Yamaha Guitars 60th Anniversary
Where Science Meets Soul. Celebrating 60 Years of Innovation.
For 60 years, Yamaha Guitars has continued to innovate through the fusion of technology and craftsmanship.
This journey has been supported by music lovers around the world. Together, we will keep creating sound that moves the soul.
KEY INNOVATIONS
Revolutionize how you play.
Enhance the way you hear, play, and create music.
TransAcoustic
TransAcoustic
Inspiration Meets Innovation
You can enjoy reverb, chorus, and other effects directly from the guitar itself, without the need for an amp or external effects pedals. The secret behind this new playing experience lies in the actuator embedded inside the guitar. This innovative technology converts effect signals into vibrations, causing the guitar body to resonate like a speaker.
In the second generation, the system has evolved to support external audio playback and multi-layered looping, transforming the guitar into an instrument that supports the entire process of listening, playing, and creating.
SILENT
SILENT
Whenever, Wherever.
With its distinctive frame-only design, this guitar eliminates the traditional resonant body—an iconic symbol of acoustic guitars—achieving both high quietness and lightweight portability. This allows players to enjoy performing anytime, anywhere, without being limited by time or location.
The second-generation model utilizes SRT Powered, a technology that enhances the piezo pickup signal by blending in the rich resonance of professionally recorded and processed studio sounds. This creates a natural acoustic tone that feels authentic and expressive. By incorporating feedback from various musicians and engineers, we have meticulously refined its design, playability, and sound quality—perfectly capturing the essence of what makes a SILENT Guitar™ unique.
"VCM" Virtual Circuitry Modeling
"VCM" Virtual Circuitry Modeling
Tiny Amp, Mighty Sound
By capturing even the most intricate characteristics of analog circuits—elements that traditional digital simulations cannot accurately replicate—our technology precisely simulates each circuit down to the component level. This not only reproduces the warmth and tonal richness unique to analog equipment but also faithfully recreates the response and feel of knob adjustments, ensuring an authentic user experience.
As a result, professional-level sound quality—once only achievable with large analog amps—can now be experienced in a compact, desktop-sized amplifier. The Yamaha audio division has applied the same cutting-edge technology used in professional-grade sound equipment to guitar amplifiers.
Extended Stereo
Extended Stereo
Beyond Compact, a World of Expanding Stereo
Despite its compact body size, this amplifier delivers an impressively wide stereo sound that exceeds expectations.
Leveraging advanced technology from the Yamaha audio division, we have integrated the same highly acclaimed sound processing used in our desktop audio equipment into this guitar amplifier.
Precision design for the ideal tone.
An ideal sound is achieved by carefully considering materials, vibration, design, and structure.
"A.R.E." Acoustic Resonance Enhancement
"A.R.E." Acoustic Resonance Enhancement
Timeless Tone, Perfected by Technology
Acoustic Resonance Enhancement (A.R.E.) is an advanced wood modification technology designed to accelerate the natural aging process of tonewood. By using A.R.E.-treated wood in guitars, players can experience the rich, resonant sound that traditionally takes years of playing to develop—right from the day they purchase the guitar.
This technology precisely controls factors such as temperature and humidity to alter the wood’s properties, enhancing both sound transmission and vibration efficiency. However, improper treatment can result in a loss of tonal core, meaning that extensive research and prototyping are essential to determine the optimal conditions for each type of wood.
"I.R.A." Initial Response Acceleration
"I.R.A." Initial Response Acceleration
A New Guitar with "Played-in" Sound and Feel
Initial Response Acceleration (I.R.A), a technology originally developed for wind instruments, has been adapted for guitars to create the rich, resonant tone of a well-played instrument—even in a brand-new guitar.
By applying controlled vibrations at each guitar’s unique resonant frequencies for a set period, this process helps relieve internal stress within the wood, finish, and components. As a result, the entire guitar vibrates more freely, enhancing its resonance and overall tonal richness.
Acoustic Design
Acoustic Design
Where Technology Shapes the Ideal Guitar
Using advanced acoustic analysis and 3D modeling technology, Yamaha has developed a unique process for designing guitars.
To achieve the desired sound, the vibrations of the body and neck are scientifically analyzed to determine their optimal behavior. The necessary structural modifications are then identified, and through iterative prototyping and evaluation, the ideal instrument design is efficiently refined. This process is particularly useful in determining the structure and placement of bracing in acoustic guitars, as well as the chambering design in electric guitars.
Miter Bolting
Miter Bolting
Durability and Resonance Pursued to Perfection
"Miter Bolting" technology was developed during the design process of the Billy Sheehan Signature Attitude Bass. The goal was to create a neck attachment method that could withstand intense neck bending. Through this research, Yamaha reconsidered the traditional bolt-on construction and introduced an innovative solution: in addition to the standard bolt-on method, an extra bolt is installed at a 45-degree angle from the back of the body, securing the neck end more firmly.
This groundbreaking fastening technique enhances neck strength while also improving sustain, resulting in a powerful and articulate sound. Furthermore, the increased neck stability reduces the need for frequent adjustments. By seamlessly integrating durability, acoustic performance, and expressive playability at a high level, this design maximizes a player's performance potential.
Take your expression to the next level.
Empowering your unique sound with authentic clarity.
Atmosfeel
Atmosfeel
Capture Air, Craft Tone.
This pickup system was developed with the goal of faithfully reproducing the sound as experienced by acoustic guitar players.
It captures vibrations from the strings using an under-saddle pickup, the resonance of the top board through a contact sensor pickup mounted on the underside of the soundboard, and the character of the guitar body with an internal microphone. By blending these three distinct pickup types, this system recreates delicate nuances and the natural ambiance that conventional pickups often fail to capture. This allows for an optimal setting tailored to each guitar model.
"SRT" Studio Response Technology
"SRT" Studio Response Technology
Studio-Quality Sound, Anywhere You Play
SRT is a preamplifier and pickup system that digitally enhances a player's performance with the rich, studio-recorded tones of an acoustic guitar.
Expert engineers have carefully recorded high-quality acoustic guitar sounds in top-tier studios using handpicked microphones. These recorded tones are then blended seamlessly with the player's live performance, delivering a studio-quality, natural acoustic sound through the line output—without the need for complex setups, even in live performances. Since the recordings are made using the exact same guitar models that the system is installed in, it faithfully reproduces each instrument’s unique tonal character.
Reflectone
Reflectone
Precision Meets Pure Expression
The Reflectone pickup, developed through collaboration between Yamaha and Rupert Neve Designs, combines powerful bass with sparkling high frequencies.
The unique design and manufacturing process successfully overcame the traditional trade-off between strong low-end and bright high-end that has been a challenge with conventional pickups. It delivers excellent response and balanced sound, offering enhanced expressiveness for the player and exceptional acoustic performance that suits a wide range of musical genres.
Focus Switch
Focus Switch
Unleashing New Sound Dimensions
By incorporating a passive circuit based on transformer technology into the electronics, this design achieves a tone that focuses on the mid-to-low frequencies.
Even with single-coil pickups, it delivers a sound akin to that of a humbucker, expanding the range of expressive possibilities from loud solos to jazzy tones.
Dry Switch
Dry Switch
Perfect Tonal Balance
By integrating a circuit that cuts the mid-to-low frequencies, the guitar's tone can be switched to achieve better clarity in a mix.
This produces a similar effect to coil tapping on a humbucker pickup, but unlike traditional coil tapping, it works with all types of pickups. It also eliminates noise and minimizes the volume difference between the on and off states. This feature is particularly effective when switching between solo and backing, or in high-volume live performance settings.
Performance EQ
Performance EQ
Enabling Precise and Versatile Tone Creation
These are five EQ presets (Slap, Pick, Flat, Finger, Solo) that allow players to instantly switch between different tones when performing. With just a simple switch operation, players can easily select the optimal sound for a song or part. The 2-band active EQ provides intuitive control for fine-tuning the tone.
Thanks to years of expertise in high-quality acoustic design, each preset delivers a balanced, clear, and rich sound. The user-friendly interface makes it easy to use, even for players who are not as experienced with tone shaping, and the variety of sounds enhances both performance and creative expression.
CHRONOLOGY
60th ANNIVERSARY MODELS
Yamaha Guitars 60th Anniversary Revstar - RSP20B 60TH
PREMIUM FINISH WITH SELECTED PARTS
Marking six decades of innovation, this 60th Anniversary model offers a perfect blend of visual appeal and musical performance featuring a Göldo tremolo unit and Gotoh locking tuners, which deliver excellent tuning stability, dynamic range, and expressive playability The bone nut further enhances the guitar's natural and balanced resonance.
CHAMBERED BODY WITH ACOUSTIC DESIGN
The Revstar RSP20B 60th Anniversary guitar features a chambered body designed to sculpt tone and reduce weight, with carbon reinforcement in the body and neck to improve vibration transfer.
FOCUS SWITCH / 5-WAY SWITCHING
The push/pull tone control functions as a Focus Switch, activating a passive boost that emulates overwound pickups—darker highs, enhanced mids and lows for more aggressive tone. In addition, the 5-way switching system introduces a subtle phase shift in positions 2 and 4 by slightly delaying the opposite pickup, offering a fresh take on classic “in-between” sounds.
TESTAMENT OF 60 YEARS CRAFT AND INNOVATION
Celebrating six decades of excellence, this 60th Anniversary model showcases a flame maple top in a refined Noble Black finish, blending luxurious aesthetics with unique character. The headstock and tremolo unit feature a commemorative logo, while the back of the headstock is stamped with 'Made in Japan' and a special 60th Anniversary hanko.
Yamaha Guitars 60th Anniversary FG9
Strong Projection and Clear Top End
The FG9 60th Anniversary Edition delivers outstanding projection with exceptional clarity and articulate tone - the perfect accompaniment to vocals. This rich, dynamic response is shaped by an Adirondack spruce top, thicker back board, bolt-on neck joint, and other carefully engineered elements that enhance both power and precision.
Guatemalan Rosewood: Tone and Beauty in Harmony
Guatemalan rosewood back and sides provide a beautiful balance of sonic depth and visual elegance - offering rich lows, sparkling highs, and a naturally varied grain pattern that adds character to both tone and appearance.
60 Years of Craft, Precision, and Innovation
Celebrating six decades of acoustic expertise, the FG9 60th Anniversary Edition represents the pinnacle of the Yamaha legacy so far. Fusing refined craftsmanship and innovative design, it captures the essence of what has made Yamaha guitars trusted by generations of players.
Elegant, Understated Japanese Aesthetic
Distinctive design details give the FG9 a refined and individual character. The inner label is made from traditional washi paper, while the rosette features rope-shaped inlays and purfling inspired by Japanese motifs. Fingerboard inlays draw from kumiki woodworking, evoking the precision and beauty of Japanese craftsmanship.
Comments from Artists
Chris Buck
Happy 60th anniversary to Yamaha Guitars! I’ve been playing Revstar since 2016, and honestly, there’s always been a Yamaha guitar around my home for as long as I can remember. A Yamaha acoustic was one of the first guitars I ever saw, and the brand has been a big part of my life ever since. It’s a real honor to be a Yamaha Artist and to celebrate this milestone. Here’s to another 60 years!
Matteo Mancuso
I want to wish Yamaha Guitars a happy 60th anniversary. I’ve been playing Yamaha since 2017 and I’m really happy with the results. Revstar and Pacifica are incredible guitars. Right now, I’m touring with my trio, and I always have my Pacifica and custom Revstar with me. These guitars are amazing, and I couldn’t be more happy. Happy 60th anniversary, Yamaha!
Vincen García
I started playing Yamaha basses back in 2020 because I fell in love with the Yamaha BB series—the sound and construction are just what I was looking for. Yamaha has given me incredible support and many opportunities to perform around the world, for which I am truly grateful. This year, Yamaha made me a custom BB bass, built to my specifications with different wood and electronics, and I’m extremely happy with how it turned out. I want to thank Yamaha and look forward to many more years of working together.
