Yamaha Revstar: A Modern Classic
Published on 23 October 2024
It’s not easy to introduce an entirely new electric guitar style out into the world, but Yamaha have achieved just that! It’s known as the Revstar, and if you haven’t seen one already, it’s high time you did!
Today, I’ll introduce you to the Revstar, glance at a few of the variations that exist, and maybe even investigate some famous users!
What is the Revstar Based on?
Yamaha have based their Revstar concept around the cafe racer trend of London in the 60s. The fashions, the individual styling of the motorcycles, the edgy air of iconoclasm…these were all reference points for the Japanese designers at Yamaha. These goodies were poured into an original design guitar with a new silhouette, unique decorative elements and bespoke hardware.
Where are Revstar Guitars Made?
Revstar guitars are made in one of two places. The upper range models like the RSP20X are built in Japan, with the more affordable models being made in Indonesia.
What’s interesting is how good the cheaper models feel. They of course lack some of the special appointments that mark out the dearer models as pro choices (YGD pickups, stainless steel frets, carbon reinforced body and neck etc) but they feel great and sound like a much more expensive guitar for sure.
What Sort of Body is the Revstar?
The Yamaha Revstar has an original design double cutaway body. Whilst vaguely Art Deco in outline, the form of the guitar is inspired as much by those modified dirt bikes and racers of the 60s.
The bodies themselves are chambered for weight relief and extra resonance. The same body shape is used throughout the range, all made with chambered mahogany and a maple cap. Classic!
Revstar Models
There’s a whole range of Revstar models on the loose, and the prices range from under £400 to just under £2k currently. Here’s a few for you…
Yamaha Revstar RSP20X: a top range model with stainless steel frets, carbon reinforcement in the body and neck, alnico V VH5 pickups, shown here in an excellent Rusty Brass Charcoal finish with go-faster stripes. This model is made in Japan.
Revstar RSS20 Flash Green: mid-priced and punching well above its weight, this model comes in 6 finishes (I do like this Flash Green one) and the spec on paper is actually remarkably similar to the one we just looked at: same pickups., stainless steel frets, the carbon reinforcement, the push-pull Focus switch (loses some treble, adds mids and bass) and the pinstripe finishes all remain (though I should add that this model has its own colours). The big difference? Country of manufacture. These are built in Indonesia which makes things cheaper, but don’t for a second think that the quality takes a dip! I’m so impressed with Yamaha’s Indonesian Revstars, from the feel to the finishing to the tone. They are great, and I feel like this is a serious contender for every guitarist.
Revstar RSE20 Vintage White: I suppose I’d call this the entry-level Revstar in that it’s the most affordable model, but it still impresses! As you’d expect, you miss out on some of the fancier elements (frets are not stainless steel, there’s no carbon reinforcement, and the pickups are VH3 models rather than VH5), but I’d focus on what remains: the great feeling set neck, the chambered body, a ‘dry switch’ (it’s a high pass filter) and the fact that those VH3 pickups still use decent alnico V magnets.
That’s a lot of guitar for the buck, and you get cool finishes and the same overall branding: there are no additional; qualifying terms or logos on any of the Revstars - they all just feature Yamaha’s tuning forks logo - which I feel is a very cool, inclusive move.
Call me a fan!
Who is Playing Revstars?
More and more artists are beginning to use the Revstar, and interestingly, there’s no ‘house style’ when it comes to the genres these artists are coming from. Here’s a list of a few who are currently using them:
- James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins)
- Matteo Mancuso
- Chris Buck
- Sarah Lipstate (Iggy Pop, composer)
- Alicia Rei Kim
A New Generation of Yamaha
Yamaha have been a force in the guitar world for decades of course: the Pacifica series is a mainstay, and the SG is a classic. The Revstar is the newest and I’m glad to see it reaching an appreciative audience with today’s players. It’s proving a hit, which is by no means an easy thing to achieve these days. Sure, Yamaha are a huge company and can therefore take a risk and then support the notion, but that doesn’t mean the guitar-playing public will take to it.
The fact is, the Revstar is a nice looker, and when you get closer up, you realise the quality, the feel and all of tse other things that by necessity have to come about after you already make a decision (visually) on whether you’re into a guitar or not.
Earlier examples had necks that weren’t as great, or colours that were more divisive, but this current batch has hit the collective nail on the head and gotten things just right.
Have you tried a Revstar yet?
Click to Browse the Yamaha Revstar Range
