Best Yamaha Electric Guitar Reviews

Yamaha is known worldwide for its reputation built on its love of music, with its roots stretching back to the 19th century. And the company has been making instruments ever since, combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital technology. Including, since 1966, quality, flawless-sounding, and at the same time quite affordable electric guitars. In this review, I will look at three of the best Yamaha electric guitars that, in my opinion, deserve your utmost attention.

Our pick

Yamaha PAC611HFM

Best Yamaha electric guitar

The Pacifica series has been constructed to respond to various genres and play styles. As a result, various pickup configurations provide a wide range of sound characters, from heavy distortion to clean sound. Read the full review.

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Yamaha electric guitar comparison table

Factors to consider when looking for the Yamaha electric guitar

Music style

When you choose an electric guitar, you need to listen in advance to how it sounds. Because not all guitars are universal, some can play only one style. The guitar’s adaptability to the music styles depends on its functionality.

Pickups

A lot of the electric guitar’s sound depends on the pickup system. For heavier music and overdrive, it’s better to consider humbucker guitars. For clean sounds and lighter styles, single-coil pickup guitars are better. You can also combine both for a more versatile playing style.

Scale

Guitars can differ in Scale Length, which determines how easy it is to play. So before you buy, decide whether a short-scale or a long-scale is better for you. For example, it is better to choose guitars with a longer scale to play on a low tone.

Bridge

The bridge is one of those electric guitar parts that determines its timbre as well as the strings’ tuning. The fixed bridge and tremolo systems (movable) are available for many variations. The fixed bridge is easier to tune and keeps the sustain excellent, but the tremolo has much more functionality. You’re pretty likely to find out which type suits you just by experience.

Price

The price range of electric guitars is quite wide. Of course, more expensive guitars are made of better quality components, which positively affects playability and sound. But I think beginners don’t have to buy an expensive guitar from the start, even if they have the opportunity. As time goes by, you’ll realize what kind of guitar, with what kind of features, and for what kind of style you need.

Best Yamaha electric guitar reviews

Yamaha PAC611HFM – best overall

So, Yamaha. The brand that ranks among the leaders in manufacturing guitars (and not only) is taking it to the next level with its Pacifica lineup, featuring excellent build quality, magical design, and affordable prices. In this Yamaha PAC611HFM review, I will tell you about one that is sure to grab your attention. The mid-priced segment makes it affordable for those who dream of playing a worthwhile instrument. I can't wait, can you?

Body

The PAC611HFM comes in five colors: Root Beer, Translucent Black, Translucent Purple, Light Amber Burst, and Black with Gloss Polyurethane Finish. The guitar is in a reminiscent, but still not original Stratocaster shape and wears the unchanged 4-Ply Tortoiseshell pickguard. The body is made of Alder, giving it a slight but recognizable tone. Alder sounds smoother and brighter than other woods.

The chic Flamed Maple Laminated top features a Hardtail Bridge with Graph Tech String Saver Saddle and controls. The bridge is highly adjustable and provides excellent stability. And the control knobs are simple and understated, which is great for a bright overall experience. It's easy: Master Volume and Master Tone. But the Tone has a Push-Pull Coil Split feature, so you can translate playing to one coil. There is also a 3-Position Pickup Selector for tuning the pickups.

Pickup system

As for electronics, it has a rather unusual combination of old-school and modern. The sound, as a result, is excellent but unusual. It's relatively heavy and distorted. So if that style doesn't suit you, the Yamaha PAC611HFM probably won't suit you too.

So, the Seymour Duncan TB-14 found its place on the bridge. And the single-coil Seymour Duncan SP90-1 with a very clear tone was placed on the neck. With the help of the 3-position switch, the guitar gets a powerful timbre. It's clean and vintage, with a pronounced midrange. You don't get that sound with a regular Humbucker, don't expect it. The PAC611HFM is a special style.

Neck, fingerboard, headstock

The PAC611HFM Maple neck is very hard, durable, and very resonant. This is why Maple wood is used more often than any other. The Gloss Polyurethane coating makes it unusually smooth and comfortable to play. The 13-3/4" radius is also comfortable but not the thinnest. The Rosewood overlay has 22 Medium frets. All parts are perfectly executed without any nicks or chips and also have excellent tonal abilities.

The hardware won't let you down here, either. The Nut is made of Graph Tech TUSQ, a synthetic material. What sets it apart is that it's very slippery; the strings just float on it. So you're spared the trouble of replacing it for a long time. Grover Locking Tuners are good too. They hold tuning steadily and are easy to change strings with.

Sound quality

The Yamaha PAC611HFM sound, as I said earlier, is tough. It's expressive, powerful, bright, and full. That doesn't mean you can't play other genres on this guitar. Of course, you can! It is a Yamaha, after all. But still, I think it's more rock than, for example, blues. But in the end, it all depends on your understanding of a particular genre. As for its quality - it's definitely worth every dollar. It's a long-lasting instrument of a high level.

Yamaha PAC012DLX – budget

Yamaha is known for producing budget guitars with high build and sound quality. And today, I have a Yamaha PAC012DLX review for you, where I will examine this kind of instrument. The Pacifica 012 Deluxe is a special version of Yamaha's most affordable model. It has a different color and is made of different wood, but otherwise, they are similar. So let's take it apart.

Body

Unlike the basic model, the Strat body of the PAC012 Deluxe is made of Solid Agathis rather than Mahogany. Agathis has excellent properties and is often used for instruments because of its resonating properties and malleability. The elegant, stylish Vintage Sunburst coloring in gloss looks great. The guitar is lightweight and will suit any level of player, even a beginner.

Let me remind you that this is a budget model, so the hardware is simplistic. But for a guitar of this level, it is even good! For example, the Vintage Tremolo bridge and Nut are made of urea, similar to plastic. If possible, I would replace the Nut. The chrome Yamaha Sealed tuners and control knobs look quite reliable and soft to use.

Pickup system

The Yamaha PAC012 DLX electronics include a package of three passive HSS configuration pickups. The combination of the Ceramic Bridge Humbucker and two Ceramic Single Coil Pickups can produce distortion and is suitable for heavy rock. So it feels right at home here. But the 5-way blade pickup switch forms a wide enough range to do jazz and blues.

I would summarize that the electronics here are very decent. It's quite successful, and I've personally experienced that. If you don't like the ceramic at all, you can always replace it over time.

Neck, fingerboard, headstock

Several factors usually determine a guitar's playability. And its fingerboard is one of the most important. The Yamaha PAC012DLX has a smooth C-shaped maple neck with a Sonokelin (Rosewood) fingerboard. It attaches to the body with the Bolt-On system for stability when playing dynamic compositions. With a 13.75" radius, it is very comfortable, fast, and responsive when playing. The 25.5" scale features 22 Jumbo frets, which are very comfortable to play due to the instrument's shape.

Sound quality

It is definitely a good rock guitar. It will surely appeal to those who like aggressive genres and distortion. At the same time, it is not recommended to play metal, although it is capable of that too. So say, if you're a fan of that genre exclusively, you might want to consider other options as well.

At the same time, its electronics and 5-band switch are able to play quality rock, blues, and even jazz. Of course, it all depends on how sensitive you are to the detail of the sounds.

My overall impression of the guitar and its "voice" remained good. I've already mentioned many times that the Yamaha PAC012DLX is a budget guitar, but it sounds wonderful for its price rank. Weigh the pros and cons and make your choice consciously.

Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS20

If you've been dreaming of attracting attention with your guitar, the Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS20 review is for you. At least this model makes a strong impression on me. The design is just "wow," but also some features of the guitar are unusual, I would say unique, which makes it "stand out from the crowd" in all senses. And the price is affordable. I am in anticipation and invite you to get an introduction to this miracle.

Body

The Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS20 Set-in body is a company development inspired by the vintage Yamaha SG. First, it has additional hollow spots inside to make the guitar lighter. Despite that, the model is quite heavy (almost 8 pounds), so keep that in mind. But it's comfortable to play both standing and sitting. Secondly, the complemented unusual double-cut design comes in 6 bright colors: Swift Blue, Sunset Burst, Vintage White, Hot Merlot, Flash Green, and Black c 3-Ply Pickguard. I love it. The body is made of Chambered Mahogany, and the top is of Maple. All are made for the finest resonance and balance.

The overall style of the guitar is understated. The Master Volume and Master Tone controls, as well as the 5-Way switch, are compact and not conspicuous. There is also a very stable Tune-o-Matic bridge on the body. I think many musicians know it. The attention is concentrated on the shape and bright colors. Let's continue.

Pickup system

They say that Yamaha tested over 50 pickup prototypes before they succeeded in producing their Revstar. I willingly believe that because they sound excellent. The VH5b AlNiCo 5 bridge and Neck VH5n AlNiCo 5 humbucker together produce a powerful, balanced timbre and rich, vibrant modern sound with vintage elements.

I think the trademark Focus-Switch deserves special attention. It shifts the resonant frequency of the tone and performs passive amplification. I personally like this option, but I know that not everyone likes it. Well, to each his own.

Neck, fingerboard, headstock

The Revstar neck is special for this guitar, too. It is three-section and made of reinforced carbon Mahogany. The fingerboard is glued-in, and the slightly beveled body makes it incredibly stable and straight. You also have full access to the top frets. By the way, the 22 Jumbo frets here are stainless steel, smooth, comfortable, and, of course, hard-wearing. The Rosewood fretboard with a 12" radius has white lines inlays. I like to hold it in my hands. It is comfortable, stable, and very pleasant to the touch because of the Satin Polyurethane coating.

Sound quality

What conclusion can you expect from me when I initially confessed that I was in love with this guitar? The Yamaha Revstar Standard RSS20 sounds great. It can be powerful, but it can also be soft. With the Focus option, you can get jazzy tones, blues riffs, single tones, or amplified to overdrive levels. The range is as wide as it gets. It feels gorgeous everywhere. The RSS20 is a "Wow" to me.

FAQ

Also, you can consider those decent electric guitars:
Fender electric guitars.
ESP electric guitars.
Schecter electric guitars.
Jackson electric guitars.

Or you can choose an electric guitar for your style:
Electric guitar for grunge.
Electric guitar for death metal.