Reverend Guitars: Bass Contour!!!!

[Randypttt]

Had the pleasure of playing a Jetstream the other day down at Herb Davids Guitar Studio in Ann Arbor.
It's a bolt on equipped with 2 P-90 pups and this great Bass Contour switch.
I was curious as to what it is exactly. Can't seem to find anything about it but it really made a serious difference in the sound of this guitar.

With it rolled off you have all the twang and zing of a Tele but with it all the way up it's pure P-90. Sounded great. I'm still on the hunt for a P-90 guitar and have been looking, on line at least, at the new Modern Player Thinline.
If I knew what this switch was I'd consider slapping one on it.

I'm sure it's not magic but I have very little knowledge concerning electronics so if anyone could enlighten me I would appreciate it.

 

[Dan German]

I don't know quite how it works either, but I have a Buckshot (Tele-style bridge p'up, miniHB neck p'up) and I use the Bass Contour all the time. I actually use it a lot more than the tone control. I suppose I could look under the hood and see what's wired to who (whom) but I don't really care, as long as it works!

 

[Burlington Dave]

Great guitars! I shouldn't have sold my Charger 290!!

 

[EllenGtrGrl]

I miss my Club King HB. It weighed a ton, but it sounded great, and sure had a killer neck! Unfortunately, I had to sell it during a money crunch.

 

[basher]

Pretty awesome, innit? Since I've been playing my Daredevil the last few years I feel hamstrung when I pick up a guitar that doesn't have the bass contour. It's an essential part of my toolbox.

 

[nvilletele]

Great guitars! I shouldn't have sold my Charger 290!!

I had been gassing for a Charger 290 for a while, but eventually found relief for that gas attack via a Club King 290 . . . from what I can tell, they are very similar, with the CK having the Thinline approach.

I've also got a Reverend Gil Parris Signature model, which though getting very little recent play, is still an great-playing guitar . . . thanks for reminding me, I'll have to give it some more attention.

 

[EllenGtrGrl]

I've been debating with myself, about getting another Reverend. The only problem is the bass contour control - I hardly ever used it on my Club King. If I did get one, I'd get another Club King a Jetstream, or a Warhawk. Reverends have some of the most killer necks, of any guitar I've ever played in my 32 plus years of playing.

 

[Tele-Monster]

Reverends have some of the most killer necks

Couldn't agree more! I loved my Charger HB and probably would still have it had I not gotten the offer for a straight up trade for an AVRI 62 strat.

 

[DavidP]

Yes, Reverends are great but...

what about the OP's question?
I dunno, but expect that the Contour knob is kind ofsimilar to the PTB (passive treble/bass roll offs) that are on some G&L guitars, but would need to inspect a wiring pic or diagram to see pot and cap values. Joe is pretty secretive about releasing details but I don't think there's major rocket science involved here...

 

[62 Jazzmaster]

I don't have first-hand knowledge, but some googling around suggests that the Reverend Bass Contour Circuit is similar to the (link removed) circuit.

 

[Randypttt]

what about the OP's question?
I dunno, but expect that the Contour knob is kind ofsimilar to the PTB (passive treble/bass roll offs) that are on some G&L guitars, but would need to inspect a wiring pic or diagram to see pot and cap values. Joe is pretty secretive about releasing details but I don't think there's major rocket science involved here...

Thanks for getting this back on track. I'm thinking of copying this over on to Tele Technical or the regular Tele forum.
I agree I don't think it's rocket science just haven't seen anything about it.
Which brings me to....

I don't have first-hand knowledge, but some googling around suggests that the Reverend Bass Contour Circuit is similar to the (link removed) circuit.

Thanks for the post 62 but is there a way to get that diagram with more English to it? I understand the designations for the caps but not much else . Can you elaborate? Thanks again.

 

[62 Jazzmaster]

Again, no first-hand knowledge, but I did some searching for Low Pass filter circuits for guitar and found this (.pdf) diagram by TDPRI member, Terry Downs in this thread. Terry provides a wealth of information, along with clear and detailed photos.

 

[Randypttt]

Again, no first-hand knowledge, but I did some searching for Low Pass filter circuits for guitar and found this (.pdf) diagram by TDPRI member, Terry Downs in this thread. Terry provides a wealth of information, along with clear and detailed photos.

Well, thank you again 62. Appreciate your efforts. I'm copying it to my hard drive as we speak.
Someone on another forum suggested I just buy a Jetstream. How...well...that's a sound idea. Why didn't I think of that.
Actually I had but they're a bit pricier than I'd like to pay and I'd like to keep things in the Fender/Squier family.
Nothing against Reverend or any other maker but...that's just me.
Thanks again for posting.

 

[hwestman]

Isn't that bass control basically a volume control with a 022 cap used as a treble bleed...?

 

[stringslinger01]

I've been on the prowl for some sort of reverend for quite some time now. The only problem is nobody around here sells them and I don't like to buy guitars without first trying them out. I've heard nothing but good things though