Have you ever owned a guitar that just seems to have always been in your collection, yet you can’t quite remember when or why you got it? That’s exactly how I feel about my Yamaha RGX-TT Ty Tabor Signature. I think I picked it up sometime around 2003 at Yamaha Academy in Mexico City, but honestly, the details are fuzzy. The funny thing is, I’m not a huge Ty Tabor fan, and King’s X or progressive rock aren’t really my thing. Still, this guitar? It’s incredible. I probably grabbed it simply because it’s such a fantastic instrument. Let’s break down what makes it stand out.

The Ty Tabor Signature

The Yamaha RGX-TT is a signature electric guitar created in collaboration with Ty Tabor, guitarist of King’s X, in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This model was built to match Tabor’s unique sound preferences while highlighting Yamaha’s forward-thinking guitar craftsmanship. Tabor, known for his distinctive blend of heavy riffs and melodic elements, is a central figure in the progressive and hard rock scenes. King’s X, his band, has been influential since the late 1980s, combining metal, hard rock, and soul with tight harmonies and signature guitar tones.

This signature model was part of Yamaha’s broader RGX series, which was geared toward hard rock and metal players looking for fast, responsive instruments. The RGX-TT, however, stands out for its meticulous design, aimed at offering diverse tonal options for a wide range of musical styles, all while staying true to Tabor’s distinctive sound.

The Yamaha RGX-TT has garnered positive feedback from both users and reviewers alike. Guitarists praise its lightweight build and comfortable neck, which makes extended playing sessions enjoyable. The combination of Seymour Duncan pickups provides an array of tones that suit everything from bluesy leads to heavy, saturated rhythms. Many compare it favorably to other high-end models, placing it alongside the likes of Musicman’s Axis and Peavey’s Wolfgang guitars​.

Neck

The neck features a bolt-on maple construction with a rosewood fretboard, and its design is minimalistic, marked only by a ‘TT’ (Ty Tabor) inlay at the 12th fret. It’s slim and incredibly comfortable to play, making it a dream for shredders. The headstock stands out with a unique design: 3 tuning pegs on each side, with perfectly straight string alignment, helping keep the guitar in tune.

While it doesn’t have a Floyd Rose-style locking nut, the black hardware includes Sperzel locking tuners, providing excellent tuning stability even during heavy tremolo use. The frets are impressively smooth, and the overall finish is flawless. The side inlays also add a subtle yet distinct touch of elegance

Body

This guitar takes a unique spin on the traditional super-Strat design. It features a basswood body with a distinct raised figured maple center, giving it a sleek, neck-through aesthetic, despite having a bolt-on neck. This design not only makes the guitar lightweight but also enhances resonance, resulting in clear mids and a punchy, tight low-end. My model is finished in Transparent Red Sunburst, and I must say the craftsmanship is outstanding. Made in Taiwan, the build quality is exceptional, giving the guitar a premium feel and performance that rivals top-tier instruments in its class.

In terms of hardware, the black Wilkinson VS100G tremolo system performs impressively well, allowing for heavy tremolo use without sacrificing tuning stability. I’m not sure if it’s because the guitar is over 20 years old or simply well-preserved, but I haven’t used the tremolo excessively, and yet it feels silky smooth, which leads me to believe it’s been this way since day one.

The body is incredibly comfortable to hold, with a recessed input jack on the back and a cutaway that offers full access to the upper frets, making it as functional as it is stylish.

Pickups & Controls

This Yamaha is equipped with some serious pickups: Seymour Duncan Vintage Rails in the neck and middle positions, and a JB humbucker at the bridge. The humbucker can be coil-split with a push-push switch, offering a wide range of tones—from bright, snappy single-coil sounds to powerful humbucker punch.

The controls are simple but work flawlessly, even after years in storage. They’re smooth and noise-free, and the plastic dome knobs, with their rubberized rings, provide excellent grip. Despite the guitar being a couple of decades old, the rubber rings are still in perfect condition—not sticky or degraded at all.

Overall, the guitar feels incredibly solid, clearly a high-end instrument. No surprise I bought it!

As it stands, this super-Strat is only outshined in my collection by my Jackson Pro Plus Soloist SLA3W Walnut. But this Yamaha is a dream in every way—it looks stunning, sounds amazing, is supremely comfortable, and offers incredible tonal versatility.

Conclusion

The Yamaha RGX-TT Ty Tabor Signature is a standout instrument that combines thoughtful design with exceptional playability. Despite my lack of connection to Ty Tabor or progressive rock, this guitar has earned its place in my collection purely because of its superb craftsmanship, versatile tone, and overall comfort. From the high-quality hardware to the impeccable finish, it’s clear that Yamaha put a lot of care into creating this guitar. It’s a shame that Yamaha’s guitar division seems to lack a consistent direction, discontinuing great models like this one. However, that only adds to the uniqueness of owning an instrument like the RGX-TT—a rare gem that’s hard to come by nowadays.

On the second-hand market, the Yamaha RGX-TT typically ranges from $350 to $800 USD, depending on its condition and the accessories included. So, for well under $1,000, you can grab an outstanding instrument that, if produced today, could easily be valued around $1,700 due to its quality, craftsmanship, and performance.

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Specs

Body:

• Three-piece body with maple center and basswood wings
• Weight: 6 lbs 13 oz (3.09kg)

Neck:

• Material: Maple
• Profile: “C” profile
• Thickness: .75″ (1st fret), .80″ (12th fret)
• Scale Length: 25 1/2″
• Nut Width: 1-5/8″
• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Radius: 12.00″
• Neck Details: Bolt-on maple neck with unbound rosewood fretboard, single 12th fret inlay, side-adjust truss rod with access on the heel

Electronics:

• Original pickups: Seymour Duncan Vintage Rails (neck and middle), JB humbucker (bridge)
• Pickup Measurements: 2.6k (neck), 2.3k (middle), 15.5k (bridge)
• Controls: 5-way blade switch, master volume/tone controls, high-pass push button for bridge pickup

Hardware:

• Tremolo System: Wilkinson VS100G