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Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS
Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature
VS
Playability
70
Sound
82
Build
69
Value
69
Score
74
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Playability
70
Sound
80
Build
68
Value
73
Score
73
FIND IT ON:
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Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS vs Reeves Gabrels Signature

Reasons to Get
Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS over Reeves Gabrels Signature

Pickup Mods
Multi-Voicing vs Phase Out
Changes the voice (tones or gain) of the pickups
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Tone Knobs
3 vs 2
More tone control
Pickups
SSS vs HH
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Reasons to Get
Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature over Gil Parris Signature GPS

Decorative Top
Flame Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Pickup Mods
Phase Out vs Multi-Voicing
Interesting thin tone when combining pickups
Pickups
HH vs SSS
High output without hum
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Value Score
73 vs 69
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS vs Reeves Gabrels Signature

Bridge Pickup
Fishman Fluence Single-Width vs Reeves Gabrels Signature Bridge
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman Fluence Single-Width vs Reeves Gabrels Signature Neck
Different Neck Pickup
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood

Shared Features
Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS vs Reeves Gabrels Signature

Body Wood
Limba
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple
Same Neck Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Boneite
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Tremolo
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Locking Tuners
  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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SET PRICE ALERT

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS is probably the better product overall with its final score of 74 compared to the Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature's 73 score, although not by a lot.

The Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature has the upper hand when it comes to value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS is the better choice.

The Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS Overview

  • From Reverend's 2021 Signature series
  • Gil Parris Signature
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Korina body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Single-Width (Single Coil/Active)
  • Middle pickup: Fishman Fluence Single-Width (Single Coil/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Single-Width (Single Coil/Active)
  • 1 volume and 3 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Wilkinson WVS50K Tremolo (10.8 mm Spacing) bridge
  • Medium Oval Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Reverend Pin-Lock tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature Overview

  • From Reverend's 2021 Signature series
  • Reeves Gabrels Signature
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple top
  • Korina body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Reeves Gabrels Signature Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Reeves Gabrels Signature Neck (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Wilkinson WVS50 IIK Tremolo bridge
  • Medium C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Reverend Pin-Lock tuners
  • Weight between 8.15lbs (3.7kgs) and 8.5lbs (3.9kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Limba wood pattern used for guitar building
Limba

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

Limba is a relatively rare wood that shows exotic tight dark grain stripes. It comes in white or black. As a tonewood, it is comparable to Mahogany but with richer mids. Find out more about Limba.

Woods Used in the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS

Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood

Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

Woods Used in the Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS has an SSS configuration while the Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature has HH pickups.

SSS is perfect for players who like to play clean. The definition you get between notes and the crispiness is unmatched by most other configurations. You can still use it for distortion, but you won't get the same kind of output and power compared to a humbucker, and the hum they produce also makes them less adequate for high gain.

On the other hand, Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

However, the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS's and use them on any guitar:

The Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS's pickups are Active while the Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature's are Passive.

Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

Winner: Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

The Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS gives you 5 switch options while the Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature gives you 3. This means that the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Both give you different pickup mod options.

The Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS offers Multi-Voicing.

Multi-Voicing means the pickups come with multiple ''voices'', which means they can change the tone and gain by a simple switch or knob. Piezo, Fishman and similar are considered multi-voicing pickups.

On the other hand, the Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature comes with the following: Phase Out.

When the Phase Out option is activated, the pickups will ''work against each other'', meaning that they will cancel out their shared frequencies. The result is a very thin sound, instead of a full, rich tone. This is an interesting sound for genres like reggae or funk and has also been used in classic Hard Rock.

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS's switch options
Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS
Pickups 100
Sustain 75
Versatility 79
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 82
Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 76
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 80

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS compares to the Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in South Korea.

South Korea was for many years the number one choice for mass-producing semi-premium guitars. They can build excellent guitars for a cheap price. Now, it's less common to find Korean guitars because Indonesia has proved capable of building guitars just as well, but likely for cheaper.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

In this case, both have Boneite nuts. This is an artificial material made to imitate the favored type of nut: bone. This allows it to sound and feel pretty much like bone, but without the inconsistency of natural materials.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

They both have locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Boneite Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Boneite Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Phase Out Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS
Quality of materials 56
Features 70
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 69
Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature
Quality of materials 60
Features 70
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 68

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 43mm (1.693'').

This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string guitar. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

Scale Length

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS and Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS Neck Profile
Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS's neck profile
Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature Neck Profile
Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS and the Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS and the Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature have the same fretboard radius of 12". This is the radius used in most Gibson guitars. It gives you a good balance for playing chords without muting, but also good comfortability for playing single notes and bending.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS favors large hands more than the Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature.

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS Frets Size
Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS's Frets Size
Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature Frets Size
Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature's Frets Size

The Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS's Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 80
Playability 70
Reverend Reeves Gabrels Signature
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 80
Playability 70

Specs Side-by-Side

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS vs Reeves Gabrels Signature
General Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS Reeves Gabrels Signature
Brand: Reverend Reverend
Year: 2021 2021
Configuration: SSS HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: South Korea South Korea
Series: Signature Signature
Colors: Black Black Satin, Orange Satin
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Korina Korina
Bridge: Wilkinson WVS50K Tremolo (10.8 mm Spacing) Wilkinson WVS50 IIK Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Reverend Pin-Lock Reverend Pin-Lock
Fretboard: Rosewood Ebony
Neck Material: Roasted Maple Roasted Maple
Decoration: Dots Dots
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Medium Oval Medium C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.85'' (21.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.9'' (22.9mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12"
Nut: Boneite Boneite
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fishman Fluence Single-Width (Single Coil / Active) Reeves Gabrels Signature Bridge (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Fishman Fluence Single-Width (Single Coil / Active)
Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Single-Width (Single Coil / Active) Reeves Gabrels Signature Neck (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Bell Dome
Pickup Mods: Multi-Voicing Phase Out
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 3 2