Yamaha doesn't need marketing, you play and figure out it's good. If you've got a problem, there will always be someone to help you. Yamaha is an Empire.
Here's the problem with that; you really can't "play and figure out it's good", because a lot of stores don't carry them. Other than acoustics, it's difficult to find a Revstar in a Sam Ash or Guitar Center. In the last year I've seen exactly THREE. One in a Guitar Center (which I bought). One in Sam Ash in yellow. And the third in the same Guitar Center I bought mine. That's it. Fender and Gibson have minimums you need to order of every model, and there simply isn't enough floor space to stock a dozen different Yamaha Revstar models, which is why you really have to order them from Sweetwater or AMS without trying them.
Well, that's a tad unfair, cause 1) Rhett said mostly good things about this RS02T, he said it was seriously underrated, he missed that "hot merlot" was about the color of that one (named after a vine grape strain). 2) on lots of videos he played on Novo guitars.
Should we mention the one constant logo Yamaha have used, is the three tuning forks. That’s a pretty big connection to music, right there. That symbol appears on their motor cycles, jet skis, my wife’s U3 upright grand piano, my old O2R & O2R96 mixing consoles ( I’m after a DM2000 if anyone in Australia is selling one). The PM2000 is a legendary live & recording console, some of the nicest mic transformers ever. Then there’s the DX7 Additive (digital) Synthesiser, the Rev7, 5 & 1 Digital Multi Effect units pathed the way for the smaller & cheaper SBX90, so everyone could afford effects on their home recordings. Let’s also not forget that at a time in the late 1980’s, Yamaha took over a major stake in Korg, developing complementary electronic musical instruments and production tools. This ownership also took in Vox amplifiers & instruments. And what about that behemoth synth back in the ‘70’s that the likes of Stevie Wonder, Kieth Emerson & John Paul Jones could only own. Most of them have the three triangles. Broken backs aside; who doesn’t desire an SG2000 or do a double take if a SG2C grabs your periphery? Yamaha are more connected to everyday life, especially music, than most any other company. Revstar & Pacifica are excellent instruments. Paul McCartney played a Yamaha BB-1200 for a period, that was pretty good marketing. P.S. I forgot Yamaha Drum Kits Yamaha Percussion Yamaha Electronic Kits Yamaha Electronic Wind Instruments Yamaha Guitar Synths Yamaha Electric Home Organs Yamaha Electric Portable Organs Yamaha Brass Yamaha Woodwind Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Yamaha NS10’s Yamaha etc, etc. That’s as much a history & profile in music as with bikes, quads, skis & generators.
Rhett is a bit of a shill, but a lot of people think he is great, meh. Yamaha make excellent investments and not only are they excellent they are affordable. The reality here is American exceptionalism putting down other companies outside of the US being capable of making an instrument as good if not better than any US made instrument. His video annoyed me and I’m glad someone made a reaction video
He is a shill. He gets everything for free. He piggybacked off of Rick Beato’s channel. He’s a mediocre guitarist at best and seems to think that he’s owed free expensive gear. Meanwhile, the rest of us pay for our gear. I think he grew up as an only child and is a spoiled brat. I think that people think he’s great and I just have never taken to him for some reason I don’t like him. He is meh.
he praises the guitar. Why are you annoyed? He is also right, it isn't as popular as it could be (should be?). Since it's release I personally haven't seen one single Revstar before my eyes on any stage, on any player or in any music store where I live.
My go to live guitar since 1989 has been my USA Fender Vintage '62 re-issue Fiesta Red Strat. Since receiving my Crisp Gold P90 Revstar RSP02T in November 2022 my poor Strat hasn't had a look in on stage. The Revstar fits me like a glove and is a joy to play. Sounds superb. A truly great guitar.
after playing it for the first time the other day, I've decided wholeheartedly that the very next guitar I'm buying is the yamaha revstar rss02t. amazing guitar.
Go for it. I’ve had mine for over a year now. Some of the frets needed polishing, but after a professional setup it has been an exceptional instrument. I live in the UK and the tuning stability through the seasons is God Tier good. Yes, it is a heavy guitar, but it is so comfortable to play seated or standing. The tonal palette suits my preferences too. A joy to own. You won’t regret it.
I just bought this guitar. The marketing was brilliant! European motorcycles - how cool is that! I got the sunset. The sound is a 10 on a 10 scale. Has a very cool feel and shape! Look at the lines! I was salivatimg for this guitar after being exposed to the engineering and the way it was marketed . Rhett got this so wrong! This guitar is so right and the marketing set it apart! I’ve got 3 Yamaha guitars now.
Rhett appeals to a lot of kinda boring middle of the road 'C' student folks. He plays gigs with pop music bands and by his own admission he considers fusion to be cheesy. There is nothing wrong with that. He probably doesn't listen to Mike Stern or Matteo Mancuso or Marcus Miller and there is nothing wrong with that. Remember back in 1st grade? Out of 20 kids, 2 were smart. 2 or 3 we're dumb and the rest were mediocre. Rhett appeals to that largest group. He probably doesn't listen to Dean Brown, Stochelo Rosenberg or Kazumi Watanabe. And that is ok. He is going to play with pop bands on a Gibson Les Paul that will most likely be a very normal finish. He is gonna wear boring shoes and probably not take many fashion risks. And again that is ok. If a guy gets mad a folks for being kinda boring and mediocre, he is gonna be mad quite often.
@rustyshackleford9557 The trouble is, Shull plays what Stern originally played decades ago without a sense of creative growth or evolution. Stern grew and evolved and is completely original. This has nothing to do with marketing. It has everything to do with maturing as an artist.
@@ub59I imagine Mike Stern probably sounded better at age 15 than Mr. Shull sounds today. I do think that mature folks tend to not be so name brand fixated. And I'd warn anyone that my best paying gigs were with some of the most immature and worst playing bands so beware of being mature, smart or creative. 🤔Popular, mediocre and a bit boring pays the rent👍
Well, bear this in mind. Schull-- like so many other RUclipsrs-- are constantly, sometimes desperately, in need of content. About anything. That’s what it is to be a RUclipsr. Content trumps everything. Thus, sometimes they just manufacture- or desperately reach- on a topic, just so they can get something, anything, out there for content, no matter how well thought out. Truth is, guitar RUclipsrs have hit the wall long ago on content-- there’s not much left to do, other than more gear reviews and more lessons. Which is precisely why Schull has gotten back into gear talk--it provides more free, easy content for him. But as long as they need content, they will put forth whatever they can-- even slapped together musings on Yamaha. Content-- good, bad or in between-- rules everything. It’s how RUclipsrs try and keep their name recognition relevant.
I think you nailed it… they’ve run out of topics. I have a five string Yamaha bass, what a beautiful instrument!! Such an innovative design. Ten degree headstock, straight string pull, truss rod easy access at heel, nicely shaped volute, multi laminated neck, alder body & maple cap. Under $1000, what a steal!
still he makes valid point I think why it isn't more popular. What if Fender or Gibson had released the Revstar. No doubt it would've been a lot more popular!
Great video my friend, I have to wholeheartedly agree. Much love to Rhett and I have been a subscriber to his channels as well as countless other guitar content creators for years , but how much can you trust a man who doesn’t like tube screamers. 😂
He said it’s a great instrument. The problem is here in the US I wouldn’t even know where to go to play one before buying. They’re not in brick and mortar stores
This was his worst video. He did not even mention Matteo Mancuso, probably this best guitar player in the world right now and endorses the Revstar. Also calling jazz fusion corny, meaning he can't play it so it must be dumb. I know he likes Scofield so he just came off as a little ignorant in this video. I know he can do better.
Yeah, I was shocked when he said that "corny" part. I can't even think of an explanation as to why he said that. I looked up to him before as a musician who is very open to all music genre.
The jazz fusion comment doesn't make sense at all. Many of the players that we try to learn from and even emulate were students at Berklee, and jazz fusion was likely a big part of their journey. And don't even get me started on bass players, they're still emulating Jaco nearly 40 years after his death.
Great commentary! I too, was confused by Rhett's comments. On the one hand he was saying that the guitar sounded good and Yamaha make quality product, but I had no idea on what basis he was saying guitarists don't play Yamaha. I was tempted to buy one last year when all the reviews were on RUclips. I decided to hold off because I had bought too many in one year. This year, I see players doing great thing with the Revstar 2, and am planning to finally get one and possibly sell many of my other Les Paul and Tele style guitars. To me the Yamaha Revstar 2 is a modern guitar that can provide a wide range of tones for many guitar playing styles.
I purchased the “Hot Merlot” Revstar rss02T from N Stuff Music. Such a great sounding and playing guitar. I had to adjust the pickup height and screws to get the sound I wanted. But that’s it.
Rhet is not wrong, he is saying that Yamaha is not as a prestigious name (in electric guitars) compared to Fender, Gibson, PRS, Epiphone, and Squire. New players, folks ignorant to electric guitars, and maybe westerners, will gravitate to more familiar brands when purchasing guitars than Yamaha, Kramer, or Ibanez, LTD, etc... especially if a person is thinking about resale value. Anyway, salamat pare, keep the videos coming!
Hmm good point po. Probably he's talking to westerners and not to the whole world? I might have assumed wrong because it's RUclips i,.e., global. Anyway, great insight sir. Salamat sa comment!
Oh man. Take my sub hahah. Big RUclipsrs ...not all but the trio. Rick Beato family. Rhett and well, many others up there. They are Snobs and am I trending? Lmao
Yamaha makes great bass guitars. I had TRBX505, and I regret selling it. I would like to have it again and I would like a Revstar guitar, because I would like a sound that is more open than sound of Les Paul (I have a copy made by Vintage, AFD Slash model, nice guitar for heavy stuff) and has less low mids and responds nicely to low gain sounds, but does not have a quack like strat.
I have a epiphone hummingbird and a Yamaha 4335 and i always go for the 4335 because of how it feels and sounds, it can run circles around that epiphone all day long.
I own 12 electric guitars. 3 are Yamaha guitars: Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS02T & Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS20. I got the new Yamaha PACS+12 Pacifica Standard Plus 3 weeks ago. My Yamaha guitars are awesome. I love them.
Bert, thank very much for you review and critic, it hits all the points. People will find themselves hard-pressed finding youtuber review or opinions that are not biased or aren’t targeted to certain demographics, specificality when we’re referring to paid or sponsored content. It is obvious that they are not serving the musicians, they are providing a service to their sponsors, reviews aren't completely transparent, we all know this is entertaining but total BS. Rhett Shull's channel will sensor comments/critic or different perspectives that do not go in line with the advertising goals. Please try, put your finger ion the spot, your comment will most likely get publish and or you’ll get blocked. Example 1 - “Telecaster comparison video” I shared my opinion on RS video that compared different Teles with prices ranging from $200 to $500. Discouraging people who are starting and serious about guitar playing into buying a new instrument. Specifically, if it retails around $200 to $500 range, any good decedent used Tele would be a wiser option, and I truly believe this defends junior’s player’s best interest. The advice leans towards the $1,6k but the RUclipsr opted out for the $5k CS 52 Telecaster… what’s the message here? All comments praise the author or how good the squire guitars are and preferable. As mentioned above, it precisely hits the market segment it needs to hit, this is a well-orchestrated marketing campaign. Example 2 - “something like…why I hate the tube screamer pedal” The video rants about TS sonic qualities when RS himself sets his foundation tone to sound like a TS, funny. In the end view is presented with a TS clone manufactures by the author’s friend. Well, you may guess my comments never went live. I do not want to sound disrespectful, but I would expect more transparency from a well-educated and talented player as Rhett Shull is. Thank you again for your effort and have a nice day!! Best edited to say, and yes, I had a Yamaha guitar and some point. 1
I think you are overreacting (or possibly overthinking) this. Yamaha is good, great even. But they are like a no name brand. They haven't reached the status in the guitar industry like the really big names. So, in essence Rhett makes his points and thoughts, he has the right to have them, and he is right. The Revstar could (and should?) be bigger and more popular but isn't. At least not where I live. Since it's release I haven't seen ONE single Revstar in front of my eyes.
You're right, and I respect his opinion and would like to exercise mine as well. Maybe the reason it that fewer guitar stores carry Yamaha guitar unlike Fender or Gibson especially in the States (as most mentions in the comments).
Do you go into stores that are a legit Yamaha dealer? (Entry level Pacificas and acoustics don’t count, everyone carries those). If not, how else would see one in front of your eyes? I’ve seen multiple Revstars in every single guitar store I’ve been to that lists themselves as a Yamaha dealer.
Spot on! I may be wrong - time will tell - but I believe the Revstar will become legend and an iconic guitar and the fact the Schull has not grasped that it has a sound and identity of its own has just convinced me to buy one. Smoke that Schull. Nice outro by the way. Class.
It's also funny Rhett didn't mention Matteo Mancuso plays Revstars, when Mancuso is already considered one of the best guitarist alive at 26 years of age...
Great commentary. The Yamaha Revstar in the hands of one of the world's greatest guitarists, Matteo Mancuso, is the best marketing one can ever ask for. His background is classical, jazz and fusion. Mike Stern has played jazz-rock on a custom Pacifica 'Telecaster' for years and blows the stuffing out of puffed up middling players like Shull. Chris Buck isn't in that echelon or genre, but he is very honest and almost too kind in his response to Shull, and has his own energy and unique sound. John Nathan Cordy, a relatively unknown RUclipsr from the UK who is also one of the best players on the internet (gear reviews mainly, but each YT video starts with his very, very tasty original compositions; his Helix -- another fantastic piece of Yamaha gear -- presets are great) put his Revstar Standard with P90s (just like Shull's seldom played Standard, different colour) up against his early 2000's Gibson Les Paul and found them virtually equal in sound with the Restar having a slight edge in playbility. The Revstar Standard has genuine science behind it, yet is 1/4 the price of a Les Paul. Yamaha has never had equivalent management and quality control issues as Gibson. Gibsons are like Land Rovers, too expensive (an ego vehicle that weighs too much and catches fire too easily) with most of the value in the name only. I also have a top of the line made-in USA Strat Pro that I rarely play mainly due to its tuning instability...I always reach for the Revstar. Now I'm thinking of selling the Strat and my mid-range Ibanez semi-hollow '335' and ordering a Yamaha SA 2200, which has had great reviews all round.
Rhett can have his opinions, I have no problem with that. This video is awesome because it calls out how many weird statements and internal contradictions he makes just in what he says. There’s quite a bit of nonsensical statements and fluff in what he says, in between pretty poorly expressed opinions. I actually like Rhett’s channel, this one just seemed inauthentic and sort of click-baity, going for views or to stir the pot.
Héhééé. Very fun and documented 😁 Yamaha instruments are so cool and classy !! (Quite popular in France.) He kinda have his head up his ### and embarrassed himself with the image he thinks people might have about Yam', but at least, he also agrees it is amazing and innovative 😊 Cheeers !
@@bertsguitarchannel Well, Europe and north America prices are quite the same (can't compare with Asia or rest of the world, I'm too lazy on currency conversions )😃 The "red merlot" from your video is 799€. Voilà !
I thought exactly the same thing when I watched the video. I live in the UK and the Revstar is popular here, guitar players never have a bad word to say about the Revstar over here. Rhett is speaking nonsense.
Here's the thing; You walk into a Guitar Center or a Sam Ash, you don't see a whole lot of Yamaha guitars other than acoustics. The nature of the music retail business might be working against Yamaha in this case, where stores will have to order a certain number of Gibson and Fender models, and they are unable to dedicate a lot of floor space to Yamaha. A local Guitar Center had one Revstar in it's inventory, and it took them months to get that in. Same with Sam Ash, and that was an Element in yellow.
Well, I didn't need to see a Revstar on a rack to decide to order one. At over $2K Canadian, one presumes one will practice due diligence and conduct some research first. After seeing lots of independent reviews I ordered one, knowing that if it failed the first play test, the vendor would just hang it up on the rack with a price tag and return my deposit. It was a magnificent instrument right out of the box.
Totally agree, he says it’s a great guitar but doesn’t play it because it’s a Yamaha. I love my Yamaha acoustic and I will be buying a Revstar in the near future
I've owned a Yamaha Revstar RSS02T (my first Yamaha guitar ever) for a year. It's a great guitar. Now, I've owned a Yamaha Revstar RSS02T (my first ever Yamaha guitar) for a year now, and I must say it's a fantastic instrument. However, I'm now considering selling my Gibson Les Paul Traditional 2010, which I've owned for 13 years, and using the money to purchase another Yamaha Revstar RSS20 or RSP20. I don't play on Gibson anymore. I highly recommend Revstar guitar to everyone.
I totally agree with you, it is pure guitar racism, I have own different asian made guitars and I have very little or nothing to complain. I also own few American guitars and to be honest it seems to me that they like guitars that fit into their American history and legacy which it's something I respect but I don't believe that American guitars are better than the rest of guitars in the world.
The Revstar is a badass guitar. It is cool, well built, and sounds amazing. Im not a fan of merlot wine or the color, but im also not a fan of the boiled piss color that Gibson and Fender both spray everywhere on everything and I still own a Fender-i just bought a blue one instead (blue for superior tone, and smell). The reason Revstar does not have a hero guitar status is because the guitar has only been around since 2015, btw. I cant be certain if Rhett Schull is being satirical and really loves the guitar or if he should have taken a mental health day and just laid off the internet that day, but i am at least somewhat pleased that he didnt embarass us with some good old fashioned North American racism. At least theres that, right?
Thanks for watching. Yes I have one. I played it at the last part of the video. If you have time, please feel free to check it out here: ruclips.net/video/NmPefl4kZ74/видео.html
I have the exactly the same model! And of the 3 Revstars I have (2 of gen 2 standard models) the one you (and I) have is still the best. The p90s with the Dry switch is fantastic. The focus switch on the gen 2 when matched with p90s is not so much a success.
Wow, 3 Revstars for you? Only means Yamaha did a great job at marketing.😀 I was wondering if the weight on the new gen is significantly lighter that 1st gen?
@@bertsguitarchannel yes. Significantly lighter. My gen 1 like yours I imagine is pretty heavy. The gen 2 Revstars really are excellent, but in a different way from the first gen.
kind of a coincidence but just a few days ago i went to my local guitar store to specifically try a Yamaha (i didn't know it was called a revstar at the time). I tried the RSS20 and actually really liked a lot of things about it. but yea it was some marketing video i watched early that got me curious about it. so yea, although i didn't buy it on the spot, i still played it for like 20minutes; the marketing worked i guess you could say.
Actually I like the color name and the color, maybe because I like merlot wine and its color. I want to get a guitar with p90s some day and the Revstar in this particular color is in my shortlist. However I also think that the marketing is not good for the Yamaha guitars here, but for a totally different reason - it's imposible to find it in music stores show rooms here in the Netherlands. And it's not just the Revstar, any Yamaha electric guitars. I can order it online, but I can't compare it to the other brands in a music store. I have bought a 150-200 euro Harley Bentons online without trying them first, but when a guitar costs 4-5 times more than that I definetely need to play it before making a decision.
Sorry, mate, but you’re just nitpicking and trying to get his attention to start a thing. Rhett is a very honest person and is never afraid of saying what he thinks. If you wanna make your channel grow work on your content instead of doing this. Best.
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I am working my content but I do follow some of Rhett's traits as you've mentioned: "Rhett is a very honest person and is never afraid of saying what he thinks"
I as a Yamaha guitar player, I have seen a lot of professional guitar players who talk about the highs and lows of every guitar they touch, and they are mostly right at the details of the review. I think he is not that far from the truth when he said Yamaha Electric guitars are great, but the marketing is poor. That sounds like someone who love to see his favorite out there but can't see. I feel you should make your own review to rectify or fix the problem, because you are all saying the same thing here. You like it, he likes it, just that he doesn't like the fact that it has not been always seen in the hands of all professional players, even him, and he is right. You are all right and wrong at the same time, because you can never be all right especially in an undocumented speech. I like how you corrected him, But reaction.... err mm... NO!
I guess that's the beauty of this platform. That we can be right and wrong at the same time. I'm coming up with a review for the Revstar as well. Thanks for the comment. Appreciate it. 🙂
I usually don't like or trust "reaction" videos, because of the bit of hate mostly all of them have, and the fact that they usually get visits because of being based on actually famous or emergent channels. I still see valid points here though, but some other, such as 'racism' have as little base as you criticize. Sadly, your video turns out to be very much like that of Rhett's. And I am not the biggest Rhett's fans, and I'm not even subscribed to his channel.
That is why I unsubscribed from Rhett long time ago, he became a puppet...I stopped watching "big youtubers" gear reviews as they are not objective. "Video is sponsored but all thoughts and opinions are mine" LOL..."but if i say something bad about the product, they stop sending stuff...but Gibson is the best anyway"
Hot merlot is my favourite Revstar color, I don’t care about the name of a color as long as the color apeals to me... I much rather find "tobacco burst" a worse color name in a society that is putting smoking aside.
Damn Bro , so Happy to find this as Deep Down That rhett rev star video was still annoying My sub conciois … bravo bravo 🎉🎉🎉 i have 3 Revstar s in My collection 2015 and the 2022 versions and love them !! Rhett was just talking talk talk and saying nothing real or important !!
I totally agree with your video and it sure looks like Rhett has an aversion to the Yamaha-ness of Yamaha guitars. Obviously there not for cool kids like Rhett who have plenty of poorly made USA guitars to choose from :) I maybe being a guitar-racist as there are some US made guitars that are damn good too! I own 3 Yamaha guitars two of which are Revstars and the 3 others US brands. Not all made in the US however as 2 are manufactured in Indonesia and only 1being a US made Strat.
I have a $3500 Suhr, $2500 Schecter USA PT custom, and several others! My $800 Revstar standard with stainless steel frets is my go to guitar and my only guitar that hasn't been plekd. This guy is clueless of how long the waiting list was to get the Revstar. Hey but this is a guy that did a video about getting his les paul custom plekd although is was factory plekd.
@@bertsguitarchannel yeah the neck had a little twist. lol. I bought my Revstar from Micarelli Music in PA. They talked me out of a plek saying they has an in house luthier with like 35 years under his belt and he checks out every guitar they sell and if that guitar has fret sprout or just one ghigh fret i would have to choose a different color because they would that guitar back to Yamaha. At the time they just sent 4 Fender strats back that were inthe $2000 price range. They also do a free setup to YOUR SPECS. Mine arrived at one mm across the 12th fret with the relief taken out of the neck. It was pretty much straight. Just like i asked. I wont buy a guitar unless it comes from there now. Same deal when i bought a bass to record with. My Schecter USA PT custom is there now. It's been refretted with ss fretsand they are cutting me an arm rest in it. Its the brown one on sweetwaters sight with a racing stripe. "white" stripe" with binding. THATS HOW MUCH I TRUST THIS LUTHIER. Just be honest. My Suhr plays awesome and was built using a plek, but the SS block on the Gotoh 510 bridge sound bad to me. The revstar sounds way better to my ears but the compound radius onthe Suhr is really comfortable. So the Revstar looses there. But its a wide neck and can handle the low action and the only mod Ive done is Graph Tech ratio locking tuners. The carbon fiber rods in the neck work and the guitar stays in tune as well as my Suhr. For the record, Ive never been to Micarelli Musicin person. Ive only spoke to these guys over the phone.
Rhett's a bit of a poser so he's going to worry about things like street cred when playing a Yamaha. My favorite is his video on how the TS9 is dog shit. That's when I couldn't take it anymore and stopped watching. Most of his thoughts are like a stereo typical dumb blonde on too many wine coolers and it doesn't matter how many people set him straight in the comments, he isn't offering any corrections or admitting fault. He'll just double down the next time. And who can blame him with soulless corps like Sweetwater backing up the money truck for him
I think Rhett's main point was players' perception of Yamaha which, while it has its followers, myself included, has never quite gotten the mainstream market appeal of your Fenders and Gibsons. While it thoroughly deserves it, I've never heard someone say "you're not a real musician unless you play a Yamaha". It's likely different in the Philippines, but here in the States we're very dogmatic about that sort of thing, likely due to our own inherent guitaracism. I've never had my hands on a Revstar personally but if and when I can justify that kind of expenditure it's definitely on the short list. Especially now I've seen one with a Bigsby!
Maybe there are few store there in the States that carry Yamaha electric guitar (as most mentioned in the comments). And yes, the one with the Bigsby is quite cool 🙂
@@bertsguitarchannel Oh, there absolutely are (and more than a few), but many Americans like their "name brand appeal". Why drive a Hyundai when you can drive a Chevy, that sort of thing.
I saw Rhett's video, I bought a Standard sunburst with Humbuckers because of his review. I really love this guitar. It's better than I expected. You can smoothly bend the strings on those stainless frets. The humbuckers with distortion are amazing, and you pull up that tone knob and boom. I recommend this guitar.
Its funny too because RS's video is a commercial for the guitar. He is very aware of guitar marketing because thats how he makes his money. He is very disingenuous.
As Bert shows us it's more about the player than the RevStar.............But I do have a RevStar Standard and love it, I would put it in the class of the best and trust the Japanese engineers that keep great quality control even in their out of country build plants. I would love to own the Pro model if I ever get great I will buy to my ability, the Standard is %100 better than me so I am happy.
Well spoken Bert. You cannot really listen to all that BS that comes from guitarsnobs. I own 3 guitars and 1 synthesizer from Yamaha so i am well aware of the craftmanship behind every item, that's good enough for me. Thank you for the clear and inspiring wiew. I will really get a revstar when it turns up on the used market after a couple of years. The pension doesn't allow me to buy a new one just right now, but eventually then.
These guitars are constantly sold out at Sweetwater and, as mentioned here, they are being positively reviewed all over the internet. Rhett's whole premise is flawed.
@@bertsguitarchannelI can’t speak for outside of the US but I’ve literally never seen a Yamaha electric in a music store. I see acoustics all the time and they make one of the best acoustics for the money in the world
To be fair by his own admission he barely made it out of high school. His videography is top notch, some of his music intros are great but coherent thought and speech craft aren’t his strong suits.
I think that the reason that Yamaha is not higher up, is for they make so many diferent products and the american people think that like as if Wallmart sold you a guitar. its a shame, I really like yamaha sg and revstar and guitarrists like Masayoshi takanaka
@@bertsguitarchannel Maybe. People like "romanticize" brands like D'Angelico with the "old NY empire state building" more than quality. I think when a ultra famous guy like john mayer or something like that start to use Yamaha the brand will be a trend
Merlot isn't supposed to be served hot. It should be served slightly cooler than room temperature. Hot Merlot IS a horrible color name. While I hate Shull's typical clickbait titles, he was right about that. It would be like using Stale Bread, Hot Garbage, or Flat Soda for color names. When you started moaning about racism, you lost any right to complain about clickbait. That was incredibly bad faith on your part. Nothing he said was even remotely related to race. You also kept conflating his comments about the brand with his comments about the Revstar. Shull might be mistaken about Yamaha's popularity, but I suspect that he is correct, at least regionally. While I have an extremely positive attitude towards both Yamahas, (music and motors,) their music division has, (at least in my region,) kind of a utilitarian, school-instrument reputation. I've been aware of their "uncool" rep since the 90s. It wouldn't stop me from owning one, but I've known load of guitarists who wouldn't consider one.
Selling guitars is a strange thing because very, very few people who buy guitars can actually play them. If folks rode bicycles like most play guitar they would fall off the bike in the bike store parking lot and injure or kill themselves. But guitars are pretty safe 🤔 So it boils down to something similar to selling a space shuttle that guys buy and dabble with, dream, and talk about a whole lot. But never actually fly it. Medical equipment manufacturers make products that will go to a trained professional. This is simply not the case with guitars. Guys who couldn't strum "Happy Birthday" even if you tell 'em it is a I, V, I, IV progression buy 1000$ guitars. It is a bit like selling Stevie Wonder a nice telescope that he just hangs on the wall and talks about. Therefore ' looks' and ' hype' drive the market far more than performance. And Yamaha in the past had a real problem with 'looks'. They made some ugly guitars with very ugly headstocks. And they didn't give a ton of guitars away to rock stars so those rock stars would endorse their product. They mistakenly built great guitars like the SGB and it's thinline 335ish brother. Both were fantastic but Yamaha didn't wine and dine folks up in a nice hospitality suite at NAMM shows. They didn't have any 'Dean Girls'. They didn't have a 'Gibson Bus'. And when 95%of your market can't play but instead just dreams, buys stuff and watches videos that just doesn't earn you much of the market share.
Thanks for sharing, good point here: "Medical equipment manufacturers make products that will go to a trained professional. This is simply not the case with guitars"
@@bertsguitarchannel Sure thang! Bert, I love Yamaha and their crew. I had the pleasure to meet Carl Tosten years ago at the Yamaha booth at Dallas Vintage Guitars Show. He is such a great player and so kind and knowledgeable. Yamaha is almost too classy for their own good. Carl is a perfect example of that. I believe endorsers like Matteo and Mike Stern intimidate the average guitar buyer. And naming a guitar color ' Merlot' is another example. It just doesn't appeal to the 90 IQ guitar buyer. Sadly mediocrity rules. Excellence and popularity are not the same.
@@bertsguitarchannel Yeah, because you have to already have capital invested in production. There's nothing really meritorious about it--some people just have better resources to pour into looking slick and professional. It suxxxx
He's not wrong that very few people play Yamaha electric guitars. Their acoustic guitars are fairly popular, but as a musician who gigged and toured extensively in the 90s and early 00's, I've never known ANYONE who plays a Yamaha electric guitar. I've never known anyone who even mentioned a Yamaha electric guitar as something that interested them. Definitely seems like a marketing problem. Your playing, and the Revstar's voice at the end of this video, are both beautiful by the way.
I think it's just a lack of marketing, instead of his assessment that it looks like a guitar that plays "Jazz fusion" or some shit. Like, even assuming everyone's who's mentioned Yamaha electric guitars are paid shills, I've seen it come up like 3 times maybe. It seems like they did a very basic job marketing it, and just hoped for the best.
Thanks for the positive note on my playing 🙂. May I ask where did you toured? So we can have a context of Yamaha's marketing in that era. Thanks so much.
I'm getting a feeling that in the past, Yamaha may have lacked marketing and it is just now that they're ramping it up. But that just a feeling, need data for that ☺️
@@bertsguitarchannel Mostly in the southeast and midwest US. But I've done the entire US, Canada and most of western Europe at one point or another. I was based out of New Orleans.
Thanks for the information. Perhaps this could be a geographic thing. I was wondering if the landscape change after 20 years since your touring days? I mean in terms of Yamaha's brand awareness? Apologies if I'm asking too much.
What famous guitar slinger plays a Yamaha full time ??? American Gibson and Fender have ruled the scene for years and years they are superior guitars ……… What does Jimmy Page play ??? What did Jimi Hendrix play ??? What does Keith Richards play ?
Popular rarely equates to excellent. Keith Richards is popular....Mike Stern is excellent. Matteo Mancuso is excellent. Part of being popular is being liked by the average 'C' student, 100 IQ type because they make up the largest segment of the population. In 1939 Adolph Hitler was popular. Time magazine voted him man of the year in their magazine. I repeat: popular does not equate to excellent. When I was a kid ' Pet Rocks' were popular, so we're the Monkees. Neither were excellent.
Rhett likely knows the things he gets wrong and purposely does it to create more engagement in the comments. Its an insidious thing youtubers do, when you start noticing you can't really stop. Little mistakes here and there or inflammatory titles that you just know will get people to argue
Bert, check out John Corey’s video he kindve went after Rhett too. Personally, I can’t stand Rhett. Yes a pretentious spoiled brat. Free gear Rhett shill. Yamaha’s great. They’ll be great long after Rhett is long gone. Gee I don’t know how they made it this long without his stupid unsolicited advice.
Perhaps Yamaha fails to realize just how ignorant the guitar buying public can be. They might also fail to realize just how badly the American guitar buying public plays. In Japan, kids join "Guitar Clubs". I kid you not, they all sound like Clapton by the time they are teens. Hey Yamaha, ya gotta give yer guitars away to some whiskey soaked American rock stars who look like they need a bath and a 90 day rehab program if you wanna compete with Gibson. It is mostly about 'hype' . And serve more booze up in your hospitality suites at future NAMM shows and keep some semi-trashy semi clothed women up there too. It worked for Mr. Zelinsky. He made great guitars but they were never that popular until he hired those ' Dean Girls'.
@@bertsguitarchannel yep, because Yamaha has folks like Matteo Macuso and Mike Stern endorsing their guitars but the mediocre minded guitar buying public doesn't even know who those guys are. But they do know who Slash is. And sure Slash's Les Paul isn't really a Gibson Les Paul ( it was built by Kris Derrig) but most folks don't know that. And so these folks want something like Slash plays to help them dream for a while and escape their diaper changing, 2.3 children , 9-5 reality.
Yamaha is trying to sell their guitars in the same manner that they sell their motorcycles. But most folks who buy a motorcycle can actually ride that motorcycle. They don't just park it in their man cave and talk about it. But most guitar buyers CAN NOT play. Nope they just buy guitars and hang em up in their man cave. So marketing a guitar based on performance just doesn't work. Yamaha has to sell a 'dream', an escape from reality, an escape from those 2.3 children😉.
Yamaha doesn't need marketing, you play and figure out it's good.
If you've got a problem, there will always be someone to help you.
Yamaha is an Empire.
I agree. Their brand reputation is marketing itself. Thanks for the comment.
Here's the problem with that; you really can't "play and figure out it's good", because a lot of stores don't carry them. Other than acoustics, it's difficult to find a Revstar in a Sam Ash or Guitar Center. In the last year I've seen exactly THREE. One in a Guitar Center (which I bought). One in Sam Ash in yellow. And the third in the same Guitar Center I bought mine. That's it. Fender and Gibson have minimums you need to order of every model, and there simply isn't enough floor space to stock a dozen different Yamaha Revstar models, which is why you really have to order them from Sweetwater or AMS without trying them.
Knowing Chris Buck plays a Revstar is enough for me to want one after watching him play it.
yeah, he's an inspiring player. His bending is captivating
Matteo Mancuso plays Yamaha and Bacci guitars. He might be the most incredible player I've ever seen.
Let’s be honest if a guitar isn’t a Gibson USA model Rhett won’t like it it’s pretty obvious
Seriously. The amount of gel in his hair gives it away.
@@sneakyflutesSerious douche vibes off this guy.
Well, that's a tad unfair, cause 1) Rhett said mostly good things about this RS02T, he said it was seriously underrated, he missed that "hot merlot" was about the color of that one (named after a vine grape strain). 2) on lots of videos he played on Novo guitars.
100%
He is tasteless and fanboy not a serious player.
He’s pedestrian…at best!
Should we mention the one constant logo Yamaha have used, is the three tuning forks. That’s a pretty big connection to music, right there. That symbol appears on their motor cycles, jet skis, my wife’s U3 upright grand piano, my old O2R & O2R96 mixing consoles ( I’m after a DM2000 if anyone in Australia is selling one). The PM2000 is a legendary live & recording console, some of the nicest mic transformers ever. Then there’s the DX7 Additive (digital) Synthesiser, the Rev7, 5 & 1 Digital Multi Effect units pathed the way for the smaller & cheaper SBX90, so everyone could afford effects on their home recordings. Let’s also not forget that at a time in the late 1980’s, Yamaha took over a major stake in Korg, developing complementary electronic musical instruments and production tools. This ownership also took in Vox amplifiers & instruments. And what about that behemoth synth back in the ‘70’s that the likes of Stevie Wonder, Kieth Emerson & John Paul Jones could only own. Most of them have the three triangles. Broken backs aside; who doesn’t desire an SG2000 or do a double take if a SG2C grabs your periphery? Yamaha are more connected to everyday life, especially music, than most any other company. Revstar & Pacifica are excellent instruments. Paul McCartney played a Yamaha BB-1200 for a period, that was pretty good marketing.
P.S. I forgot
Yamaha Drum Kits
Yamaha Percussion
Yamaha Electronic Kits
Yamaha Electronic Wind Instruments
Yamaha Guitar Synths
Yamaha Electric Home Organs
Yamaha Electric Portable Organs
Yamaha Brass
Yamaha Woodwind
Yamaha Sound Reinforcement
Yamaha NS10’s
Yamaha etc, etc.
That’s as much a history & profile in music as with bikes, quads, skis & generators.
Thanks for posting those great references!
Yamaha made the YM2612 synth chips that appeared in a few 8 bit and 16 bit systems during the 80s. For instance the Sega Megadrive.
I agree with you, it's a confusing video. Yamaha makes fantastic guitars, I'd buy a Revstar in a second if I could afford one
It is really confusing...thanks for the comment :)
Rhett is a bit of a shill, but a lot of people think he is great, meh. Yamaha make excellent investments and not only are they excellent they are affordable. The reality here is American exceptionalism putting down other companies outside of the US being capable of making an instrument as good if not better than any US made instrument.
His video annoyed me and I’m glad someone made a reaction video
thanks for taking the time to watch.
He is a shill. He gets everything for free. He piggybacked off of Rick Beato’s channel. He’s a mediocre guitarist at best and seems to think that he’s owed free expensive gear. Meanwhile, the rest of us pay for our gear. I think he grew up as an only child and is a spoiled brat. I think that people think he’s great and I just have never taken to him for some reason I don’t like him. He is meh.
Thanks, I learned a new word today "shill", a person who publicizes or praises something or someone for reasons of self-interest, personal profit.
he praises the guitar. Why are you annoyed? He is also right, it isn't as popular as it could be (should be?). Since it's release I personally haven't seen one single Revstar before my eyes on any stage, on any player or in any music store where I live.
My go to live guitar since 1989 has been my USA Fender Vintage '62 re-issue Fiesta Red Strat. Since receiving my Crisp Gold P90 Revstar RSP02T in November 2022 my poor Strat hasn't had a look in on stage. The Revstar fits me like a glove and is a joy to play. Sounds superb. A truly great guitar.
after playing it for the first time the other day, I've decided wholeheartedly that the very next guitar I'm buying is the yamaha revstar rss02t. amazing guitar.
Go for it. I’ve had mine for over a year now. Some of the frets needed polishing, but after a professional setup it has been an exceptional instrument. I live in the UK and the tuning stability through the seasons is God Tier good. Yes, it is a heavy guitar, but it is so comfortable to play seated or standing. The tonal palette suits my preferences too. A joy to own. You won’t regret it.
"Sweetwater mafia" is 100% correct.
👍
I just bought this guitar. The marketing was brilliant! European motorcycles - how cool is that!
I got the sunset. The sound is a 10 on a 10 scale. Has a very cool feel and shape! Look at the lines! I was salivatimg for this guitar after being exposed to the engineering and the way it was marketed . Rhett got this so wrong! This guitar is so right and the marketing set it apart! I’ve got 3 Yamaha guitars now.
That sunset looks really cool. What's your other Yamaha guitar?
Rhett appeals to a lot of kinda boring middle of the road 'C' student folks. He plays gigs with pop music bands and by his own admission he considers fusion to be cheesy.
There is nothing wrong with that. He probably doesn't listen to Mike Stern or Matteo Mancuso or Marcus Miller and there is nothing wrong with that.
Remember back in 1st grade? Out of 20 kids, 2 were smart. 2 or 3 we're dumb and the rest were mediocre. Rhett appeals to that largest group. He probably doesn't listen to Dean Brown, Stochelo Rosenberg or Kazumi Watanabe. And that is ok.
He is going to play with pop bands on a Gibson Les Paul that will most likely be a very normal finish. He is gonna wear boring shoes and probably not take many fashion risks. And again that is ok.
If a guy gets mad a folks for being kinda boring and mediocre, he is gonna be mad quite often.
JAPANESE motorcycles.
@rustyshackleford9557 The trouble is, Shull plays what Stern originally played decades ago without a sense of creative growth or evolution. Stern grew and evolved and is completely original. This has nothing to do with marketing. It has everything to do with maturing as an artist.
@@ub59I imagine Mike Stern probably sounded better at age 15 than Mr. Shull sounds today.
I do think that mature folks tend to not be so name brand fixated.
And I'd warn anyone that my best paying gigs were with some of the most immature and worst playing bands so beware of being mature, smart or creative. 🤔Popular, mediocre and a bit boring pays the rent👍
Well, bear this in mind. Schull-- like so many other RUclipsrs-- are constantly, sometimes desperately, in need of content. About anything. That’s what it is to be a RUclipsr. Content trumps everything. Thus, sometimes they just manufacture- or desperately reach- on a topic, just so they can get something, anything, out there for content, no matter how well thought out. Truth is, guitar RUclipsrs have hit the wall long ago on content-- there’s not much left to do, other than more gear reviews and more lessons. Which is precisely why Schull has gotten back into gear talk--it provides more free, easy content for him. But as long as they need content, they will put forth whatever they can-- even slapped together musings on Yamaha. Content-- good, bad or in between-- rules everything. It’s how RUclipsrs try and keep their name recognition relevant.
Rhett Schull is a professional musician, not a "guitar RUclipsr".
@@RobotShlomo He is indeed a lot of things. But one of those things is without doubt a RUclipsr based around the guitar.
I think you nailed it… they’ve run out of topics. I have a five string Yamaha bass, what a beautiful instrument!!
Such an innovative design. Ten degree headstock, straight string pull, truss rod easy access at heel, nicely shaped volute, multi laminated neck, alder body & maple cap. Under $1000, what a steal!
yeah, yamaha's price to value ratio is really good
still he makes valid point I think why it isn't more popular. What if Fender or Gibson had released the Revstar. No doubt it would've been a lot more popular!
Great video my friend, I have to wholeheartedly agree. Much love to Rhett and I have been a subscriber to his channels as well as countless other guitar content creators for years , but how much can you trust a man who doesn’t like tube screamers. 😂
Right on! I also watched that
I agree, I actually found Rhett’s video biased. Absolutely respect Japanese craftsmanship and Yamaha produces nothing less than great instruments.
Thanks!
He said it’s a great instrument. The problem is here in the US I wouldn’t even know where to go to play one before buying. They’re not in brick and mortar stores
This was his worst video. He did not even mention Matteo Mancuso, probably this best guitar player in the world right now and endorses the Revstar. Also calling jazz fusion corny, meaning he can't play it so it must be dumb. I know he likes Scofield so he just came off as a little ignorant in this video. I know he can do better.
Yeah, I was shocked when he said that "corny" part. I can't even think of an explanation as to why he said that. I looked up to him before as a musician who is very open to all music genre.
The jazz fusion comment doesn't make sense at all. Many of the players that we try to learn from and even emulate were students at Berklee, and jazz fusion was likely a big part of their journey. And don't even get me started on bass players, they're still emulating Jaco nearly 40 years after his death.
Great commentary! I too, was confused by Rhett's comments. On the one hand he was saying that the guitar sounded good and Yamaha make quality product, but I had no idea on what basis he was saying guitarists don't play Yamaha. I was tempted to buy one last year when all the reviews were on RUclips. I decided to hold off because I had bought too many in one year. This year, I see players doing great thing with the Revstar 2, and am planning to finally get one and possibly sell many of my other Les Paul and Tele style guitars. To me the Yamaha Revstar 2 is a modern guitar that can provide a wide range of tones for many guitar playing styles.
Thanks for the comment 😊
I think if Carlos Santana handed Rhett one of his Yamaha SBG2000s, he'd realize the error of his ways. But maybe not.
I have that very same Revstar in black. It’s the best guitar I’ve bought in many years! It’s fantastic!
I purchased the “Hot Merlot” Revstar rss02T from N Stuff Music. Such a great sounding and playing guitar. I had to adjust the pickup height and screws to get the sound I wanted. But that’s it.
thanks for sharing
Rhet is not wrong, he is saying that Yamaha is not as a prestigious name (in electric guitars) compared to Fender, Gibson, PRS, Epiphone, and Squire. New players, folks ignorant to electric guitars, and maybe westerners, will gravitate to more familiar brands when purchasing guitars than Yamaha, Kramer, or Ibanez, LTD, etc... especially if a person is thinking about resale value. Anyway, salamat pare, keep the videos coming!
Hmm good point po. Probably he's talking to westerners and not to the whole world? I might have assumed wrong because it's RUclips i,.e., global. Anyway, great insight sir. Salamat sa comment!
most americans talk to the whole world as if the whole world was america (USA). That is what they do.
Oh man. Take my sub hahah. Big RUclipsrs ...not all but the trio. Rick Beato family. Rhett and well, many others up there. They are Snobs and am I trending? Lmao
thanks for the sub 🙂
Yamaha makes great bass guitars. I had TRBX505, and I regret selling it. I would like to have it again and I would like a Revstar guitar, because I would like a sound that is more open than sound of Les Paul (I have a copy made by Vintage, AFD Slash model, nice guitar for heavy stuff) and has less low mids and responds nicely to low gain sounds, but does not have a quack like strat.
I have a epiphone hummingbird and a Yamaha 4335 and i always go for the 4335 because of how it feels and sounds, it can run circles around that epiphone all day long.
Easier to run around a guitar while holding a trumpet than the other way around.
I own 12 electric guitars. 3 are Yamaha guitars: Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS02T & Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS20. I got the new Yamaha PACS+12 Pacifica Standard Plus 3 weeks ago. My Yamaha guitars are awesome. I love them.
I wish Yamaha would reissue the SBG series. Those were badass guitars!!
Same here!
YOU NAILED IT!!!! I couldn’t agree with you more!
thanks!
Bert, thank very much for you review and critic, it hits all the points.
People will find themselves hard-pressed finding youtuber review or opinions that are not biased or aren’t targeted to certain demographics, specificality when we’re referring to paid or sponsored content. It is obvious that they are not serving the musicians, they are providing a service to their sponsors, reviews aren't completely transparent, we all know this is entertaining but total BS.
Rhett Shull's channel will sensor comments/critic or different perspectives that do not go in line with the advertising goals.
Please try, put your finger ion the spot, your comment will most likely get publish and or you’ll get blocked.
Example 1 - “Telecaster comparison video”
I shared my opinion on RS video that compared different Teles with prices ranging from $200 to $500. Discouraging people who are starting and serious about guitar playing into buying a new instrument. Specifically, if it retails around $200 to $500 range, any good decedent used Tele would be a wiser option, and I truly believe this defends junior’s player’s best interest.
The advice leans towards the $1,6k but the RUclipsr opted out for the $5k CS 52 Telecaster… what’s the message here?
All comments praise the author or how good the squire guitars are and preferable. As mentioned above, it precisely hits the market segment it needs to hit, this is a well-orchestrated marketing campaign.
Example 2 - “something like…why I hate the tube screamer pedal”
The video rants about TS sonic qualities when RS himself sets his foundation tone to sound like a TS, funny.
In the end view is presented with a TS clone manufactures by the author’s friend.
Well, you may guess my comments never went live.
I do not want to sound disrespectful, but I would expect more transparency from a well-educated and talented player as Rhett Shull is.
Thank you again for your effort and have a nice day!!
Best
edited to say, and yes, I had a Yamaha guitar and some point.
1
thanks for the comment. I did check the videos you mentioned and you've got a point there.
Your point about yamaha being able to make a quality motorcycle and harley davidsons only capable of putting the logos on everything is perfect,
Thanks 😊
I think you are overreacting (or possibly overthinking) this. Yamaha is good, great even. But they are like a no name brand. They haven't reached the status in the guitar industry like the really big names. So, in essence Rhett makes his points and thoughts, he has the right to have them, and he is right. The Revstar could (and should?) be bigger and more popular but isn't. At least not where I live. Since it's release I haven't seen ONE single Revstar in front of my eyes.
You're right, and I respect his opinion and would like to exercise mine as well. Maybe the reason it that fewer guitar stores carry Yamaha guitar unlike Fender or Gibson especially in the States (as most mentions in the comments).
Do you go into stores that are a legit Yamaha dealer? (Entry level Pacificas and acoustics don’t count, everyone carries those). If not, how else would see one in front of your eyes?
I’ve seen multiple Revstars in every single guitar store I’ve been to that lists themselves as a Yamaha dealer.
I like Rhett's post but I agree with you, I also found this video of his very confusing, and Yamaha makes great musical instruments.
thanks
Spot on! I may be wrong - time will tell - but I believe the Revstar will become legend and an iconic guitar and the fact the Schull has not grasped that it has a sound and identity of its own has just convinced me to buy one. Smoke that Schull. Nice outro by the way. Class.
You won’t regret getting one! Cheers!
Really, he is a fan of the guitar, that is the point of the video.
It's also funny Rhett didn't mention Matteo Mancuso plays Revstars, when Mancuso is already considered one of the best guitarist alive at 26 years of age...
Yeah, Matteo is an exceptional player.
Great commentary. The Yamaha Revstar in the hands of one of the world's greatest guitarists, Matteo Mancuso, is the best marketing one can ever ask for. His background is classical, jazz and fusion. Mike Stern has played jazz-rock on a custom Pacifica 'Telecaster' for years and blows the stuffing out of puffed up middling players like Shull. Chris Buck isn't in that echelon or genre, but he is very honest and almost too kind in his response to Shull, and has his own energy and unique sound. John Nathan Cordy, a relatively unknown RUclipsr from the UK who is also one of the best players on the internet (gear reviews mainly, but each YT video starts with his very, very tasty original compositions; his Helix -- another fantastic piece of Yamaha gear -- presets are great) put his Revstar Standard with P90s (just like Shull's seldom played Standard, different colour) up against his early 2000's Gibson Les Paul and found them virtually equal in sound with the Restar having a slight edge in playbility. The Revstar Standard has genuine science behind it, yet is 1/4 the price of a Les Paul. Yamaha has never had equivalent management and quality control issues as Gibson. Gibsons are like Land Rovers, too expensive (an ego vehicle that weighs too much and catches fire too easily) with most of the value in the name only. I also have a top of the line made-in USA Strat Pro that I rarely play mainly due to its tuning instability...I always reach for the Revstar. Now I'm thinking of selling the Strat and my mid-range Ibanez semi-hollow '335' and ordering a Yamaha SA 2200, which has had great reviews all round.
I like the Land Rover and Gibson comparison 🙂 . I would also love to have those Yamaha SA, they look cool as well.
"Yamahamaness" 😂. But in all, I haven't seen a cooler looking guitar from any other major manufacturer in the last 6yrs
🙂
Rhett can have his opinions, I have no problem with that. This video is awesome because it calls out how many weird statements and internal contradictions he makes just in what he says. There’s quite a bit of nonsensical statements and fluff in what he says, in between pretty poorly expressed opinions. I actually like Rhett’s channel, this one just seemed inauthentic and sort of click-baity, going for views or to stir the pot.
the confidence in their voice oh man ! like even guthrie govan is humble
Oh, you noticed that too...😀
I came across a black thin hollow body acoustic electric Yamaha guitar (Aex 500 Thinline) that plays, looks, and sounds great.
Héhééé. Very fun and documented 😁 Yamaha instruments are so cool and classy !! (Quite popular in France.)
He kinda have his head up his ### and embarrassed himself with the image he thinks people might have about Yam', but at least, he also agrees it is amazing and innovative 😊
Cheeers !
Thanks for the information. How”s the pricing of Yamaha guitars in France?
@@bertsguitarchannel Well, Europe and north America prices are quite the same (can't compare with Asia or rest of the world, I'm too lazy on currency conversions )😃
The "red merlot" from your video is 799€.
Voilà !
I thought exactly the same thing when I watched the video. I live in the UK and the Revstar is popular here, guitar players never have a bad word to say about the Revstar over here. Rhett is speaking nonsense.
Thanks for the comment! I'll be in Manchester tomorrow, I hope I can find a guitar shop there. Can you recommend one? Thanks!
@@bertsguitarchannel I don't really know Manchester I'm afraid. I'm London based. Let me know what you find!
Bert! Youre a funny dude! I had no idea, I love it! I have owned a RevStar for 3 years and it's amazing.
Hey, thanks! Glad you liked it ☺️
Well said,,, g'day from Australia 🤟
Thanks for watching 👍
He’s trying to say they aren’t cool.
Here's the thing; You walk into a Guitar Center or a Sam Ash, you don't see a whole lot of Yamaha guitars other than acoustics. The nature of the music retail business might be working against Yamaha in this case, where stores will have to order a certain number of Gibson and Fender models, and they are unable to dedicate a lot of floor space to Yamaha. A local Guitar Center had one Revstar in it's inventory, and it took them months to get that in. Same with Sam Ash, and that was an Element in yellow.
So its a distribution plays a big role that also affects why it's not in the hands of more guitar players....thanks for the info
Well, I didn't need to see a Revstar on a rack to decide to order one. At over $2K Canadian, one presumes one will practice due diligence and conduct some research first. After seeing lots of independent reviews I ordered one, knowing that if it failed the first play test, the vendor would just hang it up on the rack with a price tag and return my deposit. It was a magnificent instrument right out of the box.
Totally agree, he says it’s a great guitar but doesn’t play it because it’s a Yamaha. I love my Yamaha acoustic and I will be buying a Revstar in the near future
thanks!
I've owned a Yamaha Revstar RSS02T (my first Yamaha guitar ever) for a year. It's a great guitar. Now, I've owned a Yamaha Revstar RSS02T (my first ever Yamaha guitar) for a year now, and I must say it's a fantastic instrument. However, I'm now considering selling my Gibson Les Paul Traditional 2010, which I've owned for 13 years, and using the money to purchase another Yamaha Revstar RSS20 or RSP20. I don't play on Gibson anymore. I highly recommend Revstar guitar to everyone.
I totally agree with you, it is pure guitar racism, I have own different asian made guitars and I have very little or nothing to complain. I also own few American guitars and to be honest it seems to me that they like guitars that fit into their American history and legacy which it's something I respect but I don't believe that American guitars are better than the rest of guitars in the world.
The Revstar is a badass guitar. It is cool, well built, and sounds amazing. Im not a fan of merlot wine or the color, but im also not a fan of the boiled piss color that Gibson and Fender both spray everywhere on everything and I still own a Fender-i just bought a blue one instead (blue for superior tone, and smell). The reason Revstar does not have a hero guitar status is because the guitar has only been around since 2015, btw. I cant be certain if Rhett Schull is being satirical and really loves the guitar or if he should have taken a mental health day and just laid off the internet that day, but i am at least somewhat pleased that he didnt embarass us with some good old fashioned North American racism. At least theres that, right?
Haha. But great point on the Revstar is still a young guitar. Considering also its a new brand with a new design. Thanks!
How dare you, I just ordered a custom shop Les Paul in the Boiled Piss color scheme 🤣
i would get a yamaha if i didn’t have a guitar i love right now
Oh I see...what's your guitar now?
Hey Bert. Enjoy your videos. Have you got a Revstar or tried one? I have 3 myself.
Thanks for watching. Yes I have one. I played it at the last part of the video. If you have time, please feel free to check it out here: ruclips.net/video/NmPefl4kZ74/видео.html
@@bertsguitarchannelhaven’t got that far in the video yet!
I have the exactly the same model! And of the 3 Revstars I have (2 of gen 2 standard models) the one you (and I) have is still the best. The p90s with the Dry switch is fantastic. The focus switch on the gen 2 when matched with p90s is not so much a success.
Wow, 3 Revstars for you? Only means Yamaha did a great job at marketing.😀 I was wondering if the weight on the new gen is significantly lighter that 1st gen?
@@bertsguitarchannel yes. Significantly lighter. My gen 1 like yours I imagine is pretty heavy. The gen 2 Revstars really are excellent, but in a different way from the first gen.
kind of a coincidence but just a few days ago i went to my local guitar store to specifically try a Yamaha (i didn't know it was called a revstar at the time). I tried the RSS20 and actually really liked a lot of things about it. but yea it was some marketing video i watched early that got me curious about it. so yea, although i didn't buy it on the spot, i still played it for like 20minutes; the marketing worked i guess you could say.
it does work, thanks for sharing
Actually I like the color name and the color, maybe because I like merlot wine and its color. I want to get a guitar with p90s some day and the Revstar in this particular color is in my shortlist. However I also think that the marketing is not good for the Yamaha guitars here, but for a totally different reason - it's imposible to find it in music stores show rooms here in the Netherlands. And it's not just the Revstar, any Yamaha electric guitars. I can order it online, but I can't compare it to the other brands in a music store. I have bought a 150-200 euro Harley Bentons online without trying them first, but when a guitar costs 4-5 times more than that I definetely need to play it before making a decision.
Fair enough. It's really better to play it before buying. Thanks for the info.
Sorry, mate, but you’re just nitpicking and trying to get his attention to start a thing. Rhett is a very honest person and is never afraid of saying what he thinks. If you wanna make your channel grow work on your content instead of doing this. Best.
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I am working my content but I do follow some of Rhett's traits as you've mentioned: "Rhett is a very honest person and is never afraid of saying what he thinks"
I as a Yamaha guitar player, I have seen a lot of professional guitar players who talk about the highs and lows of every guitar they touch, and they are mostly right at the details of the review. I think he is not that far from the truth when he said Yamaha Electric guitars are great, but the marketing is poor. That sounds like someone who love to see his favorite out there but can't see. I feel you should make your own review to rectify or fix the problem, because you are all saying the same thing here. You like it, he likes it, just that he doesn't like the fact that it has not been always seen in the hands of all professional players, even him, and he is right. You are all right and wrong at the same time, because you can never be all right especially in an undocumented speech. I like how you corrected him, But reaction.... err mm... NO!
I guess that's the beauty of this platform. That we can be right and wrong at the same time. I'm coming up with a review for the Revstar as well. Thanks for the comment. Appreciate it. 🙂
I usually don't like or trust "reaction" videos, because of the bit of hate mostly all of them have, and the fact that they usually get visits because of being based on actually famous or emergent channels. I still see valid points here though, but some other, such as 'racism' have as little base as you criticize. Sadly, your video turns out to be very much like that of Rhett's. And I am not the biggest Rhett's fans, and I'm not even subscribed to his channel.
love that pasilyo riff
salamat sir 🙂
That is why I unsubscribed from Rhett long time ago, he became a puppet...I stopped watching "big youtubers" gear reviews as they are not objective. "Video is sponsored but all thoughts and opinions are mine" LOL..."but if i say something bad about the product, they stop sending stuff...but Gibson is the best anyway"
😀👍
Hot merlot is my favourite Revstar color, I don’t care about the name of a color as long as the color apeals to me...
I much rather find "tobacco burst" a worse color name in a society that is putting smoking aside.
Damn Bro , so Happy to find this as Deep Down That rhett rev star video was still annoying My sub conciois … bravo bravo 🎉🎉🎉 i have 3 Revstar s in My collection 2015 and the 2022 versions and love them !! Rhett was just talking talk talk and saying nothing real or important !!
thanks for watching and taking the time to listen to my opinion. 🙂
I totally agree with your video and it sure looks like Rhett has an aversion to the Yamaha-ness of Yamaha guitars. Obviously there not for cool kids like Rhett who have plenty of poorly made USA guitars to choose from :) I maybe being a guitar-racist as there are some US made guitars that are damn good too!
I own 3 Yamaha guitars two of which are Revstars and the 3 others US brands. Not all made in the US however as 2 are manufactured in Indonesia and only 1being a US made Strat.
I have a $3500 Suhr, $2500 Schecter USA PT custom, and several others! My $800 Revstar standard with stainless steel frets is my go to guitar and my only guitar that hasn't been plekd. This guy is clueless of how long the waiting list was to get the Revstar. Hey but this is a guy that did a video about getting his les paul custom plekd although is was factory plekd.
Wow that says a lot for the Revstar! And I have to go check that "Les Paul plecking video". 😀
@@bertsguitarchannel yeah the neck had a little twist. lol. I bought my Revstar from Micarelli Music in PA. They talked me out of a plek saying they has an in house luthier with like 35 years under his belt and he checks out every guitar they sell and if that guitar has fret sprout or just one ghigh fret i would have to choose a different color because they would that guitar back to Yamaha. At the time they just sent 4 Fender strats back that were inthe $2000 price range. They also do a free setup to YOUR SPECS. Mine arrived at one mm across the 12th fret with the relief taken out of the neck. It was pretty much straight. Just like i asked. I wont buy a guitar unless it comes from there now. Same deal when i bought a bass to record with. My Schecter USA PT custom is there now. It's been refretted with ss fretsand they are cutting me an arm rest in it. Its the brown one on sweetwaters sight with a racing stripe. "white"
stripe" with binding. THATS HOW MUCH I TRUST THIS LUTHIER. Just be honest. My Suhr plays awesome and was built using a plek, but the SS block on the Gotoh 510 bridge sound bad to me. The revstar sounds way better to my ears but the compound radius onthe Suhr is really comfortable. So the Revstar looses there. But its a wide neck and can handle the low action and the only mod Ive done is Graph Tech ratio locking tuners. The carbon fiber rods in the neck work and the guitar stays in tune as well as my Suhr. For the record, Ive never been to Micarelli Musicin person. Ive only spoke to these guys over the phone.
Oww and love That .. giutaracist … Im loving the Yamahaness of My Revstar s All 3 and ya My 79 acoustic That Everyone Loves
Yes, Hot Merlot is weird... well Gibsons "St. Louis Sauce" or "Iguana Burst" want a word.
Yea so manys way to name a color!
Rhett's a bit of a poser so he's going to worry about things like street cred when playing a Yamaha. My favorite is his video on how the TS9 is dog shit. That's when I couldn't take it anymore and stopped watching. Most of his thoughts are like a stereo typical dumb blonde on too many wine coolers and it doesn't matter how many people set him straight in the comments, he isn't offering any corrections or admitting fault. He'll just double down the next time. And who can blame him with soulless corps like Sweetwater backing up the money truck for him
I have had three Yamaha guitars (2 low/medium cost, 1 higher cost). All three had major issues. I want to like them, but I'm not buying another.
hi, what ware the problems with your Revstars?
I think Rhett's main point was players' perception of Yamaha which, while it has its followers, myself included, has never quite gotten the mainstream market appeal of your Fenders and Gibsons. While it thoroughly deserves it, I've never heard someone say "you're not a real musician unless you play a Yamaha". It's likely different in the Philippines, but here in the States we're very dogmatic about that sort of thing, likely due to our own inherent guitaracism. I've never had my hands on a Revstar personally but if and when I can justify that kind of expenditure it's definitely on the short list. Especially now I've seen one with a Bigsby!
Maybe there are few store there in the States that carry Yamaha electric guitar (as most mentioned in the comments). And yes, the one with the Bigsby is quite cool 🙂
@@bertsguitarchannel Oh, there absolutely are (and more than a few), but many Americans like their "name brand appeal". Why drive a Hyundai when you can drive a Chevy, that sort of thing.
I saw Rhett's video, I bought a Standard sunburst with Humbuckers because of his review. I really love this guitar. It's better than I expected. You can smoothly bend the strings on those stainless frets. The humbuckers with distortion are amazing, and you pull up that tone knob and boom. I recommend this guitar.
Glad to know he helped. thanks!
The Yamaha mike stern guitar is amazing.
looks nice too
Its funny too because RS's video is a commercial for the guitar. He is very aware of guitar marketing because thats how he makes his money. He is very disingenuous.
Yeah could be just a marketing ploy too 😀
As Bert shows us it's more about the player than the RevStar.............But I do have a RevStar Standard and love it, I would put it in the class of the best and trust the Japanese engineers that keep great quality control even in their out of country build plants. I would love to own the Pro model if I ever get great I will buy to my ability, the Standard is %100 better than me so I am happy.
I would also love to upgrade to the standard version 2.
I couldn't even finish watching that video😄
😊
sweet dude, buddy thinks hes way cool...
I think so too 😊
Yamaha is a great guitar. Who cares that they make motorcycles?
Well spoken Bert. You cannot really listen to all that BS that comes from guitarsnobs. I own 3 guitars and 1 synthesizer from Yamaha so i am well aware of the craftmanship behind every item, that's good enough for me. Thank you for the clear and inspiring wiew. I will really get a revstar when it turns up on the used market after a couple of years. The pension doesn't allow me to buy a new one just right now, but eventually then.
Thanks for the comment! It would be worth the wait to get the Revstar! What model do you plan to get?
@@bertsguitarchannel The black one with the Bigsby Tremolo that You played on of course, that's definately The One i think. 😁👍🧡🧡
@@robertnilsson8213 that would be great! 😊
These guitars are constantly sold out at Sweetwater and, as mentioned here, they are being positively reviewed all over the internet. Rhett's whole premise is flawed.
The way Yamaha chooses colors, names, etc… affect the way it is received/perceived in market
yeah, that's the 50/50 odds of branding at success
@@bertsguitarchannelI can’t speak for outside of the US but I’ve literally never seen a Yamaha electric in a music store. I see acoustics all the time and they make one of the best acoustics for the money in the world
I don't subscribe to Rhett Shull. On purpose. Best Regards and Best Wishes!
thanks for watching!
To be fair by his own admission he barely made it out of high school. His videography is top notch, some of his music intros are great but coherent thought and speech craft aren’t his strong suits.
Reasons I don't follow Rhett.
LOVE my Revstar RSS02T and is now my #1 non-vibrato system guitar 😎👍👍
👍
Rhett praises the Revstar. Isn't that a reason to follow him?
Great video!
Thanks for the visit
I think that the reason that Yamaha is not higher up, is for they make so many diferent products and the american people think that like as if Wallmart sold you a guitar. its a shame, I really like yamaha sg and revstar and guitarrists like Masayoshi takanaka
ah, it seems that they are perceived as generic? Or too common?
@@bertsguitarchannel Maybe. People like "romanticize" brands like D'Angelico with the "old NY empire state building" more than quality. I think when a ultra famous guy like john mayer or something like that start to use Yamaha the brand will be a trend
I want a skervern 😅 they look pretty.
their paint finish are cool
Rhett has jumped the shark!
could be... but he just got that big sponsor...Sweetwater 😁
Merlot isn't supposed to be served hot. It should be served slightly cooler than room temperature. Hot Merlot IS a horrible color name. While I hate Shull's typical clickbait titles, he was right about that. It would be like using Stale Bread, Hot Garbage, or Flat Soda for color names.
When you started moaning about racism, you lost any right to complain about clickbait. That was incredibly bad faith on your part. Nothing he said was even remotely related to race. You also kept conflating his comments about the brand with his comments about the Revstar.
Shull might be mistaken about Yamaha's popularity, but I suspect that he is correct, at least regionally. While I have an extremely positive attitude towards both Yamahas, (music and motors,) their music division has, (at least in my region,) kind of a utilitarian, school-instrument reputation. I've been aware of their "uncool" rep since the 90s. It wouldn't stop me from owning one, but I've known load of guitarists who wouldn't consider one.
Point taken. Thanks.
Thank you
You're welcome
I like you playing! Yamaha is may first guitar,its be cool guitar!
Thanks a lot!
Selling guitars is a strange thing because very, very few people who buy guitars can actually play them.
If folks rode bicycles like most play guitar they would fall off the bike in the bike store parking lot and injure or kill themselves.
But guitars are pretty safe 🤔
So it boils down to something similar to selling a space shuttle that guys buy and dabble with, dream, and talk about a whole lot. But never actually fly it.
Medical equipment manufacturers make products that will go to a trained professional. This is simply not the case with guitars. Guys who couldn't strum "Happy Birthday" even if you tell 'em it is a I, V, I, IV progression buy 1000$ guitars.
It is a bit like selling Stevie Wonder a nice telescope that he just hangs on the wall and talks about.
Therefore ' looks' and ' hype' drive the market far more than performance. And Yamaha in the past had a real problem with 'looks'. They made some ugly guitars with very ugly headstocks.
And they didn't give a ton of guitars away to rock stars so those rock stars would endorse their product. They mistakenly built great guitars like the SGB and it's thinline 335ish brother. Both were fantastic but Yamaha didn't wine and dine folks up in a nice hospitality suite at NAMM shows. They didn't have any 'Dean Girls'. They didn't have a 'Gibson Bus'. And when 95%of your market can't play but instead just dreams, buys stuff and watches videos that just doesn't earn you much of the market share.
Thanks for sharing, good point here: "Medical equipment manufacturers make products that will go to a trained professional. This is simply not the case with guitars"
@@bertsguitarchannel Sure thang! Bert, I love Yamaha and their crew. I had the pleasure to meet Carl Tosten years ago at the Yamaha booth at Dallas Vintage Guitars Show. He is such a great player and so kind and knowledgeable. Yamaha is almost too classy for their own good. Carl is a perfect example of that. I believe endorsers like Matteo and Mike Stern intimidate the average guitar buyer. And naming a guitar color ' Merlot' is another example. It just doesn't appeal to the 90 IQ guitar buyer. Sadly mediocrity rules. Excellence and popularity are not the same.
I like how the most popular guitar reviewers on RUclips are the least insightful. All lighting, framing, and cinematography, but no actual content.
Yeah, and it's hard to create content the same level as them in terms of visuals. 🙂
@@bertsguitarchannel Yeah, because you have to already have capital invested in production. There's nothing really meritorious about it--some people just have better resources to pour into looking slick and professional. It suxxxx
honestly i just don't like his face
☺️
He's not wrong that very few people play Yamaha electric guitars. Their acoustic guitars are fairly popular, but as a musician who gigged and toured extensively in the 90s and early 00's, I've never known ANYONE who plays a Yamaha electric guitar. I've never known anyone who even mentioned a Yamaha electric guitar as something that interested them. Definitely seems like a marketing problem.
Your playing, and the Revstar's voice at the end of this video, are both beautiful by the way.
I think it's just a lack of marketing, instead of his assessment that it looks like a guitar that plays "Jazz fusion" or some shit.
Like, even assuming everyone's who's mentioned Yamaha electric guitars are paid shills, I've seen it come up like 3 times maybe.
It seems like they did a very basic job marketing it, and just hoped for the best.
Thanks for the positive note on my playing 🙂. May I ask where did you toured? So we can have a context of Yamaha's marketing in that era. Thanks so much.
I'm getting a feeling that in the past, Yamaha may have lacked marketing and it is just now that they're ramping it up. But that just a feeling, need data for that ☺️
@@bertsguitarchannel Mostly in the southeast and midwest US. But I've done the entire US, Canada and most of western Europe at one point or another. I was based out of New Orleans.
Thanks for the information. Perhaps this could be a geographic thing. I was wondering if the landscape change after 20 years since your touring days? I mean in terms of Yamaha's brand awareness? Apologies if I'm asking too much.
Obviously he hasn't played Yamaha acoustic guitars.
Yeah, really good acoustics
Oh yes I'm with you.
The moment a self declared xpert is crapping with 😂tiktok😂, his-her credentials are flushed.... 🚽.
Greetz from 🇳🇱
🤣 thanks for watching!
Hey if Elton john uses there pianos there guitars have got to be good.
I just looked it up. Thanks for the info. 😊
Nice Pasilyo outro
salamat ☺️
Ditto.
thanks
What famous guitar slinger plays a Yamaha full time ???
American Gibson and Fender have ruled the scene for years and years they are superior guitars ………
What does Jimmy Page play ???
What did Jimi Hendrix play ???
What does Keith Richards play ?
You got a point too. Maybe Rhett refers to “guitar players” as the famous ones only? And at this day and age?
Mike Stern,
Matteo Mancuso
PRS has made massive inroads into the market with just a small handful of famous "guitar gods" using their brand.
Popular rarely equates to excellent. Keith Richards is popular....Mike Stern is excellent. Matteo Mancuso is excellent.
Part of being popular is being liked by the average 'C' student, 100 IQ type because they make up the largest segment of the population.
In 1939 Adolph Hitler was popular. Time magazine voted him man of the year in their magazine. I repeat: popular does not equate to excellent.
When I was a kid ' Pet Rocks' were popular, so we're the Monkees. Neither were excellent.
Rhett likely knows the things he gets wrong and purposely does it to create more engagement in the comments. Its an insidious thing youtubers do, when you start noticing you can't really stop. Little mistakes here and there or inflammatory titles that you just know will get people to argue
I'll try not be like that in the future....🙂
Rhett is stoned...........
🤣
Bert, check out John Corey’s video he kindve went after Rhett too. Personally, I can’t stand Rhett. Yes a pretentious spoiled brat. Free gear Rhett shill. Yamaha’s great. They’ll be great long after Rhett is long gone. Gee I don’t know how they made it this long without his stupid unsolicited advice.
Yeah I saw it too. Even Chris Buck has a video as well.
Rhett's videos are boring.
Perhaps Yamaha fails to realize just how ignorant the guitar buying public can be. They might also fail to realize just how badly the American guitar buying public plays.
In Japan, kids join "Guitar Clubs". I kid you not, they all sound like Clapton by the time they are teens.
Hey Yamaha, ya gotta give yer guitars away to some whiskey soaked American rock stars who look like they need a bath and a 90 day rehab program if you wanna compete with Gibson. It is mostly about 'hype' . And serve more booze up in your hospitality suites at future NAMM shows and keep some semi-trashy semi clothed women up there too. It worked for Mr. Zelinsky. He made great guitars but they were never that popular until he hired those ' Dean Girls'.
Hmm. Use the rockstar lifestyle, 😎🎸
@@bertsguitarchannel yep, because Yamaha has folks like Matteo Macuso and Mike Stern endorsing their guitars but the mediocre minded guitar buying public doesn't even know who those guys are. But they do know who Slash is. And sure Slash's Les Paul isn't really a Gibson Les Paul ( it was built by Kris Derrig) but most folks don't know that. And so these folks want something like Slash plays to help them dream for a while and escape their diaper changing, 2.3 children , 9-5 reality.
Yamaha is trying to sell their guitars in the same manner that they sell their motorcycles.
But most folks who buy a motorcycle can actually ride that motorcycle. They don't just park it in their man cave and talk about it.
But most guitar buyers CAN NOT play. Nope they just buy guitars and hang em up in their man cave. So marketing a guitar based on performance just doesn't work. Yamaha has to sell a 'dream', an escape from reality, an escape from those 2.3 children😉.
yeah, its suppose to be "aspirational"
Overreaching on the guitar racist part. Aside from acoustics Yamaha has 0 presence in stores here in the US
I'll take note of that guitaracist part. So only a few stores carry Yamaha Electric guitars like Sweetwater? Thanks for the feedback.
I'm in the US and l have seen Yamaha elctrics before. 😊