Yamaha Pacifica or Fender Stratocaster? - Which is the Best Mid-Range Guitar?

Today I do an in-depth comparison between the Yamaha Pacifica 612 and the Fender Player Stratocaster! Which one will be the better mid-range guitar?
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[@DarrellBraunGuitar]

Two rivals at it again! Fender and Yamaha! Enjoy :)

[@johnlogan9417]

Great video as usual Darrell. I own the Player Strat HSS Ltd edition in "Blueburst." You're right. No coil split ability. The Player Tele HH does have a push/pull for coil splitting so I don't know why they didn't do it with the Strat. Love it though, and it might be shallow, but if I'm going to own an S or T type, I want it to say "Fender" on it and I don't mind spending a little extra money to own a small piece of that heritage and pedigree. That said, if someone doesn't care about that sort of thing, save a few bucks and get the Yamaha. Cheers!

[@stevef4010]

Another factor is the Fret radius (and I think width if I remember correctly). I had a 212V. Great guitar. Stayed in tune. Not as sexy as a Fender or Squier. Flatter radius (13 vs 9?). As a budget hack guitarist, I like Squiers, but also appreciate the value of the Yamahas. Hard to find bargains on the 611 or Revstars.

[@marlonf.naranjo6102]

Darrell what's the gray black guitar behind your right shoulder at the beginning

[@jasontrujillo2859]

Hey Darrell great video have you done a telecaster shootout before?

[@l_gab_l]

I was about to comment to do this vid on your Pacifica video earlier lmao

[@michelgenlis9893]

A basic Pacifica is less than 300$ and is a very good guitar. Incredible sound, confortable neck and you can play all styles of music. I'm a teacher and I recommand it to my pupils. My collegues do as well!

[@tarkgundogdu8940]

I was between a Yamaha Pacifica 112v (the colors) and Fender Player Strat (made in Mexico). They both have quite a good range of colors (was mostly looking at blue or red with maple necks). I ended up buying a Cort G290 FAT BBB. I do not regret my purchase. I am quite happy with it actually; because, I can also get some heavy sounds from both the bridge and neck pickups as well. I always thought of upgrading the pickups later on as I have installed Seymour Duncan 16b and 1n on my first beginner Ievel Ibanez guitar (it really changed the tone btw). However, I did not need it with the Cort g290 fat as its pickups (VTH-77 set) have a character of their own. They felt like Seymour Duncan Hyperion pickups; different sound-wise from SD but very unique sounding.

[@robertreid6977]

Is that when you recommend it with force or threat? Lol

[@truckskate9677]

Whats crazy is you aren't getting a fender strat for any less than 1000 NEW so how are they compared especially if Pacific's start around 300. Is it a certain model or something that's more comparable

[@Struggle.Snuggles]

I have to say yes to the Yamaha. I think far too many players are kind of blinded by Fender and Gibson being the so-called best guitars. Yamaha has for years made incredible guitars. I like Fender but in all honesty, I feel like you pay now more for the name in all price ranges compared to years ago.

[@dennispickard7743]

Some years ago ,I was in a support band , 3 songs in I snapped the E string , the guitarist from the highlighted band , gave me his Pacifica so I could continue playing , the only difference between my strat and the Pacifica was the Yamaha was a brighter sound - I never noticed any playability issues , in fact I bought one after .

[@beefnacos6258]

You are definitely paying for the name. A modern G&L plays better than a modern fender but of course the fender cost more. Opinion of course.

[@alfgwahigain5544]

I don't have a lot of experience with Yamaha electrics but their acoustic guitars are excellent.

[@briano.5746]

I totally agree! I own 2 Yamaha guitars and they're both fantastic. One of them is 40ish years old too.

[@Ingeborg323]

You can really get a Stratocaster-guitar for a very much cheaper price, but in better quality and Playability!!!!! I play a CAR-red ESP 400-Series Strat ( production for Europe with pre CBS-head) with 42 annual-rings, bookmatched maple-neck on a serial guitar (!!!!!!!!), the hubs of the frets on the edge of the freetboard are sealed with filling compound, and already the dry sound in aspection of sustain, attack, knack, twang, glasy-wiry-spectre are better and much louder than on every Fender USA-Custom-Shop-Stratocaster till these days (fact!!!) !!! So, this guitar defeats every Custom-Shop-Strat!!!! And for going out i play two different BLADE Texas-Strats-models, who are in quality and sound very close to the ESP, but with flat neck-body-joint, so the playability is much better, to! I´ve forgotten, on my ESP and on the BLADEs the chord opens harmoniously, on most of the Fenders i´ve tested ( different stock-production-guitars an many Custom-Shop-Strats), NOT!!!! So, if the chord don´t open harmoniously ( like on most Fenders) what would i want to do with such a guitar????? Only playing solos?????? For playing rhytm i need the chords-opening-harmoniously, if this is not there, you can throw it into trash!!!!!!!!!!

[@beridus]

My opinion: Yamaha is a players guitar, Fender is a collectors guitar I love both a lot but if I were gigging every single day I'd probably choose the Yamaha for versatility as well as it being an overall awesome guitar. Id keep the fender as my studio buddy!

[@patrickwrenn3021]

Thanks for another great video Darrell...I bought my daughter the Fender HSS a year and a half ago for her first guitar and she couldn't be happier.

[@johntedesco6304]

Agree with Yamaha on top overall but the Fender in Positions 2 & 4 was just incredible. That’s Fender tone.

[@audiophileman7047]

Well said, John, I really thought the same thing, and the cherry burst finish just does it for me. Add a humbucker in the bridge position, and there would be more Fender fun. 👍👍👍

[@allendean9807]

Have you ever checked out the Fender mod shop? It’s a surprisingly deep way to build a sub 2k custom style fender model. I built one with roasted neck, personalized color, pickup choice and layout, bridge, tuners and case for under 2k. I was super impressed.

[@johntedesco6304]

@@allendean9807 I did my own. I bought a MIM, put on a rail tail, a slimline SD Humbucker in the bridge that’s split, a micro switch to put neck in all combos, locking tuners and coming today is a new Fender neck with black headstock, and built my own custom shop super Strat. The best part of Fender - totally customizable. The only original left is the body lol.

[@allendean9807]

@@johntedesco6304 that’s so cool! I’m going to pull the trigger on this mod shop strat in the coming weeks. I really enjoyed the site and customization. And, since i always deck my strat terms, having a hard tail stock is very exciting!

[@raibiksarkarbardhan8732]

Can eq make the yamaha sound like a fender?

[@TheBigGuppy]

I gig with a 611 and a 612. The Custom 5 in the bridge is mid-scooped. The slug coil used in single coil mode is great but as a humbucker the mids are lacking. I called Duncan and told them what I liked and disliked. They suggested the 59 Custom Hybrid. That pickup is perfect. It uses the same Custom slug coil for single coil mode and it has a 59 coil for the mids.

[@DavidRFIT]

scooped mids are a plague. nice switch you made!

[@joesmith8398]

@@DavidRFIT Exactly ! It's only ButtHead Metal heads that like scooped mid crap....it just makes everything sound like garbage and everything disappears in the mix.

[@claydowdy9596]

I'm a newbie. I've been trying to find the difference between the 611 and 612. Please.. what makes up the price difference?

[@TheBigGuppy]

@@claydowdy9596 the 611 and 612 are very close in price. The difference is the 612 has more pickups. The 611 is a humbucker and a P90 in the neck. The 612 is a humbucker and two Strat single coils.

[@claydowdy9596]

@@TheBigGuppy Thank you!!

[@mancub1589]

Thanks Darrell. I wish you could do something every day, you are so good and personable at this.

[@nelliejones1]

Pacifica all day long. Beautiful instrument. This might be my next purchase. Looks like a workhorse to me!

[@freakfletch0]

I’m a Pacifica man. I have a 311h in black and it does the job well, very nice package for being only $399.

[@theblytonian3906]

PAC311H G&B bridge PU *tone* is truly fab, but its output is underwhelming. Beautiful guitar in all other respects, but lacklustre for rock as it comes OOTB. I own & play a 311H too alongside my 612VII,112V Pacificas (& others).

[@freakfletch0]

@@theblytonian3906 I agree that the bridge pickup wasn’t made for the heavy stuff, I’m planning on replacing it with a Duncan Custom 5. Everything else I plan on keeping the same for now

[@theblytonian3906]

@@freakfletch0 That's what I did. It's such a shame, as the original's tone is tops. In retrospect, I'd fit a different replacement PUP from the TB-14 as I did, but I did so before I bought my TB-14 fitted 612V. Great guitar. I like it as much if not more than my 612. The G&B P90 kicks arse.

[@freakfletch0]

@@theblytonian3906 I agree that the P90 sounds great

[@theblytonian3906]

@@freakfletch0 The 311H is a hidden gem. So underated, overshadowed in the attention it deserves in being sandwiched between the 112V/212V & 611H/612V price segments.

[@cosasDEguitarra]

totally agreed with what you told about the joint and the high frets access... It is incredible there are modern guitars having that classic joint...

[@willistaylor4077]

I just bought the Yamaha Pacifica. It was $200 cheaper here than the Fender Player Series. And for me, a more versatile guitar. 😊😊

[@chezruss]

You did right - I bought the yamaha 10 years ago and have never regretted it....

[@mal2ksc]

Can you split the bridge pickup when the 5-way switch is in position 2? Because if you can, I think you've got all the Strat tones except position 4.

[@howalk1505]

How much its cost bro?

[@frangolemac1160]

@@mal2ksc as a Yamaha Pacifica owner, yes it does

[@brahmoone]

should've been much more than $200 difference. where are you from?

[@TheLiquidEdge]

I am a huge fan of both! In my latest music video I used a an Yngwie American Strat AND a Pacifica equipped with a P90. They complimented each other very well as far as I could hear. Even though the Pacifica is far less $$$, it absolutely measures up!

[@Different-Level]

Pacificas are massively underrated

[@fuchsia5899]

Correct

[@turbilon3881]

I agree. Yamaha is a big big brand of guitars, basses and pianos

[@vladwinter3246]

@@turbilon3881 bikes and motor boats)

[@mark.e.p]

My favourite motorbike was Yamaha XS 650 back in the day.

[@cenkdonmezguitar]

I have a Yamaha pasifica 120h which is double humbucker with single coil push pull pot. It’s amazing and it’s about 400$ range. I’m not thinking to change anytime soon

[@patrickegan8963]

Darrell, some time ago I was watching one of your reviews of a $4,000.00 guitar and commented that you should do videos on more affordable guitars. I'd just like to say thank you for the the reviews of the more affordable guitars like this one. I still enjoy geeking out on the custom shop and insane import video's you do. You're #1 on KZbin in my books.

[@stuartwilliamjohnson7549]

Totally agree !!

[@mxkguitar]

I have inherited a Yamaha Pacifica 112 from my BFF who passed away 2 years ago. He had played it so much it needed new frets. My other friend who is a luthier did a refret on it so I could continue playing it in his memory, without changing out the original neck. Let me tell you what a dream it is to play now! It always stayed in tune well even with original hardware. Next I may do some electronics changes, but the rest I'll leave stock. One word of caution, no matter what you do it wont sound quite like a Fender. Close, but not close enough for my ears. The good thing is that's not a deal breaker for me. Great video! Happy New Year Darrell! 🤘😎

[@tomhansen939]

Thanks for this comparison Darrell - this is giving us beginners the needed help to navigate. One remark: the jack position is different and might be an additional criteria. I had my personal check on both and finally decided to invest a few dollars more and to go for a Shijie STE that you reviewed on your channel

[@chimpsandmetal8354]

The new editing is amazing!

[@sangyechua6635]

Nice work Darrell. I like that you are one of the rare youtuber who appreciates yamaha guitars and gave them a lot of exposure. I owned both brands, and started my first electric guitar on the 112. in my opinion, Yamaha guitars are really underappreciated. they deserve more brand recognition. Good job. 👍

[@jonwalwick2517]

I chose the Yamaha when I was searching for an electric guitar. Features for the money, versatility and Yamaha quality. I've owned other Yamaha guitars and saxophones and was comfortable knowing what I would get with their instruments.

[@pattipotvine1073]

I had a Pacifica in the 90's. Great guitar. I now own a Pacifica 112v HSS split humbucker, came with alnico pickups and satin neck. Only $320. Half the cost of fender with the alnicos. Great guitar.

[@vivito-]

I has one from the 90s, in natural finish. Pretty good also.

[@pattipotvine1073]

@@vivito- that sounds like my old one, I wondered where it went.

[@thebaldshredder]

Fender on the headstock has A LOT more draw which is why they sell way more than Yamaha. I'd say the Fender looks way cooler, but I'm sure the Yamaha is the superior guitar.

[@fpvollgasgermany7919]

My first guitar Was the yamaha erg121c which I bought used with amp for 90 Euros. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think there is a cheaper yamaha guitar. It's a great guitar ! It holds tune F-ing great, the neck feels great too. I got an ibanez JEMJR-WH for about 500 Euro and the yamaha puts it to shame. I bought a made in Japan boxer strat, and its awesome. It sounds way better than the yamaha but I think that's because of the pickups. Get the yamaha, put on some nice pickups and that's all you're gonna need. I will never sell my cheapo erg121c, because 1 it's so good, and 2 I can experiment with alternative tunings without having to adjust trem. And 3, if it gets dings and dongs I don't give a sh.t ... I can always recommend yamaha guitars

[@cedomirpetreski9857]

@@fpvollgasgermany7919 I

[@stinglikeabeee]

Agree

[@jbognap]

If you can accept that you are paying $200 for the decal, then cool. I've had a Yamaha 604w for over 20 years. I stays in tune and sounds great. My only wish would be a slightly chunkier neck.

[@audiophileman7047]

Superior in some ways, but not in others.

[@abdulazizrehan]

Thank you for this video and your honest reviews. I bought a Player Series Strat 5 days ago. These two guitars were the final contenders for me based on watching a lot of your videos. :). In the end, I went to the store, played both of them for 30 mins, and went with Fender simply because the neck on one particular Fender felt much better (and I wanted the buttercream colour which is just gorgeous).

[@zombywoof1015]

Thank you for playing the same bit when you did the sound comparison. That's always been kinda important to me. I can't compare speakers listening to different songs. All must be even and equal.

[@philos212]

The Pacifica wins overwhelmingly in my opinion. I didn’t even think they were that good. That tone is beautiful!!!

[@jerryph40]

I have no idea why I always gravitate towards Fender… I am a relative newbie, but I have been around enough to know a little about other brands. For example, my Yamaha A3M acoustic is my favorite to play even over my 2 Taylor acoustics. I have an American Tele and MIM Strat, but never considered the Pacifica until after your two comparison videos. Very informative and entertaining. Thanks for the content!

[@sunangel-rivka]

I have a Squire, and I thought I would treat myself and buy a Player Series. I took it home, tried it, and honestly I like the Squire better. For over 500 bucks more, I just couldn't see it. I took it back to the store.

[@TheTeddydog1]

I love my two Squiers. Solid build, great sound, and very well priced.

[@beefnacos6258]

So I'm not saying the modern fenders aren't worth it. I'm not saying that at all, you're comparing a squire to a fender and you're saying that you can't justify the Fender's price so you're keeping the squire. I feel the same exact way about a Mexican fender versus an American fender. Again I'm not saying an American fender isn't better, but for that price tag I simply just cannot justify it. I sometimes feel little to no differences in the models.

[@mykaljoseph]

I can see that. Squire really gives the mid range fenders a run for their money… I’ve given up all hope on Fender. G&L 4 lyf

[@beefnacos6258]

@@mykaljoseph I picked me up an older S500 and a Legacy. I wish I tried G&L sooner

[@Struggle.Snuggles]

Its funny. But its true. I know fan players that blindly defend Fender being worth and all...but I feel that Squire makes a better guitar. Kind of like how Epiphone makes a better guitar versus Gibson.

[@dbreardon]

As a recent beginner, I opted for the Yamaha Pacifica PAC112V - HSS with spilt coil humbucker. I've been very happy with it and it sounds great. Having said that, I have little experience with most higher priced guitars and models. I did recently purchase a Michael Kelly Patriot Bold Instinct which is a LP style guitar with dual (separate) split coils for each humbucker. It sounds amazing.

[@improvcomedywithtonebone]

I just love your channel. There's a few guitar review channels out there, but yours is the best by far. I thank u for doing this man, it helps me out a lot. Plus it's entertaining. 🤘

[@GuitarBassCigar]

Definitely the Yamaha The big and "authentic" names still haven't learned the lessons that these other names like Yamaha/Schecter/others are definitely making more available with superior options. Brand loyalty is a real thing but it doesn't make a mediocre instrument sound or play better.

[@roberthartley6629]

Absolutely, I tried a player and ended up with a Schecter Nick Johnson SSS. What a great guitar, especially the roasted neck.

[@SergeiVlassov]

"big and "authentic" names still haven't learned the lessons " - I thought the same until I checked the sales ranks. People still want those "authetic" outdated and inconvenient things, and are willing to pay extra for them. I have both - pacifica and Fender Player, as well as number of other guitars. I would cahnge several things on Fender (and I actually did - locking tuners, other saddles that don't have sticking out screws, TUSQ nut), but it seems that Fender has good sense of the market and produce instruments according to average potential customers expectations. It seems that most people are bying Fenders exactly because of classic look and feel. Fender sold more guitars in last year than any other year in Fender's history. So, who we are to explain them how to make and sell guitars...

[@gargotier6124]

I compared the frets and the neck of my pacifica 112 with my telly american standard, a PRS custom and a fender custom shop strat and none of them had such good finishes. The PRS one was close but not so perfect that Pacifica. The two Fenders was below. When you pass your hand along the neck you can feel the frets under your fingers, thing that you dont feel on the pacifica. I know it's incredibile! I even made a blind test with my telly american standard and the pacifica. My friends thaught that the most beautiful sounds was coming from the Telecaster while it was coming from the pacifica.

[@davidbarlow431]

I would argue that yamaha are an authentic brand. I'm pretty sure they have been around a lot longer than Fender and making a much broader range of instruments - their pianos for example are extremely high quality. I'm not knocking Fender, I own both a player series strat and tele and they are both great, I just think with this particular guitar Yamaha haven't helped themselves by using the pacifica name, which is widely associated with their lower price point guitars.

[@SergeiVlassov]

@@davidbarlow431 good point! But still, history of guitar music is always associated with Fender and Gibson at the first place, as countless guitar legends played them. Yamaha is associated with Mike Stern... But any other big name?

[@garygosse5747]

Really liked the Yamaha but something about the Fender tone is better.I have a MIM Tele it is my favorite guitar.

[@MetalMan73100]

Good point about the old school neck joint featured on both guitars. My Strat is the 50th Anniversary Model, obviously from 2004. It has a rounded and ergonomic neck joint, very comfortable and practical when reaching for notes located higher than the 15th fret. Why Fender is insisting on sticking with the old style of neck joints is a mystery. It´s certainly not beneficial from a player´s perspective, but perhaps a brand as established as Fender can get stuck into fear of doing changes or upgrades to some of their most requested and legendary models? After all, Fender players can often be notoriously set in their ways.

[@davidmacqueen6426]

Excellent reviews that make choosing an instrument much easier. Well done.

[@DavidRFIT]

I have to say I recently got an used "as new" Buttercream Player Strat and it blew my mind. Never been a fan of MIMs, in fact I only owned MIA Fenders... but I really have to say the Player series is a big step up in comparison to old MIM Standards. That guitar is the best playing Strat I have ever owned or tried, and I owned/tried quite a few MIAs and even custom handbuilts by famous luthiers... Didn't expect that.

[@MonkyMonk729]

MIMs have been excellent quality for a while now.

[@jamesp.rogers5156]

Well , I wasn't really in the market for another guitar , but thanks Darrell , now I have to get a Yamaha Pacifica for my collection . Nice guitar man.

[@theviolingeek]

Wow! I wasn't expecting that! I like both, and own both Yamaha and Fender guitars! I will have to look into the Pacifica. Thanks!

[@jeffreybuckingham3782]

I have a Squier Deluxe Strat with 3 Hotrails. I upgraded the electronics with CTS pots, an Oak Grigsby switch, a treble bleed and blender mod. I added a Bell Brass sustain block to the trem. I also replaced the neck with a Fender Roasted maple with Kluson locking tuners. Amazing Guitar! With all of the upgrades, still under $600.00.

[@randywilcox5874]

Another very enjoyable piece. Thanks Darryl. This may be a dumb observation but a big point for the Fender is it sounds like a Fender. It has those iconic Strat tones. And if that is important to the player, you really have to pony up for the Fender. But I like the subtly more warm Duncan single coils. And when you add the bridge humbucker, those tones are music to my ears. I would pick the Pacifica even if they were the same price.

[@leagueofsoniccuriosity5376]

I was going to say something along these lines. The Fender sounded more 'fendery'; I think a little more detailed is the word I'm looking for. I think If I was looking to make some money playing these guitars, I'd probably pay the premium on the Fender...

[@kindface]

Totally agree. I don't know if it's the Fender sound (I'm not there yet) but it just sounded better to me.

[@pandabakery123]

i agree

[@ConditionZero76]

​@kindface definitely the fender sound, all these other brands are chasing that fender quacky clear tone, they all try to imitate but nobody can ever duplicate. You'll only get that from fender and squire in the CV and or custom shop series ...

[@earthoid]

The Yamaha sounded more musical to me. I don't really know how to describe the sound other than that. Since I'm not chasing "that Fender sound" the Yamaha would definitely be my choice.

[@shootsnscores-cja]

What a terrific KZbin channel! I’m an aspiring new guitarist (at an older age) and can’t believe how much I’ve learned about guitars and gear watching DBG. There are others out there but this one is the best. Honest reviews with no sponsorship bias is refreshing. As I’ve been trying to decide on what my guitar purchase will be, I was thinking Fender Player vs Yamaha Pacifica 612 (although I still wish I won the Ibanez giveaway, : ) ), and boom, DBG does the comparison. How great is that? A little trouble finding the 612 locally due to shortages (one store has a 611) but the Fenders are plentiful. Also looking at a couple of other DBG review guitars (PRS, Schecter, etc) and having fun with it, knowing the lingo and what to look for. Darrell, if you ever find yourself in Maine, dinner’s on me.

[@ericpoore3331]

A great and honest review, much appreciated. I would love to see a comparison between the Yamaha and the Sterling CT 50 as well.

[@pokerandliquor]

I live in Japan. Haven't played Guitar since I moved year over 20 years ago. Figured I wanted to pick it back up. This video got me to pick the 612 as the guitar to buy to get back into it. I was able to get one here, New from Amazon,, delivered to the door and including gig bag for $475 USD!!!! I think the Amazon algorithm saw me viewing it enough it dropped price to induce a buy because it was listed at around 550 USD. Anyhow, this is an amazing piece of Kit and a guitar that makes me want to play! Perfect for getting back into things! Thanks for the guidance! Ohh and I have been here long enough I can hear your Canadian accent even though we never say "A Boot"!

[@GabrielVelasco]

The Fender in HSS splits the coil in position 2. It's a humbucker in position 1 and a single coil in position 2 combined with the middle pickup.

[@mikehurley5052]

As is any HSS.

[@markknight6445]

It's only possible to auto split in position 2 if the humbucker has 4 or more wires. Most certainly not ALWAYS the case.

[@the_armada5579]

@@mikehurley5052 not always. Sometime an hss or hsh guitar will have position 2 be humbucker and middle single coil, and position 4 the same

[@fred1854]

The pacificas also do this

[@vansongs]

I love my Player. The alnico pickups sound so good. Always plays great. Always fiddling for settings with my other guitars, the Fender just plays anywhere, and when is dialed in, whoa! But it's the neck. Never had a neck so right, at any price. Got the Fender locking tuners and moved the standard tuners to a Squire Bullet. Don't mind drilling new holes in a $200 guitar for a great upgrade. Good video Darrell

[@jonnybroomhead]

I love the trem system on the Player series. I put one on my chinese Austin strat and it works beautifully. It was only like $20-$30 brand new and is a HUGE upgrade.

[@DavidHands]

Nice review. I bought my Yamaha about 4 years ago because it was a quality hotrod at a great price and I prefer the less rounded body shape over the fender. I use it mostly with crazy cheap Behringer pedals and a Yamaha THR10 amp. Bang for buck, I couldn't be happier. I'm not playing gigs or anything so it's a perfect home or mobile set up for me.

[@reevant2215]

Based on your video I purchased a Pacifica 612 and could not be more pleased. This is a great guitar. I used it live the other day and gave the Tele I’ve used for the past 50+ years a night off. Nice to play and stays in tune.

[@TimO-wt9sz]

Yes dbg there gone up now like 1000 canadian for the fender and the 612 is roughly the same what a heads on comparison man I love them both ..I really hope to see you get a revstar to go up against a les paul or high end epiphone or something I really like them just not sure of the pickup configuration and the electronics there kindof a new thing .great fun video keeper up DB thanks tim from london ontario

[@timcastle165]

I have that same Fender Stratocaster, but I purchased it back when it was called a Fender Plus Top Standard Stratocaster. Mine came with a White pick guard and yes it has a six screw tremolo, but I haven’t had any issues with it or tuning issues, it also came with that same finish and was called an “Aged Cherry Burst”. Love that Strat!!

[@hugobohorquez7450]

Really appreciate your honest and detailed review. Def subscribing to your channel. Thank you!

[@Ace-in8qr]

I wish this video had come out back in November when I was shopping for a mid-range guitar. What I ended up with was a Fender Player Mustang, and I do really love it and got a good deal on it brand new from Reverb to put it more within the Pacifica range, but I think if I had done more research I would have probably chosen the Pacifica. Having so many tonal options is a really great thing, and the colors + matching headstock is an amazing touch.

[@brettadkins7563]

Just an excuse to buy a Yammy now too lol

[@TheCompyshop]

Honestly you could resell your fender pretty easily and pickup the Yamaha lol. 2nd hand market is hot

[@Krullmatic]

Fender for me! It's got that warm tone, especially on the neck. Plus, you can't beat that 2 and 4 spank!

[@mathewfoley1531]

So underrated Yamaha just as good if not better than fender

[@Scott__C]

Many guitars can get that tone. I have a few and none are Fenders.

[@caiusmadison2996]

@@Scott__C of course more guitars can do it, but I've got 6 different models of Fender that do it even when they lack a 2 or a 4, which I've never found a 3 pickup guitar that isn't a Fender, that will deliver that tone.

[@AzimkhanYerzhan]

It was a pleasure watching this comparison.

[@wjniemi]

Nice video. I have a 1990 521 (HSH), and a 2016 Am Special. After putting in roller bridges and TUSQ nut and string guides, the Strat is almost on par with the Yamaha for tuning stability. I put a FreeWay 10 position switch in the Strat so it can get the humbucker-esque tones. I think both of these are great guitars. You're right about the Yamaha switches and pots, those need to be changed out one of these days. I bought the Strat used in mint condition for $650 a couple of years back, and I don't have a cost basis for the Yamaha because it was part of a trade. The Yamaha neck is wider and thinner than the Strat, which might be nice for some hands.

[@SpiderStratagemVI]

Always like the price point comparisons on guitars you do ! Maybe you've done it but what about a shoot off between lower priced guitars and how much in mods it would take to make it 'next level '? For example, if you added locking tuners and a graph tech nut to the strat but added better electronics and cleaned up fret end and polished- would either shoot past the other? You've done alot of great videos so if this has been done- sorry!. I just thought to mod them to get closer, which guitar would you need to spend more on(in mods)

[@buddybeavers2691]

Really if you do upgrades even a $50 guitar will be as good as any Really. It's like useing a car body. You can make the car be a corvette zr1 underneath but it be a Malibu base model on the outside. The frame is mostly looks and weight. As long as it's put together and finished well.

[@justanothernguyen2334]

Too circumstantial. For example a jazz rig is no good without a humbucker on the neck

[@majinghost5809]

I love how friendly he talks always Makes me feel better

[@MyMusicHarbourage]

He's a Canadian, dude. That's like their basic politeness lol.

[@gil9417]

I have several Yamaha Pacifica's and the sound is incredible. I polished the frets myself and it's no big deal. The electronics may apear cheaper but the sound quality is way better. I've had some scratchy pots and a little deoxIT cleans/clears it right up. Highly recomend - They are major tone machines!

[@StephenHorler]

Another great no nonsense comparison...Thanks Darrell

[@sboy1955]

The fender sounded a bit more Strat-like (of course), but the Yammi/ Duncan sounded totally excellent expressing it’s own tone. The pots are a non issue since they weren’t actually quality tested… small pots are often as good as or better quality than standard sized.

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

Agreed, I feel like the only big difference most of the time is the sweep of the knob itself (larger having a slower or smoother taper). Other than the range and how the knob reacts though, if they work they work so no real complaints. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@scottbrower9052]

Fender on the headstock also means better resale value, all things considered. How much is that worth? Depends on the player. (I own neither a Fender nor a Yamaha, fwiw.)

[@nobodys.shapeshifter]

Better resale value can be good or bad depending on if you are buying or selling.

[@palagos]

Yamaha necks feels cheap .Even higher models feels like 100 bucks guitar.there is so many nice and cheap strat like guitars on market.

[@DelScully]

@@palagos just sounds like you don't like thinner neck guitars. Thinner doesn't mean cheap. I also prefer fender necks for the most part though.

[@pipnpop47]

Totally depends if you ever plan to sell it - I can't imagine selling a guitar I loved enough to buy

[@misteress3840]

yamaha’s neck is really comfortable

[@fabricetremblay9023]

Tu es très sympathique et professionnel. J'adore ta chaine et cela m'aide beaucoup. Merci !!

[@Pe0plEateR]

Ive seen the Fender Players go on sale for about 650 at GC. If name brand is important to you, I recommend holding out for the next big sales event. At the standard price point, get the Yamaha and upgrade the electronics and you might even be able to sneak in a new pedal. At the end of the day, I think it comes down to which one inspires you to pick up and play the most.

[@nutxo]

Years ago I was in guitar center. Trying out an amp and some mom came up and told me her kid was taking up guitar. She asked about the guitar he picked out. It was some insane looking 200 dollar Dean. I took her over and showed her the pacificas. I told her that he might not to be on stage with one but I think the pacfica is probably the best student guitar there is. They sound great and stay in tune. Built pretty well too.

[@nmcg2587]

Both instruments sound pretty good. My vote goes to the Yamaha! They make a great product for this price class.

[@rustydodge6167]

Always honest a d to the point DARRELL! 👍 Really trust tour opinions and reviews on all gear! You are my resource before laying down the Benjamin’s 💰. Thank you⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@daviddalziel884]

A great comparison , haven’t played the Yamaha but I’ve played one of the older ones and it was great . I’ve played a Player but up against an equivalent G and L which had brilliant pickups but the finish -fret ends and electrics -weren’t so good . All that said it’s how the guitar feels to you that’s so important. Not a fan of satin finish neck but dislike the Squier Classic Vibe over lacquered feel so some middle ground suits me fine 😀

[@geralr]

One thing to consider about fender guitars is the aftermarket parts.. since they’re more ubiquitous, most manufacturers will just consider these models for their designs. That doesn’t mean that Yamaha or others can’t use the aftermarket parts, it’s just a little more research work before you buy them. That being said a squier Classic vibe will fit most of the standard fender parts.

[@carlosdelgado8442]

Agree! I recently restored an old Pacifica, and had a lot of trouble getting the right parts. Wonderful guitars, but not too many spare parts on the market.

[@CristiNeagu]

Depending on what you're doing, there's loads of parts for Yamahas. If you're looking to restore one to original spec, then it might get tricky. But if you want to upgrade or replace parts, they're everywhere.

[@ws8080]

@@CristiNeagu Yeah, the bodies tend to be very similar within body styles, so I don't understand the comment re parts. Maybe if you are doing a google search with yamaha parts, but not if you are just buying parts that fit. If you can swap parts on a $75 Glarry to make a superstrat like he did in previous video, then you can do the same thing to swap out parts on a Yamaha.

[@CristiNeagu]

@@ws8080 True. And it does depend on the age of the guitar too. Pacificas these days come with a Wilkinson bridge, Graphtech-like tuners (not sure if they're actually Graphtech, but the Ratios are drop in replacements), and a Graphtech nut. That's most of the hardware. Electronics should be pretty much off the shelf (Except the Revstar's boost transformer, but that is never going to break). I don't know if the neck joint on a Pacifica fits a Fender neck. I think the spacing of the screws is correct, but the necks Yamaha use are probably narrower than anything Fender does, but you can get one narrow enough from Warmoth. So yeah, they're pretty easy to upgrade as long as you don't want to use original parts.

[@audiophileman7047]

When both guitars were played in single coil mode, I liked the sound of the Fender more. I'm a fan of humbuckers, so I would probably like to get a humbucker in the bridge position on the Fender. I also love the cherry burst finish on the Fender. The dollar spread between the guitars isn't enough to make me go for the Yamaha. If I were to pick between the two guitars, I'd probably go with the Fender. Thanks for a really nice comparison, I really did find this video to be interesting. 👍👍👍

[@robertlennox3607]

Definitely agree with most of what you're saying about both guitars, both sound good in their own way. I've never used locking tuners on any guitar, so that's not really an issue for me and the screw in arm is also not an issue (more of an inconvenience that a major flaw). I have Seymour Duncans on two of my guitars and have always been a fan of their pickups. Being a lefty, I can't get that particular Pacifica as they don't make it left handed. Great review of both guitars and nice playing as always :)

[@RJW14]

I remember playing a fender player strat in 2010, back then that was a crazy good guitar that was cheaper than what it is now. Should've bought that one.

[@PartyChicken407]

Good video but I'm actually a bit surprised you didn't mention the fretboard radius difference between the two. The Yamahas are 13.75" (fairly flat) and the Fenders are 9.5" (Pretty rounded)... it makes a pretty huge difference in low action shredding ability and bending. I actually am glad my parents got me a yamaha eg112 as a kid because the flatter fretboard honestly ended up making me a better player in the long run if I reflect back on my progress / years of learning.

[@metallica3604]

Plus, there is no reasonable downside to have a flatter fingerboard

[@ConditionZero76]

It's subjective, myself and several others I know would definitely prefer the standard rounded Fender style as its easier to play in my opinion and easier bend notes..

[@averageguitarist3631]

The strat will always be around but that yamaha has amazing value; the three pickups by themselves totals $220.

[@KBryanWhite]

Great comparison! Thanks!

[@seraph127]

Instead of cranking the trem arm by the tip, you can spin it in with your finger easily once the threads have caught. Once it hits the spring, it's under tension and you can easily put it wherever you want, where it will stay in place. It's older trems without a spring that strip out the threads and can never bottom out anywhere. The spring-supported screw-in arm is my favorite design, I've never found another that will both allow for easy movement AND stay securely in place once you position it. I have an Ibanez Team J-Craft RG with a pop-in arm with silicone bushing and a replacement bushing in the case. both wore out in the first month of ownership, after relatively infrequent use. The flare-nuts on Floyd Rose bridges are designed to tighten down and stay.

[@moldypj]

Brilliant review, feels like no bias truth. I personally had the pacific first because it was all I could afford at the time (450usd deal), than later bought a fender roadhouse (split noiseless pickups and heal joint) $800usd and was very happy with it even at the premium price. Both great instruments. If you like the way it feels, plays and looks who cares what text it has written on it.

[@user-kh1oi3vn9r]

Yeah, no bias when he said yamaha is worse because it has smaller pots?! No bias - rotfl. I can't even play guitar but I can feel tons of bias.

[@GreenDistantStar]

Pacificas are right up there with anything you'd care to play. Like Hagstrom, they represent amazing value for money.

[@PileofBrass]

I have the MiM Fender Player in Tobacco Burst and love it. Beautiful guitar. My Squier Standard is Cherry Burst. Another beautiful piece.

[@deeman524]

Watching your channel always makes me wanna play my guitar.

[@alfgwahigain5544]

I've gigged a strat for 25 years and the middle pickup by itself is one of my favorite sounds, and I use it all the time. Great for rhythm or lead, and works well with gainier sounds where you don't want the treble of the bridge pickup. But few other strat players give the middle pickup any love. I guess Nile Rogers uses it a lot, so there's that.

[@francisgoulart5648]

I thought I was the only one that thinks that.

[@matturner6890]

I think it's cause it's too easy to knock the pickup selector switch with your hand while playing live. I'd need a second strat with the switch duct-taped in place if I wanted to use the middle pup.

[@MrPhilfridge]

I'm not a big fan of strats at all.....i hate the quack tones and i think the bridge pick up is pretty horrible but like you , i find the middle pu very versatile, i also like the neck pick up, even more so on a tele ! I have three telecasters where i have strat neck units replacing the normal lipstick unit which i find lack any real character .

[@ediek8048]

I love the Yamaha Pacifica. Disappointed I didn't win the high end mod one. But, I'm OK: I have seven of them. The real point that you should have emphasized - and you should do so with all your reviews - is how the guitar feels: how the body feels to hold and especially how the neck feels to play. How comfortable is it. If these things don't feel good to you then it doesn't matter if the guitar is worth thousands of dollars, its not the right one for you. The Pacifica has it's own unique feel especially the neck profile; quite different than any Fender product. And that is why I love the Pacifica. It just feels so much more comfortable in my hands. I don't care what it costs or what features it has. In short: if the wood feels good everything else can be changed.

[@alain131261]

Hello and thank you for the good videos Darren , I enjoy them all… I have question , When I choose a guitar I’ll go for the look ,the neck playability et most of all the sound , While the finish , the details and features don’t bother me at all, I even had guitar with terrible colour and an awful neck but it sounded so good that I was enjoying it each time I played it, Don’t you think it’s the case for most of the guitar players ? Thanx again AL

[@Olegstuff21986]

Cool review! What about the Revstars? It would be cool to see a Revstar 502/620 review.

[@jimdavidson210]

A 612 has been my gigging guitar for about 13 years now so I'm biased, but it really is an incredible guitar which I couldn't imagine not having. I'd say it depends on whether you're going for a vintage sound (Fender) or an all-rounder (Yamaha). The real conversation is in the high-end range; I'd love to see what Yamaha would do with a $1k-$1,500 factory offering of the Pacifica to compete with the American Fenders but they unfortunately don't make it.

[@andrewmarshall810]

I have one. USA2 Yamaha. Check it out. You don't buy a Yamaha for trade in value but when you play one you usually keep it like my 302s.

[@ix-Xafra]

Over 20 years ago I tried a Pacifica 112 in a music store in Cardiff. Straight out of the box, it was in tune and worked very well and was better overall in finished quality than many other guitars I'd tried. My USA '57 reissue was probably the poorest Strat I've owned and an 80s Tokai the best.

[@vanceanderson8238]

I watch every comparison Darrell does as though I'm in the market for either... This channel is so good! Great video, sir.

[@paulwilliams5013]

Very nicely done.. and a fair result i think!

[@vailgrass]

this fender looks a lot better to my eyes! it just looks gorgeous

[@miguelangelvacaheredia8230]

I enjoyed so much your videos Darrel..... I have the chance to try a Pacifica 611, it was really great to play...feel soooo good, in the other hand I have a MIM strat.... and the main reason why I do love deeply the Fender one is for the TONE...the unique sound it produces...its iconic...its unique...its the same tone/sound that many of my idols had produced playing stratocasters since the 50s..... that is something I could not get in the PACIFICA.... anyway its a matter of taste....

[@alangriff1]

Very good comparative once again Darrell. Would you do for us Fender players a set up on a 2 pivot tremolo/whammy bar system please....where you can get the proper half and full intervals on the strings when the bar is used.. if that makes sense. Thanks in advance.

[@pieterthys9631]

Hey Darrell, I notice you did a lot of Yamaha Pacifica-related videos. I wonder if you heard of the Yamaha Revstar series? Would love to hear your take on that new line of Yamaha guitars that a lot of people seem to be very excited about...

[@thornwivans]

Revstars are awesome!...forget Gibson LP's...a Revstar has the tone plus a pull switch that gives you more options and a better neck

[@pieterthys9631]

@@thornwivans I already ordered one a few weeks ago, can't wait for it to arrive ;)

[@alfgwahigain5544]

I really want one of the green Revstars with the tailpiece and P90s.

[@rishovbhattacharjee4527]

I have one.. revstar 320

[@farangkinok]

Chris Buck does alright with one ;)

[@patrickwhite4151]

I love Pacificas - entry level to higher end they're all fantastic. My guitar of choice.

[@DavidKAnderson]

They're ridiculously underrated, imo. I often direct people on the fence about Pacifica guitars to check out Asterism videos, particularly the recent prog-heavy stuff. Hal-Ca really shows what these guitars can do.

[@BaconatorJames]

Quick note on locking tuners - I've got Grover rotomatics on my ES-339, Fender locking tuners on my American Performer Strat & Telecaster Deluxe, but I got locking Kluson tuners on my Noventa Strat & it's been keeping tune much, much better than all the above. Even going from full step down to half step to standard then Open E - I've never had this much stability. The Floyd Rose Rail Tail I installed on my Am. Performer Strat improved tuning stability, but for some reason the locking Kluson tuners have been rock solid.

[@glenclifton4563]

I have a 2017 Mexican fender with flame maple top. It was junk until I got it set up. Nothing was was even close on it. It's ok now but wish I'd have found the Yamaha first. Great video!!

[@musicsucks5843]

Am I the only one who really doesn’t mind the square heel joint at all?

[@lostreb]

Not at ALL!!!!! I actually prefer it!!!

[@jpsatre]

it doesnt bother me at all.

[@benjamindague-classicalgui764]

Haha was just thinking the same thing. When I’m up there my thumb is below the joint anyway.

[@cautiousoptimist1926]

I love a vibrato/tremolo, but the guitar has to come with locking tuners, a quality nut and roller saddles. These are necessities and I think it's unacceptable that Fender still sells guitars without them. A guitar that won't hold a tune is beneath consideration.

[@charlieclifford7396]

I was just curious of which card guitar is later?

[@charlieclifford7396]

Lighter lol

[@Rh_Penguin]

I mean I have a Mexican made strat with no locking tuners and it holds tuning better than my Gibson Flying V. Although I must admit the trem system low key sucks

[@matturner6890]

Locking tuners aren't really a be-all end-all thing. Regular tuners will do just fine as well if they're made of good stuff. I found that winding as little string around the post as possible helped with keeping finicky tuners from going out.

[@cautiousoptimist1926]

@@matturner6890 I agree that they can work. I just don't think Fender should be selling guitars with poor bridges and tuners. They have created a cottage industry of people manufacturing bridges and tuners to replace their poor hardware. I had a hardtail Strat with safety post tuners and it held a tune very well. My current Strat has an oem vibrato bridge and that is just a poor design. The ball bearing and spring meant to hold the arm in place are frustratingly inadequate, and everyone has known this for decades. I upgraded to a Callaham block and arm and it stays wherever I put it.

[@lchown1813]

It's about time Darrell....been waiting for the higher end Yamaha comparison! I would like to know why you are hung up on big pots versus small pots....scientifically speaking?

[@alwaysrockn2009]

I got a Player in Blueburst a few years ago and it is awesome! I love it.

[@MrJosephSeely]

My old band hosted a weekly Blues-Jam. We'd get lots of really good players. But, if they needed to use one of our guitars, we had a Fender SRV and my old Yamaha EG 112C available. Everybody wanted to play my Yamaha, I think it hurt my lead players feelings a few times.

[@williee9707]

I was a Telecaster player for many years with the occasional Epiphone Les Paul or Strat sprinkled in for good measure. I moved to Japan and tried a Yamaha 112 and was impressed with it. I can say I have never played a Yamaha, acoustic, or electric I haven't liked, from the top of the line to the entry-level stuff. Some were better than others and over the years I have owned a number of Yamaha guitars. I currently own a 2021 Yamaha 611 with a coil tap humbucker in the bridge and P90 in the neck. It is a rock and blues machine. I chose it over the 612 because I am a sucker for P90s but it just gives me an excuse to go get the 612 next. I am sad to say it gets more playtime than my 2006 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop which was my dream guitar. But the Yamaha, even though it is made in Indonesia, is flawless. In my opinion, they definitely kill the Fender Mexican guitars as I have bought and traded several over the past year, including the Vintera Stratocaster. The Yamaha is definitely worth checking out.

[@AbangPete]

The 600series are sexy as hell. One of the best guitars out there. Good catch.

[@jamesp.rogers5156]

Darrell , I have a 1996 MIM Strat and It is HSS and does have a coil splitter by way of a small toggle switch . I bought it in Sept. of 1996 and paid like $350 for it , by far of my six electric guitars My MIM Strat is my favorite , and I do have some pretty nice guitars too. I love the comparison man , thanks for doing it.

[@kostapanis]

Great as always 🙂🎸🎸👍 greetings from Olympus Guitars