SPlus promo

I have no idea if anyone finds the Yamaha Pacifica desirable these days but in due fairness, I'm sharing a good deal - The Standard Plus (Indonesia) is now $2,079 $1,660. An Ibanez Premium model lists for more & these are made in Indonesia as well. I'm sure there are players among us who won't mind paying a sum in this price bracket for a Chinese Epiphone. No subliminal advocacy here, just putting things in perspective price-wise.

Pics: Yamaha SG

Up - Yamaha

My respect goes to Yamaha for this endearing effort in playing a part for the environment. The other aspect of wood sustainability involves the use of unused / spare wood parts to construct an instrument. It has to be playable & desirable at the very least so as not to demean itself as a glorified piece of junk. The frankensteined Pacifica you see above is a glorious example of research & effort into manifesting such an instrument. Wood blocks / pieces were salvaged from cut waste which were high quality / premium cuts to begin with.

This Marimba model was constructed using pieces of leftover rosewood used to manufacture, you guessed it, marimba. 

My personal favourite has to be this Piano model consisting of spruce, beech, birch & maple favoured for pianos initially. The fact that Yamaha could easily construct quality instruments of this nature shows that upcycled wood materials are no less desirable than their unsullied counterparts. At our end (players), we need to stop equating unparalleled quality with exotic woods costing way much with marginal contributions to tone. Also, players tend to couple looks with tone so upcycled wood pieces would easily be defeated in this aspect - visual appeal. Wonder if any of these interesting instruments would make it here...

Pics: ifdesign/ designboom 

Yamaha 2024: Pac Pro

This year, Yamaha returns the Pacifica to the top tier selections. The guitar you see above is the Pacifica Pro (Japan). It looks very much like the typical Pacifica with added visual tweaks: Truss rod adjustments moved to the heel end, line / strip inlays, modified pickguard & that embossed logo at the headstock. 

The manufacturer also offers the rosewood fretboard version if you prefer a darker hue at that part of the neck.

Pickups - Yamaha went with Rupert Neve Refelctone this time for both the humbucker & single coils. Looks the works but do note the price: USD3.7K. Yes, we acknowledge the fact that this guitar is up there in terms of quality. However, people are already saying, for that kinda money, frets could have been more substantial & maybe include some roasted wood in there. Hmm...

Pics: Yamaha USA

Pac up

Good to see some developments in the Yamaha camp. Come January 2021, these PAC612VIIX would be the premium models in the Pacifica range. With branded components by Wilkinson, Grover & Seymour Duncan, these will easily be the preferred Pacificas in terms of feature & performance so prices would be in the $1K - $1.5K bracket. I think the only vital characteristic in making these guitars on par with their equally enhanced counterparts (LTD/ Ibanez/ Fender/ etc.) is having them made in Japan. This will contribute to a privileged appeal because the current Pacificas are all offshore models so to speak. Fans would want to see the Pacificas back to its level best, being handled exclusively by Japanese hands. 

PIC: Musicplayers

Summer Yammy

Yamaha unveiled its limited edition Pacifica 612VIIFM this Summer (available in August, soonest) with delicious features- Duncan pickups (SSL-1/ TB-14), Grover lockers, Wilkinson bridge- the works! Loving that flame top.

EVH & friends

Last weekend's preoccupation- EVH 5150III LBX. I guess I have not heard it in action enough. The Jackson here is equipped with A Seymour Duncan Sentient in the neck. I've come to believe that this neck pickup is a great complement to all things high gain in terms of tone. Not referring to cleans, of course. If you wish for something that speaks when extra drive is served, this pickup will serve you well.

My Yamaha Pacifica here is a focus tool. I'd play this one to enhance some concentration when it comes to technicalities but this guitar with this pickup (Duncan's P-Rails) sounds impressive with high gain, angry amps in its full glory & then some split coil performance- mind the hum, of course. 

The story of my Friday (Part 3)

It's already Sunday but here I am still talking about Friday's greatness. The Yamaha Pacifica 510V you see above is one of the reasons I was happy that day. You'd be screaming bloody limitations seeing only a humbucker in this guitar but the 3-way selector indicates some variations on board. The guitar wasn't as light as I'd expected it to be but the firm bridge humbucking tones were present & delightful despite the pickup being a non-conventional model. Everything about this Indonesian production is above average but the neck profile isn't quite as sleek as the upper tier Pacificas I've come across some years ago. The other appointments of this guitar are indications that it isn't a lower tier offering- tusq nut, Wilkinson vibrato bridge & Grover locking tuners. It's currently on a festive season offer but sits at the upper end of $900 which is arguably repulsive for many of us putting value-for-money considerations in mind. Everything to like in terms of feel, tone & QC but not quite the price. Available @ Beat Spot

Wish it was back (Part 2)

Firehouse will be performing here soon (without Bill Leverty... sad) but every time the ad comes on TV, I'd be reminded of the Yamaha Pacifica 1221 which was one of the finest shred-type guitars I've come across. The Pacificas were hung up for display on the walls of Yamaha Music back then (@ Plaza Singapura), when I was in-store to meet Beez (who was an employee there back then), he would bring one down for me to noodle with till he finished doing my pickup swap. Those were the days when I was too distracted by Ibanez to fully appreciate everything else that came my way, this Pacifica included. The situation today is such that all the Pacificas are removed from the catalogue, less the 112/ 212 versions which are the lowest tier residents in this series. We understand Yamaha has to account for our motorbikes & motorized boat engines, among others, so if there is a shift in focus for the manufacturer, we would understand completely. Sure. Yeah. Right.