Yamaha Pacifica PAC312II

I had been teaching my son on an old Teisco electric I had many moons ago, and being a natural picker, I wanted to get him his own guitar. I currently play a Carvin since they remember us left-handed players! My son is right-handed thank goodness, and only said he would like a green finish ( a real easy color to find!) Began reading reviews and Yamaha guitars are often praised for great necks and solid electronics, so I was considering a PAC112 or something along that line. But no green. Then I started searching for green guitars at any price range just to see what was out there and stumbled along, what was obviously a closeout at ZZounds. A translucent green Pacifica 312II on sale for $199. The list is $539 and the same guitar can be ordered today from Musicians Friend (also in stock) for a sale price of $369. Ordered the guitar on Sunday night and had it in house Wednesday. What a deal!

Very well made and assembled. The discription claims alder body with ash veneer, but it looks to be solid ash. The finish is beautiful, much prettier than I expected and is holding up very well so far. S-S-H configuration with Alnico 5 poles. Maple neck with rosewood fretboard. Upon receiving the guitar I had to make a couple of neck adjustments and lower the action. The neck is well seated in the body and is very playable. Nut appears to be plastic. One volume, one tone and a five position toggle. Humbucker has a mellow heavy sound full of tone. Single coils have high output.

The black pickguard is not the thickness and/or quality I would expect even on a $550 guitar. Scratches easily. Not standard sized either. Yamaha will sell you a new one for $80 (ouch!) The Translucent finish appears tough and well applied. A pickup frame for the humbucker would improve the looks.

Construction is very good (with the exception of my pickguard gripe). The neck is beautifully finished. Very thin and playable. Body contours are nice - more contoured than a standard strat body. Stays in tune very well.

Very good purchase. The guitar is one year old now and gets played every day by a thirteen year old, and it still looks new. Requires only a neck adjustment every now and then. Humbucker heaviness to single coil brightness are all there, with some interesting sounds when used in combination.

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

Alder body, Bolt Saddle, Rosewood 22 frets, vintage tremolo
1 <a rel="nofollow" href="/guitar-pickup/epiphone/Humbucker/?utm_source=audiofanzine&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=netting&utm_content=product&utm_term=humbucker+alnico+v" target="_blank">humbucker alnico V</a> single alnico V + 2
knob volume and tonal

UTILIZATION

The handle is plutt sec (as almost all the guitars of this price level).
The guitar has a weight which is low lev plutt enjoyable and a good balance.
CHAC is not in acute ais (15me difficult from the box).

SOUNDS

They are two simple basic plutt not sound too bad but you have to play on the Tone to offset the sharp too aggressive, the double is effective but does not dlivre extraordinary power. The positions intermdiaires give trs acoustic sound but it will also be the play on the Tone.
Sustain does not break the bars and potentiomtres make noise (I had to change them) ...
The advantage of this guitar is that one can address a lot of DIFFERENT styles (jazz, blues, rock, hard rock).

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, this guitar is recommended for beginners and average players, the only diffrence with a Pacifica 112 as the microphones and the colors on offer.
Its main asset is undoubtedly its versatility, it took me around 7 because I think it's a pretty good guitar but the pros will go their way immediately.
Better than the Squier I find a price little prs equivalent ...