The Yamaha Revstar RSS02T is a lot of guitar for well under $1000

Last year I was fairly impressed with Yamaha's lowest priced Revstar so I've decided to take a look at the next level up, and see what it has to offer for the extra money. I discuss the build, the features, the playability, and the value proposition. Of course I demo the guitar, showing what it's interesting switching system has to offer and also present it in a band mix.
www.patreon.com/leonardgriffieblues
#yamaharevstar #p90pickups #bluesguitar

[@IkBenSuperLief]

I did try the standard humbuckers and P90 but I prefer the Element for its more natural tone. So I kept the element.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yes, I reviewed the Element about a year ago. It was a solid instrument. Thanks for watching.

[@888jimm]

I bought a Revstar RSS20 ( Standard hb ) cant rave enough about it. Strats are in the case most of the time :) Telly and this are the first out of the closet.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yamaha does a nice job. 👍🏼

[@ChidOki]

I truly mean this without any jest, you seem like the kind of old dude player I’d love to hang out and jam with all the time and hear your stories of gigging and seeing the greats live “back in the day.” I was born 3 decades too late haha

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

No you weren’t. Trust me, old age isn’t something I’d recommend. Thanks so much for watching.

[@ChidOki]

@@leonardgriffieblues5845 you bet. Loved this video keep’em coming

[@michaelschneider7590]

Beautiful playing! You make a good point about the Revstar not being just another slavish copy of a legacy guitar. The amazing young UK guitarist Chris Buck plays a Revstar and makes the point it lets him be totally himself - not stepping in the shoes of an earlier star and tone.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yes, as I mentioned, I really respect a company that does it’s own thing. Especially in an industry that doesn’t always reward originality. Thanks so much for watching.

[@jayzeebeezee7442]

Bang for your bucks? Then look no further. Yamaha offer quality instruments that the other usual suspects could only dream about at that price point. Bravo Yamaha! I am a great fan as you can probably tell.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

True, and they seem to maintain high standards across all factories.

[@MrMjp58]

I played one of these in a shop recently. It was a perfect construction and had no flaws at all. A dream to play and listen to.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yes, this line has been great and people are finally realizing what fine guitars Yamaha builds. Thanks for watching.

[@thebrysmith3]

If anyone is interested in hearing the Revstar in a band context you should check out Cardinal Black, which Welsh Guitar Player Chris Buck's band. He also has a great KZbin channel that's worth checking out.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yes, I’m aware of Chris. A fine young player.

[@redcatcliveupnorth7338]

Leonard, as we say in the UK -that playing was stonking

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you my friend.

[@philnewton2011]

Amazing how much quality they can put into a nice-sounding, reasonably-priced guitar. Sounds great.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks my friend. Yes, it’s a nicely made, fine playing instrument.

[@damienhenriquez9754]

I have two strats but no tele and no rev star and I’m torn between both. Eventually I will hopefully have both but this year I may get the P90 revstar as I have lots of Yamaha gear and I love them.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I was impressed with it. Lots of tonal variety and great playability. Teles are great but they’re much closer to a Strat than the Revstar. Thanks for watching.

[@1scooterpilot1]

That is a fantastic guitar. I did the crazy thing and bought made in Japan Revstar and all I can is WOW.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I’d very much like to take a look at one of those. Thanks so much for watching.

[@mortonwilson795]

Great overview, as usual! The Revstar has had pretty well unanimously good reviews and it's no surprise, really. This P90 version looks and sounds superb and the price is a steal. Congrats to Yamaha - they are making waves 😃

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yamaha has made great stuff for a very long time. Nice to see people start realizing it. Thanks so much for watching.

[@guitarzan0515]

That is one fine instrument! Your Note selection today is Spot On! Great usable tones.💥👏👍🤙

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you my friend.

[@DaddyWarbucksunlimited]

Great playing and demo. I recently paid off my Revstar standard with p90s. I got blue one. Wow.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you my friend. Glad you’re enjoying yours.

[@ew6629]

The Revstar line is pretty darn good and I'm a huge fan of the P90 pickups. I have the prior model 502T and not this latest one. Like you, I like the merlot color the best from their current line-up of colors. Excellent review and playing as you always do! 👍

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thank you my friend. Appreciated.

[@rockerbuck967]

I'm a big Yamaha fan - two amps and one guitar, so I'll be checking one out very soon. The pickups are a type I've never used, so it gives me an opportunity to get one (If I really like it).

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Certainly worth a close look. Thanks for watching.

[@royohara1535]

Great review/demo! Some really sweet tones...I like it a lot!!! So, the tones combined with your (so enviable) chops, adds up to a very convincing look at this very impressive Yamaha! Think I'm gonna have to check it out! Thank you so much!! 😎

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. Yes, I’d recommend checking one out. It may not be for you but only one way to find out.

[@nellayema2455]

You are the Blues Dude, Leonard! You always feature good gear, and your playing is always quite tasteful and soulful! Also, I dig your hats.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. Especially for appreciating my hats!

[@steveburrows101]

Tried one a couple of weeks ago, just out of curiosity. The struggle to keep my wallet in my pocket and resist buying yet another guitar was real. Street price of c. £680 here in the UK, an absolute steal.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I have to agree. Great value.

[@GPLP335]

Great review and awesome playing! Yamaha make some really great guitars and other musical products.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. They do at that.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much. Yes they do make nice stuff.

[@johnwalsh3919]

Great review Leonard, interesting guitar wouldn’t be my first choice but it definitely has something, I’m still hunting down one of those Eastman casino that you reviewed a week or so ago, take care ✌️🧷🎸

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Yes, the T64 is a very nice Eastman. Hope you find the right one. Thanks so much.

[@8153max]

Great view of the Yamaha

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much.

[@RocktCityTim]

Yamaha? Heck yes. "Hot Merlot"? Yes, please! I've been playing a silver metallic SG800S since 1983 (my avatar shot) and have owned 3 other Yamaha guitars (as well as 2 clarinets, a flute, and an alto sax) over the years including a Revstar RS420 that I recently sold. The SG800S is sticking around, though.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

It’s good to see Yamaha getting some respect. Thanks so much for watching.

[@yvandewever6518]

I play the rss20 and after a nice setup and some changes of my luthier it has become my n1

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Nice. These guitars are real winners.

[@Lordofmrak]

What changes did your luthier make?

[@TeleCaster66]

There is a good video made where the wiring of this model was simplified and the sound improved quite a bit.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Interesting. Haven’t seen that one. Thanks for watching.

[@ChidOki]

Hard for me to agreed that it was “improved”, because it s so subjective. Just different. Love the sound of these P90’s, you might need to experiment with the pickup height and stagger a bit to fit your gear and amp but if you dial it in they sound fantastic. The rewiring video is awesome for people who want something different, I suspect they’re the kind of people who mod most of their guitars anyway.

[@Petri357]

Great playing!

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much.

[@aminahmed2220]

Absolutely fantastic have a wonderful day also Monday is my friends birthday ❤😊

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much and happy birthday to your friend.

[@VeganGorilla555]

I think I want one of these...

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

It’s not a bad choice for sure.

[@JCM467]

Very good test. 🙂

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much

[@redcatcliveupnorth7338]

Which means awesome

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thankfully I knew that! 🤣

[@650thunderbird]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Thanks so much.

[@Lordofmrak]

Love you playing! How would you compare Yamaha Revstar Standard quality with Sire and PRS SE guitars you reviewed?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I think the quality is on par, but they all feel very different. Thanks so much for tuning in.

[@Lordofmrak]

@@leonardgriffieblues5845 Thanks, you just solved my first guitar, I was between Yamaha and PRS McCarty SE, and if they are on par when it comes to quality, price (PRS is $350 more expensive in Europe) and stainless steel are deciding factor, Yamaha Revstar Standard it is.

[@michaelschneider7590]

Next up… their made-in-Japan Professional (RSP20)?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I’m with you. It’ll take some time but I’d very much like to try a Professional series model.

[@To.Si.Ma.]

They sound great. Only the pickguard is annoying.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

Aesthetics is subjective by its very nature. I think the pickguard design works very well but with all the guitar choices out there, I’d say pass if anything bugs you. Thanks for watching.

[@To.Si.Ma.]

@@leonardgriffieblues5845 the guitar sounds great and it is a fairly priced p90 option.

[@johnbaringer5933]

What does it sound like in the raw?

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

All there is is a little reverb from the amp.

[@danielbarbieri8199]

Yamaha and Ibanez make good guitars. The only complain I have is that they lack vibe. Perfect tools without soul.

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

I began playing professionally in the late 60s, and in my experience, the soul comes from the player. But hey, there are plenty of choices and when something doesn’t jibe with you, find what does. Thanks for watching.

[@user-ev9qw3om1g]

They're ugly just like the Epiphone coronet but have good features

[@leonardgriffieblues5845]

In the eye of the beholder my friend. Thanks for watching.