YAMAHA REVSTAR

89
JUNE 2022 GUITARIST
YAMAHA REVSTAR
PROS Very a ordable; Dry Switch;
tidy build; excellent resonant design;
playability; huge modding potential
CONS Our prototype’s pickups are
slightly o -spec, but it doesn’t ruin
the fun; little else to complain about
PROS Price; tidy build with graphite-
reinforced neck; resonant design;
playability; mainstream voicing;
 v e -way switching; Focus Switch
CONS Not everyone will get the
Focus Switch passive boost
PROS Ditto the RSS20, but soapbars
expand the sounds with some input
from that custom tailpiece; volume
control unleashes its versatility
CONS Not everyone will get the
Focus Switch passive boost
PROS Subtly more detailed
Japanese build; articulate voice and
our favourite platform for that Focus
Switch boost; hard case
CONS There’s a cost rise over the
RSS02T, so try before you buy
YAMAHA REVSTAR
RSE20
PRICE: £399 (inc gigbag)
ORIGIN: Indonesia
TYPE: Double-cut, solidbody electric
BODY: Chambered mahogany
NECK: 3-piece mahogany, glued-in
SCALE LENGTH: 629mm (24.75”)
NUT/WIDTH: Black synthetic/42mm
FINGERBOARD: Rosewood
with pearloid dot inlays, 304mm
(12”) radius
FRETS: 22, jumbo
HARDWARE: Tune-o-matic-style
bridge and stud tailpiece, die-cast
enclosed tuners – nickel-plated
STRING SPACING, BRIDGE: 52.5mm
ELECTRICS: 2x YGD-designed VH3
covered humbuckers, 3-way lever
pickup selector switch, volume and
tone (with pull-push Dry Switch
high-pass  lter)
WEIGHT (kg/lb): 3. 5 2 / 7.74
OPTIONS: None
RANGE OPTIONS: See RSS20 and
RSP20
LEFT-HANDERS: Yes, the RSE20L in
Swift Blue and Black (£399)
FINISHES: Neon Yellow (as reviewed),
Black, Red Copper, Swift Blue, Vintage
White – gloss polyurethane body with
satin neck back
NB: The quoted prices are
approximate and re ect in-store
prices from main UK dealers
YAMAHA REVSTAR
RSS20
PRICE: £649 (inc gigbag)
ORIGIN: Indonesia
TYPE: Double-cut, solidbody electric
BODY: Chambered mahogany with
thin maple cap
NECK: 3-piece mahogany with carbon
graphite reinforcement, glued-in
SCALE LENGTH: 629mm (24.75”)
NUT/WIDTH: Black
synthetic/41.96mm
FINGERBOARD: Single-bound
rosewood with pearloid bar inlays,
304mm (12”) radius
FRETS: 22, jumbo stainless steel
HARDWARE: Tune-o-matic-style
bridge and stud tailpiece, die-cast
enclosed tuners – chrome-plated
STRING SPACING, BRIDGE: 52.5mm
ELECTRICS: 2x YGD-designed VH5
covered humbuckers, 5-way lever
pickup selector switch, volume and
tone (with pull-push Focus Switch
boost)
WEIGHT (kg/lb): 3.69/8.12
OPTIONS: None
RANGE OPTIONS: See RSE20 and
RSP20
LEFT-HANDERS: The RSS20L comes
in Swift Blue and Black at £649
FINISHES: Flash Green (as reviewed),
Black, Hot Merlot, Sunset Burst,
Swift Blue, Vintage White – gloss
polyurethane body with satin
neck back
YAMAHA REVSTAR
RSS02T
PRICE: £649 (inc gigbag)
ORIGIN: Indonesia
TYPE: Double-cut, solidbody electric
BODY: Chambered mahogany with
thin maple cap
NECK: 3-piece mahogany with carbon
graphite reinforcement, glued-in
SCALE LENGTH: 629mm (24.75”)
NUT/WIDTH: Black
synthetic/42.28mm
FINGERBOARD: Single-bound
rosewood with pearloid bar inlays,
304mm (12”) radius
FRETS: 22, jumbo stainless steel
HARDWARE: Tune-o-matic-style
bridge and custom tailpiece, die-cast
enclosed tuners – nickel-plated
STRING SPACING, BRIDGE: 52.5mm
ELECTRICS: 2x YGD-designed VP5
soapbar single coils, 5-way lever
pickup selector switch, volume and
tone (with pull-push Focus Switch
boost)
WEIGHT (kg/lb): 3.55/7.81
OPTIONS: None
RANGE OPTIONS: See RSP02T
LEFT-HANDERS: Not this model
FINISHES: Black (as reviewed) Hot
Merlot, Sunset Burst, Swift Blue –
gloss polyurethane body with satin
polyurethane neck back
YAMAHA REVSTAR
RSP02T
PRICE: £1,599 (inc case)
ORIGIN: Japan
TYPE: Double-cut, solidbody electric
BODY: Chambered mahogany
with thin maple cap and graphite
reinforcement
NECK: 3-piece mahogany with carbon
graphite reinforcement, glued-in
SCALE LENGTH: 629mm (24.75”)
NUT/WIDTH: Black
synthetic/42.1mm
FINGERBOARD: Single-bound
rosewood with pearloid bar inlays,
304mm (12”) radius
FRETS: 22, jumbo stainless steel
HARDWARE: Tune-o-matic-style
bridge and custom tailpiece, die-cast
enclosed tuners – nickel-plated
STRING SPACING, BRIDGE: 52.5mm
ELECTRICS: 2x YGD-designed VP5
soapbar single coils, 5-way lever pickup
selector switch, volume and tone (with
pull-push Focus Switch boost)
WEIGHT (kg/lb): 3.86/8.49
OPTIONS: None
RANGE OPTIONS: The other MIJ
models (also £1,599) are the twin-
humbucking RSP20 in Moonlight Blue,
Sunset Burst and Swift Blue, and the
RSP20X in Rusty Brass Charcoal
LEFT-HANDERS: No
FINISHES: Swift Blue (as reviewed)
Crisp Gold, Sunset Burst, – gloss
polyurethane body with satin
polyurethane neck back
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GIT485.rev_yamaha.indd 89GIT485.rev_yamaha.indd 89 12/04/2022 15:4412/04/2022 15:44