Reverend Roundhouse 290 MBR

Reverend Roundhouse 290 MBR: technical overview

The Reverend Roundhouse 290 MBR is a Bob Balch signature electric guitar, listed at $1,133 and available since June 2026. Its specification centers on a Korina body and set-in Korina neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and two Reverend Bob Balch pickups in the neck and bridge positions. There are no customer reviews available for this model, so this assessment is based only on the supplied product details.

The listed finish is Violin Brown. The guitar has a maple top, white binding, and white block fingerboard inlays. Together, these details describe a traditional-looking instrument with clearly specified appointments, though the supplied information does not identify the maple top's thickness or construction. The body and neck material are both listed as Korina.

Neck, fingerboard, and scale

The set-in neck has a medium oval profile. Its rosewood fingerboard carries 22 medium frets and has a 305 mm (12-inch) radius. The scale length is 629 mm (24.75 inches), and the nut measures 43 mm (1.69 inches) across. A Boneite nut is specified. These measurements give prospective buyers concrete points for comparing the Roundhouse 290 MBR with other guitars, but they do not establish how the neck will feel in a player's hands.

The 22-fret layout and familiar 24.75-inch scale are useful reference points for assessing the instrument's dimensions. The listing does not state the neck's fretboard edge treatment, fret material, or neck thickness measurements, so those details cannot be evaluated from the available specification. The white block inlays and binding are visual and construction details rather than evidence of a particular playing feel.

Pickups and controls

The guitar is equipped with two Reverend Bob Balch pickups, one at the neck and one at the bridge. The product data identifies these as P-90 pickups. A three-way toggle switch selects between the pickup positions and their combined setting. The control layout includes volume, tone, and bass contour controls.

The bass contour control is a distinct part of the listed electronics, alongside the standard volume and tone controls. The supplied data does not explain its operating range or provide circuit details, so it would be inaccurate to claim a specific tonal result. Likewise, the pickup names and positions identify the hardware but cannot confirm output level, noise performance, or how the guitar sounds through different amplifiers.

Bridge, hardware, and setup details

A Tune-o-matic-style bridge is paired with a stop tailpiece. The tuners are Reverend pin-lock models, and the hardware finish is chrome. The listed string gauge is.010 to.046. No tremolo is fitted, which is consistent with the specified fixed bridge and tailpiece arrangement.

The combination of a fixed bridge and stop tailpiece gives buyers a clear picture of the bridge type, while the pin-lock tuners and string gauge add useful setup information. The listing does not provide a factory action measurement, intonation details, or setup notes. Buyers who need those particulars should confirm them with the seller or inspect the instrument directly.

What the package includes

The Roundhouse 290 MBR is listed without a case and without a gig bag. The product data specifies one guitar per sales unit. No other included accessories are identified. At this price, the absence of a carrying case or gig bag is worth accounting for when comparing the total purchase cost with instruments that include one.

Assessment

On paper, the Reverend Roundhouse 290 MBR is defined by its Korina body and set-in neck, rosewood fingerboard, dual P-90 pickups, and fixed bridge. Its listed controls include volume, tone, and bass contour, while the dimensions and hardware are specified in useful detail. The $1,133 price and Violin Brown finish provide further points for comparison.

That specification supports a practical shortlist assessment, but it cannot substitute for a hands-on evaluation. The available information does not establish weight, acoustic response, pickup output, finish quality, or individual setup condition. With no customer reviews supplied, those areas remain unverified. Buyers should also note that a case or gig bag is not included.