The Mercalli scale measures the intensity and effect of an earthquake, which makes it a fitting name for the Reverend Mercalli bass. Reverend first offered the Mercalli as a 5-string, then introduced the 4-string Mercalli 4 at the 2014 NAMM Show, and it has been a cornerstone of the Reverend bass lineup ever since. Its easily recognizable, slightly offset body styling dates back to Reverend's early 2000s designs (we have a very similar looking orange 2004 Rumblefish bass), and it pairs that shape with Reverend's P/J style "Brick" pickup set for a sound that is both heard and felt.

Pictures are of the actual bass.

This 2026 Mercalli 4 in Feisty Red follows the same basic formula Reverend has employed since around 2007: a solid korina body, a bolt-on neck with a comfortable medium oval profile, and a high level of fit and finish. The 5-piece maple and walnut neck adds stability and vibrational transfer, and the chunky bridge can be either top loaded or strung through the body for additional resonance and sustain. In a perfect world we would love to see a 1.5" nut version, but all modern Reverend basses use the more common 42mm (1.654") nut width.

The Split Brick and Thick Brick passive pickups provide plenty of presence, snap, and piano-like depth that will appeal to slap and funk players, and their natural brightness is easily dialed back with the tone control. Rather than fussing with two volume controls, Reverend thoughtfully includes a pickup pan control with a center detent for setting the pickup blend. We love the fullness and definition of the Split Brick pickup and found ourselves blending toward the Split Brick side for most of our playing. In the center detent (50/50) position it delivers a very silky Jazz Bass style tone, although the bridge pickup on its own does not have the steely bark of a true single coil J pickup. That is a small price to pay for what are otherwise very full and vibrant tones throughout the range.

From its bright red finish to its big sonic personality and top shelf build quality, the Reverend Mercalli 4 has a lot going for it. For a professional level 4-string electric bass that you can take to any gig, the Mercalli is a great choice.

This Reverend Mercalli 4 bass features:

• Body: Korina Solidbody, 8.4 pounds
• Finish: Feisty Red
• Pickups: Thick Brick Bridge, Split Brick Neck, Passive
• Bridge: String-Thru-Body or Top-Load, 3/4" Spacing
• Neck: Roasted 5-Piece Maple/Walnut, Bolt-On, Satin Amber Finish
• Scale: 34"
• Neck Profile: Medium Oval
• Fingerboard: Rosewood, 12" Radius, Dot Inlays
• Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo, 0.110" W x 0.050" H
• Truss Rod: Dual Action, Headstock Access
• Tuners: Hipshot Ultralight, 1/2" Shaft
• Nut: Boneite, 42mm (1.654") Width
• Controls: Volume, Tone, Pickup Pan with Center Detent
• Hardware: Chrome
• Strings: 45-105
• Made in Korea
• No bag or case