
Rev recasts its classic offset with a rocking pickup complement that can play it cool or bring the attitude.
Very good build quality. Versatile sonic capabilities from a clever pickup and control complement.
Slightly rough fret ends in a few spots.
$1,099
Reverend Six Gun HPP
reverendguitars.com
The silhouette of the new Six Gun HPP is, at this point, a familiar shape—and arguably a classic. It's the foundation for many different Reverend models and clearly a versatile platform for evolution and experimentation. The updated pickup configuration and other new features of Reverend's offset workhorse make the $1,099 Korea-built Six Gun an impressive performer for the price.
Horse P-Power
If you haven't yet decoded the Six Gun's handle, the HPP stands for humbucker/P-90/P-90. The pickups are designed by Reverend. An alnico 5 HA5 humbucker (wound with 43 AWG wire) registers DC resistance readings of 12.65k ohms, while each of the alnico 5 9A5 P-90s register 7.48k ohms. They're all routed through a master volume control with a treble-bleed network, a tone control, and Reverend's useful passive bass contour, which rolls off low end. A 5-way selector switch opens up the possibility of combined bridge/middle and middle/neck pickup combos.
Reverend Six Gun HPP Review
Recorded with Reverend Six Gun, into a Friedman Mini Dirty Shirley head, recorded via a Mesa CabClone IR+ (2x12 cab IR with Celestion Blue and G12H speakers).
Clip #1 — Cleanish: From bridge to neck in all five positions with the Bass Contour control fully clockwise. Then from neck to bridge with the control fully counter-clockwise, then briefly back fully up on the bridge pickup to finish. All on the Friedman's low-gain setting.
Clip #2 — Crunch: Bridge then neck, on the Friedman's medium-gain setting.
Clip #3 — Driven: Bridge pickup, all controls on full; then neck pickup at Bass Contour minimum, then maximum. All on the Friedman's high-gain setting.
The body is crafted from solid korina, carved with rib and forearm contours, and our test model was dressed in Reverend's super-cool black-to-green avocado burst finish with white top binding. (Midnight black, coffee burst, and chronic blue finishes are also available). The guitar weighs around 8.2 pounds, which some might consider heavy, but it doesn't feel like a boat anchor, by any means.
Reverend has been hip to roasted maple for a while, and it is used here for the bolt-on neck, which is shaped into a relatively slim, rounded-C profile and capped with a roasted maple fretboard that's been sliced from the neck blank and re-affixed after installation of the dual-action truss rod. The process eliminates a skunk stripe on the back of the neck, giving the Six Gun a nice handcrafted look. The 25 ½" scale makes the neck feel spacious. And the 22 medium-jumbo frets, which are nicely dressed at the crowns, make it feel smooth and suited to string bending. A few frets felt a little rough at the fretboard edges, but altogether, the neck feels and plays great.
Crafty use of the bass contour control can transform the character of each pickup.
Our review Six Gun HPP arrived well setup and more-or-less in tune right out of the included, two-tone, teardrop hardshell case. It also stayed in tune after a long opening round of playing, including moderate vibrato use. The vibrato, by the way, is a Wilkinson WVS50 IIK two-point vibrato that delivers smooth, even action and great return-to-pitch stability. Tuners are Reverend's locking Pin-Lock design, and the nut's made from synthetic bone. There's also a retainer bar to help maintain tension on the high-E, B, and G strings.
Shoot Out at the Pickup Corral
In addition to being exceedingly playable, the Six Gun HPP offers a wide, adaptable sonic palette. I played the Six Gun through a Marshall-style Friedman Small Box and a tweed Deluxe-style 1x12 combo, and the HPP was a great match for both. The bridge humbucker is a rock machine at heart, with lots of grunt and sizzle that adds beef and presence to overdriven lead excursions. But it cleans up gracefully, too, with volume attenuation, and has a touch of mid-forward, cocked-wah tonality that brims with attitude in clean and dirty applications. The P-90s are also capable rockers—especially when driving an amp turned up to loud and dirty levels. They add a little more grit and bite to the brew, too, which broadens the guitar's character considerably.
All five pickup positions sound great with the bass contour knob fully up, but crafty use of the control can transform the character of each pickup. Wind it back a bit and the humbucker takes on a brighter, slightly thinner, more P-90-ish character that's still thicker than a coil-split humbucker. The same setting gives the P-90s characteristics of a fat-Strat pickup, and in this mode they can generate funky Knopfler-esque tones from the 2nd and 4th positions, lithe rhythm tones, and nice jangle and twang sounds.The Verdict
Well designed, well made, and well setup right out of the case, the Six Gun HPP impresses not only for overall quality but for sonic versatility as well. It's an easy and fast-feeling instrument, and well worth investigating for its crossover appeal and chameleonlike tone capabilities.
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Positive Grid's Spark NEO offers guitarists a wireless guitar rig built into premium headphones, with AI-powered tone customization, exceptional sound quality, and versatile connectivity.
Positive Grid announces Spark NEO, a groundbreaking wireless guitar rig built directly into premium over-ear headphones. Designed to deliver a seamless, personal guitar experience, Spark NEO combines Positive Grid’s award-winning guitar amp technology with true wireless connectivity and AI-powered guitar tone customization.
Spark NEO offers a seamless solution for guitarists seeking exceptional sound quality, advanced tone-shaping tools, and the freedom to play anywhere. Built with custom-designed 40mm drivers and an ultra-lightweight bio-fiber diaphragm, Spark NEO ensures rich, balanced sound for every style of music. The included wireless transmitter instantly pairs any guitar with the headphones for plug-and-play convenience, while Spark NEO’s built-in 1/4" input can also support traditional guitar cables, for added versatility.
With four onboard, customizable guitar presets, Spark NEO enables private playing anywhere, free from space limitations or noise constraints. For even more variety, connecting to the free Spark app unlocks additional presets, amps & effects, and advanced tone controls. Spark NEO also doubles as premium Bluetooth® headphones, offering exceptional clarity for music, podcasts, and more.
Key Features:
- Optimized for Guitarists: Spark NEO integrates Positive Grid’s renowned tone engine, delivering precise sound tailored to electric, acoustic, and bass guitars.
- True Wireless Freedom: A proprietary 2.4GHz system provides reliable, ultra-low latency connectivity between Spark NEO and the user’s guitar, for a smooth and stable playing experience.
- AI-Powered Guitar Tone Customization: Create and refine tones effortlessly with AI-driven tools that adapt to every playing style.
- Exceptional Sound Quality: Precision-engineered drivers deliver clarity and balance for both guitar playing and music listening.
- Portable Design: Spark NEO’s compact, foldable build and rechargeable battery with up to six hours of play time make it easy to take anywhere.
Built for Guitarists
Spark NEO bridges the gap between traditional guitar setups and modern technology. Unlike using generic headphones with a guitar amp, Spark NEO’s integrated design ensures every element—from app to drivers—delivers unparalleled performance.
Noise Isolating Design
Spark NEO’s ultra-soft, durable ear cups ensure a comfortable fit. With advanced damping materials, tuned venting, and precise port adjustments, Spark NEO provides passive noise isolation, letting every musical detail shine without external interference. Jam with backing tracks or favorite songs without disturbing a soul.
Enhanced Creativity with Spark App
The Spark App expands Spark NEO’s capabilities with access to 33 amps and 43 effects, plus over 100,000 tones on Positive Grid's online ToneCloud. Auto Chords helps players learn and jam along with any song by displaying its chords in real time as the song plays, while customizable presets offer endless creative possibilities. Play with backing tracks or along with favorite songs. Whether practicing, playing, or experimenting, Spark NEO delivers unmatched flexibility for guitar players at every level.
Availability and Pricing
Spark NEO is priced at USD $199, including the headphones, wireless transmitter, and full access to the Spark App. It will be available soon on Positive Grid’s website, Amazon, and select retailers.
For more info, please visit positivegrid.com.