Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20 - On the Bench Today

I have been keeping my eye on the Yamaha Revstar II for a while now. This is the second iteration of the Yamaha Revstar. The online reviews are stellar. Almost too stellar. I have never see this much positive commentary on a guitar in a long while. While on Reverb.com I clicked on the watch heart on seven of the brand-new Element RSE20 and about 30 minutes later I had an offer for a brand new Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20 in Swift Blue with a cool racing stripe for $409. This was $90 off of the retail price listed.
There are three basic levels or lines of the Revstar guitar available to purchase. For the Standard and Professional lines there are sub-models and variations like humbucker pickups versus P90s or trem systems versus tune-o-matic.
The model number for the entry level is RSE20 (called the Rev Star Element). The Element would be sort of comparable to the Epiphone line or the higher end Squiers. I am sure in the comments people will argue with me on this. I am just trying to provide a point of price reference for contextual comparison. The Element models range new in price from $409 and up. Used they go for low $300s and up. The RSE20 model of the guitar is made in Indonesia.
Next is the Standard model which and the model numbers all start with RSS (Rev Star Standard). For the sake of this commentary, I would compare to the Fender player series or the Gibson Tribute or Studio models. This level of the Revstar goes for the low $700s to $849. This level of the guitar is also made in Indonesia.
Last is the Professional line and the part numbers all begin with RSP (Rev Star Professional) that is made in Japan and prices out at around $1999 and up depending on specifications.
The guitar I have on the bench today is the entry level model - Yamaha Revstar Element RSE20.
The specifications for this model are -
BODY: Chambered mahogany
NECK: 3-piece mahogany, set
SCALE LENGTH: 24.75”
NUT/WIDTH: Black synthetic/42mm
FINGERBOARD: Rosewood with pearloid dot inlays, 12” radius
FRETS: 22, jumbo
HARDWARE: Tune-o-matic-style bridge and stud tailpiece, die-cast enclosed tuners - nickel-plated
STRING SPACING, BRIDGE: 52.5mm
ELECTRONICS: 2x YGD-designed VH3 covered humbuckers, 3-way lever pickup selector switch, volume and tone (with pull-push Dry Switch high‑pass filter)
WEIGHT (kg/lb 7.74lbs
RANGE OPTIONS: See RSS20 and RSP20
FINISHES: Neon Yellow, Black, Red Copper, Swift Blue (my guitar), Vintage White - gloss polyurethane body with satin neck back
To say that the body is chambered does a disservice to the Revstar. Yes, the chambered body does help reduce the weight of the body but they also have another function. The chambers were designed using Yamaha’s Acoustic Design Process. This process designs the chambers so as to optimize and sculpt tone and increased resonance. The Standard and Professional models have carbon reinforcement in the necks and the body to help improve vibration transfer. The Element model does not.
Here is what I will say about the element. Playing the guitar not plugged in it has the best sounding tone and resonance of any solid body electric guitar I have ever played. Even though the Revstar body has chambering it does not have sound holes, so it is considered a solid body and not a hollow body guitar. Plug in the Revstar element and it only improves. Even on my Positive Grid small bench amp it sounds incredible.
Next, let’s talk about the out of the box experience. The other day I took a brand guitar out of the box directly from the factory. I needed to adjust the truss rod, string height, and intonation to make the guitar what I would call playable. It was a high-quality guitar. When I examined the guitar there was fret rocking at three places on the fret board and the ends of the frets were about on a scale of 1 to 10 were a six. Meaning they were playable but a little rough in places but very playable. They needed attention.
When I tested the Revstar it had no fret rocking - anywhere. I ran my hands several times up and down the sides of the fret board. The ends of the frets were smooth to the touch at all points on the fretboard. The fret board did not need oiling before putting a new set of strings on. The truss rod was adjusted perfectly and so was the string height and intonation. I plugged the guitar in, and everything functioned exactly the way it was supposed to. The guitar finish is beautiful and unique with a glossy finish. What you notice right away is how smooth the neck is. It is a satin finish and not glossy like the rest of the guitar. Amazingly playable guitar.
There is nothing I would replace or upgrade on this guitar. I would not characterize this guitar as being a mod platform. It just does not need it.
In the past six months I have unboxed a lot of guitars. I would characterize this unboxing as the best experience I have had in a very long while. I am very impressed.