Building The ULTIMATE Yamaha Pacifica! - Full Build and Tones! 

A new Pacifica is born! First half is the build, second half are the tones (starting @ 8:50) and lastly are my final thoughts on the build. Enjoy! Parts list in the video description

Pacificas definitely need more love. Very underrated instruments.

You didn't even get to finish saying, "Welcome..." when I mashed that like button homie.

I did it! I modify my Yamaha Pacifica 112 from '96. I changed the bridge to the Vega trem, the tuners to the Graph tech ratio, the saddle and the tree too. However pickups are from the Seamour Duncan. Many thanks for the tips and inspiration Darrell!

This looks so freaking cool. I need Yamaha to make a roasted maple neck Pacifica or for Warmoth to make a Pacifica shaped body that fits a roasted maple Warmoth neck. The Pacifica is by far the coolest strat body shape.

The tone gave me chills, and they aren’t going away for a while. That guitar is amazing, great job!

Duuuude. Glad you went for the blackoout. Looks great. Sounds great. One thing I'd love to hear about though (in all your mod/parts videos), is what the total cost of parts would be. I know you get a bunch of parts for free/on the cheap for demoing things, but I think it would be helpful for the rest of us. CAD, or USD would be fine, I'm sure. Thanks dude. Killin' it.

I've seen a lot of budget guitar builds, but that Pacifica is easily one of the prettiest I've ever seen. Well done!

I always loved that Pacifica body because it wasn't as "soft" as the Fender Strat or as harsh and pointy as the Ibanez RG. It was kind of the perfect compromise. I tried looking for an early '90s model a few years back but people want big $$$ for those things.

Yamaha Pacificas are the perfect modding platform and if you don´t want to do modding and get a great mid-budget guitar, the 612 & the 611 (with the P-90 in the neck) are great value for money.

Your builds are so in depth and fulfilling. You learn something new each time

Did anyone else tried to blow the drill dust at the 4:53 !!

after two years I'm still waiting for "the Ultimate ES-335 guitar" or semi-hollow body, it doesn't matter that it's not expensive, I just like your tastes when you modify guitars

I recently bought a lefty Yamaha Pacifica 112 and I've never been happier as a beginner player! But your mods are dreamy! Great job!✌🏼✌🏼✌🏼

The Pacifica is still the guitar I recomend to beginners. I point out a few others but it's top ten and was number one for a long, long time.

This is one of my favorite videos. I took my $99 Yamaha EG112 that I bought from Costco 15 years ago and spent $560 worth of upgrades on it. I went with Supervee's BladeRunner for my Tremolo and Seymour Duncan pickups (SH-4 JB, SSL-5, SL-59-1) for an HSH configuration. The wire harness from 920D was model # I5W-AUTO. I had a ton of fun doing it and learned so much along the way.

Great looking mod Darrell, I took my Pacifica and put two humbuckers in mine. With that open cavity the Pacifca is a modders dream. I absolutely love mine!

Been looking forward to this build. The guitar is gorgeous and sounds great. Those were all excellent mods. I love the red finish, black pick guard, and body shape. Thanks

I remember being very impressed with a Pacifica I tried several years ago in a guitar store, and it was all stock parts, and you made it even more impressive. Another example of why I like this channel.

..just bought a Pacifica 721 for s56.00..pawn shop guitar..Alder body compound radius neck, Japan made Tuners ,and Takeuchi Trs 101 floyd Rose lic trem...HSH..just awesome for 56 bucks .Yamaha build great everything , from instruments ,to boat motors They just build great....glad to see you doing the Pacifica..

The only thing I wish was there was kind of a "before" and "after" going through the same tones. But the end result looks great and sounds great.

Just ordered a pac112vm from sweetwatrer, alnico hss with coil tapping on the bridge, ice blue with maple neck. Had them install locking tuners and full setup, after watching this I can’t wait!

I have a Yamaha Pacifica 912J- I put a Dunkin hot rail on the neck and micro switches to split the coils at the bridge and neck. I also dressed the fretboard to get rid of the excessive fret height. Copper shielded the entire cavalries and locked the Floyd rose.

That position 2 tone is frickin killer!!!!

Damm! You got the best color, absolutely loved it. It's going to be my first electric guitar.

Having just set up a Kiesel Delos for a customer, one equipped one of those Vega trems... i can warrant these are among the most stable trem systems available... I love it !

You should definitely consider selling these guitar builds this thing is sexy

Darrell I did this build it is awesome thanks for guiding me on this process... My guitar tech helped me create a shred monster with winter humbuckers and flip switch instead of the 5 position switch. Turned a plain jane Pac 012 into a one of a kind beast!

I like what you've done to that PAC and who doesn't love a metallic red ... Sounds sweet I went for the PAC 611 VFM in 2018, P90 & HB. I was encouraged by the Pacifica layout after I tried, and bought, a Line 6 Variax Standard, which is basically a Pacifica with bells and whistles. 😉 I like 'em both but curiously they are quite different beasts to play. Necks are very different.

Thank you Darrell! I've been thinking about looking for a Pacifica and this build has sealed the deal. I love everything about what you have done. It will be a template for me. I love your channel and your honest friendly approach. Cheers!

I just found one for 90 bucks at guitar center and bought it instantly. It’s being shipped to me for 125. I’m gonna upgrade it.

10/10 am building one Just snagged a revstar 420 a month ago for cheap (250) and before i could even change it I fell in love immediately, i think I'm just gonna unironically rock a few yamahas. This build convinced me to do up a pacifica next, what a fun super strat

I have been waiting for a Yamaha Pacifica video to be done by you and, you finally did it!

This is a stunningly gorgeous outcome. Just started reviewing links for costs but already adding up big.

i own 3 Pacificas : 2 telecaster style and a 510V on which i will add a second Seymour Duncan P-Rail in the neck position. You can't default Yamaha for the good quality of their instruments . They may not be number one on all counts but you don't lose a pence on a Yamaha guitar.... A good, honest instrument on all counts! And upgradable as Darrell as shown!

the MS311 telle is another one that good as is , That Pacifica is now capable of professional live gigs and not an intermediate students guitar.

That thing sounds great. I can’t believe how well it held tune after the bombs seeing that you said it was strung 30 mins prior. Makes me want one lol

You’ve inspired me to upgrade my first electric: a Pacifica 012. Gave it alnico pickups, SS block saddles, tusq nut, shielding, cts pots, treble bleed, new pickguard (SSS). I always wanted a Strat, but didn’t want to break the bank by buying one. Cheers!

Wow , that baby turned out awesome Darrell . Thanks for posting this build.

The black hardware with the red body gel together so well. Congratulations Darrell for making a a great guitar even better!

Just bought this a weeks ago, and yes it's best guitar for the price range. The playbility just beast

Thanks, I always look forward to your vids! One thought - Would be nice if you could talk about total cost of your builds.

Wow . . . This thing can really cook! You did one hella job on this thing boss! Keep going strong!

I have had the 510V for a few years and a great piece of kit it is.. 👍🇦🇺

Don't even play or own a guitar... but LOVE these videos!

Just got a pacifica, very playable already but definitely going to go through & mod it up similar to what you have done here - fantastic work, thanks for the information & inspiration!!

Hey Darrell thanks for this build, I bought and installed a Vega Trem and Tone Claw on my Fender ultra strat. This is a fantastic upgrade. Supper cool,, lower action and great tones, Love it.

What an incredible build. My 1st electric was a Pacifica years ago. Nice to see someone picking 1 up today could potentially make it into a monster. Well done 👏👏👏

13:59 AWESOME TONE!!!!!!!

yamaha pac guitars are so underated,this yamaha would rival it's $650-800 dollar guitars easy, great job.

Great to see a modded Pacifica Darrell! I modded a pacifica 112j by rolling the edges with some sandpaper and the side of a screwdriver and put in a Dimarzio area 58 in the neck, area 67 in the middle, and Eric Johnson HB in the bridge. I love it and it’s become my main gigging guitar.

I love how thorough your videos are as well as educational for working your guitar to its potential

it looks so cool when that red finish is mixed with black

Wow! Great build, loved the end result.....

Love this upgrade 👍 With black screws for pickups, black coils and it's perfect 👌

Black hardware and pickguard was the best aesthetic choice for this one.

The single coil pickups should have the black cover too :)

For me it's all about the neck. My Ibanez is very flat but in advertitments for the Pacifica range the neck was flatter than I'd seen anywhere. For me Flat necks were FTW. Luv and Peace.

It turned out way better than I originally thought. Beautiful

What a gorgeous guitar you made! Pacs are famous as a modding platform. And then, there are the higher end pacificas that don't need any upgrade (unless one wants something different), nowadays it goes up to the 600 series and the MIJ PAC1511MS. Little known, and hard to get, are the ultra high end Pacificas of the earlier years when Pacificas were designed by Rich Lasner in California. Those are rare and pricey on the used market. The concept of producing an affordable line of Pacificas came after the Lasner designed expensive models were discontinued. I'm a lucky guy. I have a 1990 neck-through Pacifica 1412 (made in Japan but designed in California's Yamaha custom shop by Lasner as a prototype). The 1412 is the highest pacifica production model ever made and was, like, $2,000 in 1990 (would cost around $6,000 to build today). I got mine for 1,500€ and consider I got a great deal for such a guitar.I also have a 2008 (last year of production) MIJ Pac 904. I paid about $1,200 (965€) for it brand new. I have four "strats". a PRS Silver sky, a CS Fender deluxe, a partscaster with top end components and the 904. I'll let you guess which one is my favorite...

Love my Pacifica custom shop. I bought on reverb for 300$ turns out to be a full Japan Custom shop Artist build for the one and only Liz Phair. Came all decked out with fender custom shop strat pickups Mark Kay finish and all high end everything . If your on the fence jump !!

omg amazing! the alice n chains tone! great job.

Darrell, those were some sick chops... And on a reasonable mod of a solid budget guitar! That was awesome. Thanks for the mod recs

Very cool! I really like the look of the red with the black and the body is just different enough from a Strat to be unique but not over the top. Thanks for showing some of “behind the scenes” work like the shielding paint and soldering. The way you present things is informative, yet isn’t condescending like so many other channels. All in all a great video.

The tailpiece cost more than this "low-end" guitar new! I quit counting after $600 worth of parts... The PAC612 is an FMT with Wilkinson trim, Grover tuners, Seymour Duncan PUPS. Alder/maple/rosewood. $649 new. IDK Darrell. With all the work you did to this guitar, which I would not even attempt, I don't see the point. But I'm a simple person.

I’m brazilian and I have a Pacifica, it is a nice guitar. My dream is to get a Les Paul but most of them a pretty expensive here. I will customize my Pacifica, but I’m still in the planning phase.

Great build . I love the black and red . It sounds great.

Great build. Excellent choice for upgrades.

My 1st guitar was a Yamaha Pacifica. Super cool seeing a hot rodded version done proper.

Beautiful. Love this guitar. Just bought a Yamaha 611HFM. These Yamaha Pacifica guitars sure sound great. What you put together WOW. Only started watching your channel and by far... it is the coolest. Thank you.

Sup guys! About 30 years ago the spouse gave me a 1000$ allowance for a Strat and I came home with a 112. I love this guitar. Still have and it has never failed me. Just can't bring myself to to put this kind of money into it, and I'm afraid I'd f it up. Thoroughly enjoyed the video. Great presentation!

Pick guard would look really great in a Golden Colours .I am a very big Yamaha fan boy ,all the motorcycles I have owned are all Yamaha's ( RXZ 5speed, Rd 350, Aerox 155, R15m , mt03, R6., The Pacifica , Yamaha keyboard,Piano etc

I bought a Yamaha starter pack with the ERG 121C black electric guitar and a 10 watt amp 15 or so years ago and all I've had to do to it is change the 5 way switch which I ruined. I still love it and wouldn't change a thing except the strings.

My first guitar ever is a Yamaha and I still have it and love it. I own several different models by them and think that they are all great. Thanks for showing how they can be modded and made even better Darrell! Your playing was extra great in this video too! Rock on!

Great job Darrel!! Guitar sounds GREAT!! Please keep up the Good Work, Love your Channel and Content!

I love the tone on this thing. That bridge pick up is still bright and Spanky like a stray, but it’s got that girth to it. If I had one of these modded like this, I wouldn’t complain. Love that candy apple red finish too

Love the Strat "cluck" of those Lambertones pickups. Great neck pickup!

Never sound much attention to the Pacifica before. This one sounds sweet. Those pickups have what I would say is a "watery" sound. Very nice.

Great job, Darrell! You are a true artist! The guitar looks fantastic!

MAN THAT little pacifica has become a monster.....congrats, greetings from spain darrell

The wood on Yamahas (which is what really matters) is always really good. I have an old Yamaha EG112 (not even a Pacifica) and it's a nicely built slab of wood. The electronics is where they usually skimp. I gutted mine completely and installed custom electronics. Went from an HSS to a standard Strat setup. They're really great guitars, and cheap. Really, it's how much an average Fender should cost.

Have same locking tuners on my Pacifica 112 awesome improvement and changing strings so quick n easy.

Saw the first video, the Instagram post about this upcoming video. Great follow up to the completion. Sounds great and looks good. Liked the colour from the start.

For me, it is synonymous with the Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, but this Pacifica is a beautiful piece. Really hilarious and has a beautiful sound.

Loved this build. Currently acquiring the parts for my pacifica. I have a Seymour Duncan hot rail in the bridge (might coil split) a fender Tex Mex in the middle and an epiphone casino p90 in the neck position. Watching this series allowed me to know what trem, but and tuners work. Super excited to keep going on my pacifica

I don’t know why all the other guitar channels are attacking you, but your the best so who cares!

The whammy with the nut, trees and tuners is the killer of all vibrato systems. It is definitely on my short list.

Very nice combo of upgrades and the results prove the effort and expense were well deserved. Thanks for another great project.

You've inspired me to get that bridge for the rebuild of my first ever guitar love ya work mate

I like that you can see the tooling marks on the block of the vegatrem

It just sings.... lovely

love that humbucker cover - the build looks really nice

Wow, that turned out awesome! I’ve never cared much for Yamaha guitars; love their motorcycles, though 🤓. But, I really like the looks and sound of your finished build. The black-out hardware was definitely the way to go. On these types of builds/mods, It would be great to know the retail cost of the different parts, as you are reviewing them. Overall, great job!

Excellent build

Truly love the red and black on the Pacifica brother, nicely done I might add

Ich liebe Deine Builds. Das macht Spaß zuzuschauen, auch wenn ich nicht alles verstehe. Tolle Serie. | I love your builds. It's fun to watch, even if I don't understand everything. Great series.

1:Still got that Graphtech nut that s gonna wear soon 2: still got the Fender 50s stagger with the single coil pups while Pacificas neck is 13,6 inches 3: I really dig the Vega trem, but it seems the string to string distance is wider than whats meant for Yam Pacs...

Darrell...WOW!!!...that is one killer guitar and it looks great..I would totally gig that one...fantastic job my man!!!!

This is really an awesome video. When I knew your channel, I just want to hear your review about guitars. But this just makes things more interesting and informative. Even I'm not a music instrument player, knowledge is always something I look for.

Love these type of videos, watching these builds are soo relaxing!! 🙌🏻🎸