Exclusive lessons, interviews, presales and features from the GW archive
Curated Newsletters
Handpicked guitar news, lessons and gear highlights
Early Access
Our biggest stories will go to Backstage Pass holders first
Achievements
Unlock badges as you learn and explore
Join the Conversation
Connect with fellow GW fans across the globe
Tailored For You
Lessons, gear and stories picked for you
Sign up to Guitar World Backstage Pass
For the quickest way to join, enter your email below. We’ll send a confirmation email and sign you up to Guitar World newsletters with the latest news, gear reviews, lessons and exclusive offers.
Join The Club for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.
By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over,
have read our
Privacy Policy
and agree to the
Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.
“It’s a joy to play”: Reverend’s newest signature for Bob Balch is a hot-rodded rock machine fit for a fuzz metal pioneer – and it comes fitted with a Floyd Rose
Fuzz metal pioneer Bob Balch has been flying the flag for Reverend for quite some time now, and for good reason: his flagship Sensei-style signature guitar has been able to accommodate some of the most gruelling and brutal sonic experiments the Fu Manchu visionary has dared to dream up.
Following the launch of his first signature, Balch has been predominantly playing the Stop Bar-style six-string for much of his music, but when he requested an updated version that would entertain his locking tremolo fancies, Reverend was happy to oblige.
Enter the newest Reverend Bob Balch signature model – an overhauled take of Balch’s trusty original, which drafts in a Floyd Rose tremolo for greater experimental potential.
Now, Reverend has been on a Floyd Rose kick over the past few months, and it was only very recently that the firm first decided to introduce the locking trem system into its lineup. Vernon Reid’s signature model was one of the first to be fitted with such a spec, and now Balch’s build has followed suit.
(Image credit: Reverend)
The FR variant is spec’d to the same sheet as the OG model. That means there’s a solid korina body with a strategic resonance chamber, a three-piece korina neck, and Railhammer Bob Balch bridge and neck humbuckers. The 24.75”-scale guitar also has 22 frets, a 12” rosewood fingerboard and a control layout that also features a Bass Contour parameter.
In terms of finishes, High Tide Blue and Silver Burst are on tap. The Bob Balch FR joins the lineup alongside the aforementioned first Balch model, which arrives in 3-Tone Sunburst and Gloss Violin Brown. It also has a T.O.M-style bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece.
“It’s a real home run of a guitar. It’s a joy to play,” says Guitar World’s Paul Riario. “If you’re a rock or metal player, it pretty much has everything you want.”
Since 1980, Guitar World has been the ultimate resource for guitarists. Whether you want to learn the techniques employed by your guitar heroes, read about their latest projects or simply need to know which guitar is the right one to buy, Guitar World is the place to look.
