Product: Yamaha Pacifica 112 Price Paid: US $200
Submitted 05/24/2006
at 09:14am
by yamaha player
Features
:9
see other reviews
Sound
:10
my father owns a mex strat and this guitar sounds the same
Action, Fit, & Finish
:No Opinion
i have hade it 4 a few days so i cant rate this
Reliability/Durability
:No Opinion
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:10
it is the best beginners guitar
it is cheap
it sounds great
Product: Yamaha Pacifica 112 Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 05/07/2006
at 04:13pm
by Ronnie
Features
:8
Same as all the rest, maple neck version (112M) bought new in about 1997. No modifications.
Sound
:9
I play in a covers band and use it for a wide range of pop, blues, and soul stuff. The sound is fine for this. I've always preferred single coil Fender type sounds, and this is basically what you get, but the bridge humbucker is handy to switch to for solos or for the heavier stuff. It's no more noisy on the single coils as the Fenders I've played.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
This went into action straight out of the box - apart from changing the lightweight strings which manufacturers insist on putting on to something a bit more substantial. Action was great and everything was as it should be. The neck is particularly comfortable; you could play it for hours (come to think of it, I do).
Reliability/Durability
:10
This has been gigged a fair bit in the last 8 or 9 years and apart from a small dent on the side of the neck from being knocked over on stage it's hardly marked. There's a bit of fret wear but I don't think that's too much to worry about after all this time. It's dependable; I'd never do a gig without a backup simply because of the risk of string breakage on any guitar, but apart from that consideration I would happily rely on it.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Never needed it.
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing for 34 years, and currently own over a dozen guitars and basses, nearly all of which cost far more than the Pacifica. I actually bought it because at the time I had a residency in a restaurant and was worried about my Schecter being damaged, so got something that I thought I wouldn't lose too much sleep over if it were damaged or stolen. Ironically I prefer it in many ways to the guitar I was protecting, and have recorded with it in preference to Fenders and other available guitars. It's not the best tremolo in the world, but then again this is a very inexpensive guitar and the trem is still perfectly useable. I've also never been too keen on the headstock shape, but now I'm really trying to think hard to find things I don't like.
This is a ridiculously good guitar for the money, and it's also easily upgradeable if the pickups etc aren't to your liking. I've recently bought a Pacifica 612 simply because this one is so good that I wanted to see what the higher end model was like (answer - I wasn't disappointed!).
When I think of the rubbish that you had to play when starting off guitar in the early '70s, I can't believe that you can get something this good that's cheap enough to be bought as a starter guitar now.
Product: Yamaha Pacifica 112 Price Paid: US $270
Submitted 04/02/2006
at 09:50am
by Brett Akos
Features
:8
Its a very cool gitar for the price
- I dont now the year of birth
- It has 22 fret with rosewood fingerbourd and maple neck
- Alder body with white pickguard
- nonlocking vintage tremolo (ONLY DIVEING!)
- H-S-S pickup configuration
- Natural finish with sunburst
Sound
:8
Well this guitar sounds good for me, it suits for all styles, the humbucker is good for metal, and rock, the singlecoil are cool for blues, old-rock, jazz. I used a Peavey Rage 158 15W combo And it sounds good... again. As a said I use the humbucker for metal, and any other heavy stuff, or when a want the humbucker sound :) Its not too noise (fore the prise). The singlecoil is cool for playeing AC/DC, Black Sabbat, Tool, and I use them when I'm in clean, I like they'r sound. The TONE and the PU SWITCH is very inpresiv, silent, and it gives many varietys.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:7
The guitar was set up right, no buzzing, the neck is good, but I dont no thet it was factory setup, or the guys adjusted it up. The finish looks strong, the pots are thight. I have only 2 dislikes. First, the pickguard was dirty and dusty, but pianfully I removed the foil cover from it and now its clean. The secund, many weaks ago, the string started buzzing at the brigde, but a played a while and then its gone, and it didnt come back.
Reliability/Durability
:9
It will stand live playing, if you are carefull and you have a strong strap it won' fall, but you should install straplocks or buy a straplocking strap. The strings are rusty now but they didnt break, so the bridge is ok, AND its only capable for diveing, it wont detone fast :) The PU-s are OK-t, and my dad thighted the input-jack, so it wont ge loos.
Customer Support
:10
The Yamahashop where I bought it was a very nice place, the shopkeepers where nice, and I get 2 YEAR WARRANTY, so its cool :)
Overall Rating
:8
I play guitar just a few mounths but I played bass for 1 year. I want to stey at Yamaha products, they are great! Its the best beginer's guitar, so buyit, OR buy a Squier Showmaster (with vintage trem, NOT FLOYD ROSE!!!)
(And sorry about the writeing but I dont speak English well :)
Product: Yamaha Pacifica 112 Price Paid: 150 (#)
Submitted 03/12/2006
at 11:30am
by Andrew
Features
:8
-23 Frets
-Volume, 5-way selector, tone
-Alder Body, Maple Neck
-Strat body style
Sound
:9
Solid, bright, vibrant sound. When distortion is turned up full on your amp this guitar is brilliant for grunge or heavy metal - and I'm only using an 8W amp! The guitar makes a wide variety of noises and the five-position toggle really helps seperate them all. Only one tone knob, which is a bit of a downer considering the cheapest of the cheap guitars have two.
It suits my style of play perfectly however, which is rock (Guns N' Roses, Audioslave, Velvet Revolver, Queens of the Stone Age) and with some fiddling around on your amp you should be able to get a wide range of sounds.
On the downside, it has a tendency to buzz on the lowest E string, but this isn't too apparent. However, when you start playing down the highest frets there (which is rare, admittedly) it really becomes bothersome. Other than that, the sound in this guitar was great.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
As I was new to guitars and this was my first, I can't be too analytical here as I'm not a pro. However, everything seemed satisfactory (apart from the aforementioned low-E string buzz). The guitar stays in tune well for up to three days in my case, which I felt was very impressive.
Everything was smooth and worked perfectly. Not to mention there is a huge variety of colours (I chose black) so it's clear that the guys at Yamaha have put in a great effort to make this the best value for money guitar you can buy. Thumbs up all the way!
Reliability/Durability
:10
I have owned this guitar five months now, and it still seems as good as new. No scratches, no dents, solid strap buttons and as of yet no string changes or adjustments needed.
I have yet to play any gigs, but I would depend on this guitar regardless. It's not the type of guitar you would be ashamed to show your mates or play with - it has a stylish presentation, and feels solid and extremely comfortable while playing it. No careful preparations of the strap or tuning pegs is needed - it's pick up, play and rock out.
It's been dropped only once and with quite a thud as well (due to a poor strap, not the buttons themselves) yet it came out well without any damage.
A reliable, sturdy design that is incredible value for money.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Yamaha are a very reliable company who put 100% effort into practically everything they make. I've yet to need to use their customer support, but their website is very helpful and informative.
Overall Rating
:10
Is this truely the best beginners guitar you can buy? In my book, it's a definite yes. The low-E buzz seems to be uncommon and is most likely a problem with shop storage in my case, because other than that this guitar is perfectly manufactured. I would definetely recommend it to any beginner who's serious about playing and doesn't want to pick up a piece of trash from an Argos catalogue. You'll love playing with this guitar, because it's shape and sound are so familiar to you. Its design practically curls around your body making it very comfortable to play. It's light so it won't tear out your back.
For the money, this guitar has everything you want. If you splash out on a decent amp and look after the guitar, it will do you for many years.
A first-class job and great value from the guys at Yamaha.
Product: Yamaha Pacifica 112 Price Paid: 529 (Australia)
Submitted 12/20/2005
at 10:31pm
by Troy
Features
:No Opinion
This is the standard PAC112J configeration. 22 Frets, 2 single coil + Humbucker in the bridge.
Sound
:10
This guitar has a deep, full sound with the tone switched to full. The volume control has plenty of range on it. I use this guitar with a Yamaha amp and the sound is fantastic. With amp settings volume 4, gain 4, mid & bass tone 10, and treble 0 you get a fantastic zz top like rock sound from the humbucker. On the clean channel of the amp with less bass and lots more treble with the guitar tone setting at about 3/4 you get a fantastic bright sounding tone out of the guitar. Excellent for jazz sounds.
Overall this guitar is well suited to a variety of sounds when used correctly with an amp.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:7
The guitar set-up from the factory was satisfactory. Playable but normal tweaking required.
Reliability/Durability
:10
This guitar is a reliable work horse. Plenty of different sounds available to you, and good quality hardware. Strap buttons are about as good as you can expect without strap locks. Would be a very good choice for anyone who needs to gig with a single guitar or who requires a cheap and useful back-up guitar for their treasures.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:10
The body on this guitar is where you are getting value for money. Fantastic first guitar that will last for years and can have electronics upgraded as one improves or desires better/more expensive gear. This IS the guitar for any beginner looking for a first guitar who needs a range of sounds or plays in different styles
Product: Yamaha Pacifica 112 Price Paid: 145 (GBP)
Submitted 11/27/2005
at 03:42pm
by dedward67
Features
:8
Two Single and one double humbucker with 5 way selector switch. Body solid Alder natural colour, neck rosewood. Yamaha Strat shaped guitar.
Sound
:No Opinion
Action, Fit, & Finish
:8
Well setup at the factory. Tweaked the action a little to by preference.
Reliability/Durability
:9
Used live weekly for 18 months and never let me down. Strap buttons solid. Always been a dependable guitar for me and would use without backup.
Customer Support
:8
Never had to use them, but website thorough
Overall Rating
:9
I play lead and Rhythm in a church band and have been playing over 20 years. I currently play through a Samick RC60 Amp which has been upgraded from an 8ohm to a 160watt 4 ohm, kicking out just over 100 watts. Currently use a Korg multi affects pedal. Also have a Laney Hardcore 65w. I love the versatility of the guitar and the varied sounds of the pickups. Also like the natural colour. Also own a Gould Les Paul style, which has a different tone, but equally as good.
Would definitely want to replace this is it got stolen.
Product: Yamaha Pacifica 112 Price Paid: 575 (ringgit malaysia)
Submitted 11/13/2005
at 10:10pm
by Nimrod
Features
:10
all that has been stated by other reviewers....
natural satin wood finish...only wished that the fretboard was maple..
Sound
:8
Stock pickups are nothing to shout about....you get what u paid for..
Nice distorted / fuzz tones [think of Green Day and Smashing Pumpkins] can be obtained from the humbucker easily but didnt perform as i thought it would when it's on clean mode...the neck single coil is sweet and ooze blues vibe...
the selling point of this guitar i think, would be the wood base, which is alder...same wood that is used to construct Fender strats...
Action, Fit, & Finish
:8
SOme fine adjustments and tuning, especially the string actions...
after that, it plays like a million dollar guitar...
Reliability/Durability
:9
I play alot of experimental stuff, which sometimes requires me to put the guitar to its limit..i.e wedging foreign tools between strings...i have the guitar for about 2 years now...and it's still standing strong with a few minor dings and scratches...
Customer Support
:No Opinion
nil...
Overall Rating
:10
This particular guitar in my opinion, is highly underrated...
It's a very good base guitar for modification...
nuff said...
Product: Yamaha Pacifica 112 Price Paid: N/A
Submitted 08/07/2005
at 01:18am
by ytsedan
Features
:9
Bought mine in 2002. Natural finish. Looks really nice and well built.
Sound
:8
Stock pickups were only decent. I installed a pair of seymour duncan humbuckers -- cool rails on the neck, Screaming demon on bridge. They help the guitar's true sound come alive. I left stock pickup in middle position.
To make the guitar even more versatile I installed independent coil splitters and a special switch that turns bridge and neck pickps at the same time when I select the middle position. That way, I can emulate classic Les Paul and Telecaster sounds as well.
Unplugged, this guitar has a somehow harsh treble if I pick it hard, specially when compared to my Gibson LP Studio. This harshiness is sometimes picked up by the pickups when in single coil mode but it can be compensated by turning down some of the volume or tone.
Unplugged, this guitar is an 8. Stock pickups make it a 7, while the duncans elevate her to a 9.
Sonic evaluation was made though a Peavey Bandit 112 amp, Behringer V-amp 2, Boss ME-8 effects unit, and distortion pedals like the Marshall ShredMaster, Tech 21 Sansamp GT2 and Ibanez Tubescreamer.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
No complaints at all, though the frets are going away reasonably quick.
I had an arm injury related to guitar playing years ago, so I always want my strings as low as possible. This guitar came quite playable out of the box, but still a little high for me. Mr. luthierman fixed it and now she plays really good with absolutely no rattle.
The tuning would drop consistently when I first got the guitar, so I tightened the tuners. Done that, I can play 4-hour gigs with it and I rarely need to tune it. I mean, I check the tuning between gigs and sometimes there's nothing to be done.
As for looks... well, this is not as eye-catching as expensive Gibsons, PSRs, or even Fenders, but it's not ugly or toyish. It's just... elegant, I guess.
Reliability/Durability
:8
I was stupid enough to carry it in the back of a car in a gig bag along with the band's equipment. It got some bad scars. It seems like the wood is a little too soft. The frets seem a bit weak too, as they began to wear out very quickly. Also, the metal parts got rusted very quickly, and I don't sweat much.
However, it's very trustworthy in a gig. It won't go out of tune, strings rarely break, strap buttons are rock solid, it's really really light, and it feels very solid overall.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Never dealt with them.
Overall Rating
:No Opinion
I've been playing since 1992. My other guitars are a 96 Gibson LP Studio and an 84 Gibson Explorer.
This is a real guitar with the price of a toy, specially if you got the skills to customize it or know of someone who can do that for you.
I'd starve before I sold it. If I lost it, I'd take my chance to check if anything as valuable as this guitar had appeared in the market, though I doubt so.
Product: Yamaha Pacifica 112 Price Paid: US $150
Submitted 06/10/2005
at 08:32pm
by Robert
Features
:8
Korea made, left handed, 22 frets, solid top, H/S/S/passive
Sound
:10
I play all king of styles, mainly Blues, rock & Heavy Metal. Very nice! I actually bought it to install a GK2 pickup, as my Steinberger GL4T doesn't have space available. Felt in love with the guitar. Steinberger is now in the closet! Changed the pickups to Di Marzio and tuners to Sperzels, Also installed a swith for each pickup to run them in single coil. Endless sounds...
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
Action fantastic, loved it, very smooth. HAd a flaw with the first string witch always buzz a bit, and my guitar tech coudn't fix it. But i like it anyway. Nice tremolo, keeping the guitar in tune.
Reliability/Durability
:10
Seems that it's a work horse. I use it regularly ( keep Steinberger in the closet )
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Nver hd problems with it
Overall Rating
:10
Playing for 25 years, i was impressed with the unplugged sound: very alive, clear, powerfull. They could deliver it with better electronics and pieces, it would be a TOP SELLER! Difficult to leave this guitar apart.
Product: Yamaha Pacifica 112 Price Paid: 170 (#)
Submitted 03/31/2005
at 02:59pm
by Indy Smith
Features
:7
22 frets, SOLID ALDER BODY, s/s/h, 1xtone 1xvolume. strat style, but ganglier. yes. ganglier. passive electronics. Tremolo. comfortable begginners neck. i'd like a neck humbucker, with coil splits.
Sound
:7
sounds great. i'm super impressed. best first guitar you can get. can handle everything nearly. neck and middle pickups sound exactly the same - shame. needs a neck humbucker dammit. trem isn't bad as it returns to tune well. just feels a bit yucky. but i've been spoiled by my ball-bearing tremolo on my main guitar i suppose.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:7
quite well set up. very standardly set up. GREAT for beginner. allows you to see what you'd like to change, and makes it easy to choose next guitar. well made, well put together, very suprising. everything was happy, other than the finish dents very easily. doesnt seem to get scratches very easily. I wouldnt be that worried with this guitar. it's cheep and cheerful, and bumps seem to bump some character into it.
Reliability/Durability
:7
never breaks, only one of my 4 guitars (much more high-ended) which hasnt! i'd use without a backup. well, i wouldnt really use it live, but if i had to, i wouldnt worry about it crapping out. stock strings took a year and a half of playing everyday to break. its well done
Customer Support
:No Opinion
nope
Overall Rating
:7
best guitar for the price. best beginner guitar in the world. great to play with - and this is the guitar that i can beat up, and play how i like, and not worry about it. i polish my other guitars and put them back in their cases after playing. just wish it had a neck bucker. but i'll forgive them