Did Yamaha REALLY Improve the Pacifica?

[@AmericanNationalist852]

"I wouldn't mind 10 inches the whole way..." - John Cordy

[@kaekayyy2554]

beat me to a comment by 20 mins...cant even be mad

[@dusangraovac2645]

That's what she said

[@ianedmonds9191]

I have an almost mint 93 Pacifica 921M that sounds and plays beautifully. It was ridiculously cheap to buy because of the perception of Pacificas as cheap starter instruments. It's a Swamp Ash body and loaded with DiMarzios and a licensed Floyd Rose trem. It's a fairly high end guitar even by today's standards. These are criminally underrated guitars and deserve to be as highly regarded as Ibanez.

[@nicolasfernando697]

Man i love that new pickguard

[@brianmiller3287]

Me too!

[@IIImobiusIII]

And me.

[@elitesaint5348]

it look so much better that the full size guard

[@raytorvalds3699]

I came here because I was interested in what you had to say about the new Yamahas. I left because your playing inspired me to go play myself.

[@Sea_Jay]

I love watching lil' Cordy tweeking your settings while playing. "Dad, you gotta dial back the tone just a hair" Great stuff! Lol

[@Fawkes1978]

The point about Matteo Mancuso is really relevant. Schecter's traditional Strat shape was almost out of production until they got Nick Johnston. It is probably one of their best selling guitars...

[@Happy-Me.]

I have the old Mike Stern 1511 model. I stoned the fretboard as it had a 7.5 inch radius. It plays beautifully!

[@Pantalooj]

Fender Ultra and Suhr Classic S owner here. Picked one of these up in a shop the other day just to have an initial feel. I was impressed. Really nice feel, fit and finish. Very comfortable in the hands. Thought i had picked up a Japanese one ... to my surprise, it was Indonesian ... even more impressive. Never going to say "right, selling my Suhr Classic and Fender Ultra" but would absolutely have a Pacifica Pro on the same candidate list as those guitars if I was looking for a high quality S type. Personally speaking, the black one with maple board that you have looks stunning ... having a hard time thinking of any other colour inside or outside the current range that I would prefer. But from a broad appeal perspective, I'd have to agree, the current colour range is limited ... no red of any description on an S-type?!!

[@plexibreath]

One of my favorite players and teachers, and probably the funkiest guitar player on the planet, Ross Bolton, was a Pacifica player. His death from cancer hit me pretty hard, but I still remember him playing the sickest grooves on his Pacifica.

[@Dan-of-NJ]

Well done volume and tone variations demo by your daughter...really showcases the guitar's range. Thank you.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

A post on those lovely chords you use would be nice :)

[@FuzzWoof]

As someone who has been playing upper end Pacificas since they first came out, I'm fully behind them going back up market where they belong. Mine have been the most dependable guitars I've owned, and I happily gigged them side by side with Fender, PRS, etc. I do, however, hate that new pickguard with an absolute passion.

[@kengoodman7719]

Great tones! Great lines! God Bless!

[@samwheeler-brown7458]

I think they’ve definitely given it a step up and totally agree with the colour choices, none of the current range leap out to me. And purely aesthetically speaking… part of me still harks after a roasted maple look when I’m spending that much on an instrument. I’m more drawn to the AZ series at this price point currently but I do think the pickups on these absolutely smash the Ibanez ones

[@chrisosborneband4941]

back in the mid to late 1990's, Yamaha had a US Custom Shop...it just never really caught on with the main stream consumer/player. these models are hard to find and owners (like me) rarely part with them

[@watersnortmoment3734]

The 90s Pacificas in general are great. I have a 721, which was relatively mid end when it released, but it was made so well. The neck feels incredible, it flutters like crazy, and surprisingly few issues for being 30 years old. The only 2 big issues are my pickup switch not liking position 1 and a singular high fret at the high end of the fretboard. I’d love to get my hands on a 900 or 1200 series, let alone the CS models.

[@SenamicLF]

Great video and promising for Yamaha, I would just love to see a Pacifica model in a higher spec than the 112J be available in leftie. 112JLs are one the most common schoolroom electric guitars (often the only one available in a lot of scholastic order lists) for left handed kids in schools, left handed kids have been playing these for decades but unless they want to get into wiring their own electronics (and making their own pickguards, and a whole bunch of other stuff as the left handed supply chain doesn't service Pacificas much because they don't go beyond the "starter" guitar stock) Yamaha simply loses their business once they want to "upgrade" from their starter guitar. For a company that has prided itself on the scholastic to professional pipeline it feels like an oversight on their part, it would almost be more rational for them to cut off that 10% of the market than service them in the way that they currently do.

[@Uuur10]

Biréli Lagrène is one prominent player who played the 612 Pacifica. I've always liked the old line and am sold on the new one TBH, though I don't think the choice of colours and colour schemes is great. I'm looking forward to acquiring one in the next few months, or an Ibanez AZ depending on availability.

[@citizenphaid1880]

Great comparison. What’s the backing track at 9:00 please and can I download it…or get the tab.

[@P3NI5]

That track is going back and forth from G to Bm7. He might have the backing track on his patreon

[@dunki-dunki-dawg]

Have you tried the USA versions? They are flawless in every way. My fav models are the 1221 and 921 made in Taiwan also the 904 which they did a normal 4 bolt which is a rare number. The slim body Pacifica's with the aluminium joint are just wonderful through and through. The most comfortable guitars I have ever played and they sound smooth and perfect. Your playing here is very pro sounding and very free. You look supremely comfortable on these guitars and you tone is all out of your fingers it seems. The only thing I prefer is the slimmer body of the 1221 and 921 which gives a very low profile of a full countersunk tremolo system and I could never get used to the look of the truss rod wheel at the upper part of the neck. I prefer a bullet style or covered up truss-rod at the headstock. It just looks prettier tucked away. I mean how often do I need to adjust it anyways? I like sleek looks and simple designs. I only ever adjust it if I am changing to a new type of strings which is never.

[@bingoflangeworthy]

I think it all hinges on the Neve pickups. If they become available as standalone products then Yamaha have nothing special to distinguish them. This isn't a comment on the quality of the guitars, it's about the magic that you feel you're buying if you spend two grand or more on a guitar.

[@kaekayyy2554]

14:02 goes down in the JNC lore archives as a top 10 quote of all time

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

The Sargosso Sea by Michael Firkins, stunning

[@ImranShamsul]

Picked up an almost new second-hand PAC 311H the other day. I'm going to swap in EMGs once i record the tone from the stock pickups.

[@finishin.my.coffee8780]

If I bought this guitar, I'd be tempted to stick a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge, just because I'm a big Iron Maiden fan and Dave's black Strat had DiMarzios. That's what sucks about not being in a position where you can spend a lot on gear...You find something great and you want two of it...one to mod and one to leave stock.

[@GreenHoleSun]

As far as I know Matteo Mancuso plays a custom revstar with some improvements he requested (i.e. lollar pickups). Recentently he also received one of these upgraded pacifica (he plays it in the "silkroad" video).

[@ksharpe10]

I like those proto ones for colors and metal pickguards. They sound Great!!! I thought the Tremelo's that were demo'd by sooze with Kemper were really Great!! at namm. John has a budding TONEJUNKIE named ELODIE for sure.

[@hollywoodactress]

I have been waiting for a 612 vs new professional standard comparison. BTW the older 812 pacifica had a bespoke yamaha trem that was curved. I have no idea why yamaha moved to wilkinson, perhaps cheaper for production costs and the wilkinson is still a good trem. BTW your little baba stole the show on this review, trying to clean up the tone

[@davidtee273]

Beautiful playing!

[@nj1255]

They definitely look much more high-end now, but that's also reflected in the price. I would definitely get a Pacifica Standard Plus over anything non-American Fender though.

[@smartmammal9926]

I think the new model really puts it up there with what Schecter, Ernie Ball/Sterling, and Charvel are offering up in this category

[@noahtomato3515]

The Neve pickups have their uses no doubt. Clean, tight funky stuff I think. I preferred the Seymour Duncans here, which surprised me.

[@JacobMoen]

No, mate, the issue with the 612 was: no locking tuners and no steel frets. EDIT: I stand corrected on the tuners: they are Grover locking tuners! I dig the looks, could be bolder, but I kind of like the very understated appearance. Typical Japanese! Outside of the British Isles, Yamaha Pacifica is not particularly associated with the school of music ;) Standard Plus is a no brainer for me, who have been lusting for a Pacifica since the 90s (the pro studio model) I am 55, so . . . I want a guitar that is high quality and where my money does not just pay for the name on the head stock, but simply is what the Pacifica always has been: something that I would have ended up with anyway had I made a Frankenstrat, with Gotoh hardware and excellent pickups. As my first serious guitar - after my beat up Ibanez RG 350GX (I think) - I feel much better to grab a Yamaha Pacifica Standard Plus than a bog standard entry level Fender that does not inspire me in any way. The blue is a great colour! the pick guard is rather fetching. Really looking forward to receive such a marvel this summer! :D

[@Levy3557]

612 does have Grover locking tuners. Correct about the frets though.

[@Bobyoudontneeemyname]

Pretty nice little mini locking one too…that said not only are frets not ss mine were pretty soft nickel steel, sounds great though

[@JacobMoen]

@@Levy3557 I stand corrected about the tuners! (Sorry for missing your comment)

[@MyBestNameHere]

They need a red guitar. Red guitars sound better. John, how do you like the finished maple on the new Pacifica? I know you generally prefer darker, unfinished fret boards.

[@dragan4658]

Hi John. I agree that its improved though I feel it's about $200-$300 overpriced, ut if it had a roasted maple neck, the price would be right where it is, or improce the color selection. Ive played the plus and like it. I have the Revstar Standard and I feel this one should be priced about the same.

[@Nachtmahr616]

Pacifica are incredible for what they cost! But Yamaha's problem is that the company is undynamic. Every model has only slight differences or upgrades. The 600 line is almost not worth it, especially if you don't like glossy necks. Their highest line is tremolo only as well and they don't have 24 fret models. I'd buy them on a whim if they had more for us metal players. 24 stainless steel frets, different scale lengths, higher lines with bridge options, maybe reverse headstocks too. Would love one with 24 frets, white corpus/black pickguard & white headstock, 27" scale and Hipshot bridge. Maybe revive the RGX series with such features? Their basses are solid as well! But there's the same problem; Not much variety in terms of hardware.

[@kbrownstead]

I recently got the Standard Plus and the Neve pickups are interesting. I have to crank the preamp on my audio interface to get them to register. They sound decent once I adjust for that but it is my only guitar I have ever had to do that for it. The P90's made by YGD for the Revstar are great, so why didn't they turn to them to make the revamped Pacifica ones as well?

[@johnplaystheguitar123]

Missed opportunity for them to copy the Revstar style finishes. Matte, different colours. I guess that will come later. That concept one you had looked a lot more Revstar inspired in terms of finish and look etc.

[@roberthuffmann8204]

The light blue burst would look great with a tortoise shell pickguard

[@cunjoz]

"Yamaha have been instrumental" Indeed they have.

[@davidrees1840]

I was hoping to hear about the hype around the Rupert Neve pickups!

[@martoneill]

Yamaha make really solid (sometimes great) guitars. I’m not too hung up on looks. If cost is a consideration I’ve found they are really hard to beat for value

[@matthewtyler-jones8317]

That’s funny, it’s the aesthetic feature I most like about the new ones, even though they are out of my budget

[@treishtrei]

Great playing as usual. On the new pacifica...dunno...i loved the revstar line in looks, but they sounded kinda dark and dead. This one is the opposite, sounds good but looks nonsexy. The inlays are breaking the flow, would have preferred dots or offset markers to give the clean fretboard aspect. The scratchplate straight-cut looks unfinished. Does not have the strat sound at all...dunno...

[@rushtabconvideo]

Wish it had a reverse headstock option, and more color choices.

[@iblessed7679]

please make video compare ibanez az2204 prestige and yamaha pacifica professional

[@notalkguitarampplug-insrev784]

How the neck compare to Ibanez az?

[@pepeowen]

The Ibanez AZ prestige is definitely not produced in high quantities, either. In fact, I thought they were produced in the same factory. I may be wrong there, I suppose Yamaha may have their own factory.

[@ChidOki]

Yamaha’s MIJ Revstars and Pacificas are made in smaller quantities at their own Hamamatsu factory from my understanding. Ibanez Prestige I don’t know…I think some people said they contract with Fujigen but I’m not sure yet

[@erajad]

I know this is superficial, but I still can't get past that "slashed" pickguard. I find it aesthetically very jarring, in spite of willing my eye to see "Revstar-ness" in it. Does not work for me, unfortunately.

[@laurenceede6881]

Agreed

[@lyricbread]

I wish they would have at least followers the contours of the headstock, which is rounder and less straight than the slash.” A custom pickguard would solve this.

[@erajad]

@@lyricbread Or no pickguard, which I think John suggests at one point (like a PRS Fiore), although one would need to see how the single-coil routs look.

[@brianmiller3287]

Call me crazy, but I really like the pick guard....

[@travvhunter]

It looks different and better. Couldn’t be more tired of strats and how boring and alike they all are. They’re always gonna be around with absolutely zero progress or change because the old boomer dudes buy them, but the other brands going modern couldn’t make me happier - there isn’t a world I’d choose a Strat over an Ibanez AZ or these new Pacifica’s

[@notalkguitarampplug-insrev784]

I would definitely buy those Pacifica professionals over any USA Stratocaster pro or ultra luxe.

[@jwright8838]

Yup! Love the new pacifica.

[@renmusical]

Wonder if they will do an HSH version

[@Macho-Sasquatcho]

Couldn't agree more on the colors. They're just not appealing enough for the price. The Revstar line is much better, but could still use more options.

[@garyoneill5648]

yup looks are not great. Maybe some flamey/burl necks and bodies?

[@jst601]

SSS version??

[@Bredaxe]

Once you can buy those new pickups from the new Pacifica, the new model will be worth less than half the price. They have marketed the entire guitar around the pickups. It's all you really hear about it.

[@Kenji-ds9rf]

You gotta be kidding if you can DIY the same specs for $700.

[@picksalot1]

The new Pacifica Pickups sound a little better to me. It has a longer scale length. Maybe that's why Matteo Mancuso didn't play it at Namm. He has very small hands.

[@noahtomato3515]

But he played a baritone very nicely at Namm. His hands aren’t huge but they’re not freakishly small either.

[@picksalot1]

@@noahtomato3515 I've heard him mention at least 3 times about how small his hands are.

[@cohnjordy]

Day 16 of asking for ALL the backing tracks to be put in Patreon, that would a MASSIVE improvement!

[@P3NI5]

11:37 the lick 11:39 also the lick jnc memelord

[@pattoocool]

I think Matteo simply prefers the RevStar guitars :)

[@stevenhernandez276]

Fractal Fm9 mk 2 with 10% more dsp and BIGGER SCRIBBLE STRIPS. You must be stoked lol

[@ptrisonic]

I wanna be you , when I grow up, John.

[@chrisgmurray3622]

Yeah... that off-cut pickguard isn't helping, and there is no good reason for it, apart from clearly trumpeting the maker. At least they don't do what other strat-type guitars do, and have wierd looking headstocks designed more for brand recognition than for the owner's pleasure, but that's buisness and art being strange bed-fellows ( don't worry Cordy-bot.. it's nothing to be afraid of) Seriously, it sounds good and apparently plays well, but that wierd pickguard ruins it for me. I wonder if a business will spring up with replacement pickguards that are the same at the top but sweep in a curve ,at least, or maybe in an original way with a flare at the lower end they coukd even be made to surround the controls without interfering with the height of the volume and tone pots.

[@poesybeat]

Wish they had the Japanese model in white

[@brianmiller3287]

Just checked Sweetwater, they do have the standard+ in white, and it looks sharp! My two cents: I'd get the standard plus over the pro, I'm done buying guitars over 2k, none of my expensive guitars are much better than than the mid-priced ones...

[@poesybeat]

Yeah, I tend to agree. My Indonesian Revstar is really good.

[@ChidOki]

Kind of frustrating - they offer the MIJ one in white everywhere except the U.S.

[@wiguitar7633]

Same thing with fender - the ultra have boring plain colors

[@89digits59]

There was always a value proposition associated with the Yamaha Pacifica, not anymore with their recent pricing, I owned a 012 Pacifica which is the lowest Pacifica for 10 years and loved it as a great value instrument, but do I aspire to buy their Japanese $2000 Pacifica - nah - cause it just looks like a normal Pacifica just better made. The other thing that bugs me is why do they have a different neck profile for Japanese and Indonesian, why make sure the Indonesian is made to feel cheaper, they could have given the same profile to both, infact they should give Japanese neck profile through out the range with stainless steel frets, Hope Yamaha does not go the Fender / Gibson route and one day offer a Relic too, cause with their recent moves they seem to be going in that direction.

[@LucaGaetanoAlboreto]

Got your point, but do you really think that a different profile makes a guitar cheaper?

[@89digits59]

What I was trying to say is a neck profile which is good - liked by guitarist should be the profile, they can use expensive woods for prices differences - but knowingly givening a thinner profile by shaving a little extra wood - which could have been kept - is the flaw in the logic, the difference should be in components and not the cut is what i wanted to say. @@LucaGaetanoAlboreto

[@ChidOki]

To answer your question, Yamaha got criticized for making the Revstar Standard and Pro too identical in specs. The perception that came out of that is that the Indonesian ones were so well made that there weren’t enough differentiators for consumers to go for the Pro. Having a different neck profile on the higher Pacifica Pro line is a completely rational business decision. I don’t know why you would expect them to offer the something the same all the way through the line. You’re either watering down the higher models or you’d need to increase price on the lower ones. Is the Indonesian made to feel cheaper or is the Japanese made to feel better? Aren’t you basically questioning why would they would make something better on a higher end model and then charge more? Isn’t that self explanatory? Sorry if I’m misunderstanding. Edit: okay having re-read your reply comment (not original post comment) I think I understand a little better, but still want to clarify. Are you saying the neck/shape profile itself is different between the Standard and Pro? Or are you referring to the compound radius on the Pro?

[@89digits59]

All I'm trying to say is the difference should be in the components (better quality woods / locking tuners / double carbon reinforced trust rod / etc etc ) but not the basic specs, especially the neck profile - they could have asked a Bunch of guitarist and come to a conclusion which profile is most liked (I tend to think most good guitarist do not prefer thin necks) and then neck profile atleast could be kept same across the range - they could have offered expensive woods for expensive finishes etc etc, but for people who just want a good guitar to play which has it's basis right would have the same specs without the expensive aesthetics.@@ChidOki

[@LucaGaetanoAlboreto]

Trust me as a owner of a Pacifica Standard+ I couldn't be more happier to have the same hardware of a professional! I think that this is a good strategy. They're gonna sell so much indonesian models due to the fact that you can have basically a pro version for half the price.

[@alanmay6172]

I think Pacificas have always looked clean and versatile and image-less in a good way.

[@michaelgriffin5304]

At the price range, there are too many other options that have a more professional look. The guitar looks like it is cheap. Yamaha - Listen to John!

[@josemoreno5496]

this are like another magnitude above any mx fender...}

[@5starcomment]

The blue one sounds 10 times better...

[@RustyRaceHorse]

This is the older model. See heel.

[@ChristopherBuenviaje]

I konda prefer the older pacifica. It just has more character.

[@LenProbert]

So the problem with the old 612s is simply the looks. Is that how you pick your girlfriends as well? The 612s have great build, great hardware, great pickups, play great and mine cost $600. Who gives a f**k what they look like when you get all of that for less than 2/3s what a Mexican Strat would cost, and the Mexican Strat doesn't play half as well?

[@watersnortmoment3734]

Looks and feel matter above all else when buying guitars. You can always upgrade the hardware, you can’t just change the profile of the neck without extensive modifications.

[@Andreas_Straub]

The new pickguard is outright ugly ....

[@wizdeas6064]

She is a star already! (Agree about the colours - boring.)

[@andsoistopped]

S typetegy report. Can’t say Strat.

[@blahdiblah2169]

LOL - I wonder what they paid you for this review?

[@davidbriggs9675]

A 'relic' on a Pacifica wouldn't be realistic as Yamaha players always look after their guitars... and the bodywork finish is very strong. A bashed up Pacifica is a rare thing.

[@kostasmarinakis1459]

Japanese used to be honest and to sell quality stuff.. Now they became like Americans and sell hype

[@Kenji-ds9rf]

Hype? What is it that they didn't deliver?