Yamaha Pacifica 112L

This is a basic blonde 112 , as detailed elsewhere, but it's left-handed. The features are basic, but excellent for the price.

Superb tone from the wood and the powerful pickups. The S/S/H pickup combination gives a very wide range of sounds.

Here's the problem. Superficially the setup and fretting on the guitar seem great. The neck is slim and fast. However, I have had a serious problem with fret buzz, notably on the first string, especially in the upper registers. Even with a virtually straight neck, barely any relief, and an action of 1.5mm at the 12th, the notes from about the 7th fret up are seriously dead. I put this down to a lack of fall away in the upper region of the fret board. Also, the neck is perhaps twisted, since a setting of reasonable relief on the treble side (say .005 inch) leaves the bass side virtually flat. Result: buzzing at low registers on the 6th string. In addition to these problems, the fret ends are rough and sharp, perhaps due to shrinkage in the wood since manufacture. So, I'd say a little money needs to be outlaid to remedy these problems. I doubt Yamaha will rectify them under guarantee. The dealer's considered solution to my complaints was to raise the action! However, even with a small expenditure (perhaps half the guitar's value again) I think it will be possible to produce a very playable and desirable guitar.

Seems tough enough in all respects.

See above.

A potentially excellent guitar. Just check the trueness of neck and fretting before you buy.