All user reviews for the Yamaha Pacifica PAC604W

I played this yesterday in a music store along with several other "bargain guitars" (I didn't dare pick up a Fender, I can't buy one now).

The price was low. It plays easily as well.

The sound just wasn't that great, sort of dirty and blurred. It's supposed to be a strat copy, but doesn't sound like one. Sounds generic. The knobs have to be turned all the way in order for you to notice a difference in loudness or sound. My brother was with me and he thought so too.

I didn't spend much time looking at it I immediately went on to try another brand.

Your basic low-end bargain electric guitar.

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

I bought this guitar at B-Sharp Guitars in Ft. Wayne, IN. It cost me 179.00 (with tax). I bought it because my old guitar sucked.


When I first palyed it, i knew this was one okay guitar. It didn't have a fancy figured maple top, or gold hardware. It was shaped like a Telecaster with no pickguard and a white finish. It had a maple neck and headstock and sperzel locking tuners. It also had two Seymour Duncan Quad Rail Humbuckers.


So, if your looking for a low-cost, but still good playing guitar. Go buy a Yamaha Pacifica Tele Model.

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

I bought my Yamaha Pacifica at the Guitar Center in Brea, it was my first guitar, and it's great. I only paid $129.99 for it, and it is really worth it.

I like how unlike a normal yamaha guitar, it has two single coil pickups and one humbucker so that i don't get that annoying humming sound. What i also like is how i can get a sharp tone on my solos, but also get a deep palm mute without having to change settings. I also like the fact that it looks just like a Fender Stratocaster, but it costs less. Also I like the height of the frets because they are low enough to make soloing easy, but high enough so that I can feel some resistance when I press down on the strings.

The only thing I don't like about the guitar is that it come with a plastic cover for my input jack to screw into, and it broke easily, so I had to replace it with a metal one. Also I don't like the fact that it only has two knobs, I would prefer something with three knobs, maybe an extra tone just to change things up a little.

The construction is good, after my many times of taking it apart, I haven't noticed any problem with wiring, or connection, or resistors. I don't what kind of pickups are used in it, but they sound good. I've had my Pacifica for two years now, and I plan to use it for another five because it is constucted pretty solid.

I feel that this guitar is a bargain at a price of $129.99 because I've had Fenders, and they don't sound as good as the Yamaha Pacifica I have now. I really think that

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

I acquired the guitar at H & H music in Houston for $170.

I like the simplicity and color of the guitar; some don't like the 'sparkly' look of the paint, but I personally think it's cool. I also like how the guitar has the same basic 'strat' shape, but with finer points on the cutaway.

After trying other guitars, the fretboard feels a little strange, kinda like I'm having to push the strings down a little too far. Also, I wish I had a second tone control.

It's a pretty heavy guitar. Feels like very solid construction, although the wood composing the neck feels a little fragile. Overall very good craftsmanship for the price.

Good beginner's guitar for the price, but I would recommend that you save and get something a little cooler... $350 BC Rich Warlock for example, or maybe an Epiphone Les Paul.

All in all if you must have something very cheap, I recommend this guitar.

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

Stratabound Alder body, maple neck screwed, rosewood fingerboard, 22 frets, 25.5-inch pitch, rested three colors: blue, red (slightly translucent) and black (opaque), white pickguard with pearl motifs.

The equipment is the highlight of this guitar:

<ul>
Mechanical locking Sperzel string, which is better today, color satin metal that is frosted, you can take on the vibrato, your strings back to their hair cell
Wilkinson VS100 vibrato, again, in my opinion the best. The voltage is always set, the travel is sufficient for the vibrato is of interest, it is comfortable, you can rely on it without playing false and again, the satin finish is the most beautiful effect
1 humbucker (splittable) and 2 microphones with a simple switch 5 positions provide a good range of color to the sound. The magnets are AlNiCo V, this machinery is a shared volume knob and a tone

To give you an idea, these mechanisms are found as standard on some model stratum custom, vibrato is widely regarded as the vibrato that all should be stratabound and for AlNiCo pickups, it's a noble alloy can play everything. I like!

UTILIZATION

I will not comment on comfort, it's a matter of taste, know only the treble are easily accessible, the guitar weighs a weight quite bearable. The button has a radius of 12 inches, standard size, the handle seems very normal, and no end or thicker.
The body is built for comfort but then to say that it makes a difference, I do not know. A first groove is cut at the right elbow on the top (see photo). The second is at the navel (or if you play short sternum) below, developers at Yamaha as you have a prominent chest and a flat stomach and slim I guess ...
I let myself go a bit of subjectivity: it is more comfortable but less than a strat LP for what I've experienced.

SOUNDS

As for sound, again, it depends on your hardware, your tastes.

The humbucker can saturate the well distos if necessary, the possible combinations (seven in all) and the tone controls are obviously a difference in his clear, she gets along very well. In the saturated metal is micro double or nothing in my opinion, the other giving his microphone still very sound.
The combination microphone handle mid + 0 + tone results in a very round sound with a lot of sustain, pretty cool, like on other guitars from the rest.
Note that the AlNiCo, but rather a magnet for blues, I do not play but you crunch the blue, it must be pretty easy.

OVERALL OPINION

Past technical considerations and comfort, we must recognize that the finish is nickel, pickguard is well posed, screwing the handle is clean with no milling for the plate above, same for the cavity-mail, only the plate to the cavity exceeds the vibrato but who cares. The knobs, after 5 years of loyal service crachotent does not work, same for the jack and switch, the points of attachment of the strap did not move, the saddle is where he was the first day . Not a point of rust on the studs, freight or equipment (this is also thanks to me).
Frankly I'm on your ass, this guitar is much better equipped than a strat US, at least as well and costs over one-half to one third of its price.
There's no competition in this price range and quality. Obviously you have not the prestige Fender or Gibson and shape is very classic guitar just to Dad but if you take the plunge, I do not see how one can be disappointed.
I just wish a natural wood finish but it must pay more and take the 812.

Made in Corea I think!
22 frets neck Saddle live with rosewood fingerboard
Alder body Translucent Blue Finish
Micro 2 alnico V single from Yamaha
+ Double * a (actually two mountains in simple Yamaha SERIES)
Bridge / Wilkinson vibrato mcaniques oil bath and self-locking)
5 position style switch stratocater, 1 volume & 1 tonalitbr /> push-push to split the humbucker *.
Alder body 3 coins.

UTILIZATION

The handle is comfortable trs
Access in acute trsrussi thanks profiling and milling at the heel
the junction of neck and body.
Good ergonomics, pluttlgre.
On simple configurations of microphones the sound is fine and Christalin trs.
(It's pretty diffrent a stratum, less mdiums).
Therm in power to lead
is correct and sufficient gnralement for styles that I approach.
on the other hand in humbucker configuration silent sound a little thin and feeble;
I occasionally replaced the pickups with a set that allows EMG to gain and sustain mdiums.
The sustain is ok but nothing special, and especially the instrument is well plutt the agreement.
At this price it's the rare!

SOUNDS

It is well suited my style of music
especially as it is versatile.
I play on a variety of amps lamps.
It behaves quite well in roots and modern styles.
But overall the lack of microphones origins body.

OVERALL OPINION

I use deuis 2002.
I love the comfort and sound balance and plutt purposes.
I have no complaints from him to wear a bit fast freight.
The ratio price quality seems excellent!
It's not the guitar of the century but this price is hard to beat.

- In what country does she makes? (United States, Japan, Mexico, France ...)
Corene (and she saw that ... Me too, falls well?!)

- How many frets, what kind of micro as well as their configuration?
22 frets,
Touche palisandre and Bolt,
Config. microphones: HSS (Humbucker splitable-button "Tone" Push-Push)
5-way switch (1, 1 +2, 2, 3 2, 3, 1, 1 +2, 2, 2 +3, 3-4)
A 'Volume' and a 'Tone'
AlNiCo pickups Yamaha simple + double standard (in fact 2 singles couples). to snore a little when even (must admit) ...

- What type of bridge (Floyd, Wilkinson ...)?
Wilkinson (type SV100 ... I think ...), that's what makes the dffrence compared to standard MODEL. It allows a fairly large movement in two directions. drgle is a not too fast and it also allows a rglage end. 3 spring mounted original posibilit up to 5.

Result: a nice little guitar with versatile and well multiple config. micro allow a wide range of sound. At this price it's quite the exceptional not be!

UTILIZATION

- The handle is it enjoyable?
Nothing wrong or too late or normissime, he slips and nickel frets do not hang.

- Access in acute (dernires freight) is it easy?
Good notches, CASC up without the 22 bp (thank you form the Start '!)

- Ergonomics is it good (in terms of shape, weight ...)?
Lgre but not non-existent, although dcoupe to stick to the body. I use gnralement sit and is very well balance.

- Gets it easy to sound good? ...
Yes and lots of DIFFERENT sounds good, what good is it!

Conclusion: A rgal (always the same look at the report quality / price => exception. And for those who swear by the brand, 'Yamaha' even when it's not prava! )

SOUNDS

- Appropriate are your style of music?
Blues / Rock, but also pop and occasionally a little "Saturquot;, the advantage is that you can not have everything by changing the selector and possibly the 'Push-Push'

- With what (s) amplifier (s) or effect (s) do you play?
I play on a Marshall Valvestate 8080 Combo (second-hand ') and from this *$^^^ Reverb makes false contacts (I've got to Remde ... Quick!) it is well suited to the range of sound that I want to get. A perfect my alli Yam '(not a battery ct ridiculous volume level).

- What kind of sound you get and with what rglages ("crystalline", "bold ",....)?
(See the above config. Microphones => sounds obtained)

Conclusion: RAS

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
Since 2001 (using Modre): RAS

- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
The +: versatility and value QualitPrix
The -: hum (unless the cable jack has come home ... not super blind I'd have to see to change it ...)

- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
Qqun including: Lag Roxanne RM200 (trs trs good but a bit less versatile) Start mxicaine in the same price range (be little less polish ... And then must admit, with my Yam 'I scratched a new sound and a bag strap with the correct ... Fender Mexico: carrot is the guitar and that's it - for APRS the dealer anyway)

- How do you report qualitprix?
For beginners guitar or qqun seeking versatility (relatively) cheap: im-ba-TTable!

- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...
Of course!

This guitar made by Yamaha was one of the higher end Pacifica's that they built (This one was built in Taiwan in 1997.) These are great contenders in the superstrat market... but most people mistake them as cheap guitars, so they don't get much respect. The main features are as follows:

Alder body,
Maple neck with rosewood fretboard and 22 frets
Sperzel Trim-Lok tuners
Wilkinson VS100 tremolo

It also had what appeared to be a typical H-S-S pickup configuration at first glance. However, the pickups were actually 4 single coils, with two of them coupled together in the bridge position to create a very unique and interesting tone. The single coils were quite glassy, very much like an older Strat. The bridge pickup was actually two single coils in one humbucker slot like I stated, so you could have both running together for an interesting take on the humbucker sound (I found it to be like an extremely thick sounding single coil without noise, but a bit beefier than a stacked "Hot Rail" pickup), or you could coil tap the bridge pickup for some great Stratty bridge pickup tones. The controls were a very simple compliment of a volume and tone control, as well as a five way selector switch.

All in all, I felt that this guitar had a really killer set of features for a great price... definitely a lot of tones to be had for not a lot of change!

UTILIZATION

The design of the Pacifica is a fairly straightforward "Superstrat" layout... kind of like a Strat that's been out in the sun too long. It was relatively light and balanced easily on the body so I dug it for playing at home as well as in a band setting. The neck was fairly fast, but not Ibanez Wizard thin... so it did have some depth to it which I feel is important. The neck had good upper fret access thanks to Yamaha's neck joint system... which is a 4 bolt system that is attached by two metal plates (one on an angle.) The end result is something similar looks wise to Ibanez's AANJ neck heel, but attaches with those two plates instead of the gromets/washers that Ibanez uses.

It's very easy to get a good tone out of this guitar. As soon as I got it home and restrung, I plugged it in and had some killer classic rock and hard rock tones going. The only real issue I had tone was with the guitar was that I found it to be either a bit too dark or a bit too bright when I got it up to band levels... there wasn't a whole lot of middle ground. I would've liked to see Yamaha use higher quality pickups which might've helped this, but it's a minor quibble, as I had other guitars that I used with my band. When I owned this guitar, I used it more for recording and studio stuff as it seemed to excel at that.

SOUNDS

When I owned this guitar, I was using a Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp based rig with a MosValve MV962 power amp.

I found the clean sounds to be the high point of the guitar, funnily enough. They were nice and punchy... much like old Strats. When I added some reverb and delay... it was delicious. I could get classic chimey Strat tones from the fifties and sixties, or I could add some mild OD, turn the treble down and get some nice Texas blues type tones as well.

The dirty sounds were really cool, but ultimately they weren't quite what I'd expected. The tones were nice, very crystalline and clear... but only at lower volumes. I found that as soon as I brought the guitar to band practices and ran it through my main rig at band levels, it just sounded either too dark or absurdly shrill. Invariably, I wouldn't want to waste time dialing in tones when we should have been practicing, so I would end up grabbing another guitar. At home levels it was great... but the pickups really lacked something in the gain department at higher volume levels.

Again, I feel that if Yamaha had invested in some high quality pickups for this guitar (like they did with the tuners and tremolo) then it might have worked a bit better for me. Ah well. It isn't a big deal to me since I was not into it for very much and didn't need it to do the superhuman high gain thing, as I had other guitars for that. For what it was, I enjoyed the tones, just not at higher volumes.

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I felt that Yamaha did a very good job on this guitar, if not a bit of a 90 percent one. The features are killer, the craftsmanship was top notch, and the electronics IDEA was excellent. However, I feel that Yamaha's own pickups were just sub-par... and it led to a guitar that was only about 90 percent there. Obviously one can change pickups, but it seems like a bit of a daunting task considering the wiring and the fact that you'd have to buy two bridge single coils. The only other guitar I've seen with a configuration like this was the early Fender Jeff Beck Strat... and those versions have been out of production for years. I'm sure it's not a HARD task... but for the amount of money I paid I probably wouldn't drop $150 in pickups it anyway.

All in all I feel like these guitars, and Yamaha in general, are extremely underrated guitars and the prices that these go for are undeservedly low. Though I guess that means there are more of them floating around in pawn shops and garage sales for next to nothing for me to snap up...

22 frets maple neck with rosewood fingerboard referred
Alder body Translucent Blue Finish
Micro 2 alnico V single + double splittable from Yamaha
Bridge / vibrato Wilkinson SV100 and mechanical oil-filled auto-disable (it does not go out of tune too quickly)
5 position style switch stratocater, 1 volume & 1 tone


UTILIZATION

The guitar is light, the neck is narrow, the touch is nice and glides well and is easy access to acute.
When empty, it already sounds good.


SOUNDS

I love blues, jazz and rock not too excited
I use simple for jazz and blues (with a little overdrive). The dual can saturate without help play hard. Playing with the knobs volume and tone controls and push-pull splitter for the dual we get a very wide range of sound. Certainly, it lacks a little personality, but it does very well what he is asked. I use a TS9 to color the sound.


OVERALL OPINION

This is a guitar that can suit both beginners and intermediates. His versatility and build quality are undeniable assets. The price / quality ratio is exceptional.