Is This Better Than a Strat?! Yamaha New Pacifica Models

[@shirlmccullough1993]

Pacifica 611 & 612 are way under appreciated. Very nice and underrated.

[@williamhutchings1543]

I'm not in the market for a guitar like this but still watched the video because I have so much respect for Yamaha's ability to deliver great value and quality, and you guys make great demo videos.

[@chevy4x466]

I want to buy my family a Pacifica 112. I can’t imagine paying $1300 for an Indonesian instrument. I would stay budget or go premium. I would prefer to save up for a good amp.

[@Oz-gv5fz]

@@chevy4x466 why? cheapest boden MII cost $1.6k and sell well

[@chevy4x466]

@@Oz-gv5fz there r a lot of offerings in the budget…. We r building a kit currently. The more I learn, u can really doing a lot of modding for a few hundred bucks. I do believe u that the brand u r referring is a really nice guitar though.

[@wizdeas6064]

Nice playing! A couple of points: Fretboard radius is compound on the Pro whereas it's constant on the standard plus...and the finish on the neck of the Pro is satin as opposed to gloss on the Standard Plus.

[@BrandonSorianoMusic]

The Standard Plus actually has a satin neck finish as well-- the Professional is a Custom Tinted Satin, though!

[@plainzero]

@@BrandonSorianoMusic Also there was a process of Acoustic Resonance Enhancement (A.R.E) thats been done to the Professional model.

[@jordostoadhole]

The Pacifica Standard Plus is manufactured in Indonesia 👍

[@nicolasfernando697]

Yhea AND they're good as hell

[@carpediem4413]

Yep and WAYYYY overpriced for an Indonesia at $1399 IMO 😮

[@watersnortmoment3734]

@nicolasfernando697 I like Yamaha, but there’s no way it’s $600 better than a Pacifica 611 or 612.

[@billsimpson1085]

At the end of the day they’re all $99 guitars. Companies like this are just after the profits at your expense.

[@Joelvete6]

​​@@carpediem4413why? Because only Americans know how to build guitars or something? They build all kinds of guitars in Indonesia, also they're made in Yamaha's own facilities there, it's not like they're made in a sweatshop or something

[@ilovejapanesemusic3858]

😊 I've got a Lefty Pacifica and I'm very happy with it. It's an Indonesian model from the '90s, with SSS configuration😮 I'm not even halfway through the video, and already there's so many improvements!

[@michaelhaydenbell]

​@TheRange7Google.

[@jamesc2827]

I have the Revstar standard and I simply love it has so many tone options I think 10

[@dudemandudebro938]

Mine goes to 11

[@Necropheliac]

I appreciate very much Yamaha’s approach to music instrument design and production. I learned to play on a Yamaha acoustic and I keep coming back to Yamaha instruments because it truly is a top tier brand based on all the brands I’ve tried. I like fender a lot, but Yamaha manages to quietly steal their thunder in subtle but meaningful ways, and especially in cost.

[@masatanida9119]

I like these quite a bit. If I didn't already own a EBMM Cutlass, I would seriously be considering the Pacifica Pro to fill the "modern S-style guitar" niche. Admittedly, I thought they looked a bit plain when I first saw the announcement, but after hearing that the design is inspired by the 1980s Japanese City Pop, it started to make more sense to me, and now I dig the clean, 80s pastel look.

[@Taylort3b]

Fortunately I still have my original Pacifica 904(1995). Simply an amazing guitar. I purchased a Fender Elite and Ultra with the idea of selling the 904. Well that didn’t happen. Sold both the Elite and Ultra. Held on to my American Deluxe(2010) as it spoke to me more than the Elite and Ultra. The 904 is a Warmoth compound radius neck. Seriously looking at the Yamaha Pacifica Standard plus as it has similar neck to my regrettably departed Pacifica 812w.

[@veganize-it1891]

Very nice. I have a 611 and considering an upgrade. They sound great, but then again it’s cooper playing 😅 he makes every guitar sound amazing 😬

[@pieve5516]

Good job. Great playing and a clear explanation of the features if the Pacifica. Consider shootouts. I know that it may tweak a vendor or two but you guys have credibility. also consider starting your own custom shop where you offer to upgrade with pickups, bridges and tuners.

[@Holonomics]

This is a really great video and I do feel Pacificas are underrated. I had a cheapo Pacifica in the 1980s as a teen, and so my wife as a little present bought me a Pacifica 112J recently. The owner of the music shop was listening to me noodle, and he was surprised to discover that it was better than a slightly more expensive Squire Telecaster. I'm just an indie noodler who plays occasionally on my own at home, but I think all Pacificas, no matter what your price range is, should be checked out and compared to the Fender/ Squire you may be considering.

[@cpoyet4107]

Awesome guitars as always...mine is a pa112 from 1998 dark brown mat finished... I did a custom out of it in 2013 with 1 of steel poly mirror pickguard and Di Marzio pickup set...love it

[@Crabitat]

Yamaha not being "sexy" means great value for people who simply want great instruments at reasonable prices. I got a P90 Revstar and it's super cool.

[@christinepratt4656]

Great video, as always. Would be nice to hear a sound comparison between these guitars and a higher-end Fender strat. These Pacificas sound great to me!

[@smartmammal9926]

The Plus is not compound if I am not mistaken. It is 13.75" (13.8 according to Yamaha).

[@bobaldo2339]

Thanks, too flat for me to consider.

[@Fred-gi4uz]

I’ve got the Pacifica 612, awsome guitar

[@JohnsMusicClasses]

10:00 The compound radius is only on the Made in Japan pro model. Ordered mine recently. Had to opt for the blue model, would have liked it in the Shell White that the Standard Plus comes in!

[@baneverything5580]

Yamaha is a brand I trust. I use one of their old mixers with very basic effects and their 100w subwoofer as part of my small acoustic setup with two Powerwerks PW50 speakers.

[@terryjohinke8065]

Yamaha have a building in Singapore where people buy /learn their instruments. I was in Singapore on a delivery day and the instuments like guitars come in and go out that quickly it's unbelievable. They are also the piano of choice to may. Always good quality and sound . I have nothing but praise- oh one criticism, the early FG dreadnought guitars had terrible cheap tuners, Yamaha rectified this problem.

[@dongarrett9735]

I have two Yamaha Pacifica guitars and they are both great guitars. Plus I own 4 Fender Strats. But learn towards the Yamahas due to it's unique tonal qualities are more throaty than a strat. And playablity is flawless. The quality is that of a high-end guitar. At a Fender player series price.

[@howtorepairpendulumclocks]

Love these videos. Great vibes. Great playing.

[@NhisHonor]

Thought I heard you say both necks are the same. Standard plus does not have compound radius, only the pro. If I heard you wrong, very sorry. Thanks guys. Okay went back and listened to it again, and you did say compound radius on both.

[@entemen]

With no electric in the arsenal was planning on one this year and this looks like it

[@VideoDetection]

Haven't read all the comments, but I can tell you one is made in Indonesia, (not China) and one in Japan. There are differences between the two but nothing major except for the neck radius. The Indonesian has a 13 3/4" radius and the made in Japan has a compound radius neck of 10 - 14". Both have same pickups and SS frets so it comes down to what neck radius you like and how deep your pockets are :)

[@stephenweetlarcovic5227]

Fantastic demo, as always. I'm set to buy the standard plus, mainly because I want the ash pink color. Both of these models sound extremely close. The business between Japan & Indonesia is not a factor. I've had Indonesian built guitars that were super. And, I've had a few outstanding Japanese built guitars. But in this case, I'm going with my color of choice. Yamaha has designed two very similar guitars & the difference is rather unnoticeable .

[@gtr1952]

I may have to try one. I'm 72, and I've been playing for ~55 years. I wanted to add a hard tail Strat, so I bought a Robert Cray MIM w/a rosewood board. I kept it, but I'm a little underwhelmed with it. I also tried a RevStar mid-model w/ P90's. I gave it 2 weeks. I've played Gibson/Fender most of my life, I just didn't care for the RevStar, I sent it back. I liked the sounds of the Pacifica, and I can see the rolled FB edges, but the thin C neck? I just prefer 50's Gibson, 60's Fender bigger necks. Thanks!! --gary

[@orryfishburne5326]

I think the Pacifica Standard Plus is going to be my next guitar. I recently got a RSS02T (Revstar Standard with P90s) and it's easily my favorite guitar i have ever owned. Im really blown away with its build quality and I'm very interested in checking out more Yamaha instruments. My main guitar before the Revstar has been a G&L Tribute S-500. Theres just something about the tonality of a S-Style that i always gravitate towards and i think it's time i find a higher quality S-Style guitar to replace my Tribute S-500. I think the Pacifica Standard Plus might be the one. Its either that or try to save up enough to get a G&L Fullerton Deluxe S-500, but in reality the price of the Pacifica Standard plus is more realistic I would be very happy playing live with any Yamaha instruments, but im also fanboying over them cause im still in my honeymoon phase with the Revstar. 😂🤣

[@joshtillman08]

The long haired dude is maybe the best player on youtube

[@MisterJohngtr]

The professional has the compound radius fingerboard. The standard plus has a straight 13.75 radius.

[@Cygnusthegodofballance]

Everything Yamaha makes is top notch. Every Yamaha I have ever owned be it the few guitars, motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles have been excellent!

[@Bbbbad724]

Do they do a Single Humbucker and a Double Humbucker? What is the neck radius?

[@dalecoffing8655]

You two are a great team. Very entertaining!

[@peterharrell7305]

Those squier sonic series arent actually that bad. I got a limited one last year and i was really surprised at the quality of the pick up that came with it. I was skeptical of how light it felt at first, but after some months of play, its my goto practice ax because its so damn comfortable.

[@davidkastin4240]

How much $ ? Are there lefties?

[@johannesdebeer]

"I wanna start with the pickups". "Ok"...proceeds to talk about the body construction. 😂😂😂

[@geew-fr9th]

There's a video of Cornell Dupree playing a Yamaha. Nuff said!

[@tman6495]

I had a YAMAHA SG 2000........with a Mesa Boogie Mark l.....

[@Guitar_Builder]

I didn't hear the fender quack sound, do they do that?

[@MegaEldude]

It all sounded quacky to me!

[@charlesbranch4120]

A fan of, and former driver of the Yamaha Grizzly and Viking, and looking to buy a Yamaha 4-stroke outboard to replace a 3-4 hp Evinrude... I will ask cycle and outboard shops about a guitar deal....🙃 Thanks!

[@muktamao]

I have a Revstar... Looooove Yamaha, but can't get over the Pacifica's shape😮

[@happytrails1963]

Have 2 yamaha acoustics and possibly would like to buy a red label. Would perhaps buy an electric at some point and would consider yamaha. They make such good guitars in japan.

[@jwhittmusic]

Will that blue pacifica pro demo model be available for sale when you guys officially start selling them?

[@daddio307]

I hate block inlays, dots are 'meh', but these, i like!

[@aquaticborealis4877]

How would you compare the build quality to Charvel?

[@A_Noid]

Pacificas are fantastic starter guitars. Not super sold on these higher end ones, but I’m sure they’re really well made.

[@marc8vino]

Compound radius on the standard + ? Going into detail on how great that is, but is that true for the standard?

[@ChidOki]

No it’s not. They got that wrong, Standard+ is not compound radius

[@pepmasters-999]

Chris: Let's start with the body and then we'll get into the pickups Cooper I want to start with the pickups! Chris : OK, let's get into pickups. Cooper: The body is really nice... LOL

[@MrShane5150]

What is the route under the pickguard (pool route, h/s/h)?

[@drdave971]

You guys are great thank you for the insights 👍🏼🎸👍🏼🎸

[@arjnoro1]

Pacificas are excelent guitars. But the only problem I cant live with is the neck width at the nut. They need to make it 42mm as a fender or even 43. Ive owned a couple pacificas and it was my only complaint.

[@thehahahaha88]

When will they hit the store?

[@ChidOki]

Correction: Standard Plus is not compound radius

[@Gefffuhuh]

Andertons stated that only the japanese one is compound. I have rev and a high end pacifica with bare knuckles. I intend to swap my tom anderson for that japanese one sometime in the future. The day will come.

[@paulmanning5452]

I'm down with it, plus I liked the guitars. Depending on what your into, I'd say a person would be totally happy with any yamaha at any level. 😊

[@joepassfan]

What speaker in that Blues Jr iv? Sounded great.

[@dougreid1951]

Puzzled by the Rupert Neve reference on the pickups - I worked for him fifty years ago and never heard any interest in guitar pickups - sadly he died in 2021. I've bought and played high end Yam; guitars, saxes, flutes - and a couple of motorcycles - all top notch stuff

[@justinmccarn3223]

They were made by an engineer that works for Rupert Neve designs, not Rupert Neve himself.

[@ChidOki]

I know someone else answered this for you so it's but I kind of chuckled at your comment of it being "puzzling" - as if there isn't the possibility that an audio pioneer could develop an interest in something like that some point over a 50 year period. Anyone and anything can change a lot in half a century...and it's not like guitar pickups and audio equipment are in a different universe, the basic concept of coil wire is, at its core, the same thing! Super cool you worked for a legend though. Props

[@johndavis9343]

I just bought one I love it I agree sounds just as good as a strat or better it's a great guitar

[@Chillnote]

These look like really great value, especially for someone who simply wants a really well built instrument

[@Sandman.68.]

I'm going to say it , it's been better than a Fender strat since it's introduction. Quality and value .

[@marc8vino]

I guess feeling a compound radius doesn't matter. Since both guys can't tell the standard is not. Maybe fretboard radius and neck shapes are not as noticeable as many make it out to be unless they are very different.

[@zoeherriot]

It’s usually really obvious and from what I understand this is similar to the one on my fender ultra. So I don’t know what’s going on here.

[@user-nu7xx7pc1d]

in my experience, only issue is that reselling price is not that good as a fender guitar

[@alexshevchenko7568]

I've had a few Custom Shop Strats and Les Pauls and I ended up having a Pacifica Pro and a Revstar Pro. You just can't find a single flaw in these guitars. In my opinion, the only brand Yamaha can't beat is Tom Anderson. But TA guitars cost at least twice as much as the best Yamahas.

[@TimGuitarcouk]

Great video. Thanks for posting. Interesting that you seem to need to justify the fact that Japanese guitars are good. When I was a kid during the 80s one of the most popular high end electrics were the Yamaha SG 1000 & 2000.

[@paulfowler5420]

Standard plus does not have compound radius fretboard…

[@CarlWilliams-sp4zy]

In the early nineties, Yamaha must have flooded the UK with Pacificas, every guitar shop had a whole line of them. That's why they are so popular here. They caught on for good reason because they where a quality first guitar with great value for money.

[@pinkiewerewolf]

Yamaha oozes reliability and performance with good value in everything they do. Motorcycles (I have a 24' Tenere 700) Instruments, I have a Revstar Standard P90 and Pro model with Humbuckers. I mean Billy Sheehan plays Yamaha! The Pacificas would be just as groovy to play.

[@RavBunneh]

I have dreams about the Pacifica 611

[@uhhmike]

I've got a pacifica 112 that I got used for 200 that I'll take over the 1k stats I've played. Just personal preference. Electrics have nothing to do with price in my limited experience.

[@edyhartonochanel710]

Amazing sound...

[@David-yv6ow]

I had a very standard a few years ago and it just was not a very good guitar. I now have a James Tyler version of the variax and it’s a much better guitar. Would love to see these improved guitars be marketed into the variax model for line 6.

[@darrellmiddleton6615]

Id like to see how the compare with the schecter Nick Johnston they're very similar i hear schecters quality is second to none

[@matteopaolucci6801]

I have the top of the line Pacifica 1421 and 1412...amazing and the Pacifica USA 2 the strato like not the Tele like also the PAC 904 was really good and rare to find...only other competitor is the Ibanez BL 1025 great HSH super strat

[@fettuccinealraver]

Hats off to the creator of the thumbnail

[@stonodo]

You like many, many people are mistaken sir. Locking tuners only pupose is for faster string changes. It has nothing to do with tuning stability. If a guitar with standard tuners is strung properly there will be no more slip or tuning stability than a guitar with locking tuners.

[@tjstevens001]

I'm glad you are such a guitar expert. Thanks for your opinion.

[@TheFloridaBikeVlogger]

really want/need one of these

[@EricCPOP]

Yamaha need to bring back the Superstrats with the Floyd Rose's. Until they do I can't say I'm interested in Yamaha at all.

[@JSession]

One question. What do they put on the fretboard ? Because I despise rosewood, so naturally when I picked one up I was surprised to find out what it was. Whatever they coat the fretboard with I’m wondering if it wears off over time

[@richkraemer9585]

Really similar to my Godin Session which is Canada/US built

[@noysdn4001]

They nailed it

[@JohnSmith-fp8il]

I want one in hardtail. Tremolos are a pain in the arse

[@tomaslopez2940]

9:13 They should add a green-to-black burst flametop and call it "Godzilla Burst"

[@MeandtheOwls]

For those about the specs, Pacifica is better then Fender Strat. But, it's a different guitar. I mean, Pacifica is a superstrat, with modern sound and modern features than a classic Fender Strat. It doesn't mean that Yamaha sound better. It sounds different.

[@jwilder2251]

I only clicked for the hilarious thumbnail 😂

[@actie-reactie]

Dont forget, yamaha also makes very good acoustic and digital piano's, and very good motorbikes.... maybe because we are from europe.... but I think a lot of us prefer japanese products over american products..... not meant as an insult!

[@Wobbz9413]

Wish I could like this comment more. I think everyone but amerkans prefer japanese or other asian products more than the things from the devided states of amerka.

[@jhhag]

I own a '24 Standard Plus. I'm a lifelong Strat player. Imo this Pacifica has an amazing top end, with great positions 4 and 2 especially. However, I don't like the neck tones. It can't compete AT ALL with my Strats for neck tones. It sounds thin, and lacks punch. The neck on the guitar is fairly slim, but my Performer with a modern C is slimmer. It is a fine guitar. But not better than a good Strat.

[@trevorD1156]

Definitely better quality and components than a performer strat, they are awful. Tho it's really subjective and obtuse to say that you can't get a good tone out of the neck but love the 4. There is a way to do both (eq,boost,etc) and you're just being thick.

[@shiraga0516]

Yamaha makes musical instruments, motorcycles, yachts, boats, and (sometimes) car engines.

[@emelle1283]

Yamaha guitars are great but try FGN (Fujigen) - best in the world.

[@greg6509]

To me, they sound a bit more tinny/metallic than Fender/Squire strats with a little less bell like sounds. Oh heck no for those prices!

[@k2dave1969]

I have a third gen MIM Fender strat and unfortunately the Fender on the headstock means something to me and those Pacificas are fantastic, but it is Yamaha's fault for setting a precedent with cheaper mass marketed products. They as a company at least for guitars are still fighting an uphill battle at least for me.... I own a PRS, Strat and an aftermarket telecaster and if Yamaha produced a version of the Telecaster or T style body, I might check it out.

[@OilCanHarry2U]

There is the Yamaha Mike Stern “T” style guitar. I haven’t played one, but Mike loves it and there are many others that share his enthusiasm for the instrument.

[@the.communist]

I only buy atlanticas

[@chevy4x466]

I don’t understand how the Indonesian Pacifica is different than the revstar that is half the cost. I have a Yamaha boat, Yamaha percussion equipment. I am shopping for a used red label. I LOVE ALL THINGS YAMAHA!!! Not really feeling the fender knock off look at elevated prices. U want to sell my kid a Pacifica 112 to get started for $300, great. But to save up for a dream guitar and wind up with that thing, 😂😂😂

[@EliecerIzquierdo]

Great!

[@mikegaudet6264]

a beginner look at price an intermediate will look at the name a pro will listen to the sound and playability i think .

[@speechy6260]

Pacificas are great guitars, they are just so easy to play. BUT : they do not sound like a Fender Strat ! at least not like the typical single coil "Knopfler"-sound. Same thing with the Ibanez, imo...

[@cliffordguess1008]

Yamaha just lowered the price for the Pacifica Standard Plus model to USD $1,149.

[@cliffordguess1008]

Wow… Yamaha Pacifica Standard Plus (Black with Rosewood fret board) $860.78 on Amazon 01/14/2025

[@Oneness100]

I just went to Yamaha's website and the Pro is $3700. If that's the case, then that would be a no bueno.

[@ChidOki]

It’s not. Yamaha has a weird habit of putting a suggested MSRP price on their website but actual dealer/street prices are $1,350 for S+ and $2,200 for Pro

[@Oneness100]

@@ChidOki Yamaha, like every other guitar mfg. publishes MSRP. Manufactures SUGGESTED Retail Price. I worked at a music store in the late 70's. I know how the industry works. The dealer can sell at a discount, but some companies only allow MSRP on the internet and depending on the company, their markups vary. Yamaha typically has a 50% margin and retailers typically will discount up to 30%, sometimes more if they need to move inventory, have preferred customers that buy lots of gear, or they might get B stock deals. I also had a close friend of mine that worked for Yamaha for many years and he sold the MI equipment, which is guitars, basses, drums, amps, and mixing consoles, and keyboards. He told me that for the majority of their MI division, they use a 10x markup, which means if it costs Yamaha $100 in mfg. costs of materials and labor, they mark it up 10x to determine the MSRP, but they routinely sell to the reseller at 5x, so if it costs Yamaha $100 to mfg. then they'd sell it to the retailer for $500 and they'd put a $1000 MSRP on it. But the retailer might discount it, which is what YOU are looking at. That's a general rule. But Yamaha has OTHER overhead costs that are covered in that markup.

[@musicteacher33bdx]

I haven't tested the guitars... I love Yamaha and honestly I have to try one. But from all the videos I watched : something is wrong with the sound (very quacky) and something is wrong with price... For 2K €/$ Any guitar player would just buy a Fender made in US and get the fender sound. That's just my humble opinion...

[@ChidOki]

Speak only for yourself, how do you know “any” other guitar player just wants a Fender sound?

[@musicteacher33bdx]

@@ChidOki Technically I do not, maybe I'm assuming that the others would think the same... But honestly these quacky pickups do not offer a proper sound for that price range - so I would just get the Fender sound for 2 ground. If that's not your thing > there's nothing wrong with that.

[@ChidOki]

@@musicteacher33bdx yeah man I totally agree that to each their own but the way you put it, you kind of spoke for everybody, just keeping you honest haha

[@FelimorBaldo]

Awesome guitar

[@raythill]

Damn, coop can play some Guitar.