Yamaha Revstar RSS02T Hot Merlot

Overview: Yamaha Revstar RSS02T Hot Merlot

The Yamaha Revstar RSS02T Hot Merlot targets the lively middle ground between vintage inspiration and modern guitar design. Priced at $738, this model sits in Yamaha's Standard Series. Yamaha pairs a chambered body crafted from mahogany with a carved maple top, finished in a striking "Hot Merlot" purple shade that shifts with lighting. It includes dual AlNiCo 5 single-coil pickups of the P90 type, a five-way selector, push/pull "focus" tone shift, stainless steel jumbo frets, and a racing-style tailpiece with Tune-O-Matic bridge. A padded gigbag rounds out the package.

Build and Hardware: Chambered Mahogany & Maple

This Revstar uses a mahogany body with internal chambers, intended to shave off weight and increase resonance. However, several field reports say the guitar still feels quite heavy, contradicting Yamaha's chambering claims. The body top is maple, adding brightness to midrange warmth. The set-in neck consists of three pieces of mahogany with carbon reinforcement for stability; it connects to a rosewood fingerboard sporting 22 jumbo stainless steel frets and "White Lines" inlays. Neck measurements are moderate (21 mm deep at the 1st fret, 24 mm at the 12th, nut width 41.9 mm) and a radius of about 12 inches, these yield a contemporary feel, balanced for both rhythm and lead work.

The factory nut is made from polyphenylene sulfide, and chrome die-cast tuning machines round out the hardware. The Tune-O-Matic bridge, combined with the "racing"-style tailpiece, is meant to give tuning stability and retro appeal. Elixir Nanoweb Light 10-46 strings come installed from the factory.

Finish and Assembly: Mixed Attention to Detail

Reviews converge on one aspect: Yamaha's attention to design detail is evident visually, but not always in quality control. The Hot Merlot finish gets high marks for depth and shifting hues (from bold red to near-black under varied lighting). Paint applications are generally even, with some owners praising the look for its uniqueness and taste.

Fit and finish, however, vary. Reports cite frequent factory issues: fret edges that can feel rough and sometimes protrude, polish residue, a few cases of uneven fret heights, and visible glue seams, especially where neck joins body or in the bindings. At least one user had to swap out multiple models due to neck warping and subpar fretwork, while others found binding repairs visible at close range. These are not universal but noted enough to challenge Yamaha's usual consistency.

The stainless steel frets themselves receive high praise for feel and resilience, with only minor complaints about needing initial polish. Out-of-the-box setup fluctuates, some receive ideal neck relief and action, others need immediate adjustment to fix buzzing or too-high string height. For a sub-$800 instrument, these inconsistencies are disappointing given Yamaha's reputation.

Electronics and Sound: P90 Versatility

The star features are dual AlNiCo 5 P90 pickups, wired to a five-way selector and a master tone knob with a push/pull "focus" mode. In standard positions (1, 3, 5), the Revstar delivers the signature P90 punch, fat midrange, sharp attack, while the interleaved positions (2 and 4) offer "Stratocaster"-inspired clarity but have divided opinion: some find their out-of-phase character useful, others unusably nasal or thin.

The push/pull Focus mode changes the voice, boosting lows and reducing highs to mimic a humbucker or offer "jazz" tones. Reviewers noticed this unlocks surprisingly warm, round sounds from the neck pickup, while the bridge fattens up without fully reaching Gibson Les Paul fullness. On clean and edge-of-breakup amp settings, the pickups deliver a wide spread, from airy and detailed for jazz, to cranky crunch for blues and indie. Some praise the instrument for a rich chord sound, while noting it doesn't quite match traditional "Telecaster" twang or "Les Paul" girth.

One notable quirk: the racing tailpiece sometimes generates unwanted sympathetic overtones, with players resorting to foam muting. Pickup noise is minimal for P90s. The five-way switch is a known weak point, with at least one case of early failure, though this was replaced under warranty.

Feel and Playability

The neck shape is modern but not too slim, with a satin finish that encourages fast movement. Several players highlight the robust stainless-steel frets for encouraging heavy-handed bends and aggressive picking. The guitar motivates thicker attack styles, which some find inspiring. However, varying fretwork means setups are sometimes needed at arrival, truss rod tweaks, intonation, and string height adjustment are common for achieving smooth, rattle-free performance. Once dialed in, the RSS02T is described as extremely playable and lively.

Even though the mahogany body is chambered, a consistent critique is the weight: it feels solid and often heavier than expected for chambered designs. This affects balance and can fatigue during long sessions depending on player preference.

Accessories and Value

Yamaha includes a well-padded, high-quality gigbag that receives universal praise, sturdy enough for daily use and far better than most included at this price. The package comes with two hex wrenches and a general use manual (not model-specific).

At $738, many find the Revstar's unique tone palette and feature set justify the price, especially compared to boutique options. However, the occasional QC shortcomings (frets, switch, weight) bring it closer to its mid-range competitors in overall value.

Conclusion: Who is the Revstar RSS02T For?

The Yamaha Revstar RSS02T Hot Merlot stands out for those seeking sonic flexibility from P90s and a striking, modern-retro design. Its feel, sounds, and playability can be excellent, after setup, while hardware and accessories generally exceed expectation for its range. If you value versatility and don't mind a few factory inconsistencies (or are comfortable doing your own setups), the Revstar rewards with tones ranging from smooth jazz to crunchy rock. Those hunting for perfection in finish or a featherweight guitar may look elsewhere, but for players searching for a "Swiss Army knife" solidbody with character, the RSS02T checks many boxes.