for players who want something different and more versatile.

Famous Reverend Players

Artists who use Reverend guitars:

• Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins): Reverend endorser
• Pete Anderson: Country guitarist, Reverend user
• Dave Davies (The Kinks): Reverend player
• Various indie and alternative artists: Growing adoption in indie/alt rock
• Session musicians: Bass Contour valued for recording versatility

Reverend's artist roster continues to grow as word spreads about the Bass Contour and Korina quality.

Investment Potential: Which Reverends Hold Value?

Strong Value Retention

Sensei and Charger:

• Korina and Railhammer combination
• 70-80% retention for excellent condition
• 9% annual appreciation (growing brand)
• Bass Contour unique—no direct competitor

Korina Models:

• Korina is premium wood
• Limited availability from other brands at this price
• Holds value better than standard wood models

Moderate Retention

Entry-Level Reverends:

• Typical depreciation for mid-tier
• Good value for used buyers
• 60-70% retention

Note: Reverend is a player's brand—instruments for making music. The investment story is strong value retention and growing recognition, not collectible speculation.

Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Reverend

For Beginners ($300-$600)

Recommended Models:

• Used Sensei or Charger: $600-$900 used—full Reverend experience
• Used entry models: $350-$500
• Used Warhawk or Double Agent: $400-$600

What to Prioritize:

• Bass Contour (try it—it's transformative)
• Body style preference
• Comfortable neck

For Intermediate Players ($600-$1,200)

Recommended Models:

• Sensei New: ~$1,199—flagship, Korina, Railhammers
• Charger New: ~$1,199—same formula, different body
• Used Korina models: $700-$1,000

What to Prioritize:

• Korina vs. other woods
• Railhammer vs. Revtron (different tones)
• Vibrato vs. hardtail

For Serious Players ($1,000-$1,300)

Recommended Models:

• Sensei: Full feature set
• Charger HB: Humbucker variant
• Set-neck models: Gibson-style construction

What to Prioritize:

• Pickup configuration
• Body style for your music
• Bass Contour for recording versatility

For Recording Musicians

Reverend Advantage: The Bass Contour Control is a recording engineer's dream. Dial bass for the mix without switching guitars or adding pedals. One guitar, multiple tones. No other brand offers this.

The Reverend Sound: Bass Contour Explained

What the Bass Contour Does:

• Rolled back: Thin, vintage, jangly—single-coil character
• Cranked: Full, modern, punchy—humbucker character
• Works with any pickup configuration
• Independent from treble/tone control

Railhammer Character:

• Clear, articulate—not muddy
• Tight low end—good for gain
• Singing highs on plain strings
• Distinctive from standard humbuckers

Korina Body:

• Lightweight, resonant
• Similar to mahogany but slightly brighter
• Historically associated with Gibson Explorer/Flying V
• Premium feel at standard price

Who Should Consider Reverend:

• Players who want versatility without multiple guitars
• Those seeking Korina at accessible prices
• Recording musicians who value tone-shaping options
• Indie, alternative, and rock players

Who Might Prefer Others:

• Purists seeking classic Fender/Gibson tone
• Players who prioritize brand prestige
• Those who want traditional single-coil or humbucker only

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Bass Contour control? A: A knob on every Reverend that adjusts bass independently from treble. Roll it back for thin, vintage jangle. Crank it for full, modern punch. No other guitar brand offers this as standard. It's Reverend's signature innovation.

Q: Where are Reverend guitars made? A: Reverend guitars are manufactured in South Korea with final setup and inspection in the United States. The quality control is rigorous—Joe Naylor's team ensures every instrument meets standards before shipping.

Q: What are Railhammer pickups? A: Pickups designed by Joe Naylor (Reverend's founder). Rails under wound strings for tight, clear lows; poles under plain strings for fat, singing highs. Reverend acquired Railhammer in 2017. The hybrid design delivers distinctive tone—clear and punchy.

Q: Why is Korina special? A: Korina (African limba) is lightweight, resonant, and historically premium. Gibson used it for the Explorer and Flying V in the 1950s. Other brands charge $500+ for Korina options. Reverend makes it standard on Sensei, Charger, and other models.

Q: Are Reverend guitars good for beginners? A: Yes. Reverend offers excellent build quality, comfortable playability, and the Bass Contour adds versatility. Used Reverends at $350-$400 are exceptional value. The only caveat: beginners might not appreciate the Bass Contour until they've played more—but it's there when they're ready.

Q: How does Reverend compare to Fender? A: Different philosophy. Fender offers classic designs and proven tone. Reverend offers innovation—Bass Contour, Korina, Railhammers—at similar prices. Reverend is for players who want something beyond the Strat/Tele template.

Conclusion

Joe Naylor asked a question in 1997: what if a guitar could do more? Twenty-seven years later, Reverend answers with the Bass Contour Control—a feature no other brand offers—Korina bodies as standard, and Railhammer pickups that deliver clear, punchy tone. The Sensei and Charger at $1,199 each represent the heart of the lineup: professional features, distinctive design, and genuine innovation.

Reverend isn't trying to be Fender or Gibson. It's offering something different—versatility through the Bass Contour, quality through Korina and Railhammers, value through smart design. For the player who wants something beyond the usual, Reverend delivers. Korina, Railhammers, and that Bass Contour—once you've tried it, you'll understand.

For the most current pricing and availability, check authorized Reverend dealers or the official Reverend website. Prices fluctuate based on model and configuration.

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