Yamaha Pacifica 102 Guitar Review
- Product:
- Yamaha Pacifica 102 Guitar (Reviews at Harmony Central)
- What’s Good:
- Cheap (under $400CND), solid, stays in tune, looks/feels/sounds like more expensive guitars
- What’s Bad:
- Not much considering the price
When shopping for a guitar seven or eight years ago, I didn’t have much cash and I wanted something simple, solid, and that would stay in tune. The Yamaha Pacifica 102 was exactly what I needed.
The 102 model is at the low end of Yamaha’s Pacifica line. It is a telecaster-style (single cut-away) body - though the shape is nicely distinctive since it differs slightly from the classic telecaster shape. A stratocaster style (double cut-away) model is also available (the Pacifica 112).
The body is solid alder and the bold-on neck and head are maple, all with a natural finish. The 22-fret fingerboard is an open-finish rosewood. The bridge is solid and it is strung through the back of the body.
The neck-position pickup is a Fender-style single-coil and the bridge position is a slanted lip-stick tube style single coil. The pickups are controlled by a 3-position pickup switch, a tone control, and a volume control. The controls are all simple, solid, and well-placed.
My previous guitar was a dirt-cheap model with floating bridge and was a nightmare to keep in tune. I needed solid guitar that would hold it’s tune. The Pacifica 102 was just that.
Several factors contribute to how well the Pacifica 102 will hold its tune:
- The bolt-on neck is solid
- The fixed bridge is, well, fixed - also solid
- Through-body stringing
- Tuning heads are straight in-line - so the strings go from bridge, through the nut, to the tuners all in a straight line
- The tuners are solid and smooth
I was particularly please with the solid bolt-on neck and surprised at the quality of the tuners considering the price of the guitar. I had expected to keep this guitar for a year or two until I could afford something better, but I’ve been happy enough with my Pacifica that I’ve still got it eight years later.
I’ve had a nice Fender Hot Rod DeVille tube amp to go with it, and I’m in the process of looking for a smaller Fender, Traynor, or Vox tube amp - but will probably keep this great, and cheap, little guitar.
Comments
Alan - August 15, 2004 4:25 pm
Nice - are they still made? I promised myself that 2004 was to be the year of the axe. The Martin you helped me pick out has been a solid citizen as well, by the way.
Filippo - September 27, 2004 6:58 pm
Hi, I have a Pacifica 112 model and I'm happy with it too. I bought it used I think something like 10 years ago and I'm stll pleased...
Bye!
Dave - October 7, 2004 8:35 am
I've had mine for 6 years now. I tried a Mexican Fender tele at the time I bought this guitar, and haven't looked back since. I did,however, put in Fender noisless pickups,a set of graphtek saddles and a drop d tuner on the low E. This guitar will go against any American Tele I have tried since. enjoy! Oh ya and I just painted it red. I love it!!
Armin Moller - December 17, 2004 3:57 pm
Hello,
I bought a 2nd hand Yamaha hollowbody electric guitar. I was told that it was made between the years 1972-1975. The guitar has the serial number 24545. It is in a very good condition, everything works fine, including the tremolo. There are no scratches on the guitar and the hardware shines as brandnew. I paid US$ 900 for it. You can see some foto's of the guitar on www.dutchcom.net/yamaha_guitar/index.htm
Can you tell me what this model is called, when it was made, what the price was when it was new and what the value is now.
Thank you very much.
Kind regards,
Armin Moller
evelin mcginty - December 20, 2004 1:56 pm
i like geetars. Mc Fly Rock!!
wazza - February 21, 2005 4:30 pm
This guitar sucks ass
Joeri - March 14, 2005 11:16 am
Hi, I bought a Yamaha Pacifica 102 tele copy about an half year ago for less than 130 bucks and I never had any problems with it. In fact, I once had a Fender Mexican Tele and it sucked big time.
This is a truly fine guitar in all ways, and it costs next to nothing.
Gazamadaz - March 27, 2005 1:15 pm
Just got one yesterday. It's a perfect all around guitar. Lovely finish and the pickups are high quality for good output. Can't wait to get an effector.
RandomHero - April 15, 2005 10:50 am
If you are thinking of buying a Pacifica - PLEASE DON'T!!! I am saying this for your own good! Don't be fooled by people saying its fantastic value for money because all it is is cheap and poorly made. I feel sorry for the components of this guitar... they could have been used for something so much better!
Well... now I've got that off of my chest I'm going out to get my Pacifica repaired... AGAIN!
Geo - April 23, 2005 4:28 pm
Im going to get one i think, and i don't mean to sound stupid but can you tell me please what colurs there are apart from wood-coloured?
geo xx
Sam - May 2, 2005 6:14 pm
I got the new styled pacifica, and its not really bad. It fine and I kinda love it, well, I am beginner. I wouldn't call it great, but for someone that hasn't owned a electric guitar before, I have to say, Pacifica is great for beginners but I wouldn't use it live or in jigs.
Rory - May 11, 2005 7:41 am
I have a yamaha pacifica telecaster im pretty sure its the 102 except its got gold hardware and is a real way out green colour with white/silver pick guard.
The body and the neck of the guitar is well made but i agree that the hardwear isnt the best.
Ive got no idea when it was made but it its got a great sound for the price but at gigs the strings pop out of the bridge and its been down to the repair shop a couple of weeks back but nothin major.
The cereal No is mz26179 if anyone has a clue when it was made it would be great
Julian - July 9, 2005 11:19 am
Pacifica is great but I can't seem to find the Tele model with dual humbuckers. I think its the 101 maybe... Its still on the catalogue but all the suppliers I spoke to don't seem to know it.
fno - July 30, 2005 12:45 am
i got mine bout 4 years ago didnt really play it much in that time lol, but it hasnt let me down
Ron - August 27, 2005 7:55 pm
I saw both the 120SD (humbucker) and the 102S (signle coil), and several other pacifica models on the following web sites recently:
- http://netinstruments.com/
- http://www.harmony-central.com/ (gear classifieds)
- eBay (search for yamaha pacifica)
Some of them looked pretty beat up, some were in good condition, you will want to deal on price based on the condition.
jeremy - October 3, 2005 1:22 am
i've owned my pacifica for about a year, put a twang king single coil in for the neck and a emg at the bridge, deadario .11s on it, in drop D it makes it sound like satan is crawling out of my princeton twin reverb.. it kicks fender ass
Rock on - November 10, 2005 11:14 pm
I just brought a Yamaha Pacifica 112, and must say it sounds and feels great. It looks more expensive than it is.
Got it running on a Roland Cube amp.
ROCK ON!!!
greentele - January 9, 2006 3:33 pm
Got myself a nice 102 in a deeper natural finish. alright the pickups could do with a bit more but often the case with many more expensive models anyway.
The feel and finish is excellent. would highly recommend. don't be a guitar snob! keep the money in yer pocket and enjoy!
Modus - February 8, 2006 6:15 pm
The 102s is the best electric guitar you can get for the money! I have owned a strat, epi l.p. and a couple of shit boxes I got for almost free and this guitar is solid! With a set of Fender noisless p.u. or a comperable pick ups it is gig worthy! This thing stays in tune. Has some balls in the bridge (limited neck p.u. but its there) the neck is solid, straight, and the action is dead on. I have had mine for 9 years! Never 1 regret!
crazy rocker - February 11, 2006 2:31 am
i hava pacifica an its gr8.... the pickups r a lill noisy but im goina get it changed ......rest all is kewl.
nick jays - June 26, 2006 11:08 pm
My friend is a music tutor/rock god and he's got a 112 and swears by it. So i got myself one too and its amazing how cheap it was. I mean i thought it would be well pricey, cos it looks it. Even better i wired it through some effects and Satan himself could not produce more Evil sounding metal riffs. If you looking for value for money go to Tesco's..........And buy a 112.
Joe Marty - February 24, 2007 2:23 am
Well I think this guitar is suitable for people who are beginners and not going for stage show or something. This can be suitable for anyone as the first or second electric guitar of their lives. Of all the Pacifica models 112J is the top I think. The 102 is all great if the pick ups are changed.
C.R. Catdancing Music - March 14, 2007 2:21 pm
I,ve had my pacifica since Nov. I think is't great. I have been lucky enough to have played real 50's and 52 tele's and esquires. The alder body makes it feel vintage, exchanging the pick-ups with some Fender texas specials is the way to go, re-varnishing and re-polishing the neck will improve playablity and make it feel more like a true tele neck. I've put old vintage knobs on it and re-shot it foamgreen, so now every time I take it out it's a real eye catcher. I'am useing 11"s on it, the heavyer bass strings help the alder body resonate a chunkyer thicker tone,be holding to the true tele sound. Quite a very nice insturment and Iam very happy for having made this investment.
tyrel r - November 25, 2007 3:07 am
i have had my pacifica for little over three years now. i have the dual humbucker...the "tele" model, that someone was looking for on an earlier post. for the money its pretty good, although im ready to move on to a nicer guitar with better action and sound. the only thing i dont like about it is how i hear a bit of feedback through the amp when im not even playing it... but that could be my shitty cord or shitty amp :)