Yamaha Chris Buck RS02CB Honey Gold

Yamaha Chris Buck RS02CB Honey Gold review

The Yamaha Chris Buck RS02CB Honey Gold is a signature guitar built around a focused, vintage-leaning setup: a chambered mahogany body, maple top, mahogany neck and two custom P-90-style pickups. Its controls stay simple, with master volume, master tone and a three-way pickup switch. That pared-back layout appeals to players who want to shape their sound mainly through picking dynamics, the guitar's controls and an amplifier.

Player impressions are strongly positive about the sound and playing feel, but setup and hardware reports are not consistent. Several owners describe a resonant instrument with a comfortable neck and expressive pickups. One reviewer, however, received a guitar that was difficult to play without substantial adjustment and reported poor tuning stability. Those experiences make a hands-on inspection, or a careful setup plan after delivery, especially relevant.

Construction and playing feel

The body uses chambered mahogany beneath a maple top, while the three-piece mahogany neck is reinforced with carbon. Yamaha specifies a rosewood fingerboard, a 305 mm (12-inch) radius, 22 jumbo frets and a 629 mm (24.76-inch) scale. The nut measures 41.9 mm (1.65 inches) wide. A parchment-colored, single-ply pickguard and Honey Gold finish complete the look. The guitar includes a gig bag, not a hard case.

Players who enjoyed the instrument describe it as light, comfortable against the body and resonant even when unplugged. The neck drew particular praise for its easy feel and satin finish. These are subjective impressions, but they point to a guitar designed to feel inviting during long sessions rather than demanding a specialized technique. One owner also praised the finish and overall appearance, while noting that the back of the neck and body looked comparatively plain beside the gold top.

There are caveats in the reported build quality. One buyer criticized the plastic nut as poorly cut, too high and marked, and also noticed imperfections in the binding and a marked bridge screw. These are reports from individual instruments, not proof that every RS02CB has the same issues. Still, they are worth checking before accepting a new guitar, particularly at this price.

P-90 tones and controls

The two VP5 custom P-90 pickups use Alnico III magnets, with one in the neck position and one at the bridge. In player accounts, their strongest quality is range within a familiar P-90 character. The neck pickup is described as warm, round and full, with a vocal edge and enough response to reveal changes in touch. The bridge pickup can sound leaner to some ears, while the middle position has been praised for clarity.

Players report good results with clean tones and overdrive, from restrained blues sounds to heavier rock. One owner found the pickups convincing for Metallica and Iron Maiden material, then used the guitar's volume control to soften a driven sound for a cleaner, more spacious response. That kind of flexibility fits the RS02CB's uncomplicated control layout. The three-way switch selects neck, both pickups or bridge, while the master volume and tone controls provide the main adjustments on the instrument.

Some buyers may expect traditional vintage wiring from a guitar with this design and pickup choice. One reviewer reported modern wiring and a treble-bleed circuit on the volume control, which helps retain high frequencies as the volume is reduced. Treat that as a buyer's observation rather than a published specification, and check the wiring if vintage-style behavior is a priority.

Setup, tuning and value

The RS02CB has a TonePros AVT2 wraparound bridge and die-cast tuning machines, with no tremolo. Reports about tuning stability differ sharply. One owner found the guitar easy to tune and said it held pitch well. Another said it could not stay in tune through three songs. Bridge adjustment also drew a complaint: that player found it necessary to slacken the strings before making an adjustment. A professional setup can address action, intonation and nut issues, but it cannot guarantee that every tuning problem will disappear.

The most serious negative report describes extremely high strings, poor intonation and fret buzz on arrival, leaving the guitar unplayable for that buyer. Online orders can need adjustment, but this account suggests buyers should not assume the instrument will arrive ready to play. Ask the retailer what inspection and setup are included, and check the action, intonation, tuning and nut slots soon after delivery.

At a listed price of 1129, the Yamaha offers distinctive P-90 tones, a comfortable-feeling neck and a straightforward design. Several players consider it a compelling addition alongside guitars from higher-profile makers; another felt it offered solid value without being an exceptional bargain. The strongest reason to choose it is its expressive pickup character and clean, direct control scheme. The main qualification is quality control at the individual-instrument level, so a proper inspection and setup should be part of the buying decision.