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Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS20 Electric Guitar - Black

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Maple Top, Carbon-reinforced Mahogany Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - Black
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Item ID: RevstarS20Bk
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Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS20 Electric Guitar - Black
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Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS20 Electric Guitar - Black
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Price:$829 and 99 cents
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Raising the Revstar Standard

Yamaha’s Revstar Standard RSS20 is an update of the original Revstar series of guitars, refined to offer improved comfort and even more striking visuals! This maple-topped double-cut’s lightweight chambered mahogany body is loaded with two Yamaha VH5 pickups that deliver bright and punchy tones that excel in almost any sonic application. The neck is comprised of carbon-reinforced mahogany so that it will stay straight and true in even the most challenging of environments. What’s more, Yamaha has equipped this Revstar with their proprietary “focus” switch that shifts your tone’s resonant frequency and supercharges your pickup’s power. If you’re looking for a high-performance, no-nonsense axe with explosive tones, rock-solid playability, and sleek modern aesthetics, the RSS20 sets the standard.

Comfortably curved Revstar body

The Revstar’s curvy lines and classic aesthetics are said to be inspired by the utilitarian British Café racer motorbikes found in 1960s-era London, adding a tough no-frills attitude to these sleek guitars. The unique double-cut chambered body was developed using Yamaha’s Acoustic Design process to optimize the Revstar’s balance, deliver a resonant tone, and reduce weight. One strum of the RSS20 is all it takes to see how Yamaha’s research paid off: the Revstar’s body is a supremely comfortable design that showcases Yamaha’s steadfast dedication to musical innovation!

Yamaha VH5 humbucking pickups for an articulate, powerful, and well-balanced tone

Yamaha spent a lot of time fine-tuning the pickups in the Revstar series — they tested over 50 prototypes before settling on the perfect combination of wire, windings, magnets, and baseplates for each guitar model in the series. The VH5 humbuckers in the RSS20 Revstar employ Alnico V magnets, a silver baseplate, and heavy formvar wire. This gives the RSS20 a bright and powerful sound that blends the richness and character of vintage electronics with the intensity and clarity of modern electronics.

Bring your sound into focus

Yamaha’s Revstar line already introduced their clarity-boosting “Dry” switch, and the RSS20 offers another distinct tonal feature to stand out from the crowd: the “Focus” switch. This dual-purpose push-pull switch adjusts the resonant frequency of your guitar’s tone and kicks up the power. When testing it out at Sweetwater, we found that it’s an incredibly versatile feature that’s just as good at achieving “rolled off” jazz tones as it is for boosting your amp into overdrive territory.

Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS20 Electric Guitar Features:

  • Ultra-comfortable and lightweight chambered mahogany body with a maple top
  • 3-piece carbon-reinforced mahogany set neck with double-cutaway offers incredible upper fret access
  • Yamaha VH5 humbucking pickups produce a rich and bright tone that excels in almost any sonic application
  • “Focus” switch shifts your tone’s resonant frequency and amps up your power
  • Jumbo stainless steel frets are highly resistant to wear
  • Highly playable 12-inch fingerboard radius
  • Rock-solid Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece

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Tech Specs

  • General
  • Number of Strings 6
  • Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
  • Body
  • Body Type Chambered Solidbody
  • Body Shape Revstar Standard
  • Body Material Mahogany
  • Top Material Maple
  • Body Finish Gloss Polyurethane
  • Color Black
  • Neck
  • Neck Material 3-piece Mahogany
  • Neck Shape Revstar
  • Neck Joint Set Neck
  • Radius 12"
  • Fingerboard Material Rosewood
  • Fingerboard Inlay Pearloid Lines
  • Number of Frets 22, Jumbo Stainless Steel
  • Scale Length 24.75"
  • Nut Width 1.649"
  • Nut Material PPS
  • Hardware
  • Bridge/Tailpiece Tune-O-Matic Bridge with Stopbar Tailpiece
  • Tuners Die-casat
  • Electronics
  • Neck Pickup VH5n Alnico V Humbucker
  • Bridge Pickup VH5b Alnico V Humbucker
  • Controls 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone (push/pull focus switch)
  • Switching 5-way blade pickup switch
  • Miscellaneous
  • Strings D'Addario, .010-.046
  • Case/Gig Bag Gig Bag
  • Manufacturer Part Number: RSS20 BL

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Reviews

Great changes to an already great guitar.
First I'll say this, if you are used to playing the last version the RSS20 might take a few times playing it to get used to the larger body and the neck being set further into the body. That aside, it's better than I could have hoped it'd be.
Tones of tone! Yamaha is really on the cutting edge of guitar innovation, the focus switch and a 5 way selector
are as advertised. Only thing I wish is that Yamaha sold a hard shell case for the S20 and E20.
A big thank you to Luke Herian he's always helpful and knowledgeable about every question or concerns I have. Buy one because it's way under priced for how excellent they are.
Great guitar for the price
I was looking for a guitar with HH configuration, and RevStar is AWESOME. The guitar is very easy to play. It sounds amazing. I looked at the Gibson studio and the Revstar has a better quality and tone.
If you are looking for an affordable guitar that sounds amazing. Try a Revstar.
Music background: Intermediate level
A guitar for grownups
Okay, throwing my hat in the Revstar review ring, after just one day of owning it. But I think what I have to say is already pretty clear to me. First of all, as a design freak, I have to say this is one of the few modern guitar designs that get my full respect. This thing should become a classic. There are no wasted lines, no silly bells and whistles, no fat or nuttiness on its shape, just a logical, clean and pleasant look throughout. Bindings are understated and classy. The arm contour may be a little overrated as a feature. It helps a little, but I never understood people who complained about a Tele "cutting into their arms". One surprise is how much I love the neck. The matte finish feels amazing, I hope it stays that way. The shape is perfect for me. Chunky but comfortable. Neck/body transition is smooth and convenient. Maybe play one in person before buying if you have smaller hands. I still refuse to pay what a real Les Paul costs, so many of my guitar choices over the years have been "almost" Les Pauls. The Revstar in the humbucker configuration comes really close. I'm sure the set neck helps, the PUs are strong and clear. The only typical LP feature that's missing is separate Volume and Tone pots for both PUs. What I truly truly found amazing is that this guitar is so well intonated and stays in tune perfectly!!! Chords high on the neck? Clear as a bell and clean as a whistle. No nasty G string trouble like on so many other instruments, including some that cost twice as much. I was a little surprised by the weight. It's not as heavy as some LPs I've played, but I would have thought the chambering could shave off more. Not a problem, since it's really balanced on the strap. I honestly wonder how much better the MIJ version could be. One thing I noticed that's not 100% amazing in terms of workmanship: The glossy black finish reveals a vertical line where I assume two parts of the body are glued together. That's probably the kind of thing you can avoid by paying twice as much for the Japanese model. Other than that, this is an impeccable, smart and affordable guitar for people who appreciate what really matters.
Yamaha Revstar Standard
I bought because I was looking for the typical mohagany/maple configuration like my LPs but with a bigger body as I am 6'5" and have been on a tele kick for 10 or so years. Lot's of you tube views etc. Got the black one and really liked the balance and lighter weight. Very clear, bright tones work well for my variety rock band but also excellent in my Foo Fighter/Nirvana tribute. Liked so much I bought a white one(Element series). While simply tools of the trade...these also look better around my neck than say a Gibson ES. These are very good values for the money. Looking at the blue w/ stripes too.
Music background: 40 yrs experience-local, regional and national.
Awesome Revstar from awesome Sweetwater.
I'm a non-professional, guitar hobbyist and long time Sweetwater fan. I had a need to sell off my current small collection of 10 guitars. Don't ask me why.
The great sales expert Shelby Shrunk has been my guy there for years. On their web sight I came across Yamaha's Revstar (standard/black).
The Standard was my choice because the contrasting binding looks more expensive. More finished. The pick-ups sound great. Astral really.
Shades of the great David Gilmore.
This guitar is totally awesome! I'm a better than average player and this beauty sounds and plays amazingly. How do they do it? An absolute jewel guys! All the YouTube reviews are positive and spot on here. Guitar Apostle Phil McKnight is usually right on the money. His positive review here is no exception. Although not a fan of Revstars baby blue color. The little racing stripes are totally cool.

Love the Strats and the Les Pauls. Yamaha Revstar Standard is one great big bargain!

David
Music background: guitar guy