Still love for the Revstars?

Creed_Clicks

Sold a guitar last week, so have a HH hole in the arsenal. I am looking at the Revstars currently. Most likely the 620, but would audition the 502 (without the tailpiece).
I have noticed while reading back through threads, folk have bought them, then sold them on again, but not necessarily saying anything negative about them.
I am also going to try a Guild S100 Polara just for the heck of it, as it's in stock in the same shop as the Yamahas, but I like the look of the Revstars, so these are in pole position?
I've seen comments like "uninspiring" which doesn't inspire me!

JohnCordy

I've got a 620, well 2 actually, as one that was quite light came up for sale, but it turned out I preferred the heavier one.

If you don't like a Les Paul, chances are the Revstar won't float your boat - to me they feel quite similar, but the upper fret access and the dry switch are the reason that I pick the Revstar up more than the LP.

Creed_Clicks

@JohnCordy Never was a huge LP fan. I thought, just going by the vids, they had a bit more of a "modern" feel to match the modern look... Well they look modern to me  

HAL9000

My impression of Yamaha guitars as that the lower end ones can be a bit characterless. However the higher end models (probably 5xx and above) have rather more about them.

I owned a 311 Pacifica a while back which whilst a perfectly competent instrument was unfortunately quite bland and got moved on. I've now got a 611 which despite being superficially similar is a far better guitar in every way with more character.

Also, be aware that Yamaha guitars will not hold their value and you will lose money if you decide to move it on.

Creed_Clicks

@HAL9000 and my biggest problem is moving on gear.... Gibson it is then 

johnl

Have played a few - as per the above "sterile" is pretty much how I'd characterise them, but there's certainly nothing wrong with them. 

thomasw88

Get a Yamaha Superflighter if you can find one.   I have 3 and they're superb, much cooler than the revstars, made in Japan, and are full of mojo..

horsehead

I've got the 502 with the tailpiece and it plays brilliantly, sounds a e and the only reason I'm selling it is that I need a deposit for something else that's being handmade and last in etc.
If I had the money I'd keep it

Tenebrous

I really like them aesthetically. I've had a couple of 611s & I've nothing but good things to say about those, so I'm sure I'll own a Revstar one day.

downsideup11

Got the entry level Revstar (320) recently as I wanted a simple no frills twin humbucker guitar that wasn't a Gibson. Also the fact that it's dead cheap to buy is a bonus! Have to say that it's a really great guitar - comfortable to play with a surpringsly versatile range of sounds. Excellent build quality, fit and finish perfect with a lovely bit of rosewood on the neck. I can recommend this one but I've no experience of any others in the range.

Nikc

PRS cough PRS

drwiddly

I've owned several Yamaha guitars- an MSG, a Pacifica 412, a Pacifica 812W and an APX1000 electro. All of them were good guitars but none were great guitars. I'd have a PRS SE (maybe with a pickup change) over any of them tbh.

thegummy

I never know what the characterless/sterile tag actually means in terms of sound.

I wonder if the character referred to that the classic models have comes from preconceptions about them (e.g. how they've been used by other players) so that's why it doesn't seem to exist on non classic models.

ICBM

The lower-end ones vary hugely. I’ve worked on a 320 which is probably the worst Yamaha I’ve ever played - overly heavy, dull-sounding, characterless and with a nasty hump in the neck that needed a major fret dress before it was even properly playable.

downsideup11’s experience is more in keeping with normal Yamaha quality, and I’ve also played a better model (I can’t remember the number) that was much nicer, but I definitely wouldn’t buy one of the lower range ones without trying it first.

’Characterless’ means it had a completely uninteresting sound that could have been absolutely any cheap two-humbucker guitar with muddy pickups and didn’t really respond well to playing dynamics, if it matters .

John_A

There’s a Japanese revstar bargain for sale in the classifieds, not mine, user name selling is @krameree   used to play in a band with him years ago, good bloke and a very talented guitarist 

Schnozz

Yamaha have lost their way now.

SG, SF, SA, AES, TRB and BB, but even the new BB is pants IMO.

SE are great for sub £400, but avoid the double locking ones.

mikenetic

I have a Revstar 820CR - it's an absolutely cracking guitar. Plays great, sounds great, looks great.

MagicPigDetective

Creed_Clicks said

I am also going to try a Guild S100 Polara just for the heck of it

I wanted one for a long time, with it being Kim Thayil’s axe of choice. When I finally got to try one, the pickups sounded great, but I found the high frets and thickish neck not right for me, much to my disappointment. But who knows it could be perfect for you? They look super awesome.