I found a new pac012 at a garage sale. Loved it as an entry guitar. Year later all I did was replaced the pickups with Seymour Duncan’s and stripped the body and used satin clear varnish on it and that’s it! What a wonderful sounding cheap Pacifica. This guitar fits me like a glove.
Love how you get directly into the technical details and cover off so much of the key info... Also amazing how much more you connected after making your setup changes..
I’m learning how to play guitar (just found your channel about two or three weeks ago btw, love your stuff!) and the most recommended beginner guitar across the internet was the Yamaha Pacifica 112V. I followed their advice and absolutely love it, it’s beautiful, sounds and feels nice.
A few years ago, Guitarist magazine did a feature on modding a Pacifica. I made a few mods to one I left at school as a student guitar. Soon after, Yamaha brought out a few upgrades models (saw one today in a Cash Convertors - a UK pawn shop chain). These seem a whole new level, I can see it being a great session / pit band guitar and in your case, a great worship instrument. Yamaha have always been good at higher end guitars but these last few years have seen them really hit that sweet spot.
I got the Pacifica 612 (with Seymour Duncans, Grover Tuners, etc.) It's currently my number one guitar. When I play that guitar, I honestly feel like myself after years of trying traditional Strats/Teles/Les Pauls/Jazzmasters. I don't feel like I need to blantantly copy some of my guitar heroes when I play my Pacifica. I've been going through a "Yamaha revelation" as I also own a Revstar and an NTX1 which I also play frequently.
I got the flame maple 612 about a month ago and it's been my favorite guitar for a lot of reasons you said. I've felt more inspired to play with how it sounds and feels. Not to mention I really like a unique guitar that's not trying to hard. The vintage white/cream pickguard with it's unique shape sold me, along with the matching flame maple headstock and I own a tele, jazzmaster and a few other electrics and the Pacifica is hands down my favorite!
I also have a Pacifica 612. Would you consider trading yours for a new Standard Plus (or Professional)? I will probably try to do a side-by-side comparison, both for playability and tone.
I've got to check out this Pacifica. I've gone through about two dozen Strat's over the past 23 years and I've never ventured outside the Fender realm other than my '86 Kramer Pacer probably because most of my Strat's was modded in some way or another. Passive, active, single coil, humbucker, different pup brands, necks, pickguards, bridges, etc etc. That's part of the beauty of the Strat. G & L and PRS are also on the back burner. As always Mike great review.
Appreciated you POV on exploring and bonding with a guitar for what it is without preconception. The video seemed really thin on details about the guitar you had for "weeks" though, How does the neck feel? Fret quality? Tuning stability? Trem feel? etc. Caught myself worrying it was an "If you don't have anything nice to say..." situation. Some of that is subjective, but people are curious about a new release. Thanks!
I’m a Yamaha dealer and most of the stock in my shop is Yamaha because any single instrument that comes in is ready to go back into a lesson studio for a session from day one. I do next to nothing in terms of set up on all of my Pacifica, FS and FG units because they do such a great job at the factory already. If they made a Jazzmaster clone then I would have already sworn off Fender by now!
Mike, I always dig like your equipment reviews! You go about it in a way where you are looking at the guitar, thinking of what you know a shape or pickups to be and find your new tone on that guitar. I feel bad for people who dont explore off brands or lower end styles of guitars, the pick up tones etc. I was a strat guy early on and then checked out a jazzmaster(classic vibe series) and never looked back. Being able to get almost the strat tones but added nuances of a jazzmaster really unlocked searching for a tone and understanding why players find one and stick with it. Keep up the good work!
Yamaha is really making moves in guitar. Last year it was the acoustic FG9 series. This year new Pacificas and the purchase of Guild and and Cordoba, including Savarez nylon strings. So far, you’ve impressed me with the new sounds from these Neve pickups. Thanks.
Gotta hand it to you! Your video production is incredible. The camera quality is great the flow is excellent. I’m glad I finally checked out your channel. I’m stoked on these Pacificas and I appreciate your perspective on the instrument. Cheers!
i've got 2 pacifica's, one is the greenish blue one with the sparkly pickguard, and the other one is the "root beer" guitar. Both of them are amazing guitars. i modded the green one with a floyd rose and i put the wilkinson from my green one into the "root beer" one
Thanks for uploading this man, I feel like everytime i watch one of your videos I extend my perspective on what this instrument is and how it can be used.
My first electric is a Pacifica 012, and honestly out of couple other cheaper strat and les paul style guitars i tried out it, (including a cheaper end Squire and Ibanez strat) it fit me like a glove and so far it's the comfiest guitar i played, since transitioning from playing mostly steel and nylon Acoustics! I plan to experiment more with guitars and future and who knows maybe i mod it and put better pickups and new finish :)
I’ve just been binging your videos while cleaning my house for the last hour and a half. I really enjoy your feeling of friendship and laid back hang out.
The most amazingly playable guitar I ever owned was a Yamaha RXG TT. It was the Ty Tabor signature model from the early 2000's. I wish I still had that guitar. It was nothing sought after, no vintage vibe, just a straight up modern and fun guitar to play and it had such a cool neck.
Man, scrolling I see all the guitar channels demo a guitar from every big company, all saying how great the guitar is, no honest opinions, not a dig at you, but all of the guitar channels, just commercials for product. Not sure what the point is, no channels sticking to there guns, just flapping Jaws. It's like no one wants to truly speak there mind, shameless
I work at a local music store and I haven’t paid a whole lot of attention to these Yamaha Pacificas until I started working there. They are slept on like crazy! Wonderful guitars! And these new ones are just the icing on the cake for me! Great video bro!
Just bought one in this exact color, crossing my fingers that I love it lol. For context I went from a Strandberg Classic (HSS pickup configuration), then bought an Ibanez Double Humbucker, then a PRS CE 24 (also double humbucker), then a Strandberg Boden Prog NX 6 and I've come full circle to wanting another HSS guitar. I was in between Fender and Ibanez then someone reviewed the $329 Yamaha Pacifica 112V and I was intrigued. Then NAMM comes around and drops the Standard Plus and it seems like they did some major improvements so I'm skipping the 112V and jumping into trying the Plus. I'll come back in a week or so after I receive the guitar and let you guys know how it goes! Thanks Mike for the well made videos, cheers!
@@joepal843 it sounds great, seems a bit heavy but I've never owned a player series from Fender so I don't know if it's comparable or heavier, sorry. The action was high for my preference so I lowered it. Intonation was spot on though
Mike, I love to watch your videos, Your energy and enthusiasm are infectious. I am a big Yamaha fan, own 2 Revstar STD models. Had a classical years ago. Those Pacifica HSS sound really good, but I have never been a 'strat guy due to the longer scale. Might have to try one anyway because you make it sound so good as you were playing it. Maybe it will surprise me the way the Revstar did.
you mean, fender is hunting for the japan quality. Don't missaunderstand me, Fender - made in USA - is great, way better than the other big and well known company from the states, but made in japan guitars are just superior
Would love to see you get your hands on some of their higher end acoustics! They have been building incredible hand-built, amazing sounding acoustics for a long time now.
I can hear the Rupert Neve influence on how the pickups are voiced. It has that same kind of warm tone you get with a single/split-coil PRS. Not at all what I was expecting to hear. Same as what I experienced when I picked up a Silver Sky for the first time. I had dismissed that guitar as a Strat with a PRS headstock as was pleasantly surprised.
My experience with Yamaha -- albeit a long time ago and with their entry level models -- was that the width at the nut was way too narrow, which for me is a deal breaker. I wish electric guitars in general had wider necks.
@@019bc3 My Michael Kelly 55 Custom has a 43 mm nut width, which for me is as narrow as I'd go. I'd like to get an electric guitar with a 44 mm nut width, but I'd probably have to custom order a neck from Warmoth for this option.
My first guitar back in the 90's was an entry-level Pacifica, and it definitely punched above its weight. It was really versatile and a great beginner's guitar. I'm very, very curious as to how a more refined Pacifica sounds and plays!
My new Yamaha Revstars are incredible quality and value in the HH fixed-bridge space. I've been getting more into HSS configuration lately and am not fond of Fender's typically smaller radius necks, volume knobs being in the way, and brand-based price premium (not as bad as Gibson though!)... so am strongly thinking about getting one of these Pacificas.
I played a Pacifica for decades. Now I'm using a PRS Silver Cloud LE and Squire/Fender '51. The Pacifica Plus sounds like a winner with the changes made since the model of 20 years ago
Over the years, I've been through a LOT of different styles/brands but have finally figured out I to am a "Fender Strat" guy. That said, I play bass more than guitar and while I LOVE my Fender Deluxe Jazz 4 string, my go to bass is a Yamaha 5 string. Yamaha is no joke as a mfg and I have no doubt that's a great guitar, but seriously, could you EVER get used to that head stock! Love your content.
I think Yamaha is more quality focused then Fender is, my guitar tech said they are his favorite large company for that reason. Fender has survived off it's reputation and name for years sometimes with substandard products, I play bass as well and if you want a great P or J you're better off probably going to Lakland.
These new "Pro" models are really getting my attention. I was always familiar with the cheaper versions but also kid of wrote them off. I'm seriously considering picking one up now.
My Pacifica 412 is my go to, oddly enough the neck has a Les Paul feel. They are consistent in that I played a 112 Pacifica many years ago, and my 412 has an identical feel, neck wise. Very well built, I’ve change pick ups multiple times but settled on two stratosphere pickups and a Tesla plasma hum bucker along with a Babizk term with a big brass block. I polished the frets once, they still shine, and sounds tremendous.
Yamaha have been doing their thing for a while. Look a couple of generations back at the RGX series of super-strats. They have models with neck-through designs, various switches that did different things with the pickups and they had some interesting ideas with the bolt-on necks. Not just a square plate and some screws. I would still like to find an RGX1212 in decent condition to add to my collection, as good or better than anything made today and it is a 25+ year old guitar.
9:44... I just gotta say, Mike, I really like what you are doing here. As a worship player myself, I flatter myself to think I connect to your vibe. With risk added... just a little fellowship is going on here, at least from my side. I might need to model your approach in my own efforts, much later this year. Thank you for your thoughtful contributions to the craft of RUclips, Musicianship, and above all His Glory at the end of the day. At 70, with no Idea how many years I got left to play,... what you are doing helps us all - a lot. Again, thanks Mike! Sam... P.&W. 51 years... never quit, brother, never quit!!!
In your thumbnail photo it looks like you’re wearing a Superman outfit - blue of the guitar body is the shirt, the red of your hoodie that’s showing looks like the cape on your shoulders, and the pickguard of the guitar is where the logo would be. Did you compose the picture that way on purpose?
I have an older Yamaha 112M, which is a heck of a player. It has very stratty sounds on the neck and middle pickup, but the humbucker in it seems sligjtly overwound and hot where even cleans tones are on the edge of break-up. The action is smooth, and i believe the necks at the time were made by Warmoth (please correcy me if i am wrong). Now, i like the neck pocket revision they have done on the new studd since it is closer to the old 512 and 912 for ease of access to the high frets, and i scratched my head for years on why yamaha did away with it. The 112M is more traditional to with that square block. Which honestly you only recognize the difference in ergonomics of when playing something like this, an old 912, 512 or ibanez AZ then go back to a traditional style neck pocket. Then it slightly erks you for a about 10 minutes.
I recently bought the Revstar Standard with p90s and i was completely blown away by its build quality. It has me wanting to replace my trusty G&L Tribute S-500 with another S-Style of higher quality. Since im fanboying over Yamaha due to the Revstar at the moment i really want to try the Pacifica Standard Plus. The only thing that has me thinking otherwise is the fact that i grew to LOVE the G&L MFD single coils and almost want to try to save up and get a G&L Fullerton Deluxe S-500, but in reality, the Pacifica is much more accessible in terms of price for me.
I have an EG 112C, which came before the Pacifica. I love this guitar. I've had it for over 20 years now. When I first got it, I viewed it as a Fender Strat knockoff, but I've realized over the years that it's not. It has has its own identity.
I love Yamaha. They always have great quality regardless of price. I own a tbrx 304 and a BB735, both of which are excellent. If I wanted to pick up a guitar, the pacifica would be one of my first choices
Im a Fender guy all day. Strat and Tele is all i own. Yamaha and Ibanez rarely disappoint in making those styles. There is a documentary on the founder of Yamaha. It is fascinating.
I love checking out the alternatives. And when I saw a great looking Pacifica for $220 I couldn't control my clicker. I thought it would be great for my grandson. Man I have been having fun playing the entry level Pacifica. Yes, I've made a few adjustments that a beginner probably wouldn't know how to make, but it sure is great and I'm getting tones that are very close to my MiM Strat.
I've owned 3 Pacificas. They have always been great, but never seemed to be a full alternate for my real Fender Strats. I do own two other Yamahas - the 1983 SG800S (my avatar) and a 1989 FG-230 12 String (both bought new) - that are 2 of my 6 "Forever" guitars, but those Pacificas never made it into that small collection. Having said that, this new generation seems to be a step above my earlier examples. It may be time to reexamine the Pacifica line. Thanks, Mike and thank you for sharing!
Japan is an incredible country... The valve cover on my turbocharged 2tc is made by Yamaha. These brands manufacture so many different products, it's insane.
Love your stuff my man. I understand that you want to stick with standard guitars ... I get it .. If you are ever in Omaha .. would LOVE for you to hear some custom guitars !!! I have a custom strat with Lindy Fralin (3) P 90's.. I also have a Abasi, I also have a Kiesel Headless... I have sold all of my Fender Strats, LesPaul's etc .. .will never go back. As much money as you spend on a LesPaul ... You could build a COMPLETE custom from Kiesel and you would never play your LesPaul again ! Keep doing what you are doing !!
My favorite S-style guitar is a bit of a doozey- the Jackson MJ Series Signature Misha Mansoor So-Cal. I'm a djent guy, but I love classic rock, blues, and all the more "traditional" genres, so picking up this thing and it feeling like a strat was nice, but the neck felt super modern, with a 20" radius some people may not be into it but I loved it, and the BK pickups with the Misha Mansoor Ragnarok in the bridge gave me all the tonal variety I could ever want. Safe to say, I'd buy this guitar... if I could afford it lol
Somehow, with the blue guitar and red hoodie, out of the corner of my eye, the thumbnail for this video looks like you're wearing a superman costume...
hello cole, can we have your opinion on the fender mustang pawn shop special guitar, this guitar interests me a lot but no French person has made a video on it and I'm not very good in English ^^', and thank you for your videos I really like your channel :3
The lower part of the pickguard should have been the same as the Pacifica 612, that straight cut off part looks odd. The maple fretboard version of this guitar looks better. The yellow board complements well with blue.
I have Pacifica 611 HFM. I call it Mind Bender after the song because it looks and feels like a Fender but sounds like a Gibson SG with the humbucker and P90. It holds tuning better than any guitar I've owned.
It is pretty nice with stainless steel frets and spokenut trussrod adjustment but with that price tag you are better off with an Ibanez AZ, Vola OZ, Fernandes RT, et cetera if you want a Japanese-made strat.
I was misinformed at the time about the pricing for the Standard Plus and Pro and they are in fact a solid competition to the Player Plus and American Professional II series by Fender.
Good thing they come in Lake Placid blue, I probably woulda clicked away, but I'm glad I didn't. I had a japanese Heavy metal a decade ago (so it was the original run) and I've been missing it and wanting a guitar to scratch that itch again. I also am a G&L guy too soo it's always gonna be hard for me to pick something else. The Legacy is made to be a more like honest strat as far as g&l's line goes, the s-500 is a little different. I think I'd get a skyhawk before I got one of these honestly. I don't need an HSS strat, but they are cool too. I could just have a guitar with humbuckers again, because I don't atm. I do would like to own a musicman someday too!
I've had Pacifica as my first "my-own" guitar. I already could play, as i was mostly using my older brother's guitars. On Pacifica I've learned how to do the setup, hardware swap, fret levelling etc. I had probably the only one Pacifica with 2 humbuckers and split coil that allowed you to choose between inner and outer coils split - which was my own mod. Yamahas are indestructible. My brother's firs acoustic - Yamaha F310p - has fallen from the stairs, leaving a mark in the floor and was still totally OK to play. Just needed some tuning. My stupid me also managed to drop Pacifica from the mezzanine straight onto the kitchen table below. There is a mark of the frets and strings in the table, and the guitar was OK, besides two dents that didn't affect the playability. I sold it and bought Player Strat, as I was always targeted to have one. Pacifica 112 had not that good frets, and after leveling and polishing they were wearing out easily. I didn't want to invest 150$ for new frets into a guitar that was worth 150$ itself. And that could be reckless thinking. I love my strat, but still miss the PAC, as it was more ergonomic than Fender products. Now with this gorgeous neck heel joint is the time to get back into Yamaha psycho fangroup again.
Nice job on the review! Bought my first fender Strat 2 years ago and like you just gravitate to the S style guitars. I'll check one of these Yamaha's out next time im at the store.
I have always loved Yamaha basses and guitars, they may not be glamorous but they sound good and stay in tune (even after being dropped on it's headstock) they are truly work horse instruments at a very reasonable price in most cases
Cool guitar but I would never buy it to replace a Strat. It's obviously its own thing and that's good! I don't think Yamaha should ever hope to "challenge" Fender but instead carve out its own niche.
They’ve always seemed like super great guitars, and I think I played a cheap used one at GC one time that I thought sounded pretty good. I still can’t get used to how it looks though hahaha. Way more of an adjustment for me than, say, the Silver Sky headstock. I personally have an SSH, but I can’t for the life of me get a good position 2 sound out of it. It just sounds too thick and doesn’t have enough “quack.”
The humbucker probably doesn't split then. I got an HSS super strat that has the same issue. Forget who made it, I had to put a Warmoth neck on it over a decade ago now.
Had a pacifica a while back. Sold it. Regretted that. Picked up a new one and love it! I don’t have the super high end one, but a cheaper model. Thin shreddy neck and a more comfortable feeling body than the strat. Mine is also really light at just over 6lbs. Huge fan. Fixes everything I don’t like about strats
Yamaha makes good instruments. Obviously their instruments are overshadowed by their motorcycles, but the company was founded in 1887 as a musical instrument maker which has from the onset been serious about making quality stuff. Their logo is, in fact, three interlocking tuning-forks. While the company has been shelved as a slow progress or even boring guitar maker, they have hung their balls out on some widely popular innovations aimed at improving things. Pacifica, Revstar, and the Guitalele speak to that. Also worth mentioning that probably one out of three people have had a good Yammy acoustic...or have been physically exposed to Yamaha acoustic guitars more than most brands. My conjecture is that Yamaha is not living in people's heads like other brands is a result of the lack of marketing impetus rather than the lack of soulful, good playing instruments.
Agreed. No matter the product, Yamaha makes quality guitars, skimobiles, pianos, compound bows, ATVs, headphones, electric cellos, basses, amps, boats, RVs, stools, motors, speakers, keyboards, motorcycles, generators, DJ equipment, turntables, drums, semiconductors, woodwinds, and more
The blue guitar over the red hoodie, you looked like Superman in the thumbnail 💀💀
Recommended Pacifica to my students all the time. Great playing instruments. Yamaha is probably the most underrated of instruments.
Just not as pleasing to look at till now.
Yamaha is great, but FGN is the most underrated imo
how about the ERG121GPII? opinions?
Guitar wise yes. Yamaha excels in other instruments it’s not even close.
@@Slinks34their basses are stellar
I’ve got a Pacifica. Favorite guitar in my collection. Plays super smooth and very versatile.
I found a new pac012 at a garage sale. Loved it as an entry guitar. Year later all I did was replaced the pickups with Seymour Duncan’s and stripped the body and used satin clear varnish on it and that’s it! What a wonderful sounding cheap Pacifica. This guitar fits me like a glove.
You did it with the 012? That's absolutely awesome!
The king of mods, this and the discontinued Squier standard (2011 - 2019)
Love how you get directly into the technical details and cover off so much of the key info... Also amazing how much more you connected after making your setup changes..
My wife has a Pacifica and every time I pick it up I’m impressed. Having an HSS configuration as opposed to my SSS strat is nice too
I’m learning how to play guitar (just found your channel about two or three weeks ago btw, love your stuff!) and the most recommended beginner guitar across the internet was the Yamaha Pacifica 112V. I followed their advice and absolutely love it, it’s beautiful, sounds and feels nice.
A few years ago, Guitarist magazine did a feature on modding a Pacifica. I made a few mods to one I left at school as a student guitar. Soon after, Yamaha brought out a few upgrades models (saw one today in a Cash Convertors - a UK pawn shop chain). These seem a whole new level, I can see it being a great session / pit band guitar and in your case, a great worship instrument.
Yamaha have always been good at higher end guitars but these last few years have seen them really hit that sweet spot.
I got the Pacifica 612 (with Seymour Duncans, Grover Tuners, etc.) It's currently my number one guitar. When I play that guitar, I honestly feel like myself after years of trying traditional Strats/Teles/Les Pauls/Jazzmasters. I don't feel like I need to blantantly copy some of my guitar heroes when I play my Pacifica. I've been going through a "Yamaha revelation" as I also own a Revstar and an NTX1 which I also play frequently.
I got the flame maple 612 about a month ago and it's been my favorite guitar for a lot of reasons you said. I've felt more inspired to play with how it sounds and feels. Not to mention I really like a unique guitar that's not trying to hard. The vintage white/cream pickguard with it's unique shape sold me, along with the matching flame maple headstock and I own a tele, jazzmaster and a few other electrics and the Pacifica is hands down my favorite!
@@neilhook5529 hopefully they could make an HSH version soon. Would really put my money on that!
I also have a Pacifica 612. Would you consider trading yours for a new Standard Plus (or Professional)? I will probably try to do a side-by-side comparison, both for playability and tone.
@@russellcameronthomas2116 good question, I hope some friend of mines gets one, he’s in the market for an HSS Strat.
My first strat was a Yamaha many moons ago, glad they've updated
I've got to check out this Pacifica. I've gone through about two dozen Strat's over the past 23 years and I've never ventured outside the Fender realm other than my '86 Kramer Pacer probably because most of my Strat's was modded in some way or another. Passive, active, single coil, humbucker, different pup brands, necks, pickguards, bridges, etc etc. That's part of the beauty of the Strat. G & L and PRS are also on the back burner. As always Mike great review.
G&l are the best guitars
What I dig about this is that the volume knob isn't in the way. That's the one thing that keeps me from bonding with my Ultra Strat.
Same man. It’s like come on it’s 2024. . My strumming hand is too wild to be controlled 😂
Exciting times we are experiencing with musical instruments and gear. Excited to check it out.
Appreciated you POV on exploring and bonding with a guitar for what it is without preconception. The video seemed really thin on details about the guitar you had for "weeks" though, How does the neck feel? Fret quality? Tuning stability? Trem feel? etc. Caught myself worrying it was an "If you don't have anything nice to say..." situation. Some of that is subjective, but people are curious about a new release. Thanks!
I’m a Yamaha dealer and most of the stock in my shop is Yamaha because any single instrument that comes in is ready to go back into a lesson studio for a session from day one. I do next to nothing in terms of set up on all of my Pacifica, FS and FG units because they do such a great job at the factory already. If they made a Jazzmaster clone then I would have already sworn off Fender by now!
Mike, I always dig like your equipment reviews! You go about it in a way where you are looking at the guitar, thinking of what you know a shape or pickups to be and find your new tone on that guitar. I feel bad for people who dont explore off brands or lower end styles of guitars, the pick up tones etc. I was a strat guy early on and then checked out a jazzmaster(classic vibe series) and never looked back. Being able to get almost the strat tones but added nuances of a jazzmaster really unlocked searching for a tone and understanding why players find one and stick with it. Keep up the good work!
Yamaha is really making moves in guitar. Last year it was the acoustic FG9 series. This year new Pacificas and the purchase of Guild and and Cordoba, including Savarez nylon strings. So far, you’ve impressed me with the new sounds from these Neve pickups. Thanks.
Gotta hand it to you! Your video production is incredible. The camera quality is great the flow is excellent. I’m glad I finally checked out your channel. I’m stoked on these Pacificas and I appreciate your perspective on the instrument. Cheers!
I love Pacificas and have everything from an entry level 012 to a USA custom shop. It's exciting to see this new evolution
i've got 2 pacifica's, one is the greenish blue one with the sparkly pickguard, and the other one is the "root beer" guitar. Both of them are amazing guitars.
i modded the green one with a floyd rose and i put the wilkinson from my green one into the "root beer" one
You do a great job on these videos keep it up man
Thanks for uploading this man, I feel like everytime i watch one of your videos I extend my perspective on what this instrument is and how it can be used.
I've been playing a Pacifica since the mid 90s. I still have one in my main stable of guitars today. They are some of my favorite guitars to play.
My first electric is a Pacifica 012, and honestly out of couple other cheaper strat and les paul style guitars i tried out it, (including a cheaper end Squire and Ibanez strat) it fit me like a glove and so far it's the comfiest guitar i played, since transitioning from playing mostly steel and nylon Acoustics!
I plan to experiment more with guitars and future and who knows maybe i mod it and put better pickups and new finish :)
Saving for my first Pacifica. I am looking forward to owning the 612vii. Thanks for the video.
I’ve just been binging your videos while cleaning my house for the last hour and a half. I really enjoy your feeling of friendship and laid back hang out.
The most amazingly playable guitar I ever owned was a Yamaha RXG TT. It was the Ty Tabor signature model from the early 2000's. I wish I still had that guitar. It was nothing sought after, no vintage vibe, just a straight up modern and fun guitar to play and it had such a cool neck.
Man, scrolling I see all the guitar channels demo a guitar from every big company, all saying how great the guitar is, no honest opinions, not a dig at you, but all of the guitar channels, just commercials for product. Not sure what the point is, no channels sticking to there guns, just flapping Jaws. It's like no one wants to truly speak there mind, shameless
I work at a local music store and I haven’t paid a whole lot of attention to these Yamaha Pacificas until I started working there. They are slept on like crazy! Wonderful guitars! And these new ones are just the icing on the cake for me! Great video bro!
Been playing for about 15 years, and just bought the PAC012 in sunburst. I'm impressed with the quality that they make even on their lower end stuff.
Just bought one in this exact color, crossing my fingers that I love it lol. For context I went from a Strandberg Classic (HSS pickup configuration), then bought an Ibanez Double Humbucker, then a PRS CE 24 (also double humbucker), then a Strandberg Boden Prog NX 6 and I've come full circle to wanting another HSS guitar. I was in between Fender and Ibanez then someone reviewed the $329 Yamaha Pacifica 112V and I was intrigued. Then NAMM comes around and drops the Standard Plus and it seems like they did some major improvements so I'm skipping the 112V and jumping into trying the Plus. I'll come back in a week or so after I receive the guitar and let you guys know how it goes! Thanks Mike for the well made videos, cheers!
how's the guitar? any good?
Thinking of getting this. How did it go?
@@joepal843 it sounds great, seems a bit heavy but I've never owned a player series from Fender so I don't know if it's comparable or heavier, sorry. The action was high for my preference so I lowered it. Intonation was spot on though
日本のメーカーが褒められるのは日本人として素直に嬉しいです😊私は20年以上fender使ってきましたが、近々Pacifica612を購入予定です。
there is one Indonesian guitarist from a HUGE band, had been using Yamaha for years, and his sound is so unique and still rocking
Thanks for the demo bro! What Reverb are you using at 5:22?
Mike, I love to watch your videos, Your energy and enthusiasm are infectious.
I am a big Yamaha fan, own 2 Revstar STD models. Had a classical years ago.
Those Pacifica HSS sound really good, but I have never been a 'strat guy due to the longer scale.
Might have to try one anyway because you make it sound so good as you were playing it. Maybe it will surprise me the way the Revstar did.
You look like Superman on thin thumbnail bro
Just challenge Fender? Y'all do realize the Pacifica has been challenging Fender since '89.
you mean, fender is hunting for the japan quality. Don't missaunderstand me, Fender - made in USA - is great, way better than the other big and well known company from the states, but made in japan guitars are just superior
What's the name of that neck rest at 3:22?
We have the same strap!! That thing you played at 6:03-6:27 was very nice. Is that an original composition?
Would love to see you get your hands on some of their higher end acoustics! They have been building incredible hand-built, amazing sounding acoustics for a long time now.
I can hear the Rupert Neve influence on how the pickups are voiced. It has that same kind of warm tone you get with a single/split-coil PRS.
Not at all what I was expecting to hear. Same as what I experienced when I picked up a Silver Sky for the first time. I had dismissed that guitar as a Strat with a PRS headstock as was pleasantly surprised.
I’ve been playing the Old Pacificas for years. absolutely love them and really excited for this release!
My experience with Yamaha -- albeit a long time ago and with their entry level models -- was that the width at the nut was way too narrow, which for me is a deal breaker. I wish electric guitars in general had wider necks.
On the new Pacificas (Professional and Standard Plus in the video) the nut width is standard 42 mm.
@@019bc3 My Michael Kelly 55 Custom has a 43 mm nut width, which for me is as narrow as I'd go. I'd like to get an electric guitar with a 44 mm nut width, but I'd probably have to custom order a neck from Warmoth for this option.
My first guitar back in the 90's was an entry-level Pacifica, and it definitely punched above its weight. It was really versatile and a great beginner's guitar. I'm very, very curious as to how a more refined Pacifica sounds and plays!
The middle pickup on strats that always get in the way of picking will always keep me from buying one...
But I got a jazzy and couldn't be happier
Just lower it.
How in tarnation do you end up hitting a pickup? Your technique must be very unique!
Not unique, there are at least two of us.
My new Yamaha Revstars are incredible quality and value in the HH fixed-bridge space. I've been getting more into HSS configuration lately and am not fond of Fender's typically smaller radius necks, volume knobs being in the way, and brand-based price premium (not as bad as Gibson though!)... so am strongly thinking about getting one of these Pacificas.
This video has some glorious closer shots. Loving the diversity of shots.
Currently building a tele style guitar with a Pacifica neck - the thing plays better than half the fender necks I tried out!
I played a Pacifica for decades. Now I'm using a PRS Silver Cloud LE and Squire/Fender '51. The Pacifica Plus sounds like a winner with the changes made since the model of 20 years ago
Over the years, I've been through a LOT of different styles/brands but have finally figured out I to am a "Fender Strat" guy. That said, I play bass more than guitar and while I LOVE my Fender Deluxe Jazz 4 string, my go to bass is a Yamaha 5 string. Yamaha is no joke as a mfg and I have no doubt that's a great guitar, but seriously, could you EVER get used to that head stock! Love your content.
I think Yamaha is more quality focused then Fender is, my guitar tech said they are his favorite large company for that reason.
Fender has survived off it's reputation and name for years sometimes with substandard products, I play bass as well and if you want a great P or J you're better off probably going to Lakland.
Mike you should feature a Reverend on the channel
These new "Pro" models are really getting my attention. I was always familiar with the cheaper versions but also kid of wrote them off. I'm seriously considering picking one up now.
My Pacifica 412 is my go to, oddly enough the neck has a Les Paul feel. They are consistent in that I played a 112 Pacifica many years ago, and my 412 has an identical feel, neck wise. Very well built, I’ve change pick ups multiple times but settled on two stratosphere pickups and a Tesla plasma hum bucker along with a Babizk term with a big brass block. I polished the frets once, they still shine, and sounds tremendous.
Yamaha have been doing their thing for a while.
Look a couple of generations back at the RGX series of super-strats.
They have models with neck-through designs, various switches that did different things with the pickups and they had some interesting ideas with the bolt-on necks. Not just a square plate and some screws.
I would still like to find an RGX1212 in decent condition to add to my collection, as good or better than anything made today and it is a 25+ year old guitar.
Finally a video about Yamaha!!!! I have the Pacifica 612 and I love it!
Cool👍🏻 I' m a Strat Guy since the 90's but I fell in love with the Pacifica' s too. Greets from Germany 👋
Would love to see you do a review of the most recent Yamaha Revstar Standard - absolutely beautiful guitar.
9:44... I just gotta say, Mike, I really like what you are doing here. As a worship player myself, I flatter myself to think I connect to your vibe. With risk added... just a little fellowship is going on here, at least from my side. I might need to model your approach in my own efforts, much later this year. Thank you for your thoughtful contributions to the craft of RUclips, Musicianship, and above all His Glory at the end of the day. At 70, with no Idea how many years I got left to play,... what you are doing helps us all - a lot. Again, thanks Mike! Sam... P.&W. 51 years... never quit, brother, never quit!!!
For a split second i thought he was wearing a Superman suit in the thumbnail
Bought one 3 days ago and awaiting delivery. I think it will be a great electric guitar entry instrument. We'll see
Am I the only one who thought for a split second when looking at the thumbnail that he was wearing a superman costume?
Godin Session... Made in Canada/USA, seymour duncan pickups, graptech hardware, heal cutaway, dual action truss, phenomenal softshell case for $1k!!
In your thumbnail photo it looks like you’re wearing a Superman outfit - blue of the guitar body is the shirt, the red of your hoodie that’s showing looks like the cape on your shoulders, and the pickguard of the guitar is where the logo would be. Did you compose the picture that way on purpose?
My Main Guitar is a Yamaha EG112C
It is an entry level guitar but after some tweaks and a good setup it plays like butter and sounds amazing
I have an older Yamaha 112M, which is a heck of a player. It has very stratty sounds on the neck and middle pickup, but the humbucker in it seems sligjtly overwound and hot where even cleans tones are on the edge of break-up. The action is smooth, and i believe the necks at the time were made by Warmoth (please correcy me if i am wrong).
Now, i like the neck pocket revision they have done on the new studd since it is closer to the old 512 and 912 for ease of access to the high frets, and i scratched my head for years on why yamaha did away with it. The 112M is more traditional to with that square block. Which honestly you only recognize the difference in ergonomics of when playing something like this, an old 912, 512 or ibanez AZ then go back to a traditional style neck pocket. Then it slightly erks you for a about 10 minutes.
I recently bought the Revstar Standard with p90s and i was completely blown away by its build quality. It has me wanting to replace my trusty G&L Tribute S-500 with another S-Style of higher quality. Since im fanboying over Yamaha due to the Revstar at the moment i really want to try the Pacifica Standard Plus. The only thing that has me thinking otherwise is the fact that i grew to LOVE the G&L MFD single coils and almost want to try to save up and get a G&L Fullerton Deluxe S-500, but in reality, the Pacifica is much more accessible in terms of price for me.
I have an EG 112C, which came before the Pacifica. I love this guitar. I've had it for over 20 years now. When I first got it, I viewed it as a Fender Strat knockoff, but I've realized over the years that it's not. It has has its own identity.
I love Yamaha. They always have great quality regardless of price. I own a tbrx 304 and a BB735, both of which are excellent. If I wanted to pick up a guitar, the pacifica would be one of my first choices
Im a Fender guy all day. Strat and Tele is all i own.
Yamaha and Ibanez rarely disappoint in making those styles. There is a documentary on the founder of Yamaha. It is fascinating.
what is it called?
That thumbnail looks like you're wearing a cape lol. I need to go and play a Paifica. Yamaha are the unsung heroes of the guitar landscape.
I also thought he was wearing a Superman cape in the thumbnail!
I love checking out the alternatives. And when I saw a great looking Pacifica for $220 I couldn't control my clicker. I thought it would be great for my grandson. Man I have been having fun playing the entry level Pacifica. Yes, I've made a few adjustments that a beginner probably wouldn't know how to make, but it sure is great and I'm getting tones that are very close to my MiM Strat.
I've owned 3 Pacificas. They have always been great, but never seemed to be a full alternate for my real Fender Strats. I do own two other Yamahas - the 1983 SG800S (my avatar) and a 1989 FG-230 12 String (both bought new) - that are 2 of my 6 "Forever" guitars, but those Pacificas never made it into that small collection. Having said that, this new generation seems to be a step above my earlier examples. It may be time to reexamine the Pacifica line.
Thanks, Mike and thank you for sharing!
Great video as always. I like your take on new gear and the personal journey narrative.
Japan is an incredible country... The valve cover on my turbocharged 2tc is made by Yamaha. These brands manufacture so many different products, it's insane.
Love your stuff my man. I understand that you want to stick with standard guitars ... I get it .. If you are ever in Omaha .. would LOVE for you to hear some custom guitars !!! I have a custom strat with Lindy Fralin (3) P 90's.. I also have a Abasi, I also have a Kiesel Headless... I have sold all of my Fender Strats, LesPaul's etc .. .will never go back. As much money as you spend on a LesPaul ... You could build a COMPLETE custom from Kiesel and you would never play your LesPaul again ! Keep doing what you are doing !!
My favorite S-style guitar is a bit of a doozey- the Jackson MJ Series Signature Misha Mansoor So-Cal. I'm a djent guy, but I love classic rock, blues, and all the more "traditional" genres, so picking up this thing and it feeling like a strat was nice, but the neck felt super modern, with a 20" radius some people may not be into it but I loved it, and the BK pickups with the Misha Mansoor Ragnarok in the bridge gave me all the tonal variety I could ever want.
Safe to say, I'd buy this guitar... if I could afford it lol
Somehow, with the blue guitar and red hoodie, out of the corner of my eye, the thumbnail for this video looks like you're wearing a superman costume...
hello cole, can we have your opinion on the fender mustang pawn shop special guitar, this guitar interests me a lot but no French person has made a video on it and I'm not very good in English ^^', and thank you for your videos I really like your channel :3
The lower part of the pickguard should have been the same as the Pacifica 612, that straight cut off part looks odd. The maple fretboard version of this guitar looks better. The yellow board complements well with blue.
I have Pacifica 611 HFM. I call it Mind Bender after the song because it looks and feels like a Fender but sounds like a Gibson SG with the humbucker and P90. It holds tuning better than any guitar I've owned.
Hey bro, ya thumbnail makes me think of you are wearing the Superman suit 😂
At first glance, the thumbnail made it look like you were in a Superman suit...and I'm like 'what is he doing?'.
This is such a great video man. I feel like you’re always just getting better at presenting and just making content in general keep it up bro!❤
It is pretty nice with stainless steel frets and spokenut trussrod adjustment but with that price tag you are better off with an Ibanez AZ, Vola OZ, Fernandes RT, et cetera if you want a Japanese-made strat.
I was misinformed at the time about the pricing for the Standard Plus and Pro and they are in fact a solid competition to the Player Plus and American Professional II series by Fender.
Good thing they come in Lake Placid blue, I probably woulda clicked away, but I'm glad I didn't.
I had a japanese Heavy metal a decade ago (so it was the original run) and I've been missing it and wanting a guitar to scratch that itch again.
I also am a G&L guy too soo it's always gonna be hard for me to pick something else. The Legacy is made to be a more like honest strat as far as g&l's line goes, the s-500 is a little different. I think I'd get a skyhawk before I got one of these honestly.
I don't need an HSS strat, but they are cool too. I could just have a guitar with humbuckers again, because I don't atm.
I do would like to own a musicman someday too!
I had one of these once. Nice guitar. Same blue color
Yamaha makes quality guitars, skimobiles, pianos, compound bows, ATVs, headphones, electric cellos, basses, amps, boats, RVs, stools, motors, speakers, keyboards, motorcycles, generators, DJ equipment, turntables, drums, semiconductors, woodwinds, and more 👍🏻
I've had Pacifica as my first "my-own" guitar. I already could play, as i was mostly using my older brother's guitars. On Pacifica I've learned how to do the setup, hardware swap, fret levelling etc. I had probably the only one Pacifica with 2 humbuckers and split coil that allowed you to choose between inner and outer coils split - which was my own mod.
Yamahas are indestructible. My brother's firs acoustic - Yamaha F310p - has fallen from the stairs, leaving a mark in the floor and was still totally OK to play. Just needed some tuning. My stupid me also managed to drop Pacifica from the mezzanine straight onto the kitchen table below. There is a mark of the frets and strings in the table, and the guitar was OK, besides two dents that didn't affect the playability.
I sold it and bought Player Strat, as I was always targeted to have one. Pacifica 112 had not that good frets, and after leveling and polishing they were wearing out easily. I didn't want to invest 150$ for new frets into a guitar that was worth 150$ itself. And that could be reckless thinking.
I love my strat, but still miss the PAC, as it was more ergonomic than Fender products. Now with this gorgeous neck heel joint is the time to get back into Yamaha psycho fangroup again.
Nice job on the review! Bought my first fender Strat 2 years ago and like you just gravitate to the S style guitars. I'll check one of these Yamaha's out next time im at the store.
I have always loved Yamaha basses and guitars, they may not be glamorous but they sound good and stay in tune (even after being dropped on it's headstock) they are truly work horse instruments at a very reasonable price in most cases
Fun to see the shirts change
Great video, Mike. But, I am sorry to say I prefer the sound of Fender Strat and Silver Sky better than this one. Just my opinion.
Cool guitar but I would never buy it to replace a Strat. It's obviously its own thing and that's good! I don't think Yamaha should ever hope to "challenge" Fender but instead carve out its own niche.
They’ve always seemed like super great guitars, and I think I played a cheap used one at GC one time that I thought sounded pretty good. I still can’t get used to how it looks though hahaha. Way more of an adjustment for me than, say, the Silver Sky headstock.
I personally have an SSH, but I can’t for the life of me get a good position 2 sound out of it. It just sounds too thick and doesn’t have enough “quack.”
The humbucker probably doesn't split then. I got an HSS super strat that has the same issue. Forget who made it, I had to put a Warmoth neck on it over a decade ago now.
Please make a review of Tagima guitars! Hopefully the cheaper ones.
Thank you for the demo. Very round sounding... remember me the sound of the Godin strats... But the Pacifica should be lighter and slimmer ^^
Had a pacifica a while back. Sold it. Regretted that. Picked up a new one and love it! I don’t have the super high end one, but a cheaper model. Thin shreddy neck and a more comfortable feeling body than the strat. Mine is also really light at just over 6lbs. Huge fan. Fixes everything I don’t like about strats
Much love brother! God bless
Yamaha makes good instruments. Obviously their instruments are overshadowed by their motorcycles, but the company was founded in 1887 as a musical instrument maker which has from the onset been serious about making quality stuff. Their logo is, in fact, three interlocking tuning-forks. While the company has been shelved as a slow progress or even boring guitar maker, they have hung their balls out on some widely popular innovations aimed at improving things. Pacifica, Revstar, and the Guitalele speak to that. Also worth mentioning that probably one out of three people have had a good Yammy acoustic...or have been physically exposed to Yamaha acoustic guitars more than most brands. My conjecture is that Yamaha is not living in people's heads like other brands is a result of the lack of marketing impetus rather than the lack of soulful, good playing instruments.
Agreed. No matter the product, Yamaha makes quality guitars, skimobiles, pianos, compound bows, ATVs, headphones, electric cellos, basses, amps, boats, RVs, stools, motors, speakers, keyboards, motorcycles, generators, DJ equipment, turntables, drums, semiconductors, woodwinds, and more
I’ve never played a Pacifica, but I like Yamaha guitars overall. I’d like to try a Revstar. Good review!