Yamaha Pacifica PAC303-12

After playing acoustic guitar for 15 years, I wanted to learn electric/lead guitar. I found this guitar at a local pawn shop for $159.00 about 2001/2002. It was cheaper than a low end Ibanez I was considering at the local music store. The fretboard felt much better and more easily playable than the Ibanez. It also was a better looking guitar, except for some evidence of wear and tear. I wanted to buy inexpensively in `case I didn't stick with it, I wouldn't be out too much money.

This guitar is a translucent blue with a pearloid pickguard, rosewood fretboard, S/S/H, gold hardware and tremolo. It is a very nice looking guitar. The neck felt really comfortable. It frets easily. The pickups appear standard. There is nice distinction between each pickup selection. The tone control gives a nice graduation of tone that is noticeable. The longer I have it the more I am in love with it. It is not a Paul Reed Smith, but plays as well as many other higher dollar guitars I have played.

The gold hardware looks nice, but was already tarnished when I bought it. Other than that I don't have any comlaints.

I don't know what kind of wood it is made of. It has the traditional strat shape. No binding. Everything on it has held up so far. I did add a string tree to the head that was probably more out of preference than actual need.

I will never get rid of this guitar. The amount of bang you get for the buck, it is a great guitar. I am presently in the early stages of a band development and plan on gigging with it. I have a Samick AV6 Les Paul Copy that I will use also. The Samick Greg Bennet series is also a great inexpensive guitar. I am presently purchasing my 9 year old son his first guitar, the Pacifica 112 because they are such great guitars for the money. Try one, you will be pleased.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com