Yamaha Pacifica
Encyclopedia
Yamaha Pacifica is the name of a series of electric guitar
s manufactured by Yamaha
. The line was originally designed in Yamaha's California custom-shop by Rich Lasner, working with guitar builder Leo Knapp. Initially intended by Lasner and Knap as a test project, Yamaha Japan chose to produce the instruments.
Many variants of the Pacifica have been produced since the 1990s, including models styled like the Fender
Stratocaster and Telecaster, twelve string models, carved-top and set-neck versions.
The best-selling and most recognisable models are the entry-level PAC012 and PAC112. The 112 has a solid Alder body and has always been available with a clear varnish finish, showing the grain of the wood. At the time of the original launch this was intended to contrast with some of Fender's budget models, which then used cheap plywood for the body.
The early PAC1412 and PAC1421 models had set necks and carved tops with Floyd Rose
locking vibrato bridges. These guitars were ultimately too costly to produce and hence too expensive for Yamaha's market.
Other variations include the twelve-string PAC303 12, and the reversed headstock PAC721R.
The high-end PAC1511MS, for example, has a solid swamp ash body, with a Seymour Duncan
humbucker
neck pickup
, and a Seymour Duncan "hot-rails" humbucker pickup in the bridge position, and a non-vibrato bridge with strings passing through the body. In contrast, the entry level PAC012 has one Yamaha humbucker and two single coil pickups, an agathis
body and a Strat-style vibrato bridge
.
At the 2011 Frankfurt Musikmesse
Yamaha announced the 611HFM, 510V and 311H models and the reintroduction of the 120H.
The 120H is similar to the 112V, but features a hardtail, instead of a tremolo bridge, and a pair of humbuckler pickups.
Endorsers of the Pacifica guitars include Michael Lee Firkins
and Mike Stern
. Two versions of the Mike Stern signature guitar - models 311MS and PAC1511MS - have been produced as Pacificas by Yamaha since 1997. Both are similar in appearance, Telecaster-style with a distinctive wood-grain finish, but the PAC1511MS is much higher specification and more expensive.
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
s manufactured by Yamaha
Yamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
. The line was originally designed in Yamaha's California custom-shop by Rich Lasner, working with guitar builder Leo Knapp. Initially intended by Lasner and Knap as a test project, Yamaha Japan chose to produce the instruments.
Many variants of the Pacifica have been produced since the 1990s, including models styled like the Fender
Fender
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, commonly referred to as simply Fender, of Scottsdale, Arizona is a manufacturer of stringed instruments and amplifiers, such as solid-body electric guitars, including the Stratocaster and the Telecaster...
Stratocaster and Telecaster, twelve string models, carved-top and set-neck versions.
Models
Pacificas all have one of two basic body shapes: a Stratocaster inspired double cutaway shape, or a Telecaster-like single cutaway. Apart from these similarities, the models vary in materials, hardware, and electronics. As of December 2009, there were currently 5 models in production.The best-selling and most recognisable models are the entry-level PAC012 and PAC112. The 112 has a solid Alder body and has always been available with a clear varnish finish, showing the grain of the wood. At the time of the original launch this was intended to contrast with some of Fender's budget models, which then used cheap plywood for the body.
The early PAC1412 and PAC1421 models had set necks and carved tops with Floyd Rose
Floyd Rose
The Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo, or simply Floyd Rose, is a type of locking vibrato arm for a guitar. The first of its kind, Floyd D. Rose invented the locking vibrato in 1977, and it is now manufactured by a company of the same name...
locking vibrato bridges. These guitars were ultimately too costly to produce and hence too expensive for Yamaha's market.
Other variations include the twelve-string PAC303 12, and the reversed headstock PAC721R.
The high-end PAC1511MS, for example, has a solid swamp ash body, with a Seymour Duncan
Seymour Duncan
Seymour Duncan is a company that is best known for manufacturing of guitar pickups, and currently has a line of effects pedals. The company was founded in 1976 by guitarist and luthier Seymour W. Duncan and his then-wife Cathy Carter Duncan in Goleta, California, USA...
humbucker
Humbucker
A humbucker is a type of electric guitar pickup, first patented by Seth Lover and the Gibson company, that uses two coils, both generating string signal. Humbuckers have higher output than a single coil pickup since both coils are connected in series...
neck pickup
Pickup (music technology)
A pickup device is a transducer that captures mechanical vibrations, usually from suitably equipped stringed instruments such as the electric guitar, electric bass guitar, Chapman Stick, or electric violin, and converts them to an electrical signal that is amplified, recorded, or broadcast.-...
, and a Seymour Duncan "hot-rails" humbucker pickup in the bridge position, and a non-vibrato bridge with strings passing through the body. In contrast, the entry level PAC012 has one Yamaha humbucker and two single coil pickups, an agathis
Agathis
The genus Agathis, commonly known as kauri or dammar, is a relatively small genus of 21 species of evergreen tree. The genus is part of the ancient Araucariaceae family of conifers, a group once widespread during the Jurassic period, but now largely restricted to the Southern Hemisphere except for...
body and a Strat-style vibrato bridge
Tremolo arm
A whammy bar, tremolo arm/bar, or vibrato arm/bar is a component of a guitar, used to add vibrato to the sound by changing the tension of the strings, typically at the bridge or tailpiece...
.
At the 2011 Frankfurt Musikmesse
Musikmesse
Musikmesse Frankfurt is a music fair held at the Frankfurt Trade Fair in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It is the world's largest music fair and it has been held annually for over 25 years.The Frankfurter Musikpreis award is also handed out during the fair....
Yamaha announced the 611HFM, 510V and 311H models and the reintroduction of the 120H.
The 120H is similar to the 112V, but features a hardtail, instead of a tremolo bridge, and a pair of humbuckler pickups.
Endorsers of the Pacifica guitars include Michael Lee Firkins
Michael Lee Firkins
Michael Lee Firkins is an electric guitar player whose sound fuses bluegrass, country, blues, and jazz elements into his distorted rock sound. He is noted amongst guitarists for his prolific use of hybrid picking at high speeds....
and Mike Stern
Mike Stern
Mike Stern is an American jazz guitarist. After playing for a few years with Blood, Sweat & Tears, he landed a gig with Billy Cobham and then broke through with Miles Davis' comeback band from 1981 to 1983, and again in 1985. Since then, he launched a solo career, releasing more than a dozen albums...
. Two versions of the Mike Stern signature guitar - models 311MS and PAC1511MS - have been produced as Pacificas by Yamaha since 1997. Both are similar in appearance, Telecaster-style with a distinctive wood-grain finish, but the PAC1511MS is much higher specification and more expensive.