I need to thank you. I have had this guitar for years, but stored it in a damp basement for a long time. Decided to try my hand at playing again. A lot of screws were rusty, so I decided to replace them. But while doing it, both input jack cords snapped off their solder points. I don't know much about guitars, so I didn't know where to resolder them. Thanks to this video, I was able to see where they were supposed to be soldered. Thanks dude!
I have two of these. If you are considering one, don't hesitate. Don't shy away because of this video. The electronics are not "garbage." Even in their budget guitars, Yamaha doesn't do garbage. Even though there are obviously better pickups out there, the ones on it don't sound harsh at all. They're better than what you find in a MIM Fender. Also, the tone cap? Please. It's only function is to filter out high frequencies. Quality caps make a big difference in the active circuits of an amp, but not in guitars. You'd be amazed at how many professionals play guitars that have plain old ceramic or polyester caps (like this one). And as far as pots go, if they work, they work. The pots in mine have been going strong for almost 20 years without the first problem. As to the swimming pool route, that's just preference. A lot of people like them. I'm indifferent.
It’s not my goal to offend, but the point of the comment is to highlight the budget nature of all of the parts because it affects sound and durability. As for sound, the pickups in this guitar have the least amount of copper windings I’ve ever seen, even on MIM Fenders, and the magnets are weak. That will translate to lower signal. It could be a sound that someone prefers, but it’s not traditional, hence my comment, even if crudely delivered. The pots and switch will carry a signal while they work, but durability under moderately heavy use is a concern. The pots themselves are pot metal and small. They will wear out, break off, loosen, etc. well before a larger steel/brass pot. Same principle for the switch, which has plastic internals, weak spring, and tin contacts that will wear out before steel and brass. The jack has similar issues due to its size… thread engagement and contact area. It’s not that these guitars don’t play well because I do like the neck. They are just suited for a particular use.
Correct... I have expensive guitars and I have thrift shop guitars... I choose to play my thrift shop guitars.. not a thing in the world wrong with them
I have this exact guitar - Got it at a garage sale for $25 with a strap and a soft case. Had a guitarist friend of mine check it out - works fine plays nice. Looks great with the tortoise shell pick guard. What a deal for the money I paid for it.
Definitely a good guitar for the money. Hard to find guitars for $25 anymore, but I find lots of them for $50. This summer I saw someone sell a college kid a Washburn Lyon at a garage sale for $140, and I just about drove home to grab five of my cheap guitars and ask if they'd sell them for me. :)
This is actually a good guitar, the playability is amazing, modifying and replacing all electronics and pickups with better ones and locking tuners will make this a good backup or even a gigging workhorse.
I don't know a lot about electric guitars but would like to learn. I'm 79 and did a bunch of reading about a good beginner EG guitars and more than one person mentioned the Yamaha 112 as a great beginner guitar. I found a used one for $100 online. Had one bad tuning peg and the strings needed to be replaced. It's a really great guitar. I am enjoying watching videos like this one and actually see how it works. Thank you. I am US Army retired.
You could use standard electronics and tuners, but the pickguard may be difficult to find/upgrade. Electronics/tuners are the components that would most benefit from upgrades anyway. I imagine the tremolo is the same measurements as most Squiers, but I no longer have this guitar to verify.
Thanks. This knowledge is hard to find. I got that guitar last month, and I see that they are not uncommon in the online markets, Yamaha does not have a mention of it. There is no information anywhere.This was interesting.
I picked up this same body for $30 and I was excited that it had a bathtub cavity. Then I figured out slightly rounded Fender necks will not fit Yamaha square neck pocket. I ordered a an EV 112 neck online for $30 so now I’m shopping for all the electronic components. Ibanez pocket is square also but the screw holes don’t line up. I learn a little more every time I take on a new project. 🤘🏼
@@hacksguitarhobby mine didn’t even work when I first tried the guitar. The seller asked me to wait a week so that he could fix it as he refused to sell a broken guitar. He’s also the one I went back to when the jack eventually gave up and I needed a replacement
It looks the same as a Yamaha Pacifica but the Pacifica's should have better components . You can pick up these eg 112s for 80 to 100 dollars used normally . I saw one for 60 but when I inquired about it it was already sold .I'd buy one but I'm a connoisseur of cheap guitars :)
I bought mine used at a mom and pop music store for $90 in 2008. It had been upgraded with 18:1 Wilkinson tuners and a Callaham bridge and tone block. The rest is stock but it was a steal with the upgrades.
I need to thank you. I have had this guitar for years, but stored it in a damp basement for a long time. Decided to try my hand at playing again. A lot of screws were rusty, so I decided to replace them. But while doing it, both input jack cords snapped off their solder points. I don't know much about guitars, so I didn't know where to resolder them. Thanks to this video, I was able to see where they were supposed to be soldered. Thanks dude!
Great news! Enjoy playing again!
I have two of these. If you are considering one, don't hesitate. Don't shy away because of this video. The electronics are not "garbage." Even in their budget guitars, Yamaha doesn't do garbage. Even though there are obviously better pickups out there, the ones on it don't sound harsh at all. They're better than what you find in a MIM Fender. Also, the tone cap? Please. It's only function is to filter out high frequencies. Quality caps make a big difference in the active circuits of an amp, but not in guitars. You'd be amazed at how many professionals play guitars that have plain old ceramic or polyester caps (like this one). And as far as pots go, if they work, they work. The pots in mine have been going strong for almost 20 years without the first problem. As to the swimming pool route, that's just preference. A lot of people like them. I'm indifferent.
It’s not my goal to offend, but the point of the comment is to highlight the budget nature of all of the parts because it affects sound and durability. As for sound, the pickups in this guitar have the least amount of copper windings I’ve ever seen, even on MIM Fenders, and the magnets are weak. That will translate to lower signal. It could be a sound that someone prefers, but it’s not traditional, hence my comment, even if crudely delivered. The pots and switch will carry a signal while they work, but durability under moderately heavy use is a concern. The pots themselves are pot metal and small. They will wear out, break off, loosen, etc. well before a larger steel/brass pot. Same principle for the switch, which has plastic internals, weak spring, and tin contacts that will wear out before steel and brass. The jack has similar issues due to its size… thread engagement and contact area. It’s not that these guitars don’t play well because I do like the neck. They are just suited for a particular use.
Correct... I have expensive guitars and I have thrift shop guitars... I choose to play my thrift shop guitars.. not a thing in the world wrong with them
@@hacksguitarhobby How old is this guitar ?
I have this exact guitar - Got it at a garage sale for $25 with a strap and a soft case. Had a guitarist friend of mine check it out - works fine plays nice. Looks great with the tortoise shell pick guard. What a deal for the money I paid for it.
Definitely a good guitar for the money. Hard to find guitars for $25 anymore, but I find lots of them for $50. This summer I saw someone sell a college kid a Washburn Lyon at a garage sale for $140, and I just about drove home to grab five of my cheap guitars and ask if they'd sell them for me. :)
This is actually a good guitar, the playability is amazing, modifying and replacing all electronics and pickups with better ones and locking tuners will make this a good backup or even a gigging workhorse.
I liked the neck. I think all of those upgrades will really add to it.
I don't know a lot about electric guitars but would like to learn. I'm 79 and did a bunch of reading about a good beginner EG guitars and more than one person mentioned the Yamaha 112 as a great beginner guitar. I found a used one for $100 online. Had one bad tuning peg and the strings needed to be replaced. It's a really great guitar. I am enjoying watching videos like this one and actually see how it works. Thank you. I am US Army retired.
Yamaha makes a good beginner instrument for sure. Thanks for your service and best of luck.
Another well done video, informative,easy to follow..I think this would be a fun rebuild project.
I definitely have a plan in mind for some of the parts, very soon.
One just🤘popped up local to me glad I watched your video I ain't driving 50 miles for garbage 🗑️😅
Not worth the drive unless it was an incredible deal. Interested to get my hands on a Pacifica and compare them though.
Thank you for this video! Does anyone know if the humbucker in this guitar can be splitted? I can't really see how many wires it has
I remember it being two-wire. It also had very little windings on it. I’d recommend replacing with this: amzn.to/45F5MMs
@@hacksguitarhobby I was thinking of replacing the pickups anyway. Thanks for the reply!
If you were going to upgrade (retrofit without any new drilling) the components, what would you use? I just picked one up at Goodwill for $35.
You could use standard electronics and tuners, but the pickguard may be difficult to find/upgrade. Electronics/tuners are the components that would most benefit from upgrades anyway. I imagine the tremolo is the same measurements as most Squiers, but I no longer have this guitar to verify.
Thanks. This knowledge is hard to find. I got that guitar last month, and I see that they are not uncommon in the online markets, Yamaha does not have a mention of it. There is no information anywhere.This was interesting.
Glad I could help!
On mine the switch isn't working properly, other than that it's perfectly fine
Might start with a contact cleaner, but the switch is PCB and plastic, so it would be a good upgrade to get a Fender 5-way switch amzn.to/3OeEt5L
Hey dude do you know if warmoth neck would work on one of these bodies?
Not one of their Fender licensed necks. I’m not sure if they make one with a neck like the Yamaha.
I picked up this same body for $30 and I was excited that it had a bathtub cavity. Then I figured out slightly rounded Fender necks will not fit Yamaha square neck pocket. I ordered a an EV 112 neck online for $30 so now I’m shopping for all the electronic components. Ibanez pocket is square also but the screw holes don’t line up. I learn a little more every time I take on a new project. 🤘🏼
I had to replace the jack because it was so shit lmao.
The previous owner modded mine with a fender noiseless pickup so that’s nice
The jack is the very first mod I make to most guitars. It’s amazing the number I’ve seen that are bent, loose, or have fallen into the body.
@@hacksguitarhobby mine didn’t even work when I first tried the guitar.
The seller asked me to wait a week so that he could fix it as he refused to sell a broken guitar.
He’s also the one I went back to when the jack eventually gave up and I needed a replacement
It looks the same as a Yamaha Pacifica but the Pacifica's should have better components . You can pick up these eg 112s for 80 to 100 dollars used normally . I saw one for 60 but when I inquired about it it was already sold .I'd buy one but I'm a connoisseur of cheap guitars :)
Picked this one up for $50. :)
I bought mine used at a mom and pop music store for $90 in 2008. It had been upgraded with 18:1 Wilkinson tuners and a Callaham bridge and tone block. The rest is stock but it was a steal with the upgrades.