This is a work in progress as definite information on these guitars is extremely difficult to find. I cannot find them in any catalogue that I have access to and although 4 of the 6 models are listed in the archives the pages with details are not there. Production was very short lived for both releases.
The RGS guitars are strat copies quite cheap models definitely the lower end of the Yamaha range. There were effectively
two releases the first four models were released in 1990 and 1991, the second in 2002. All models were made in Taiwan. All are bolt
on neck 22 frets 648mm scale and around 3.5kgs weight.
Update June 2022
I now have access to the 1991 Japanese catalogues and the first release is featured there so now have much more detail.
They were released as part of the Yamaha First Stage Street Style offer see the end of this page
Three models were released in July 1990 The 103p and the 112p at 35000 yen and the 312p at 48000 yen.
| 103p | 112p | 312p | |
| Price | 35000 yen | 35000 yen | 48000 yen |
| Body | Alder | Alder | Alder |
| Neck | Bolt on Maple or Nato | Bolt on Maple or Nato | Bolt on Maple |
| Board | Bubingha | Bubingha | Bubingha |
| Bridge | Vintage II | Vintage II | RMX III |
| Headstock | Matching strat style with Yamaha and Model Name 1 string tree | Matching strat style with Yamaha and Model Name 1 string tree | Matching strat style with Yamaha and Model Name 1 string bar |
| Pickups | GS-F1W x 3 Ceramic Single Coils | GS-F1W x 2 GS-H1B X 1 Ceramics | >GS-F1W x 2 GS-H1B X 1 Ceramics |
| Controls | 1V 1T 5 way | 1V 1T 5 way | 1V 1T 5way |
| Colours | Black or White | Black, White or Vintage Red | Black, White or Vintage Red |
| Scale | 648mm | 648mms | 648mms |
| Hardware | Chrome | Chrome | Black |
A further model was released in June 1991 the 112ps at 35000 yen production of all four models ended in 1991
This guitar is as the name suggests an SSS. The pickups look to me to be ceramic. It has a 6 point vintage style vibrato bridge and trap tuners, never a sign of quality.
These guitars are SSH models the pickups being described as GS-F and GH-F vintage pickups. The only differences I can find between the p and the ps are cosmetic. The p has a black scratchplate with black controls and pickup covers the ps has White scratchplate with black controls and pickup covers. The ps at least black red and blue.
This guitar is more of a Superstrat having a RMX 111 Bridge and locking nut. Again though it has a Maple neck with Bubinga board attached to an Alder body. Vintage style tuners. All hardware and plastic is black and it has decent diecast tuners.
In 2002 a further two RGS models were released. The 121 and the 121s. All models I have seen are dated 2002, so I suspect they lasted less than a year.
These are essentially the same model the usual Bubinga on Maple neck with an Alder body HSH configuration. The obvious
difference between the two models is the tuners. The 121 comes in at least Black, Electric Blue and Red,
the S in at least Purple, Red, Blue and Black.
Update Sept 2020
Joe Chang from Chicago Emailed me. He has bought an RGS 121 it's made in Indonesia and he got the following from Yamaha
Manufactured 2002-2003
Body is Agathis
Neck is Maple
Fingerboard is Rosewood
1 single coil and 2 humbucker pickups
Chrome Hardware
Based on the serial number I would say it was manufactured in 2002.
Obviously this contradicts the previous info I had on body wood
The 103p the 112p and the 312p were available as part of the
First Stage Street Style
This was a guitar and Amp deal with all you need to start playing, similar to deals done with Pacificas and Squiers.
There were in total six guitars all with the same accessories but priced according to the guitar these are:
FS1 RGS 103p 55000 yen
FS2 RGS 112p 55000 yen
FS3 RGS 312p 68000 yen
FS4 RGX 112 JII 59000 yen
FS6 RTX 102 58000 yen
FS7 RTL 102 58000 yen
Note there is no number 5 and FS6 and FS7 are described as new suggesting there was an earlier deal including another
guitar as FS5 but there is nothing in the 1990 catalogue and nothing in any western catalogues that I can find
