In 2022 Yamaha launched the new Revstar range, whilst they still pushed the Cafe Racer theme and kept the overall vibe there were some
significant changes.
There are now three ranges and price points
The Professional
The Standard
The Element
Reviews say that although this might seem basic, better, best the cheaper Element still has great build quality, but then
it is a Yamaha.
Changes include:
All models now have a 12" radius, chambered mahogany bodies, Hanko stamps and slinky satin finish necks.
Switching is different see later.
Left Handed models available for the first time.
Much of the specification is standard throughout the entire range here is what is common to all.
Body Finish Gloss Polyurethane
24.75" scale
3 piece Mahogany Neck Set neck with Satin Polyurethane finish
Fretboard Rosewood with 22 frets and 12" radius
Nut 42mm Polyphenylene Sulphide said to be very high performance
Diecast Tuners now with tinted plastic knobs
The rest of the specifications
| Model | RSP20 | RSP20X | RSP02T | RSS20 | RSS02T | RSE20 |
| Body | Top: Maple / Back: Chambered 2-Piece Mahogany, Carbon Reinforcement | Top: Maple / Back: Chambered 2-Piece Mahogany, Carbon Reinforcement | Top: Maple / Back: Chambered 2-Piece Mahogany, Carbon Reinforcement | Top: Maple / Back: Chambered 2-Piece Mahogany | Top: Maple / Back: Chambered 2-Piece Mahogany | Chambered Mahogany |
| Neck | Materials 3-Piece Mahogany, Carbon Reinforcement | Materials 3-Piece Mahogany, Carbon Reinforcement | Materials 3-Piece Mahogany, Carbon Reinforcement | Materials 3-Piece Mahogany, Carbon Reinforcement | Materials 3-Piece Mahogany, Carbon Reinforcement | Materials 3-Piece Mahogany |
| Frets | Jumbo Stainless steel | Jumbo Stainless steel | Jumbo Stainless steel | Jumbo Stainless steel | Jumbo Stainless steel | Jumbo |
| Pickups | 2 VH5n: Humbucker / Alnico V | 2 VH5n: Humbucker / Alnico V | 2 VP5n: P90 type Single coil / Alnico V | 2 VH5n: Humbucker / Alnico V | 2 VP5n: P90 type Single coil / Alnico V | 2 VH3n: Humbucker / Alnico V |
| Controls | Master Volume, Master Tone (Push-Pull "Focus Switch") with 5 way selector | Master Volume, Master Tone (Push-Pull "Focus Switch") with 5 way selector | Master Volume, Master Tone (Push-Pull "Focus Switch") with 5 way selector | Master Volume, Master Tone (Push-Pull "Focus Switch") with 5 way selector | Master Volume, Master Tone (Push-Pull "Focus Switch") with 5 way selector | Master Volume, Master Tone (Push-Pull, "Dry Switch") with 3 way selector |
| Tailpiece | Stop bar | Stop bar | Racing Tailpiece | Stop bar | Racing Tailpiece | Stopbar |
| Pickguard | Swift Blue / Moonlight Blue: 3-Ply Cream, Sunset Burst: 3 Ply Black | Anodised Aluminium Satin Gold | 3 ply cream | Swift Blue: 3-Ply Cream, Sunset Burst/Black/Vintage White/Hot Merlot/Flash Green: 3-Ply Black | 3 ply cream | Swift Blue / Neon Yellow: 3-Ply Cream, Black / Vintage White / Red Copper: 3-Ply Black |
| Swift Blue, Sunset Burst or Moonlight Blue | Rusty Brass Chracoal | Crisp Gold, Sunset Burst or Swift Blue | Black, Vintage White, Flash Green, Sunset Burst, Hot Merlot or Swift Blue. Left handed only available in Black or Swift Blue | Black, Swift Blue, Hot Merlot or Sunset Burst | Swift Blue, Red Copper, Neon Yellow, Black or Vintage White. Left handed available in Black or Swift Blue. |
Who comes up with these colour names?
Update September 2025
New colours added to the standard range
RSS20 now includes Mist Green and Sonic Blue
RSS02T now includes Sonic Blue, Fired Red and Vintage White
The basic model available in left handed version also. Differs from the other ranges, in having the dry switch still. This is explained in the pages on the earlier models. RRP around £540 as at launch made in Indonesia
The next in the range also made in Indonesia and also having a left handed version. This has the new Focus Switch and 5 way selector.
The focus switch from Yamaha's blurb
The push/pull Tone control activates a passive boost with an effect similar to overwound pickups—darker highs, increased mids
and lows, and an aggressive character.
The 5 way switching
With the same 5-way switching as Revstar Professional, the subtle phase shift on positions 2 and 4 offers a fresh take on classic
“in-between” sounds.
RRP around £874 as at launch
This has all the features of the Standard plus Graphite reinforcement strips on the neck and body, Yamahas AIR treatment. The switching is the same as the standard RRP at launch £2126, which seems a huge amount extra from the standard, but you do get a hard case. There is no left handed model.
This is a special edition released in January 2026 which is the 60th Anniversary of Yamaha's first production electric guitar.
Some prototypes were built the year before (see my SG pages)
Here is some Yamaha blurb
The RSP20B Anniversary Edition features a flame maple top finished in a new Noble Black colour. The finish is designed to
highlight the figure of the maple while giving the guitar a more understated appearance than some of the brighter Revstar options.
The body follows the chambered maple and mahogany construction used throughout the current Revstar Professional line. Yamaha developed
this structure through its Acoustic Design process, which aims to balance weight, resonance, and overall feel.
The neck is also reinforced with carbon to increase stability and reduce unwanted flex. Gotoh locking tuners are fitted as standard,
and the bridge is a Goldo tremolo unit that provides a wider expressive range than the fixed-bridge RSP20 models. The guitar is
supplied with a certificate of authenticity to mark its status as a 60th Anniversary release.
The RSP20B uses a pair of humbucking pickups voiced for clarity and midrange presence. A five-position selector switch provides access
to a broader set of combinations than the typical three-way layout found on many dual-pickup guitars.
Yamaha has also included its passive Focus Switch, which is activated through a push-pull control.
This circuit alters the response of the pickups to produce a tighter and more pronounced midrange, giving players an
additional tonal option without relying on active electronics.
Main Specs
Body Materials Top: Flamed maple Back: Chambered 2pc Mahogany, Carbon Reinforcement Gloss Polyurethane
Neck Set 3pc Mahogany, Carbon Reinforcement Finish Satin Polyurethane
Fingerboard Rosewood Radius 12" (304.8mm) 22 Jumbo Stainless steel frets
Bone 41.9 mm
Neck Pickup ~ VH5n (Humbucker / Alnico V) Bridge Pickup ~ VH5b (Humbucker / Alnico V)
Controls ~ Master Volume, Master Tone(Push-Pull “Focus Switch”) Pickup Switch ~ 5-Position Lever Switch
Bridge ~ T.O.M. LP-3B Gold Tremolo Arm ~ f6 (Gold) Tailpiece ~ Goldo G5, Gold
Tuning Machines ~ Gotoh Locking Gold SG301 MG-T P4N Gold
Pickguard ~ 3-ply (Cream)
Hardware Gold
Hardshell case
Accessories ~ Hex Wrench x2, Tremolo Arm, Owners Manual, Authentication Certificate
Special Features ~ I.R.A. Treatment
Colour Noble Black Burst
RRP £2043
