Chris Buck is a name frequently mentioned in discussions about YouTube guitar sensations. His exceptional guitar playing, combined with his deep knowledge of guitar gear and history, establishes him as a compelling content creator. However, Buck’s influence extends far beyond his successful YouTube channel. He consistently receives accolades from music industry giants like Joe Bonamassa and Steve Winwood, and his work with his band Cardinal Black has achieved significant success, including a #1 single and a #1 album. Buck possesses an impressive collection of guitars, but his custom Yamaha Revstar stands out as a frequently used instrument.
“My custom Revstar has been central to Cardinal Black from the very beginning,” Buck states. “It’s the guitar featured in the ‘Tell Me How It Feels’ video, which we used to introduce the band, and it has been with me in every recording session and performance since: Shepherd’s Bush Empire with Myles Kennedy, the Royal Albert Hall with Peter Frampton, and numerous festivals across Europe. More than any other Guitar Yamaha I’ve ever owned, it truly feels like my own.”
Chris Buck with his custom Yamaha Revstar guitar on stage
Despite his appreciation for classic, vintage guitar designs and the music created with them, Buck was drawn to the idea of exploring something different through his partnership with Yamaha guitars. “I found it particularly interesting that the Revstar wasn’t based on any of the traditional guitar designs that most manufacturers tend to follow,” he explains. “It’s refreshing to see a company looking towards the future rather than just the past. Also, the opportunity to play a model that wasn’t burdened by pre-existing associations was appealing. Becoming strongly linked with a particular guitar model is quite rare nowadays.”
“More than any other guitar I’ve ever owned, it feels like my guitar.”
Buck intentionally chose a goldtop aesthetic for his custom guitar and insisted on a nitrocellulose lacquer finish for his Revstar. These design choices deepened his personal connection with the instrument. “I appreciate poly finishes, but nitrocellulose possesses this incredible quality of aging alongside its owner, particularly with a gold finish. The lacquer checking, the wear patterns, the slight greening – all of these elements tell the story of my shared history with this guitar and the various places and climates it has experienced. This evolution will only continue. I find that process incredibly appealing.”
Close-up of the nitrocellulose finish on Chris Buck's Yamaha Revstar guitar, showing aging
While he had clear ideas about his custom guitar, Buck was comfortable allowing Yamaha’s skilled luthiers to apply their expertise with minimal intervention from him. “I was quite specific about my preferences, but in these situations, I always worry that micromanaging every detail might somehow hinder the creative process,” he says. “Most of us admire and play guitars that we had no part in designing or building, so at some point, it’s best to trust that the professionals who build these instruments for a living understand the process better than we do! Beyond the basic specifications, I was happy to give the Yamaha custom shop team creative freedom. I preferred it to be an enjoyable project for them, rather than a chore of working through a list of rigid demands, as I believe that would be reflected in the final product.”
Chris Buck playing his Yamaha Revstar guitar in a live performance setting
Buck’s Revstar is prominently featured on Cardinal Black’s debut album, January Came Close, and has been his primary guitar for every performance and recording session since, including those at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. Fans will have many opportunities to see and hear Buck’s cherished Revstar in the years ahead, as his initial appreciation for the instrument continues to grow stronger over time. “The first thing that struck me was how instantly familiar it felt. It not only felt like an old guitar but like my old guitar. I’ve been fortunate to own a few custom guitars in the past, and there’s always a period of adjustment. But this Yamaha guitar immediately felt like an instrument I had owned for years. I’ve since played it extensively, and that has only deepened my connection with it.”
Watch the official video for Cardinal Black’s ‘Tell Me How it Feels’, featuring Chris playing his custom Yamaha Revstar guitar:
