Yamaha Revstar RSE20 Black

Yamaha Revstar RSE20 Black review

The Yamaha Revstar RSE20 Black is a fixed bridge electric guitar in the Element Series, with a chambered mahogany body, a set-in mahogany neck, and two humbucking pickups. Its listed price is 442. The specification sheet dates its availability to March 2022. It has a straightforward layout, but the push-pull tone control adds a useful option for players who want a leaner sound without changing guitars.

Field reports give the RSE20 a strong showing as a working instrument. One owner took it on a 50-day tour with 44 mostly consecutive black metal and hardcore shows. The guitar reportedly handled the run reliably, with a broken string the main occasion for reaching for a backup. That account also praises its low weight, which can matter over long sets and repeated load-ins. These are individual experiences, not a guarantee of how every guitar will perform, but they point to a model that can suit demanding use.

Construction and feel

The body is chambered mahogany, finished in black, with no separate top listed. The three-piece mahogany neck is set into the body rather than bolted on. A rosewood fingerboard carries white dot inlays and 22 jumbo frets. The scale length is 629 mm, or 24.76 inches, and the fingerboard radius is 305 mm, or 12 inches. Neck thickness measures 21 mm at the first fret and 24 mm at the twelfth.

Players describe the neck as slim and comfortable for both chord work and lead playing. One reviewer particularly liked its feel and reported that the guitar encouraged open chord strumming, describing a sense of resonance across the instrument. The chambered body and modest weight may contribute to that impression, although the available feedback does not establish a specific weight or quantify the effect of the chambers.

There is one recurring caveat in the owner comments: a couple of players found that some fret ends stood proud of the fingerboard edge. One described them as mildly annoying rather than sharp enough to cause cuts, and said a guitar technician could address the issue. Another owner also mentioned frets that caught slightly. That makes fret-edge inspection worthwhile on arrival, especially if the guitar will be played for long sessions.

Pickups and controls

The RSE20 uses a VH3b Alnico 5 humbucker at the bridge and a VH3n Alnico 5 humbucker at the neck. A three-way switch selects the pickup positions, while the master volume and master tone keep the control layout simple. Pulling up the tone control activates a dry switch high-pass filter. Yamaha does not list a tremolo, so the Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece provide a fixed setup.

Owners describe the sound as open and full, with one noting that it is a little brighter than some Epiphone or Gibson guitars. The same reports praise the guitar in clean and heavily distorted settings. One player used it in a low tuning, standard A-sharp, for heavy music and was pleased with the result. That is useful firsthand evidence for this style of playing, though it does not replace trying the guitar with your own amplifier and preferred strings.

The dry switch gives the tone control an additional function, but the supplied information does not specify exact frequency response or tonal measurements. Treat it as a practical alternate voicing to audition in person rather than assuming it will produce a particular sound. The fixed bridge and humbucker configuration also make the instrument's overall approach clear: it is built around stable tuning and a broad range of amplified tones, rather than vibrato effects.

Hardware and day-to-day use

Other details include a three-ply black pickguard, chrome hardware, and die-cast tuning machines. The nut is made from PPS. The listed strings are Elixir Nanoweb Light, in a.010 to.046 gauge set. No case or gig bag is included, so buyers should account for protection and transport separately.

One owner praised the guitar's tuning stability across different tunings, while another had only owned it for a few days and could not yet comment on long-term reliability. The touring report is encouraging, but it remains one player's experience. Taken together, the feedback suggests a comfortable, lightweight guitar with a sound that works for clean parts and high-gain use, alongside a possible fret finishing issue worth checking.

Verdict

The Yamaha Revstar RSE20 Black offers a focused specification: chambered mahogany construction, a comfortable set-in neck, two Alnico 5 humbuckers, and a fixed bridge. Its reported low weight and ability to handle extended live use make it an appealing option for players who need a dependable electric guitar for rehearsals and shows. The main reservation in the feedback is inconsistent fret-edge finishing, so inspect the instrument carefully or ask a technician to check it. With that qualification, the RSE20 stands out as a versatile, playable choice at its listed price.