AudioFu Chart · October 2026
Best Reverend Alternative Design Guitars 2026
The top pick is Reverend Ryan Malicsi Signature ($1,403). Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 9 models, prices checked every night.
Last updated: October 22, 2026
Top 9
Full detail for the 9 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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Reverend Ryan Malicsi Signature
Ryan Malicsi Signature MM · Reverend
9 for sale on Reverb2 finishes at Thomann
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- FingerboardMaple fingerboard
This guitar feels solid thanks to its roasted maple neck and bone nut. The P90 pickups give it a rough, classic rock sound. It suits players who want a straightforward instrument without too much fuss.
Pros
- Roasted maple neck ensures stable playability for long sessions.
- Three P90 single coils deliver raw, gritty tone.
- Boneite nut provides a solid, clear high-end response.
Cons
- Korina body is less durable than traditional woods.
- No weight listed makes handling feel uncertain.
50AudioFu
Index↓ 3.8%since Aug 17$1,459 · Aug 17$1,403 now$1,403€1,249 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
This guitar feels like a friendly, ready-to-play workhorse. The Korina body and roasted maple neck give it a sturdy feel without the cost of premium woods. It suits players who want a reliable instrument with strings running through the body for extra sustain. Perfect for starting out or needing a backup gig guitar.
Pros
- Affordable price point for solid body electric guitar
- Korina body paired with roasted maple neck
- Strings through body bridge design adds sustain
Cons
- No weight spec listed in product description
- Lacks detailed tonal character description
41AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,286 now$1,286€1,145 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- FingerboardMaple fingerboard
This guitar plays like a classic P90 but with a modern, bolt-on neck for stability. The roasted maple neck is fast, and the Korina body sounds warm. It fits players who want that gritty, vintage tone without the extra weight.
Pros
- Roasted maple neck feels smooth and fast for playing.
- 9A5 style pickups deliver a raw, punchy tone.
- Korina body offers a solid, vintage-like resonance.
Cons
- No weight rating provided in the official specs.
- Bass contour control is a niche feature for some players.
41AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,291 now$1,291€1,149 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
This guitar feels like a classic American player built for live gigs. The P90 pickups cut through the mix with a gritty growl, while the roasted maple neck stays stable in hot stages. It suits players who want raw, organic sound without extra electronics.
Pros
- Classic P90-style tone with deep bass response
- Roasted maple neck ensures stable tuning
- Solid Korina body for mid-range punch
Cons
- No preamp circuitry mentioned for tone shaping
- Single volume/tone controls lack EQ depth
41AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,291 now$1,291€1,149 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
This guitar feels great thanks to its Korina body and roasted maple neck. The P90 and humbucker pair gives you a solid, classic tone right out of the box. It suits players who want a straightforward, reliable instrument without extra complexity.
Pros
- Korina body pairs with roasted maple neck for solid resonance
- Steelhead humbucker and P90 combo delivers distinct tonal options
- Strings through body bridge design ensures better sustain and clarity
Cons
- No weight rating provided makes handling feel uncertain
- Only two pickup controls limit tone shaping compared to full setups
41AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,291 now$1,291€1,149 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
This guitar feels solid thanks to the Korina body and roasted maple neck. The 25.5-inch scale and humbuckers give a full, classic rock tone. It suits players who want a reliable workhorse without extra bells and whistles.
Pros
- Robust Korina body with bolt-on maple neck stability
- 25.5-inch scale length matches standard playing feel
- Strings-through-body bridge adds sustain and clarity
Cons
- No explicit weight listed for player comfort check
- Iconic Blue finish lacks detailed color description
41AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,347 now$1,347€1,199 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- FingerboardMaple fingerboard
This guitar feels great thanks to its light Korina body and roasted maple neck. The Cleancut humbuckers give a solid rock sound that cuts through any mix. It fits players who want a reliable, affordable alternative design without extra weight.
Pros
- Affordable Korina body offers a light, resonant feel for playing.
Cons
- No weight spec listed makes carrying uncertainty for the player.
- Roasted maple necks may have less stability than seasoned wood.
41AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,347 now$1,347€1,199 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
This guitar feels solid thanks to the roasted maple neck and Korina body. The Steelhead humbucker mixed with the P90 gives you a clear, usable tone right out of the box. It fits well on a standard 25.5-inch scale with medium jumbo frets. Perfect for players who want a reliable alternative design without breaking the bank.
Pros
- Affordable Korina body with bolt-on maple neck
- Classic 25.5 scale length and 12-inch radius
- Steelhead humbucker paired with P90 single-coil
Cons
- No stated weight for heavy players
- Midnight Black finish lacks specified depth
41AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,403 now$1,403€1,249 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Reverend Ron Asheton Signature Jetstream 390
Ron Asheton Jetstream 390 · Reverend
4 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width43 mm (1.69")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets22 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
This Ron Asheton Jetstream 390 is a seriously cool guitar. It’s built for players who love that raw, unapologetic P90 bite and a vintage vibe, but want a modern twist. The roasted maple neck and Wilkinson tremolo really elevate the playing experience.
Pros
- Korina body provides a resonant, airy, and surprisingly lightweight feel.
- Roasted maple neck offers exceptional stability and a smooth playing experience.
- Reverend 9A5 P90s deliver thick, gritty tone with surprising clarity.
Cons
- Korina can be prone to finish checking with age and temperature changes.
- Limited pickup options restrict versatility beyond raw, P90-driven sounds.
40AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,347 now$1,347€1,199 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
Alternative Design Guitars by the numbers
Measured across all 248 models we track, not a sample.
Median $1,347 — half of all alternative design guitars here cost less.
median of 202 models · 41.3 mm (1.63")–43 mm (1.69")
median of 229 models · 610 mm (24.02")–648 mm (25.51")
median of 154 models · 21–24
most common · 186 models
How to choose the best alternative design guitars
Pickups
Reverend's own pickups are a big deal. They aren't just generic wound coils; they're voiced to complement the guitar's design, often offering a surprisingly articulate low-end thump without getting muddy. Expect a balanced frequency response - not overly bright or scooped - which is a real boon for versatility.
Neck Profiles
Reverend's neck profiles are consistently comfortable and well-executed. They tend to lean towards a vintage-inspired feel, but with a modern, playable action. This makes them easy to shred on, but also comfortable for long, mellow gigs.
Korina Bodies
Many Reverend models utilize Korina (often marketed as 'Limba') for their bodies. Korina gives a warm, resonant tone with a touch of upper-midrange sparkle - it's not as overtly bright as maple, but it has a liveliness that cuts through the mix. It also tends to be a little lighter than mahogany.
Bridge Designs
Reverend's bridges are often a departure from standard designs, like their Kern bridge, designed for improved sustain and resonance. They're not just about aesthetics; they're genuinely trying to optimize the transfer of string vibrations to the body.
Hardware & Build Quality
The hardware isn't always boutique-level, but it's solid and functional. Reverend's build quality is consistently good for the price point; you're getting a well-made instrument that's gig-ready without the exorbitant price tag of some high-end brands.
Buying guide
Alright, so you're looking for something different than the Fender/Gibson echo chamber? Reverend's been quietly building some seriously cool guitars for years, and they've carved out a real niche for themselves. They're not chasing trends; they're making instruments with a distinct voice, often blending vintage vibes with modern functionality. If you want a guitar that feels like it was made for you, not mass-produced for everyone, let's dive into the best Reverend Alternative Design guitars.
Reverend guitars are a fantastic value, but be aware that some models have simpler hardware (tuners, pots) which isn't a deal-breaker, but might be something to upgrade down the line. The Korina bodies are fantastic, but the finish can sometimes be a little thinner on entry-level models - it's not a flaw, just a difference in the level of attention given to the cosmetic details. Ultimately, focus on the feel and tone - if it inspires you to play, that's the most important thing.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 10 alternative design guitars from the Thomann catalogue (of 248 in the category). Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Are Reverend guitars really that different from Fender or Gibson?
Absolutely. They're not trying to be a Fender or a Gibson clone. Reverend has its own design language and sonic signature, often blending vintage and modern elements in a way that neither of those brands does.
What's the deal with the 'Kern' bridge?
The Kern bridge is a unique design intended to maximize sustain and resonance by providing a more direct connection between the strings and the body. It's a subtle difference, but experienced players often notice a slight improvement in clarity and sustain.
Are Reverend pickups hot or vintage voiced?
Generally, they're closer to vintage voiced. They have a good output, but aren't overwound. They're designed to be balanced and articulate, not just loud. This makes them great for a wide range of styles.
Are Reverend guitars easy to set up?
They're generally pretty good out of the box, but like any guitar, a professional setup can really optimize the action and intonation. The neck profiles are comfortable, which makes adjustments easier.
What kind of music are Reverend guitars good for?
Their versatility is a big strength. They're fantastic for blues, rock, alternative, country, and even jazz. That balanced tone really lets you dial in a wide range of sounds.
