In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Yamaha Pacifica PAC112V review for those wondering whether it’s worth it for beginners.
For this review, I tested the Pacifica PAC112V through my Mesa/Boogie F-100 amplifier and a Tube Screamer, and here’s what surprised me, it held up beautifully. Shimmering clean tones, and the distortion stayed gritty.
I’ll be sharing my critical opinion with 40+ years of experience as a lead guitarist, band member, and all around guitar enthusiast.
Let’s dive in!
If you want a guitar that feels pro but costs beginner money, the Yamaha PAC112V delivers. Solid build, killer tone range (HSS + coil split), and super-comfy neck make it one of the best starter guitars for rock, blues, funk, and pop.
Pros: Great value, versatile tones, smooth playability.
Cons: Basic hardware, average coil-split tone, tremolo drifts with heavy use.
Verdict: A total winner for beginners and intermediate players who want real performance without the price tag.
Here, I’ll let Elmo Karjalainen demo this guitar for you. Check it out!
Have you ever picked up a cheap guitar and instantly felt like chucking it into the fire pit? Buzzing frets, harsh tones, and sharp fret edges are such a buzzkill.
The Pacifica 112V starter guitar feels smooth, well-built, and offers out of the box performance that’s ready to jam straight out of the box.
Yamaha nailed the balance between comfort, tone, and affordability here. From the first chord, you can tell it’s built for real playing, not just decoration.
It features a solid alder body, a tonewood that’s often reserved for pricier guitars. This is paired with a comfortable C-shaped maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard.
Everything feels balanced. The neck sits comfortably in your hand, and the gloss polyurethane finish gives it that classic shine without feeling sticky.
Even better? Yamaha’s quality control. The fretwork is clean, and the bolt-on joint is tight. This isn’t your typical “budget friendly guitar.” It feels like something that should cost double.
First, I always like to test a guitar unplugged first. You can tell a lot about the feel of the neck and how the strings resonate before you start pushing a ton of wattage behind it.
Next, when you plug it in, you’ll immediately notice the wide range of sounds it can produce.
Thanks to the HSS pickup configuration, a humbucker at the bridge and two Alnico V single-coils, you can go from thick, crunchy rock tones to glassy cleans with ease.
Whether you’re chasing Santana’s smooth sustain, Hendrix’s rock voodoo, or Mayer’s clean pop tones, the PAC112V gets you there without needing a pedalboard full of gear.
You can read more in-depth info on humbuckers vs single coil pickups here.
The PAC112V has that “just right” feel that makes it addictive to play. The C-shaped neck and 13.75” radius hit the sweet spot, fast enough for solos, forgiving enough for chords.
At about 7 pounds, it’s light but not flimsy. Beginners won’t get fatigued, and seasoned players won’t feel like they’re missing anything.
Yamaha really thought about playability here with smooth fret edges, medium frets, and a responsive tremolo bar that behaves (mostly) well. I wouldn’t try any earth shattering Eddie Van Halen dive bombs with this one.
I found myself jamming for an hour longer than I meant to. It’s that easy to lose track of time with this guitar.
Here’s where you see Yamaha’s smart balancing act between price and performance.
It’s straightforward and familiar. While the stock components are “budget-tier,” they’re reliable enough to gig with. If you ever want to mod, this guitar’s a perfect platform.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ High-quality build (solid alder body, smooth maple neck) | ⚠️ Stock nut and tuners are basic (upgrades improve tuning) |
| ✅ Versatile tones for rock, blues, funk, pop | ⚠️ Coil-split sound isn’t as crisp as a true single-coil |
| ✅ Comfortable playability for beginners | ⚠️ Tremolo can drift if you dive-bomb too hard |
| ✅ Great value for money | ⚠️ Tone knob fully off = muddy “woman tone” |
| ✅ Reliable tuning stability for light trem use |
At the time of this writing, the Yamaha Pacifica PAC112V is priced around $350(new) at Yamaha, Sweetwater, and Amazon. You can also find them used at around $275.
Start off right with a brand new one today!
”This won’t replace a $2000 Les Paul, but for the price, it punches way above its weight.”
For another “budget friendly” option, check out my PRS SE Studio review.
The Yamaha Pacifica PAC112V has earned its legendary status for a reason. It doesn’t just play great, it inspires you to play more.
For beginners chasing tone, comfort, and versatility, it’s the kind of guitar that keeps you growing without needing an upgrade right away.
It’s not just a starter guitar, it’s a long-term musical partner that’ll never let you down.
| Review | Score |
|---|---|
| Comfort | 5/5 |
| Features | 4.5/5 |
| Value | 5/5 |
| String Shock Overall Rating | 5/5 |
At String Shock, all reviews are 100% independent.
I beg, borrow, and steal(just kidding) the gear myself. I spend hours playing, testing, and recording with it, like the PAC112V, and only recommend what I truly believe in.
I always say that I’m a music lover first, then a guitarist.
The guitar is how I express my deepest feelings, so I would never ever steer you wrong. That’s a promise.
I do my best to bring you the most accurate and up-to-date information so you can make the best choices for YOU.
Testing process includes:
Written and reviewed by Steve…aka String Shock Steve.
(I have over 40 years playing experience and I’m a lifelong rock enthusiast.)
| Feature | Specification |
| Body | Solidbody |
| Neck | Maple, Bolt-on |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood, 22 Medium Frets |
| Scale Length | 25.5” |
| Pickups | Neck: Alnico V Single coil Middle: Alnico V Single coil Bridge: Alnico V Humbucker |
| Controls | Volume, Tone (push/pull coil-Split), 5-Way Switch |
| Bridge | Vintage Tremolo with Block Saddles |
| Finish | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Hand Orientation | Right-handed |
Absolutely. The PAC112V is one of the best beginner electric guitars out there. Its smooth neck, light weight, and versatile tone make learning easier and more fun, without fighting bad fretwork or harsh sound.
It shines in rock, blues, funk, and pop. The HSS pickup setup covers clean tones, crunchy rhythms, and high-gain leads with ease. This makes it a flexible choice for any genre short of extreme metal.
Yes, under normal playing conditions, it stays in tune quite well. Heavy tremolo use can cause slight drift, but a proper setup or upgraded tuners can easily fix that.
The PAC112V often feels sturdier, with slightly better tuning stability and a more modern tonal range. Squiers may have a more “authentic” single-coil sparkle, but Yamaha wins on versatility and long-term value.
Totally. While it is a beginner-friendly guitar, its tone and reliability make it studio and stage-worthy. Add a few hardware upgrades later, and it will easily handle live performances or home recording.
I’ve been playing guitar 40 years now; writing, recording, and rocking in bands. Randy Rhoads, Warren DiMartini, and of course, Jimi Hendrix all lit the fire for me, and I’ve been chasing that passion ever since.
