Yamaha Pacifica 012 review

The Pacifica 012 is the cheapest way into Yamaha's Pacifica line, and Yamaha's US store listed it at $279.99 and in stock when we checked. It shares the 112V's neck numbers: 41 mm at the nut, 20.9 mm thick at the first fret, a 13-3/4 inch radius and 22 medium frets, so the playing feel should be similar. The differences are in the parts. The 012 uses a mahogany body and ceramic pickups in an HSS layout, with a master volume, master tone and a 5-position switch, but no coil split. Yamaha lists covered tuners and a 1-ply pickguard. For a first guitar that may or may not stick, that is a sensible trade for $100 less, and the HSS layout still covers both clean chords and distorted rock. If you already know you will keep playing, the 112V's alnico pickups and coil split are worth the extra money. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not test it.

Who it is for

Beginners who want Yamaha's Pacifica playability for $100 less and do not need alnico pickups or a coil split.

Price

$279.99 at the Yamaha US store when checked, in stock.

$ 279.99 In Stock
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 9, 2026.

Key features

• Mahogany body with gloss polyurethane finish
• Ceramic humbucker and two ceramic single coils (HSS)
• Maple neck with rosewood or walnut fingerboard, 13-3/4 inch radius
• 22 medium frets and 41 mm nut width
• Vintage-style vibrato with screw-in arm

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: In stock on Yamaha's store at $279.99
• Strength: Same neck width and thickness figures as the 112V
• Strength: HSS layout covers clean and rock tones
• Weakness: Ceramic rather than alnico pickups
• Weakness: No coil split
• Weakness: Covered tuners rather than the 112V's die-cast set

Key facts

• Pickups: Ceramic, humbucker plus two single coils (HSS)
• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Maple, rosewood or walnut fingerboard, 22 frets
• Radius: 13-3/4 inches (350 mm)
• Bridge: Vintage-style tremolo

Where it ranks

Yamaha Pacifica 012 is No. 4 in our Best Beginner Electric Guitars verdict.