Is the Yamaha Pacifica Underrated?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 พ.ย. 2022
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In the UK, the Yamaha Pacifica is a common guitar for beginners and often found in schools...However, it used to have a kind of sexier past, but these days, is a sort of utilitarian guitar that gets the job done in an un-fussy way.....
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I once bought a Pacifica, thinking “well, this may be crap, but at least it’s inexpensive.” I plugged it in when I got home, and with just a few notes I noticed the sun shone brighter, the birds of the sky began leaving red roses on my porch, and all the busty ladies paid more attention to me. True story
ha ha, and I will cry later on...
Sent this vid to my son. He just bought one. It’s awesome!! What a deal.
I bought a 611HFM and just love it. Completely suprised me. The finish on this blue beast looks really nice.
Same 🎉
Had one . Great tone and player.
I think the Yamaha Pacifica 112 was the most important guitar of the last 30 years. It meant that companies could no longer get away with substandard guitars. Everyone had to up their game and meant new players were not subjected to the likes of Encore and the Squiers of the day.
That's an interesting statement, and one upon reflection I'd concur with. I came back to guitar almost 6 years ago after a 40+ year hiatus. Having last owned an SG I knew I wanted an electric guitar, but not which. I went in thinking Telecaster. I came out with a Yamaha Pacifica 112V for all the all too obvious reasons. Now have 20 guitars. Still have that 112V. Still play it. They've increased in price about 50% during that time, but still represent fantastic value for money.
I had an Encore as my first guitar in 2004. In retrospect, horrendous 😅
Definitely, I have the 611H it’s so versatile, built really well with great components, Seymour Duncan pickups, Coil split custom 5 in the bridge and a sweet P90 in the neck,Grover locking tuners, graph tech nut and saddles, rosewood finger board, solid Alder body, what’s not to like for the price.
Yamaha is the guitar industry's most slept-on brand. They hold up against any of the other big brands.
A friend smashed his to splithereens in a fit. When he called me I told him to save everything in a bag,. Body was in six pieces with many splinters. Star pattern break which was hard to clamp so I went with the wrap technique and 400 elastic bands. I completely repaired and refinished it and in doing so was very impressed with the construction. The Neck Joint had an Aluminum plate between the neck and body and made a great contact. Never saw this before. It impressed me so much I got one.
are we just going to gloss over how your friend even managed to break the body into 6 pieces??
@@jerryberry5532 The worst of it was when I gave it back to him completely repaired, he sold it. Nothing surprises me now.
@@IIImobiusIII what an a-hole!
@@IIImobiusIIIwow, your friend has some serious anger issues 😂😂
I have a really old pacifica 112 that I've had since I was 12. Last year I put a wilkinson trem on it and swapped the bridge pickup for a railhammer hum sized p90 and I love that guitar to death. Swapping out bridge for one with a bigger brass trem block in the back made a bigger difference to the tone than I was expecting
Loved the tone and playing for the outro!
There's a special place in my heart for my Pacifica 112. I paid a whopping $99 at a second-hand shop, and it lives at a summer residence which means I don't play it often. I had a "high-end" fret dress and setup done, and when I come back to it I'm always impressed and smiling, in large part because of the neck profile that you mention.
A big thing Yamaha lacks is a Made in Japanese Pacifica. The MiJ stuff like the expensive Revstars and the SA-Range are absolute joys to play.
I have an Indonesia-made Revstar (around $800 retail) and it plays great.
Have a Pacifica 311h I decided to buy a Japan made Revstar. Quality control in Indonesia is better. 2000 USD well spend... T_T
Now they have
That is one dreamy lead tone - and wonderful playing of course.
My guitar teacher had one laying around in his office at our local music school. I would often 'forget' to bring my own guitar just so i could get to play the Yamaha Pacifica 112V. It played so beautifully, it really did.
You are an amazingly sensitive player - top job.
I wholeheartedly support your quest to bring Yamaha Pacificas to people's attention.
I have a 92 921M Old violin burst.
Fantastic guitar.
Really good guitars for the price. The feel out of the box, sound, looks even. Nice video brotha
Been recommending that guitar to students for SO LONG... (for the $)... Awsum playing, always!
The matte silk blue colorway is so beautiful I almost regret choosing the blue flamed maple instead. Your playing is top tier man keep it up :)
I have the blue flame version and bought a white pearloid pick guard. I like it better than the black...
I got a 611VFM and I made upgrades to some of the parts just as a fun project. I swapped out the stock Seymour Duncan pickups to a Lollar Staple P90 for the neck and High Wind Imperial Hambucker at the bridge. Other upgrades include CTS pots, orange drop caps, fender 3 way switch and a switchcraft jack. So now I have a "next level premium" Pacifica and I have insane fun playing it.
My Pacifica 611 hfm is the best guitar I have ever bought. First-class workmanship, super neck, excellent playability. The Vintage P-90 and the Custom 5 are an absolute dream team. Great rosewood fretboard and light alder body 3.3 kg. I'll buy the 612 at some point too 👍🙂
Great playing; I esp. enjoyed that outro solo-cool lines! Watching you noodle with no backing track at around 9:28 made me jealous, not just of your tasteful playing, but also of your EMI-free home studio. When I use a guitar with non-humbucking pickups in my 120-yr-old house with old wiring, the hum is almost unbearable even with a clean amp tone. Still hoping to find a hum-free pickup with a good single-coil tone. -Tom
Answer: yes! I tried a couple of 612v's recently and liked a lot about them except the gloss neck only green one but I wasn't happy with the relatively quiet B and E strings next to allowed to G due to the Seymour Duncan staggered pick ups. I ended up doing a mod of a natural finish 112j. Replaced the tremolo with Wilkinsons vintage, Harley Benton Black locking tuners, Fleor Alnico V "high output" humbucker and two Fender Yosemite single coils. Installed a Freeway 10-way switch. Polished the frets. I rolled off the fretboard edges I was going to make the neck thinner but will leave that for the time being.Was quite a bit of work and research but it ended up costing about 450€ for what is now a really good instrument. I love the natural finish!
As it is out of the box, the 112j was a real bargain at 217€. The pick ups aren't actually that bad although not quite as stratty as the Fender ones (unstaggered - solved the loud G), but more balanced than the SDs for my taste!
Since this guitar came out I've been thinking of grabbing one cause she reallly matches the colour of my Yamaha Tracer 9.
I agree with your comments 100%. Yamaha really do need to produce a top tier version for this line of guitars. One with a more curved neck join like the Ibanez have done and less like the Strat block joint that compromises your hand position.
I have a Yamaha Pacifica 812W : HSS Seymour Duncan's, Wilkinson vibrato, locking tuners... it is brutally perfect ! The most impressive thing about the Yamaha Pacifica is the accuracy of the build and the flat neck, there is no way back. I paid 750€ for it back in 2002 and picking up a recent custom shop fender stratocaster (circa 4K€) after this... will let you clearly unsatisfied. in short : YES, the Yamaha Pacifica is underrated !
I still have my 112 from my gigmaker bundle since 2002.. it’s like became a part of me ever since. Evn though i have my prs.. it’s still special for me.
They are under-rated just about everywhere. That blue is so gorgeous. I bet your wife would like the Ibanez Prestige AZS2209H in Prussian Blue Metallic. Also beautiful and a great scratch-plate match.
I used the 611 Modell for a while. It is a great guitar with Seymour Duncan Humbucker and a P90 PU. You can split the Humbucker and there are Grover Tuners on it. The playability is awesome.
You can grab them used for 400-500€. The stock 611 Modell was played by Bireli Lagrene.
I've had Silver Sky, Fender Custom Shops, PRS SE Standards, and many more. My new pacifica is the most solid and inspiring guitar I've ever played. Everything you need is right there, no upgrade are necessary. As I play in a cover band and have to cover a lot of ground this is a great solution!
Absolutely right on with your recommendations. I have seven Pacificas at the moment, mostly from the 90's. Love the basic platform, especially the unique neck profile. They need a high end, pro designated, made in Japan model. Need to have the "Total Access Neck Joint" they had on high end models in the 90's, and better quality control, especially fret finishing. I hope they get the message.
The best Yamaha Pacificas ever made were the 812v (2004 to 2006) and the 812w (1998 to 2003). Both had a 2 point tremolo briidge, a profiled neck joint. Seymour Duncan pick ups, Sperzel locking tuners. The 812v had a massive, smooth 5 way toggle switch and a super smooth push-push (not a clunky push-pull) split coil knob. Only thing missing were the ss frets.
Those are a great guitar. I would buy one. Wilkinson tremo, seymour duncan pick-ups and it looks awesome and locking tuners what .
I bought 311h a year ago and as a hobby player I'm really pleasantly surprised by this guitar. Grover locking tuners, Graphtec nut and string tree, perfect fretboard, fixed bridge, nice pickups (a bit unbalanced but both have it's own nice flavor which is totally different than anything else I have). What else to say? I think they're crazy selling these at so affordable prices 😊
I love these guitars. I have a Pacifica 721 From 1990..its a great guitar ..im wanting this guitar also in the silk matte Blue ..love these Yamahas and the Revstars
That was a lovely full sound.Your playing dances along.A guitar around 1200 pounds is where they can sit well.
I like Strats , Legacies and Tele Thinlines.And Les Pauls!
This guitar looks and sounds great!
This is just the review I needed! I’ve been looking to get a super strat, and considered the Sire Larry Carlton S7, but I want something I can shred on too… so the flatter fretboard radius of this Pacifica might be the just the ticket.
I have a sire S3 HSS, and a Pacifica 012. You get an amazing guitar with an amazing neck with the sire. Can't beat it for the price point. Warmer louder tone also. But the Pacifica, I just can't put it down. The neck profile and radius is amazing for me and my medium small hands. It's such a faster playing guitar. So I decided to sell both and get a higher end pacifica with better pickups.
@@Josh313Johnson ah cheers for the reply. I ended up getting a charvel dk22 in the end and couldn’t be happier. Awesome spec and looks lovely in gold 🙂
Is the the matte blue one that’s Sweetwater exclusive? I’ve wanted one of these for about a year. Awesome demo.
Awesome guitar and awesome playing
I have a 2003 Yamaha EG112. It's not even a Pacifica. This is a $150 guitar. Cheap as chips. And it does show. The hardware and electronics aren't the best. But the body and neck are solid. So what I did is completely strip is of all hardware and electronics, put some nice Fender vintage pickups in it, I replaced all the hardware (tuning machines, bridge, nut), sent it in for a fret level, and now it looks and sounds great.
Yamaha guitars are really good for the price. They are excellent for modding. You don't have to worry about breaking things and most Fender parts fit on them.
And if anyone is interested in modding their Yamaha, you can use a Fender Mexican Strat bridge as a replacement (double check yours, for my EG112 it was a perfect replacement except for the screws with are longer on a Fender - reuse your original screws or deal with the ends of the screws poking into the spring cavity), and Graphtec tuners (only ones I could find that fit the screw holes on mine which are the mirrored pattern for Fender vintage tuners - or just drill new holes). But do consider that you will most likely have to ream out the tuner holes.
I owned a 212vqm and loved it. I am looking at the 612.
John, Thanks for this review. My grandson is considering a Sire S7 with the HSS PUP setup. How would you rate this Pacifica Superstrat with the Sire? Both are in the same price range.
I've got a 611, humbucker, p90.
It's a guitar I pick up all the time.
There's only a couple things not so keen on. Medium frets(medium jumbo would be better) and the wilkinson saddles are finicky to intonate.
I think yamaha should pull the trigger and bring out a model above the 612.
Besides that I enjoy playing it.
Worth trying out for the uninitiated.
The Pacifica 611 ( p90 and HH ) is the guitar I play the most between a prs vela 2, strandberg and a musicman silhouette. It is incredibly comfortable but also the tone is just there.
I love my 611 too! However I have swapped out the Seymour Duncan pickups to Lollar (Staple P90 and Imperial HB).
Sounds so good nice playing. whats your komplete setup? cheers
Hi John, have you tried the late 90s Taiwan made Pacificas? They tended to have slim narrow necks, how does the new Indonesian Pacifica neck compare. Are they more chunky than the 90s pacifica neck?
The Pacifica seems like a very good guitar for the money. I've never played one myself, but all the reviews on TH-cam show off a well made instrument that sounds good and plays well. The color on that one is particularly nice. I'd play one if it came my way.
Can someone tell me what it looks like under the hood? I'd like to get one and remove the pickguard to give it a sleek HSS look. Is it possible? Or is the cavity openly routed like a strat?
Hi! How do you get the tremolo bar in place? Mine is falling apart all the time, what am I doing wrong? Thanks a lot
My first electric was a Pacifica 012S(Tele style) that I got in 95(I was 11). I still have it with the original pickups and original nut(no binding issues with the strings) and it’s still amazing to me. I have guitars that are definitely more expensive, but between that one and a Yamaha RGX420S that I got when I was 17, these guitars are wildly underrated. I can recommend any Yamaha guitar, sight unseen, without question.
I was in guitar center a few months back and in the far corner was a beat up used pacifica…it played better than any of the guitars in the shop…including the new ones!!!!!!
I was very close to buying a Pacifica 612 HSS. based on Jack Thammarat's use....(although he switched out the pickups (MAMA) and others on a few of them)..also like the K Line based on a chap named John Cordy., but a bit too expensive......chose a Fender Strat Player Plus HSS with noiseless pickups and split coil humbucker and locking tuners at the end because I just didn't want noisy pickups (used to playing humbuckers)
I've had a 612 now, for 1 1/2 years, and it's a great all-round superstrat. It has great tones, and plays really well. I don't think that you can get a better guitar in that pricerange. I keep it, and use it untill I can affort to get something that is twice or three times the price, like a suhr or a musicman. I keep it, and I am happy with it.
That's the issue with this guitar though. I agree with everything you said completely. I've had mine for 2 years and it's a wonderful guitar, a fully upgraded Pacifica with a nice paint job, you can't go wrong. However, it never feels like enough to me for some reason. It's like the best compromise or something… an in-between guitar...
I ended up getting the nicer guitar, an Ibanez, and hardly ever play the Pacifica 612 anymore. I don't think I could give it up though, it's a good guitar and I'm kind of attached to it...
I have a 412VB and love it. I just can't find the correct trem bar, I've bought a half dozen and none fit.
Thanks man! Which Yamaha acoustic do you play? Have a nice day!!!!
Have been saving up for a new guitar that comes with SSH configuration, but there's still nothing that can convince me from changing my mind from wanting to get the Ibanez Q54 (prefer non-nickel frets, and hardtail bridge over floating vibrato bridge, maybe one day). And if the Pacifica ever gets the same treatment as the Revstar did earlier this year (the stainless frets especially), I might just consider getting one of the Pacifica 600 series, even if it's got a vibrato bridge.
Any comment on the Pac 1611MS? Tele-style and seemingly much higher-end than the 612?
Is the song at the beginning of the video made by you? I absolutely loved the riffs! please send the tabs
I Wonder If you prefer the pacifica or the sire S7? I am looking for a HSS strat and im thinking about buying one of These two
I tried one a while back in the Yamaha showroom in London and I was quite shocked how good this was. However, I didn’t feel the urge to buy it. I must say I can see they the lack of strong marketing not having any impact on me. In any case, I didn’t connect with this guitar but the pickups are superb.
My understanding is that although these are built in Indonesia, Yamaha own the factories where they are built, so everything up to and including quality control is under Yamaha in house. Which contrasts with most other big name brand manufacturers who contract out construction to Indonesian owned and operated factories. I own a 611 and think they are amazing guitars period (The Pacifica 600 range) even before you get into the bang for the buck ratios when comparing to similar priced instruments on the market. They do seem to lack a distinctive sonic personality, when compared to say Strats, Teles and Gibsons, but sometimes that's what you need. A pickup swap can also help with adding a different flavor to them, but otherwise in fit, construction and materials these are incredibly hard to beat. And it's weird how Yamaha basses are considered world class and used by some of the best electric bassists, but the guitars that are built in the same factory get lots of "meh" from the guitar community.
which exact model are you presenting in the video?
They are really good guitars. I had a 604W in the nineties which a friend begged me to sell to him. We had an agreement for me to have first refusal if he came to sell it on which he didn't honour. I bought a 311H as a cheap £300 guitar for regular gigging in natural finish a year or so ago and I'm not parting with it.
I had a Variax Standard when I was still using the HD500X. In terms of construction and playability, it was a very decent Yamaha Pacifica.
I’ve got a Variax standard on order. Do you have any tips or warnings around them?
I rate Yamaha hugely (have an 80s SG1000s which is the best built guitar I've ever played) so I'm interested in Pacificas for a HSS or H - P90 with a non floating trem .. how would you rate these against a Sire or possibly PRS SE with coil taps, as these are what I've been considering for some of our set - I think it might be the utility choice that'd cover everything not on the Les Paul..
How does it compare to the Sire s3?
I haven't had a chance to play the PRS Blue Sky SE but I have played the 611 Pacifica and the Fender Player Strat. In my experience the Pacifica was much much better. However, some of my experience could have been how the two different stores set-up and took care of the instrument. The fender fret work was terrible... the fret ends were sharp and the neck needed adjustment. The Pacifica I could have taken off the shelf and went right to a gig. My experience with Fender is, never order one on line. Always go in the store and play it first, especially with the mid-tier models. Sometimes you find a player series that can come close to a professional model and sometimes that same series feels like you are playing a Fender Bullet series...
I think the looks is very important to a guitar, because to me is easier to choose a guitar by it appearence, and to my taste this is a beatifull guitar, and the pickups in this model make it sound very nice as well.
The only thing that Yamaha should invest more is marketing, because it is hard to see it around.
Do these have stainless frets? The revstars do, right?
I would like to see this guitar more in your channel, compare it with your higher end guitars
I don't know... I have mixed feelings. I want to love them but every time I listen to a demo on the internet they sound lacking in "soul" and a bit harsh... The only exception is the tone that Jack Tamarack takes out of them, but I don't know to what extent they will be modified from the series . I had a 611 with um and P90 and let it go. I love this one you show visually and on paper it has everything you need to be a great instrument but I don't know... do you agree?
Me and my bestfriend was just talking about these. He has one or two.
Bireli LaGene also plays one.
Yamaha are knocking the ball out of the park with their guitars, from the pacifica, Revstar, SA2200, all fantastic workhorse guitars. If I were buying all my guitars again, at lest two thirds of them would be Yamaha.
Very good Video. Thank you
1. What are the difference among the PAC612VIIFM; PAC612VIIFMX; and PAC612VIIX?
2. How much in US dollars?
3. Are these made in Japan?
Thank you.
I wouldn’t mind one of the USA made ones from back in the 90s
If you find one - I recommend looking for a used Pacifica 812w or wx (the w is for Wilkinson Vibrato - the x denotes a quilted maple top) from the late 90's... - I have one and will never part with it - sound, playability and built quality put pretty much most Fen... stuff to shame...
mmm that's the matte silk blue from Sweetwater, right? Delish. Looks and sounds greawt!
What model is?
I have a Pacifica very satisfied with it...Have also same kind of doggy Teckel same as you!!.
Would you take this over a Revstar?
I have a pacifica 311 - it's my third axe from this company - I love them but the one thing missing is a japan made pacifica - Arround 1400/1500 € sounds feasable... it can be made in partnership with fujigen for example
2:30 omg the box is clearly in disadvantage
오늘 이 기타 도쿄 오차노미즈에서 샀는데.
진짜 한눈에 본 순간 잘 만들었다는게 느껴짐
근처 ESP 매장에 있던 15만엔짜리 일본제 쉑터랑 진짜 비슷하다고 느낄정도로 만듦새가 좋음..
I have this guitar and a Sire S7, aside from the rolled edges, they are about equally as good. Although the rolled edges are nice on the Sire, the Pacifica isn't uncomfortable and I would give an advantage to the Pacifica for having in my opinion better pickups. I don't think you could go wrong with either of them.
Huge respect for using a machete to open the box.
I noticed that thing too. Serious instrument for unboxing. You never know you might find yourself alone in the jungle.
... nice demo - but could it be that the knife for the unboxing turned out a little bit too small? :)
You should try corona guitar research too especially the modern plus se
I have... and this will sound weird, and way off... I have owned PRS Custom 24 (10 Top), Suhr Modern, and Standard Pro's, and presently have a DK 24 Charvel, and a High End Custom Zion (which I adore!!!)... BUT, the heck if I don't pick up my 612 Teal (2021) Pacifica more. I KNOW it is NOT a HIGH END guitar, BUT... it is so comfortable to play... all across the board. It literally haunts me... I have to play it. Side note, I did change out the Wilkenson Trem for another version of Wilkenson... and I pulled out the hum bucker and replace it with a Seymour Duncan JB. Awesome guitar!
Great Guitars!
Good idea, why not have a high end version?
I would be perfectly happy if you filmed the dogs next time and played in the background the entire time. Dachshund ❣
Hoping to see a comparison video with Sire S7.
Pacificas in the early 90s were top tier instruments, but at their price point people weren't willing to spend that kind of money k a made in Taiwan guitar. But they were 'Japanese' quality, easily on par with Ibanez. They still have the best entry level guitars, but with the slow reintroduction of the new models, are beginning to get back to what the line once was. Now let's see some 2 humbucker models with nice tops and locking trems...and please bring back the total access neck joint!
damn i want the 612 ones... my 112J is really nice too though.
This is the guitar that I'm saving up for. The problem is, I don't know which color to get! Usually there is one color that I think looks best, but the PAC612 has 4 different colors that I think look incredible!
Do you prefer a gloss or satin neck? Blue (this one) and natural are satin. Red and teal are gloss. I love the red (see the Darrell Braun review) but would buy the blue for the satin neck
@@johnhabjan4248 I did play a Gibson LP Tribute that had a satin neck and that felt really good. I didn't know the blue 612 had one, I think that makes me definitely want it then!
@@johnhabjan4248 Thanks for the tip about the satin neck. That's really important. I can dream about the blue until I can afford one.
Definitely under-promoted as a brand. Chris Buck is doing a great job currently. We don't hear much from Mike Stern though. His signature model has been out for a few years now. I wonder how many people are playing it.
To answer the question of the title of the video yes most definitely Yamaha Pacifica guitars are very underrated and overlooked by a lot of people I'm probably going to buy a 612 here soon.
I've got a 1990 Pacifica 721(SSH) with the black tuners/Floyd Rose from the 921. Love it!
I Play the 611 and 612 for just about every show. Amazing for the money and just period. high end stuff stays at studio and home and these are my road buddies. Can't say enough so enough said.
As always, JD
#yamahaguitars @yamahaguitars
I just got a 1999 Pacifica 12 -string
i think the 912 and up has USA made Necks
Tbh I think you could make any guitar sound great 😊