Yamaha RS20MM: Matteo Mancuso Signature Revstar Guitar

Italian fingerstyle phenom Matteo Mancuso has officially teamed up with Yamaha to release a stage-ready production model of his custom axe: the Yamaha RS20MM Revstar. Priced at $1,599.99/£1,299.00, this signature electric guitar brings the virtuoso’s meticulous blend of jazz, fusion, and rock capabilities to a wider audience.

For guitarists looking to capture the magic of Mancuso’s pick-free technique—or simply seeking an incredibly versatile, gig-ready instrument—the RS20MM delivers premium features, sophisticated switching, and striking vintage aesthetics.

The Rise of a Pick-Free Phenom

Matteo Mancuso has been making serious waves in the modern guitar world. Utilizing an idiosyncratic fingerstyle right-hand technique, the Italian guitarist has bypassed the traditional plectrum to achieve a mesmerizing, highly articulate sound.

His rapid global rise has inspired a new generation of players to explore pick-free electric guitar, and the RS20MM is explicitly designed to translate every nuance of that dynamic playing style.

Crafted for Comfort and Resonance

Faithfully recreating the feel of Mancuso's personal custom Revstar, the RS20MM features a compact body and a comfortable 24.75" scale length.

Yamaha used its exclusive Acoustic Design process to carve a chambered Mahogany body topped with flamed maple. This pairing not only significantly reduces the guitar's weight for marathon gigs but also boosts acoustic resonance, resulting in a lively, balanced character before you even plug it in.

Carbon-reinforced

The neck is built for speed and stability. A carbon-reinforced 3-piece Mahogany construction ensures the guitar remains consistent through climate changes, while the satin polyurethane finish and 12-inch radius Rosewood fingerboard—fitted with 22 jumbo stainless steel frets—provide a frictionless surface for complex chords and wide bends.

Expressive Tone: DiMarzio Pickups and the Focus Switch

At the heart of the RS20MM's tonal engine sits a pair of DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniversary humbuckers. Chosen for their softer magnetic pull, these vintage-inspired pickups allow the strings to vibrate more freely, yielding singing sustain and a highly reactive pick (or finger) response.

Where the RS20MM truly pulls ahead of a standard twin-humbucker setup is in its electronics:

• 5-Way Switching: Positions 2 and 4 introduce a subtle phase shift, slightly delaying the opposite pickup for fresh, articulate in-between sounds.
• Passive Focus Switch: Activated via a push/pull tone pot, this passive boost emulates the sound of overwound pickups. It darkens the highs and pushes the mids and lows forward, instantly transforming a polite rhythm tone into an aggressive, vocal lead sound without needing to touch an overdrive pedal.

Premium Vintage Aesthetics

Visually, the RS20MM is a refined modern classic. Finished in a gorgeous Vintage Sunburst with a 3-ply cream pickguard and all-gold hardware, the guitar perfectly echoes Mancuso’s sophisticated stage presence.

Gold locking tuners, a dependable Tune-O-Matic bridge, and a stopbar tailpiece ensure stability night after night. To authenticate the release, the guitar features Mancuso’s signature on the truss rod cover and a custom logo inlay at the 12th fret.

Key Specifications

• Price: £1,299.00 (Includes padded Yamaha gig bag with front pocket)
• Body: Chambered Mahogany with Flamed Maple Top (Gloss Polyurethane Finish)
• Neck: 3-Piece Mahogany with Carbon Reinforcement (Satin Finish)
• Scale Length: 24.75" (628.6 mm)
• Fingerboard: Rosewood, 12" Radius, 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel Frets
• Pickups: DiMarzio PAF 36th Anniversary Humbuckers (Neck & Bridge)
• Switching: 5-Position Lever Switch with Push/Pull Passive Focus Switch
• Hardware: Gold Locking Tuners, Tune-O-Matic Bridge, Stopbar Tailpiece
• Strings: Elixir Nanoweb Light (10-46)

Our Thoughts

Whether you're looking to master Matteo Mancuso's unparalleled fingerstyle technique or simply seeking an exquisitely crafted instrument with versatile, dynamic tones, the RS20MM stands as a triumphant addition to Yamaha's esteemed Revstar lineup. It captures the refined, bespoke magic of Mancuso's personal custom shop guitar in an accessible, stage-ready production model.

This release also arrives during a truly exciting era for Yamaha's artist collaborations. It follows hot on the heels of the recently launched Chris Buck Signature Revstar (RS02CB). While Mancuso's model relies on PAF-style humbuckers and a sleek Tune-O-Matic setup, Buck's recent signature model utilizes the same brilliantly chambered acoustic design but swaps in specially voiced custom P90S, a TonePros wraparound bridge, and a striking Honey Gold finish.

Together, these signature models prove that Yamaha is listening closely to today's most innovative and expressive players. With the RS20MM, you aren't just getting an artist's name on a headstock—you are getting a world-class conduit for your own musical voice.

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