Parents and students often ask our Sutherland Shire guitar instructors for recommendations on suitable entry-level electric guitars. There are of course many brands and models for those on a smaller budget. The market is so competitive that many brands even save you money on buying an amplifier! They lure customers by offering beginner packages. Besides the guitar and amplifier, these packages often include guitar picks, a guitar strap and an instructional CD. However, you really get what you pay for. Therefore, you have to research carefully to find good quality entry-level guitars.
This is where Yamaha Pacifica electric guitars come in with top value for money. I simply love them. Their action is excellent and they sound and look great. Their pickup settings produce well-balanced bass, mid and high frequencies and their neck is very comfortable to play.
When you first look at a Pacifica guitar, you could mistake it for a Stratocaster. However, the two are quite different. Below are some of the differences:
- The contours of the body on the Pacifica are not as prominent
- The horns are longer
- They feature two single-coils and one humbucking pickup (Stratocasters have three single-coil pickups)
There are several Yamaha Pacifica series guitars. Our Sutherland Shire guitar instructors recommend the following entry-level models:
Yamaha Pacifica 012 (PAC012)
If your budget is very tight, this is the model you should go for. They feature an agathis or nato body, rosewood fingerboard and a maple neck.
The recommended retail price in Australian dollars is $299.99 as of the writing of this article.
Yamaha Pacifica 112 (PAC112V and PAC112J)
If you can afford a little more, I would recommend you start off with one of the Pacifica 112 series. These are a very popular choice in the entry-level. They feature a rosewood fingerboard and have a vintage style tremolo.
The recommended retail price in Australian dollars is $449.99 as of the writing of this article.
Yamaha Pacifica 212 (PAC212VFM and the PAC212VQM)
The 212 series is a step up from the 112 series. These guitars have Alnico-V pickups. In addition, they feature an alder body, rosewood fingerboard and a maple neck. I have two students that own Pacifica 212s and they are extremely happy with their purchase.
The recommended retail price in Australian dollars is $499.99 as of the writing of this article.
Summary:
The Yamaha Pacifica guitars discussed in this article are an exceptional choice for those on a tighter budget. They are some of the guitars we recommend students interested in guitar lessons with us. These guitars are comparable in sound and quality with other brands that are much more expensive. Yamaha Pacifica guitars get the highest star rating from our Sutherland Shire guitar instructors at Do Re Mi Studios. For more info on these and other models, check out the Yamaha website.
Have you tried any of the Yamaha Pacifica guitars? Maybe you have just bought one. Are you happy with your purchase? Please leave us a comment of your experience with them.
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