Yamaha Introduces Four New Pacifica Guitars

PAC312II

January 28, 1999 -- When it comes to bang for the buck, few things can compare to Yamaha's popular Pacifica series of solid-body electric guitars, which lay claim to the sort of quality materials, workmanship, and features usually reserved for instruments costing much more. This impressive arsenal of axes gets a whole lot deeper at Winter NAMM, as Yamaha introduces four new models to the fold-the PAC120S, PAC311MS, PAC312II, PAC303-12II-which offer performance-minded players an extended array of sonic options at impressively low prices.

"Pacifica guitars utilize the best quality materials and workmanship," notes Gary Cook, Guitar product manager. "We now have a growing stable of artists playing Yamaha solid bodies and basses, including Ty Tabor, who has recently signed to design a custom signature Pacifica. Younger players will recognize the value and excitement in Yamaha solid bodies."

The new PAC120S is an updated version of the PAC120SD, offering a single cutaway, solid Alder body with Mike Stern Body Silhouette, a bolt-on 22-fret Maple neck with Rosewood fingerboard, and a fixed bridge for maximum tuning stability. Electronics include a pair of powerful humbucking pickups, a 3-way switch, and no-hassle master Volume and Tone controls. Natural, Black, and Vintage White finishes are available; they're nicely enhanced by the Chrome hardware, which adds to the PAC120S no-nonsense, good looks.

For an even more individualistic slant to the single-cutaway concept, the PAC311MS offers the Mike Stern silhouette with an Ash veneer top on a solid Alder body, available in an exciting array of finishes, including Natural, Vintage Blonde and Orange Stain. Like the PAC120S, the PAC311MS is equipped with a bolt-on Maple neck, 22-fret Rosewood fingerboard, and chrome hardware, including a fixed bridge: However, the PAC311MS asserts its distinct personality in the electronics department, where a neck position Humbucker is paired with a special Hot Rail Style Bridge pickup. Controls include Master Volume and Tone and a 3-way switch.

For those who crave the extended reach of a double cutaway and the expressive power of a tremolo bridge, the comfortable, fast-action PAC312II updates the successful PAC312 with an Ash veneer top over Alder body, offered in three brilliant finishes- Translucent Red, Translucent Green and Violin Sunburst. The PAC312II boasts the popular Two Single Coil/One Humbucking pickup array. Mated to a 5-way switch (with Yamaha's cool Auto Coil Tap feature), and Master Volume and Tone controls, these pickups provide the maximum of tonal possibilities with the minimum of hassle.

The PAC303-12II is the best-made, best-sounding 12-string electric guitar available today for it's price, delivering shimmering tone through its trio of single coil pickups. Like the other new Pacificas, it boasts a high-quality Maple neck, Rosewood fretboard, and classy Chrome hardware. The body is pure eye-candy, with an Ash veneer top over a solid Alder body and two new finishes: Violin Sunburst and Honey Burst. Other features include a 5-way pickup-selector switch, Master Volume and Tone controls, and a fixed bridge.

"Yamaha Pacifica Series offers guitarists a large selection of great-sounding guitars for a reasonable price," adds Cook. "With such a wide variety of guitars, guitarists can select the model that best meets their needs. Whether you're a session guitarist, weekend warrior, touring act, or learning the guitar for the first time, our Pacifica Series is an excellent choice."

For more information, visit Yamaha's web site at www.yamaha.com.