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Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS
Yamaha PAC1611MS
VS
Playability
70
Sound
82
Build
69
Value
69
Score
74
FIND IT ON:
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Playability
72
Sound
72
Build
69
Value
66
Score
71
FIND IT ON:
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Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS vs Yamaha PAC1611MS

Reasons to Get
Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS over Yamaha PAC1611MS

Release Year
2021 vs 2014
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickup Mods
Multi-Voicing vs None
Changes the voice (tones or gain) of the pickups
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Tone Knobs
3 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
SSS vs HH
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.85'' (21.6mm) vs 0.839'' (21.3mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.9'' (22.9mm) vs 0.906'' (23mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.594'' (40.5mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Tremolo vs Fixed
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 7.25'' (184.2mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
69 vs 66
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Yamaha PAC1611MS over Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS

Country of Manufacturing
Japan vs South Korea
Built with higher quality standards
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups
HH vs SSS
High output without hum
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.839'' (21.3mm) vs 0.85'' (21.6mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.906'' (23mm) vs 0.9'' (22.9mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.594'' (40.5mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Fixed vs Tremolo
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
7.25'' (184.2mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Other Key Differences
Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS vs Yamaha PAC1611MS

Bridge Pickup
Fishman Fluence Single-Width vs Seymour Duncan STHR-1b
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman Fluence Single-Width vs Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Limba vs Ash
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood vs Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Boneite vs Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS vs Yamaha PAC1611MS

Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • 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
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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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 Yamaha PAC1611MS's 71 score, although not by a lot.

The Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS wins when it comes to sound, value for the money. On the other hand, the Yamaha PAC1611MS has the upper hand when it comes to playability.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. 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. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

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

Yamaha PAC1611MS
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

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 >

Yamaha PAC1611MS Overview

  • From Yamaha's 2014 Signature series
  • Mike Stern Signature
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 7.25" Fretboard Radius
  • Light Ash body
  • Maple neck
  • One-Piece Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan STHR-1b (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Hardtail bridge
  • PAC1611MS Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh SD91-05M-L tuners
  • 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 the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood
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.

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.

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 Yamaha PAC1611MS

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

Winner: Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS.

Pickup Configuration

The Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS has an SSS configuration while the Yamaha PAC1611MS 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:

We found the same or similar pickups to the Yamaha PAC1611MS's online:

The Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS's pickups are Active while the Yamaha PAC1611MS'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 Yamaha PAC1611MS 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

Only the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS comes with some kind of pickup modification: 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.

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS's switch options
Yamaha PAC1611MS pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Yamaha PAC1611MS'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
Yamaha PAC1611MS
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 54
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 72

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 Yamaha PAC1611MS.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS is built in South Korea while the Yamaha PAC1611MS is made in Japan.

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.

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

Winner: Yamaha PAC1611MS

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.

The Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS has a Boneite nut. 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.

On the other hand, the Yamaha PAC1611MS comes with a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

Winner: Tie.

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.

The Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS's brige is a 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.

On the other hand, the Yamaha PAC1611MS's is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

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

The Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS has the best tuners of the two because they are 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: Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS.

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
Yamaha PAC1611MS
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • 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
Yamaha PAC1611MS
Quality of materials 66
Features 50
Quality Control 90
Build Quality 69

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
Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS Nut Width
Yamaha PAC1611MS Nut Width
Yamaha PAC1611MS Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 40.5mm (1.594''). This is a 2.5mm (0.099'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS and Yamaha PAC1611MS'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
Yamaha PAC1611MS Neck Profile
Yamaha PAC1611MS'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 Yamaha PAC1611MS 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
Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS's Fingerboard radius
Yamaha PAC1611MS Fingerboard Radius
Yamaha PAC1611MS's Fingerboard 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.

In this case, the Yamaha PAC1611MS's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS.

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.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison are balanced for most hand sizes.

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Yamaha PAC1611MS:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS Frets Size
Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS's Frets Size
Yamaha PAC1611MS Frets Size
Yamaha PAC1611MS's Frets Size

The Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Yamaha PAC1611MS's Medium 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
Yamaha PAC1611MS
Bending & Vibrato Ease 65
Chord Playability 90
Solo Playability 60
Playability 72

Specs Side-by-Side

Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS vs Yamaha PAC1611MS
General Reverend Gil Parris Signature GPS Yamaha PAC1611MS
Brand: Reverend Yamaha
Year: 2021 2014
Configuration: SSS HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: South Korea Japan
Series: Signature Signature
Colors: Black Natural
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Korina Light Ash
Bridge: Wilkinson WVS50K Tremolo (10.8 mm Spacing) 6-Saddle Hardtail
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Reverend Pin-Lock Gotoh SD91-05M-L
Fretboard: Rosewood One-Piece Maple
Neck Material: Roasted Maple Maple
Decoration: Dots Dots
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Medium Oval PAC1611MS
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.85'' (21.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.9'' (22.9mm) 1st Fret: 0.839'' (21.3mm) - 12th Fret: 0.906'' (23mm)
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 7.25"
Nut: Boneite Bone
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 40.5mm (1.594'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fishman Fluence Single-Width (Single Coil / Active) Seymour Duncan STHR-1b (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Fishman Fluence Single-Width (Single Coil / Active)
Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Single-Width (Single Coil / Active) Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Bell Dome
Pickup Mods: Multi-Voicing None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 3 1