Yamaha Pacifica 012 Dark Blue Metallic Electric guitar

Yamaha Pacifica 012 — Affordable Electric Guitar

This model is the gateway in Yamaha's Pacifica electric guitar series, built for first-time players who want a properly made instrument. Its ST-style double-cut body wears a deep metallic blue gloss polyurethane finish that looks at home on stage. The PAC012 Dark Blue Metallic is the right choice for beginners who want a flexible instrument without paying for features they don't yet need.

What Sets It Apart

Most guitars in this price range cut corners on the tremolo and pickups, but Yamaha equips the PAC012 with a vintage-style tremolo bridge and screw-in arm that holds tuning. The HSS layout gives players five tonal voices via the 5-position lever switch.

Mahogany Body, Gloss Polyurethane Finish

The body is crafted from mahogany, a tonewood that delivers warm midrange character and a solid feel. A gloss polyurethane top coat protects the wood while adding depth. The Dark Blue Metallic finish contains visible sparkle under stage lighting.

• Body: Mahogany — warm midrange with comfortable weight
• Finish: Gloss Polyurethane — durable, reflective

Bolt-On Maple Neck, Walnut Fingerboard

The bolt-on maple neck carries a satin polyurethane finish for a smooth, low-friction feel. A walnut fingerboard sits on top, offering a warmer visual tone than rosewood. The 350 mm (13.75") radius is flatter than a vintage Fender, making bends easier for newer hands.

• Neck: Maple — stable, bright tonal foundation
• Fingerboard: Walnut — smooth feel with darker aesthetic
• Scale Length: 648 mm (25.5") — Fender-standard tension
• Fingerboard Radius: 350 mm (13.75") — flatter profile
• Nut: Urea — self-lubricating for stable tuning

HSS Ceramic Pickups, Vintage Tremolo

The HSS pickup configuration pairs two ceramic single-coils with a ceramic humbucker at the bridge, covering glassy cleans to chunky rhythm work. A 5-position lever switch selects five tonal voices. Master volume and master tone controls keep the layout simple.

• Pickup Configuration: HSS — five tonal voices
• Pickup Magnets: Ceramic — bright, punchy output
• Bridge: Vintage-Style Tremolo with Screw-In Arm
• Tuning Machines: Covered — clean look, smooth action

Who It's For

The PAC012 Dark Blue Metallic is the right choice for first-time electric guitar buyers who want an instrument with proper setup, reliable tuning, and a flexible pickup set at an entry-level price. Students, returning players, and parents buying for a young learner will find the comfortable C-shaped neck and forgiving action make early practice less frustrating. Intermediate players benefit from this model's proven build quality.

Yamaha Pacifica — A Great First Guitar

The Pacifica series was developed by Yamaha's guitar team with their Los Angeles custom shop, with the goal of building affordable instruments that don't feel cheap. The PAC012 sits at the bottom of the lineup as the gateway model, sharing design DNA with the PAC112V, PAC120H, and PAC600 series.