Yamaha Revstar 2 Standard - A real winner.

cybermgk said:
Unless the printed spec is incorrect.

Multiple reviewers that have measured measure at 1.692, aka 42.9mm pretty much what I got. So it appears to me that Yamah may hve published a sepc that isn't what is actually being produced.

One such reviewer

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Well that’s comforting. Needless to say that at the 1:35 mark in the video what comes out of his mouth and what the caption reads are at odds. And at the risk of pushing a comparison to the absurd, it’s as though, “Yeah man, like we know it said 4 door sedan and it’s only got 3. Sorry, spec error.” Because in lieu of immediate experience with an instrument what else do you have besides the specs, outside of shills pimping stuff on YouTube. But not to take away from you, I’m glad you’re happy with your new guitar.
 
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I've owned some damn sweet Yamaha's in the past. Is this the only body style of electric they make these days?
 
Glad I found this thread on the Revstars. I am looking at these seriously for a guitar with P90s which I don't have currently.

(I was over talking about these on @Joe Bfstplk 's PRS P90 thread before I realized I was derailing the thread on his beautiful PRS with 3 P90s.)

@fremen has a standard, I think, and he is using it on some videos over on his presets thread.

So for 2022 - They have pro, standard, element series. Here is the specs page, Revstar Specs

At 12" neck radius I would think "C" would be the most popular, but you never know. @fremen was correct about them having the same stock pickups between model lines, Alnico V magnets. The Pros are MIJ and have hardshell case, and I.R.A. treatment, whatever that is, but it sounds like I "need" it, lol. I'm going to want increased resonance!

INITIAL RESPONSE ACCELERATION​

Yamaha’s I.R.A. process applies specific vibrations to release stresses between an instrument’s components, resulting in a new guitar with “played-in” sound and feel.

INITIAL RESPONSE ACCELERATION

Brighter colors indicate increased volume and therefore greater resonance.

Then the other difference is the push-pull is a focus switch which they describe as "overwound" pickup character, more aggressive. On the element it is a HPF instead of focus. They describe an out of phase position on the 5 way switch, which is what I'm jonesing for. So looks like an extra grand based on Sweetwater's retail prices, the Pro is going to be $1999. The Standard $899, the Element $499 Revstars at Sweetwater

I am digging the Pro w/ P90s with the stoptail piece and the finish colors - especially the gold and sunset burst. Since the extra grand ($1100) would be for a Yamaha made in Japan, a hardshell case, increased resonance, it would be worth ordering one with the fact that I could send it back to Sweetwater if it was a dud or had some weird neck shape... I usually don't really have a problem with adapting to the neck profiles as long as it isn't a baseball bat thick 50's thing... anyway I'm thinking this is going to be my next purchase, and replacing the P90s with Kinman

I am trying to talk my buddy who is looking at Gretch Renown kits to take the trip with me to Sweetwater, we are 5 hours away. I may just go and visit and make a day of it, get a motel to crash at and come back the next day. Tomorrow night Andy Timmons is going to be giving a clinic showcasing his new Keely Halo pedal ... I promise I won't act like a fanboy if I go.
 
I saw these guitars on the other thread too. Plus I was looking at P90’s on Lollar’s site and there it is. They’re using a Revstar for modeling their P90 pickups. They look like fun guitars. I have two MII guitars now and they are both big bang for the buck.

I’d like to check these out but would need to do some driving. What’s the neck feel like? It’s a larger radius than what I’m used to but I doubt I’d even notice that. They’re doing some different stuff with the electronics too. That coil in there and some other caps. Interesting for sure. I kind of want one of these. I just picked up a guitar and I’m thinking about selling it. So it’s fun thinking about what to buy next.

Congrats on your new guitar.
 
I never have had a goldtop OR P90s... I checked out @Joe Bfstplk 's Soundcloud more though, and he was getting the tones! That Live song, I had both their CDs back in the day and lost them through moving, etc. That was a good cover and that out of phase tone! One of my friends had a goldtop Les Paul, and it wasn't vintage or anything, but I loved that thing. It played so nice and he would take it back away from me! Ha ha! (He was a little insecure about me and his guitar having a love relationship)
 
Can't find any reference anywhere to whether the hardware and pickup covers on these (particularly the Standard) are Chrome or Nickel?
They seem to have come back into stock again today so I'm very tempted. Chrome might help me save some money.
 
guitaroholic said:
Can't find any reference anywhere to whether the hardware and pickup covers on these (particularly the Standard) are Chrome or Nickel?
They seem to have come back into stock again today so I'm very tempted. Chrome might help me save some money.
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Err no they are usually the same price.
 
cybermgk said:
Unless the printed spec is incorrect.

Multiple reviewers that have measured measure at 1.692, aka 42.9mm pretty much what I got. So it appears to me that Yamah may hve published a sepc that isn't what is actually being produced.

One such reviewer

Click to expand...

Considering one of these as it is offered in lefty, however, not sure I'm keen on the focus switch. At 8:05 in that vid, it's explained that the guitar actually draws a small amount of current from the amp it's plugged into and passes that thru a small transformer to create a boost. I'm wondering what happens when plugged into Axfx? - does it still work? - is there some sort of harm that can be done to Axfx? (maybe a dumb question, but I'm no electrician).

Guess I'm agreeing with the pov above in that I'd much prefer some hardware upgrades in exchange for the gimmickry. But overall it looks like a descent guitar and leftys can't be choosers.

The other question I'd like to ask is if you think this guitar approaches the sonic signature of a semi-hollow 335 style guitar. I've been in the market for a 335 style guitar for a long time and don't find much lefty choices. There's a few more budget friendly models (Epi inspired by Gib 335, Epi Casino, Gretch 5622, Ibanez ArtCore) and some insanly expensive models, but not much in between. I was thinking a Revstar might fill this space given the chambered body and pickup flavour - thoughts?
 
sprint said:
The other question I'd like to ask is if you think this guitar approaches the sonic signature of a semi-hollow 335 style guitar. I've been in the market for a 335 style guitar for a long time and don't find much lefty choices. There's a few more budget friendly models (Epi inspired by Gib 335, Epi Casino, Gretch 5622, Ibanez ArtCore) and some insanly expensive models, but not much in between. I was thinking a Revstar might fill this space given the chambered body and pickup flavour - thoughts?
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Just had mine (RSS20) a week or so. Not impressed with the Focus switch, but the other positions are very nice. Nice tight humbucker sounds. And the in between positions lighten it up a bit.
I'll keep mine stock (I think), but it's definitely a great mod platform as well.

The chambering (IMO) doesn't take it anywhere near semi-hollow. Mine still weighs 8.2lbs despite chambering.
335 Inspired is probably the way to go for you, but even there I put in a pair of MHS pickups. It's really fun with those.

The frets on the Revstar are installed amazingly well. but the neck shape is not quite for me. It's got big shoulders from about 8th fret up. Wish it was a bit asym on the treble side of the neck to make it easier to get around it. Depends on how you play. I have to rotate my hand more to get around. Was thinking of the P-90 professional once a gold top is available, but not spending $2K for a neck shape that fights me. And I'm not even picky when it comes to necks usually. This is only the 2nd neck ever that I 'rejected' (since 1992!). The other was a '14 R9.
 
guitaroholic said:
Just had mine (RSS20) a week or so. Not impressed with the Focus switch, but the other positions are very nice. Nice tight humbucker sounds. And the in between positions lighten it up a bit.
I'll keep mine stock (I think), but it's definitely a great mod platform as well.

The chambering (IMO) doesn't take it anywhere near semi-hollow. Mine still weighs 8.2lbs despite chambering.
335 Inspired is probably the way to go for you, but even there I put in a pair of MHS pickups. It's really fun with those.

The frets on the Revstar are installed amazingly well. but the neck shape is not quite for me. It's got big shoulders from about 8th fret up. Wish it was a bit asym on the treble side of the neck to make it easier to get around it. Depends on how you play. I have to rotate my hand more to get around. Was thinking of the P-90 professional once a gold top is available, but not spending $2K for a neck shape that fights me. And I'm not even picky when it comes to necks usually. This is only the 2nd neck ever that I 'rejected' (since 1992!). The other was a '14 R9.
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thanks for the detailed response - appreciated
 
Congrats!! From everything I have seen and heard these are great guitars.

Don’t worry about @Andy Eagle. He’s got a specific bias that IMHO isn’t consistent. However he’s a really smart guy and knows his stuff and is willing to help everyone beyond the call of duty IME. So much of these lower priced, but becoming quite well made guitars (actually everything) coming out of Asian areas needs to be spoken about in very specific context. Weighing the negatives with the positives carefully.

I use to be a real hater. In fact I still have much resentment, but I place it where it belongs. On the heads of my own countrymen who sold and sell out the intellectual property and wealth that my Father and even myself sacrificed to create and produce. Having said this I do give a lot of credit to guys like Paul Reed Smith who chose to venture into this market (which I did not like at the time) and really get hands on and do it right. It has raised the bar all through the industry IMO. There’s still some things to sort out, but it’s getting there.
 
sprint said:
Considering one of these as it is offered in lefty, however, not sure I'm keen on the focus switch. At 8:05 in that vid, it's explained that the guitar actually draws a small amount of current from the amp it's plugged into and passes that thru a small transformer to create a boost. I'm wondering what happens when plugged into Axfx? - does it still work? - is there some sort of harm that can be done to Axfx?
Click to expand...

I’m skeptical about the guitar using amp power to drive an active boost or filter. Amps don’t have power sources on the inputs. A tube amp’s grid can conduct a tiny amount of current, in the micro amp range. But for general purposes, it’s the guitar that provides the signal to the amp, not the other way around. That goes for tubes or solid state. That transformer in the Revstar is more likely just an inductor that is part of a passive filter. Just looked at a pic and it looks like there’s 4 wires on it though. So it may be a transformer. Still, I’m calling bs on the amp supplying power.
 
GitGuy513 said:
Congrats!! From everything I have seen and heard these are great guitars.

Don’t worry about @Andy Eagle. He’s got a specific bias that IMHO isn’t consistent. However he’s a really smart guy and knows his stuff and is willing to help everyone beyond the call of duty IME. So much of these lower priced, but becoming quite well made guitars (actually everything) coming out of Asian areas needs to be spoken about in very specific context. Weighing the negatives with the positives carefully.

I use to be a real hater. In fact I still have much resentment, but I place it where it belongs. On the heads of my own countrymen who sold and sell out the intellectual property and wealth that my Father and even myself sacrificed to create and produce. Having said this I do give a lot of credit to guys like Paul Reed Smith who chose to venture into this market (which I did not like at the time) and really get hands on and do it right. It has raised the bar all through the industry IMO. There’s still some things to sort out, but it’s getting there.
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Thanks for the kind words but I have no prejudice about cheap stuff. I just don't buy in to the wood and finish doesn't matter and cheap pot metal hardware however good it looks is a problem . From my perspective these are well made but the core materials are budget and that comes with issues that can't be addressed. Wood selection is almost anything goes and they tend have a poor sounding truss rod design for easy manufacture ( the effect of the space around the rod and increased metal) thick plasticised finish, generic pickups and tone sucking sintered pot metal hardware . How do they compare? Musical instrument have a priority list for the materials that goes something like; Fuction, Sound, availability, cost. and these will be ;Cost ,availability, function, ease of production and then sound. I get it they are cheap and that is a skill in it's self but it is possible to make musical instruments cheaper by making them simple. Cort makes some very good things for instance (Strandberg) it's not about their ability to make good things it's about the choices that have to be made to keep the price down.
 
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GitGuy513 said:
. On the heads of my own countrymen who sold and sell out the intellectual property and wealth that my Father and even myself ...
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The vast majority of them hold dual citizenships, so it's not even really our countrymen in most instances. The ones that aren't are married to forginer assets like super turtle Mitch McConnell is, use Chinese spy's as drivers like Dianne Feinstain.
 
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