This is the third time I’ve looked at the Yamaha Revstar. In particular, the humbucker-equipped Yamaha Revstar RSS20. In my last review, I listed 10 reasons to think again before buying one. So what’s changed?
In this article, and based on your comments in the previous article, I’m going to go through those 10 reasons again.
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[See the Yamaha Revstar on Thomann / Guitar Center]
1 – Electronics
Summary from previous article: They are of inferior quality for the price tag.
This still stands true. Non-CTS, small alpha pots and something new I’ve noticed: the 5-way switch of the RSS20 isn’t smooth in operation and is of the PCB variety. More on this next, but so far my opinion on the Yamaha Revstar hasn’t changed.
2 – Switching
Summary from previous article: Fiddly, not usable, not enough contrast.
Still as fiddly as before, and now that I’m back into gigging, this clunky 5-way would be problematic for me playing live. There’s just too much going on, and I’d much prefer a simpler 3-way arrangement like on my Telecaster. Yes, with the focus switch and the splitting, you have a lot of options (10 in all), but does this translate into usefulness? I don’t think so, as the in-between tones aren’t what you’d hoped for, and aren’t contrasting enough, and the focus switch, while fun to play with in isolation, again, just doesn’t do enough in practice to warrant dealing with an additional push-pull.
And this is where this article starts to veer off course from the previous one, because all of the above issues are solved with the Yamaha Revstar RSS20’s little brother, the Yamaha Revstar RSE20. It has a much better 3-way and a dry-switch for hum-free single-coil (ish) operation. Perfect for me.
3 – Hardware
Summary from previous article: Corners have been cut.
I stick to my original opinion here. The switch on the above RSS20 isn’t great and has generic-as-can-be hardware, including the pickups. I will make an exception to the tuners, but would I prefer these to the Grovers on a cheaper Epiphone Les Paul? Not a chance.
4 – Fretwork
Summary from previous article: Nothing special.
It appears Yamaha could be listening, as I’ve got to say the fretwork is now flawless, making for a truly slick, unencumbered, pleasurable playing experience for smooth, slinky bends, fast runs and complex chords. Well done Yamaha!
5 – Neck
Summary from previous article: Generic and devoid of personality.
They fixed this too, with the perfect match of modern slickness with some traditional meat, as well as that non-sticky matte neck finish. There is nothing to hold you back if you really want to go for it, but on the other hand, it’s as comfy as anything for long playing sessions. This time, I didn’t want to put it down. I was wrong. This has its own personality. It’s not hampered by tradition, and it’s a little more roomy than my Telecaster. Hard to put down and now a serious consideration for me.
6 – Colors
Summary from previous article: Terrible choices.
Still not great on the humbucker-equipped Revstars, but Yamaha is at least trying on the P90 models with some more classic, bearable, and even desirable options. For the humbucker models, my only option would be the burst, which, in the flesh, is admittedly very nice indeed.
Having said that, and having discounted the RSS20 (because of the switching), the Element RSE20 series is still seriously limited colour-wise. I may have to go for the safe, black option.
7 – Looks
Summary from previous article: Cafe Racer styling does not live up to the Yamaha SG.
I still hate the stripes and the whole silly and irrelevant motorbike theme, with their removal not being an option on the RSE20. I still hanker for an updated, cheaper version of a Yamaha SG. But, like the neck, it’s different, it’s individual, and it could be just the thing for paving your own path. I’m swayed, slightly.
8 – Value for money
Summary from previous article: Indonesian manufacturer, cheap electronics and pickups for more than an Epiphone Les Paul.
A tale of two halves. I’m sticking to my guns with the RSS20. A comparable Epiphone, be it an SG or Les Paul (The Revstar sits in between), easily beats it on value, but now the £399 RSE20 has appeared from under my radar; this, even with the cheaper electronics, seems like a lot of guitar for the money and, with the single-coil tones and single volume control, a lot more useful to me for live work. Now it’s a different ball game.
9 – Competition
Summary from previous article: Epiphone Les Paul is better value.
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As we are adding the Element Series into the mix, we should also add the Epiphone SG Standard as a direct competitor, which, at closer to £500, is less versatile and has the dual volumes, which I don’t like, arranged further away, and are much fiddlier to get to. Also, I’ve always disliked the front mounting of the SG Jack socket, which is just asking for a broken cable at some point (unless you invest in a right-angled jack). An easy win for the Yamaha Revstar RSE20.
10 – Feel
Summary from previous article: Cookie-cutter guitar that doesn’t feel special.
I take this back. It indeed does feel special. And hats off to Yamaha again. As explained in previous sections. They listened. They sorted it. The Revstar Series feels much more expensive than the price tag suggests. The neck and playing experience are classy and finely tuned. They feel a lot lighter than before, and those humbucker tones have a lovely mix of clarity and warmth.
Conclusion
Summary from previous article: The Yamaha ‘science’ of the chambering and carbon fibre is a marketing gimmick. I would rather have a new, cheaper Yamaha SG than this cafe racer styling, or failing that, a used Yamaha SG 500/700s
I still don’t like the Cafe racer styling; I still think the carbon fibre is a gimmick; I still hanker for a cheaper Yamaha SG, and I still think the Yamaha Revstar RSS20 is flawed and overpriced.
But let’s not talk about those. Let’s talk about the Yamaha Revstar Element Series…
It’s cheap, it’s light, it solves the switching issues of the RSS20, and it’s more versatile, while retaining all the good bits like the feel and playability but removing the carbon fibre gimmicks and unnecessary ornamentation. Kind of a perfect cross between an SG and Les Paul, mixed in with the simple control arrangement of a Telecaster, but with the extra (and welcome) versatility of a hum-cancelling coil-split, topped off with an original, ergonomic design and one of the best non Gibson / Fender headstocks in the business.
Yamaha makes good guitars. Always has done.
I’m converted.
I can live with carbon and stainless steel frets.
I’m buying one. Please support the blog and do the same using my Thomann affiliate link here.
Also check out Guitar Geordie Recommends for other guitar-related products I’d happily recommend and/or have reviewed.
I’ll live with the stripes.