Yamaha Pacifica Vs. GFS Xavier PRO870 - AFFORD-A-STRAT - One stays one will be GIVEN AWAY!
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Afford-A-Strat is FINALLY BACK! this time I shoot out a long standing favorite of budget guitar lovers the Yamaha Pacifica (amzn.to/3qMzZb4)
against the previous winner, The Xavier PRO870 (bit.ly/3qO3nhm)
AND YOU CAN WIN ONE OF THESE GUITARS!
Watch this video • Old Blood Noise Endeav...
subscribe to Get Offset and then comment a summary of Emily's video in the comments section of her video and she will pick the winner.
Also HUGE THANKS TO D'ADDARIO for sponsoring this whole series, check out the maintenance kit here: amzn.to/3FNVzQX
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I have owned a lot of Yamaha guitars over the years including several Pacificas and they have all been amazing guitars, even the budget models.
As a cheap n dirty squire player myself. I picked up this very same Pacifica a year ago and couldn’t put it down, it became my soloing workhorse and I absolutely love putting rhythmic and melodic pieces together with it. I appreciate it for the found inspiration it gave me. Stellar guitar and stellar video!
I just came across this channel recently. I really appreciate the objective and unbiased views and reviews. Thanks Ryan. Great work!
everyone has bias, but i try to stay as self aware as I can. Welcome to the channel!
The Pacifica is legendary for a reason. It's always been a go to budget guitar you can count on.
The Pacifica don't sound like any music I ever heard, what about the body style?
Wonder what Eric Clapton
SRV
Ingvai Malmsteen
Jimmie Hendrix
Ect,ect would say about the Pacifica?
Or even their acoustic guitars for that matter.
The cable Jack is better location on top because it won't accidentally be damaged when putting it down and it's not a problem having it there, on the other hand where the Pacifica has it, it can easily be damaged.
@@luismangiaterra1031 WTF are you talking about?
@@KelticKabukiGirl this guy is payed by Yamaha for the video, your new to guitar playing and don't know much yet.
Ask yourself, why professional musicians don't use Yamaha?
All guitars have their own sound that can sometimes be recognized just by listening.
Good luck practicing your new hobby, and don't be easily fooled by advertising.
@@luismangiaterra1031 hahhaahhahahhhaa, oh kid you have no idea who I am apparently. I have been shredding and singing since 1989. I have been gigging, recording and did some touring since then. I have a 1977 Yamaha SG800, the kind they made for SANTANA! Japanese made guitars are amazing and Yamaha is Older than Gibson. I also have a half assed gear channel turning full assed as soon as the studio is done infact. I even have Joyo and a Boutique Cable builder already sponsoring videos. Ryan is giving an honest opinion. Pacificas are great entry level guitars. Better than my first POS. I even have a video of me shredding a $75 Glarry strat I got and it screams. Of you can't polish frets and set up a guitar that's your problem, nooooooooob!
@@luismangiaterra1031 oh yeah, lead guitarist of 3 Inches of Blood and the old guitarist of Baroness used Yamaha SGs... do a bit of research before you ooze mouth diarrhea. If you can't play a cheap guitar, you might not be that good...
Great comparison, for what it's worth I think you said it in the video, when squiers were cheap and horrible, the Pacifica was amazing. I think everyone else has caught up and the choice for starter guitars is amazing now. Not just cheap for a hobbyist to set up but ready to play out the box no knowledge required
Nice outro jam! Thanks for doing these videos. Even though so much is subjective, it's helpful to see someone interact with the guitars on camera.
The 612 ii etc costs less than a player strat and comes really loaded (seymour duncan, grover locking tuners, split coil, tusq nut etc).....very very impressive package indeed!!
The D’Addario maintenance kit is an excellent idea! I’m sure you’ve sold enough of them to make the sponsorship very successful. I’ll be ordering one myself!
The Pacifica is a tank and much more versatile than the single coil only Xavier...I would pick the Pacifica hands down... There are many pickguard companies that have pickguard upgrades for the Pacifica now... I know because i upgraded mine into a HH.... making it more of shredder guitar.. The red color is fantastic on the Pacifica!.....If you looking for the classic strat tone then go Xavier...
Stoked on my Xavier!! It makes me happier than something that says Squire. Thanks for this series and I hope you continue it soon.
I like the pickups in the Xaviere, also love the gold color. I'm not a fan of red so that may have swayed me towards the Xaviere. Colors aside, Yamaha have been making great instruments for a long time and there are people who swear by the Pacificas. If I had to choose between those particular guitars it would be the Xaviere
Yet another great and enjoyable series. Thanks 60 CH.
I feel the younger you are, the more you would be attracted to the Pacifica, even if the Xaviere is a bit better.
It's really "newer look and play vs traditional". But of course, "The more you know...
Also, I'm glad to see you giving GFS a little love, because most forums and channels tend to look down on, or ignore the brand. I can say that I have always had a good experience with their stuff.
And talk about modding!.....
That Kwik Plug system is great for trying out new pick ups.
I think it's valid to score in favor of the Xaviere on the grounds of "Strattiness." The Afford-a-Strat is an affordable Strat competition, and while some of the Pacifica's attributes may be better for some players I think it gets docked points for being less Strat-like.
Sweetwater has the surf green Squier Strat for $249 I’d say that’s the next step in the series.
I think as a standalone beginner guitar the Yamaha just takes it on versatility. As a classic Strat and as a future upgrade platform its the Xaviere. Xaviere for me, but only just.
Something I'd like to see with this series is one of these $200ish new guitars vs. a typical $200ish used guitar. I know the used market is fluid...but I've seen a lot of the same makes/models in the $200 and under range (usually LTD, Scheter, Ibanez, and etc) that sold for $400ish when new. It would be interesting to see if getting a used guitar that originally sold at a higher price point (and with all the gotchas of a used guitar) is a better value than a brand new, but lower end instrument.
yeah that would be a hard metric to normalize because sometimes deals are way outside the norm. Like I have a gibson SG I paid $250 for, does that mean I should compare a $250 new guitar to it? no because I got a great deal on it. And some used guitars hold their value much better than others. It's a tricky proposition.
Nowadays you will only get a used $200 guitar that was $200 new. Don't waste your time.
@@joeking433 true. The used market is bonkers right now. I have a feeling the huge bump Covid gave to guitar sales will lead to a crash in used prices eventually though.
That's what I was thinking , may even find a deal on a ESP.
@@joeking433 This has not been my experience. The reason why I brought up the idea is due to my own guitar search. I had considered a cheap no name guitar but in the end I picked up a LTD MH-100 for $180 (from Guitar Center of all places). I chose it over a similar Schecter that was priced at $150 (but it was in worse cosmetic condition). I just checked GCs website and there is another LTD like mine available at the same price. Another example...I'm currently selling a Squire Affinity Strat on Reverb, the model that retails for $289...while researching pricing I found that they commonly sell for $150ish. Some are more but if you don't mind a few cosmetic blemishes that price or lower was pretty common. It just seems to me if you don't mind a few scratches or dings...higher end guitars are available in this price range.
The Pacifica is a fantastic guitar!
That said , Yamaha is a top quality company. Everything I've owned or used with the Yamaha name on it has been awesome!
They have been around since the late 1800s, they are the Gibson and Fender of Japan. I have pedals, an acoustic Electric and a 1977 Yamaha SG800 with a Kahler and it DESTROYS any Les Paul I have ever played. Sold my LP custom!
Would be the Yamaha for me.I own the 3 single coil lower end Pacifica and a upper end model.
Oh boy! thank you for this opportunity Ryan (and D'ADDARIO). This was a heaven sent opportunity for me. You said to leave as long a comment as you wanted for Emily... I took advantage of that! :-)
*crosses fingers that she likes it!
Hey Ryan,
I just wanted to say that I'm really enjoying this little series. You're comparing guitars that most of us can't go out and compare directly. I have two Classic Vibe Strats (50's & 60's). So I'm not looking to buy another guitar soon. But still this is fun and interesting. But it will probably help a lot of players who are trying to decide.
So close! My edge goes to the Yamaha. I've had really good luck with Yamaha gear over the years. Thanks Mr. Hum.
Whoops!, I am similar to a few who have just discovered your review and Chanel !!!; only reason for posting some comments is I have had Fenders in different Models since 1979 (and a left hand which made it limited) ; I kept a 85 / 87 FujiGen with quite a few modifications (neck radius / frets / pick ups) still have it however two days ago I purchased a Specifica (right handed) and wow!!!; welcome to the 22nd Century!!; absolutely beautiful !; yes, higher gain pickups however means you can run / adjust the Amp down to suit and ultimately achieve a similar "Vintage sound"; I will be converting it to a lefty!; last but not least; it would be great to see a comment on the weight factor / comfort in your reviews !; regardless, well done and keep them coming !!!!
27:49 "And the neck." Oh yeah! THAT's a nice stratty sound, That Neck Strat Pickup Sound. These both appeared good up to this point, but now I want the Xavier, it's a Moar Better strat-sounding strat-style guitar. Certainly not the best I've heard on youtube, but the best in this video.
Thanks for this very well-presented comparison! I have a Xaviere LP and Tele style - I think they're great. I think I now have to get a Strat-style Xaviere.
I have no idea why Yamahas go down in value so hard, they are amazing guitars. Been a company since the late 19th century! I have their pedals, an acoustic Electric and a 77 Yamaha SG800 with a Kahler and it destroys any Les Paul I have ever played. Especially with the symmetrical cutaways! 13lbs Doom monster! I learned on my mom's early 70s Yamaha as well, and since the guitar was stolen and she died 12 years ago. There is sentimental value in Yamaha for me as well. Plus the 1980 Yamaha FL1 Flanger is the same as the Korg and Pearl Flanger aS Korg was the OEM, but noone knows that so you can get them from Japan on Ebay foe $60! Amazing flanger! And not close to $400 like the Pearl and Korg, just a tip! Also, a Pacifica and a Revstar are night and day!
This was a hoot to watch! I love the series.
For scoring...I would take each positive category and assign a number 1-10 (e.g. tuning stability) noting that entries' importance; then simply add up the scores.
Then, do the same for any bad qualities of each and subtract from their total. It will cut out ties, and be more accurate.
You chose many subjective issues, which I am sure anyone else would do similarily when choosing a guitar to send off vs keep. As the Yamaha stayed in tune better, it seems reasonable you'd give it an edge in score to one or more of: tuners, nut, headstock, or bridge: as those are the primary components in tuning stability, but nope. You just picked the guitar you wanted to keep as the winner, and I'd have chosen the same. Despite technical differences, your mind was made up before the Yamaha was unboxed. But, it's okay, because you made the right choice.
Thank you and I’m really enjoying the extra-compare playing at the end.
Oh! And I saw an soil slick firebird-Phoenix in the psychedelia stew. Groovy!
You can get pick guards as well as anything else to mod up your Pacifica. Also noone talks about the fret radius on Yamahas which is a clear advantage.
I have that Yamaha PAC 112V with the split coil humbucker. $309....highly recommend it.
Yes, aftermarket or OEM type upgrades super significant !!
Thanks for the in-depth review of these, it's the next-best thing to trying out the guitar yourself. For what it's worth, I feel like Yamaha has carved out their own recognized, unique variation of the 'S' shape, they've been this shape since their inception in the early 90s, much like the Ibanez RGs have (IMHO) become their own thing. I actually like the Pacifica headstock a lot, and I feel like it looks much more "finished", to my eyes the Xaviere headstock looks like a blunt attempt to just slightly vary from Fender's design, to me it looks super-clunky compared to the rest of the guitar, which looks great.
I traded for the metallic red, used, it is well made for a budget guitar, the neck was the best fit for me better than anything iv had lately, very fast and smooth, looks like the one you’ve got there. Iv played for over 50 years, as a lead guitar player, I can highly recommend this guitar, I like it better than the squire, pick ups get the job done, love the 5 way switch, stays in tune good, love the metallic red color. It really feels quality , solid, not too heavy. Great guitar . I’ve had higher priced guitars that didn’t play as good as this one. Thanks Ryan. Good video.
From Leo: Good comparison. I know that for the test you need to keep parity on the price. The Yamaha you are testing has ceramic pickups, the $300 Pacifica's have Alnico 5 pickups, that are more mellow. (and nicer tuners) Thanks for your work.
I personally like that Pacifica better, but maybe a better way to score your guitar checklists, would be with a "5 points per section" rating system, instead of either "yay, nay, or tie"
maybe, I a 3 point rating might be better for me to wrap my head around: bad/normal/good
@@60CycleHumcast I addition to that kind of grading scale, perhaps consider splitting the subjective things from the objective things, and weigh the objective more heavily?
I'd separate the neck into fretboard and neck shape. Neck shape can be very subjective. The treatment of the frets generally isn't.
Perhaps consider the weight? Is it overly heavy? Is the guitar full thickness for a Strat, or is it thinner? It looked like the Yamaha was thicker than the Xavier, but that could have been the bevel on the edge.
Another metric might be the quality of electronics?
The ability to find readily available replacement parts should totally be a metric.
On the other hand, something like aesthetics might be something you consolidate into less metrics? Perhaps have the appearance only factor into the one point, so headstock, body shape might be one thing, while comfort of play might be a second metric?
@@MrSJPowell I really like the idea of splitting subjective and objective. I’m gonna do that.
@60 Cycle Hum - Love that teal Tone King Imperial combo in the back - off to findyour review of that!
Love my old Yamaha ERG121 gigmaker pack. bought it in 2005. It is a double humbucker and single coil. Excellent all round basic rock guitar.
What if you changed your scoring to being strictly numeric? Like you give each guitar up to a score of 10 for each category rather than a check mark - because then when you add up the numbers’ total, the end result would look a lot closer.
I've got a beat up 1991 Pacifica that I paid $75.00 for. It is a fine guitar for what it is - a student/low end strat like object. I like the in between 2 and 4 position sounds I get out of it and it weighs like 6 pounds. It has survived many gear purges, because I would rather have it than the $100 - $150 or so I could get for it. Also on mine the nut width is very narrow and the neck is super skinny. Perfect for a kid or beginner.
I'm new to electric guitars but modability would be important to me as a beginner, but I like to tinker and change things. Got my first electric guitar a month ago (Squier Tele HH all black from GC) and I just finished replacing all the hardware, pots, switch and pickups to make it black and gold with a black pearl pickguard. Squier's routing required me to route out a small hump of wood to fit split pots in. Got it all done and it looks exactly how I wanted it to, and after some youtube videos I was able to fix the intonation.
The Pacifica, like my Cutlass, fixes a lot of things I hate about Strats: the volume knob, the tone controls, the output jack; but if I had to pick my favorite Strat on the current market then I'm really digging the Squier Contemporary Special HT (at least on paper).
I need Humbuckers myself. Single coils are ok for solos but suck for low tuned heavy fuzz Progressive Doom!
The last MIM Player Strat I bought was full of buffing compound under the pick guard, it was everywhere...
yeah thats common under the pickguards on a lot of guitars, unfortunately. The player plus i got recently has 100% clean routes, they are routed after all the finishing work is done now so you dont get that. but still.
Easy mods are essential to put it in Strat territory, whereas the Yamaha has a bit of Ibanez in it. Thanks for this, I've always been a bit Pacifica curious.
Hey Ryan, I’m your huckleberry and, while I am deeply enjoying this video, I am tired as heck and concerned I may fall asleep before you get to the part about the hoops we need to jump thru to have a shot at winning tonight’s second finisher. How’s that for a killer run-on sentence? Anyhow, can this serve as a placeholder, please, in case you announce the winner (hopefully me), before I wake up. Thanks man. I’ll make good tomorrow; promise. Bryan
Ryan, the nice thing about the Xaviere is the kwikchange pickups. They make a humbucker that would fit in the single coil bridge position... if you wanted to do an apple to apple comparison.
I like what you did with the background there ☺️
I bought a Yamaha Pacifica PAC012 last November. I played acoustic for a while and this was my first electric. I feel it's a really comfortable guitar. The neck and fret ends were some of the smoothest on any guitar I own (only my Martin is better). I like that it's not quite as quacky as a strat. Nice bright pickups, a little twang. It's really a versatile guitar that I've used for rock, country, rockabilly, and surf style music. Before I bought mine and read and watched plenty of reviews online and the Pacifica always did well compared to Squier and other entry level strat style guitars.
@60cyclehum thanks for the new installment of the #afford-a-strat series. Any thought about doing a #afford-a-tele series??
Steve is pushing for that. I’d like to do an afford a offset
@@60CycleHumcast +1 for afford-an-offset. The Monoprice Indio DLX ones are suspiciously good for the price.
I think one of the best budget Strat options out there of any brand is an Austin...you absolutely need to get your hands on one and try it out for this series...
ill look them up
@@60CycleHumcast All 3 times I've picked them up I've been amazed with how amazing the fret finishing is and how good the pickups are...I have an Austin double cut sunburst (Gibson double cut knockoff) and my only complaint is the cheap pots and bridge (it's an older model, the newer ones are MUCH nicer now)...I think you'll love their Strats...
does that company even exist anymore? their website is down and I don't see their guitars almost anywhere
@@blueleaftuber I just messaged the local guitar shop that was a dealer for them last fall, just waiting to hear back from him. Maybe they stopped making them? They're made in the Alvarez factory, so maybe something happened to Alvarez as well?
I read somewhere that you should never buy a Chinese guitar named after a city in Texas. I guess that includes Austin. Lol
At 34:00, you nailed the sound of the GFS pickups. The GFS Vintage Staggers do exactly that - they are very "classic strat" in nature. The Yamaha Pacifica pickups are most likely cheaper ceramic pickups, which have a more "modern" focus.
I bought a Pacifica 112 back mid 90s as a "beater" guitar. I have American made Strats, Charvel, Jackson, Gibson and so on but I spent so many hours playing that Yamaha that it's not the guitar that feels like home to me. It's so worn in. The neck profile was different then compared to the newer ones. They're beefier now. Not better or worse, just different. After all of these years it's still stock. I've used it live and to record. I don't use a trem so the bridge is decked and never gets used. I recently bought a Slick also sold by Guitar Fetish and I'm guessing made in the same place as the Xavier and the frets were a mess. I had to level and recrown the frets to just get it where notes don't choke or buzz. I was going to return it but since I'd never done a full fret job myself I decided it was a good candidate to give it a go and now it plays great.
Not sure if you can get them in the US, but try and get hold of a Revelation (Entwistle) strat. RTS-57. Have the Daphne blue strat... A lot of guitar for the money. They don't advertise to keep the prices really low. Also have a Revelation 2 piece swamp ash tele which was only £300... Fantastic guitar. Cheers Ryan.
Bought my daughter a Pacifica used for her first full sized electric and we added a 2nd string tree for the D and G bc the strings kept skipping the nut. Replaced the cheap bent metal on the OE tree at the same time with a pair of matching rollers. Perfect little mod for a great beginners guitar.
I think the younger you are, the more you would be attracted to the Pacifica, even if the Xaviere is a bit better.
It's really "newer look and play vs traditional".
I'm sure your daughter loves her Pacifica.
Please get one of the Donner 400 series strats. They are $199, but can be had for $170 with a coupon, readily found online. It has vintage split tuners, a push-pull knob, and a full tremolo block. It should give the Xavier a run for its money.
Pacifica was my 1st Electric modded to SSS ( Fender Tex Mex Pups ). Pickguards are available
but not common, but a little chiseling was needed because of the angled bridge pup in mine. So moddable but challenging!
Yamaha pac is a really stable neck, good quality woods but yes definitely not a traditional strat feel, more of a hard rock/shredder guitar.. good for that type of player. Xavier ive been curious about and almost purchased one, but have seen some negative reviews on other forums etc. But I'm starting to think quality has either improved or just some one off bad reviews undeserved.. my favorite cheaper guitar's are squiers with basic mods even the affinity gets into intermediate/dare I say professional territory reall quickly. Though I am referring to the telecaster variant..
I've never bought a guitar from GFS (though, like you I have been very tempted), But I have gotten modding parts and installed the Kwik plug system and in short, the experience from packaging to playing has been as good as any of the others!
Also cheaper! LoL
Guitar Fetish rules. The Xaviere's are great for the $, I bought 2 B-stock. The pickups and hardware ate also excellent for the price.
Ryan: Sorry for the reverb from the amp its too late to change that.
Me (a complete beginner): Oh... yeah how dare you? (had no idea)
The only time I broke a jack was on an Epiphone Les Paul, and sure enough, the plastic broke :P
Love this series but I would love to see you use a $200ish rig as well. Maybe affordaboard and monoprice tube amp.
Also, since you are someone who has used one quite a bit, the used market for the Fender Super Champ X2 is down around the $200-$250 range. Solid choice or do you have a better suggested “do all” amp for $250 or less?
@@jeffleecust
Are they really that low now?
For 250 bucks, I would snap up the Super Champ X2, all day long.
17:30 One problem with leaving the backplate off is it getting mixed up with other backplates and not knowing which backplate goes to the guitar. Or maybe I'm just bad at keeping track of such things. It's only a problem if I want to sell it.
Many backplates are the same, some are brand specific, but a Fender style backplate is a common spec. I always take them off.
label the backplate when you take it off. easy to keep track then
Nice. I like that you used a real masculine pocket knife for the unboxing instead of a wimpy utility knife. I don't know if I agree with your quality opinions of the newer Fender MIMs. I don't get too hung up on aesthetics but I would not pay $1k for the washed out cardboard look of a pau ferro board. I like my 2010 fender standard strat with a few upgrades that were pretty cheap to do.
I'd like the finish of that Xavier on the pacifica with a black pickguard !
I have a pacifica, the set up is great, not sure i like the voice of the pick ups though.
I have purchased a few used Yamaha bodies, and rebuild them. You can get a SSS pickguard from Amazon. I rebuild a empty Yamaha body with HH pickguard. Howerver, I had to order from UK. But you can!
The Yamaha neck was my fave until I recently bought a Cort G110. Note that the Yamaha neck pocket is a different size from most others, makes interchangability a problem.
Yes that is true you cant slap a squire neck on it... but the neck is one of the reason to have a Pacifica it can shred if setup right...
Very good trial of these 2 guitars. I myself actually have the "Darkside" (looks like Gilmour's "Black Strat") version of the previous generation of the XV870. It's a GREAT guitar for the money. The Yamaha sounds like a good buy as well. Ryan Burke, Henning Pauly (EytschPi42), and Dagan (PMTVUK) are my fave gear reviewers, because all of them give totally honest reviews, and they all LOVE what they do.............plus, Ryan & Henning throw some humor into the mix.
I think there was more than a bit of bias with some of the stuff you scored "even". For example, with the nut: the tuning stability clearly indicated the Pacifica has the better nut. It doesn't make as much of a difference in the results due to the subjective nature of some of the categories - I would rather have a rosewood fingerboard than a maple, and like the aesthetics of the Yamaha overall. But you were honest and I don't disagree with the actual results. Plus, "Friend is a Four Letter Word" is a good song.
Great comparison, loved the episode.
Nice guitars, expecially for the money, no doubt.
I have a "Mexi-Strat," made in Mexico (obviously) and it is fantastic. About $400, HSS pick ups, it makes great Strat tone, but has the growl of the humbucker. Sounds so classic rock/metal.
Maybe I have missed the video, but it would be cool if you busted into an entire surf tune. Have you done a video on G&L Tributes? Great guitars for the $$$
I may have asked this before but how do these guitars compare with a Harley Benton of similar price? Thanks.
That sounds like another "Afford-a-Strat"
Will this series continue? I have really enjoyed this
here are some suggestions for your next afford-a-strat video. Glarry strat, Glen burton, Amoon, Wish no name, Best choice products, Jay turser, Harley benton. all are available on amazon.
mod-ability is a fair metric. ive been playing for ten years but im watching this series to find a cheap strat that i can mod the heck out of.
so far it is really close between these two. I like the Pacifica sounds. I like the Xavier sounds right out of the box. they both have swimming pool routes. the Xavier has the GFS plug pickups but I want practice with a soldering iron. the Pacifica is good but finding a pickguard to fit a SSS set up might be hard.
A small tip, if you super glue that crack right now from the back side of the cover and hold it for a minute or 2 you will never see the difference and it will be stronger than the guard itself
I thought this was a fair comparison. The Yamaha has been on my watch list for a while now. I think the Xavier is going to be on it too. Kinda want a Strat/Tele/Mustang or some sort of single coil guitar.
If you continue with this series, it might be interesting to check our a Sawtooth Strat. You can get them on Amazon. I've seen a couple of favorable videos on them. It would be nice to have your take on it.
Well, now that you've opened the door to HSS Strat copies, perhaps the next competitor could be a Kramer Focus VT-211S. Both the teal and the purple ones show as available to order from the Kramer website...
Also I'd like to see you review the SX guitars from Rondo Music. They have a good reputation and have been around a while.
I love Yamaha guitars....if you upgrade to a higher end Pacifica you get a really good giggable guitar at a classic vibe price...the necks are some of the easiest to play with your thumb over the low strings....you got the cheapest entry level Pacifica there...
Even a pac012 is a good starter axe....the 112 is great and you can find them super cheap...
Just send me the Pacifica and I can live with it.
I was looking for a pac611 and they are going for 5 something mostly used at least this week. That pretty close to new prices. I guess that means they are well loved. I gotta say the small nut issue also plages prs se/s2 newer mid level other guitars. I do buy b stock or used/scratch and dent so
Ryan, Thank You For the Hoop Jumpers T in Black, My fave shirt! I’d take the Pacifica
Yamaha pacificas will always be the king of maximum playability for minimal dollars. There are other brands like Eart that offer incredible feature-sets for the money but they aren't as refined
One of the advantages with a single ply pick guard/scratch plate is that it gives more room for picking without hitting the pick guard. The Pacifica sounded good, and probably better for a new player.
why is that?
@@60CycleHumcast The thinner pick guard of a 1-ply provides more space between the top of the pick guard and the strings. I found this out the hard way when I switched to a 3-ply pick guard for it's looks. I lost 1.5-2mm of space. So the tip of my pick often hits the pick guard. One must also factor in the bridge and neck/body connection heights relative to the top of the body.
I disagree that you need a cheap amp for a cheap guitar. A cheap amp will never show the true character of the instrument. I know viewers are your bread and butter but realistically what do they know.
What strat is next? How about an Indio?
Ive done an indio already
Can you demo a SX Telecaster VTG series Lefty of which I own. I've swapped out pickup's with a Texas Special Fender Custom set. 13 gauge string's, correct 250 pots & black pick guard.
Shoulda been a 3 single coil vs a 3 single coil. The pacifica with a humbucker throws it off or did it have a coil split?
I remember the Pacifica fondly, it was my first electric guitar. 🥰
That is nice that people have problems with fret ends but I never noticed it.
Yes, the Xaviere has a more crystal sound. The Pacifica is more muddy sound.
Of your criteria, I think the only one that Xavier won, that wasn't subjective, was the fretboard (the fret ends/and frets) and the bridge. That said, removing the subjective aspects, Xavier still took the fretboard from your description, and the trem pretty handily, so I'd say it was a fair win for Xavier.
is there a big difference in tone between a bridge humbucker that's coil split, and a plain single coil in an SSS strat? I've got a P90 neck and coil split bridge Pacifica and kinda want a normal strat too :) definitely looking at the Xaviere
Pacifica has a HH p90 version and it is an absolute monster!
I've owned Pacifica 112V and I find their tone "inorganic". The 13.75 radius is too flat for a Strat. The body strays from a Strat also. Give me a Classic Vibe any day.
OHHH! You use the coated NYXLs, I have used Daddario for 30 years and only use the 11-56 NYXLS in C Standard now, does the coating feel different from the NYXLS? A real Daddario player's thoughts are helpful when they aren't cheap strings. Also, I appreciate your scientific approach to the testing of the Afford a strat. One nerd to another, it means a lot!
Because I have a lot of guitars that sit out long term the coated strings are a godsend. They feel like a normal string to me, they just feel fresher longer.
@@60CycleHumcast Thanks for that feedback. The NYXLs last forever too, but I will have to try a set of the coated!
@@60CycleHumcast last time I played a coated string was when Elixers came out so my experience is very old tech😅
@@KelticKabukiGirl yeah the elixirs felt like they were wrapped with condoms and would turn fuzzy as they wore out. These are totally different.
@@60CycleHumcast Haahhahahahha, yeah that was my experience, I am sure these will be worth it....😅
I like these shootouts. Nice one.
I would like to see lesser priced guitars demoed on a lesser amp. Maybe a champion 40 or something along that line. Probably what they will be played on 90 percent of the time. And I love your channel watch regularly.
I understand that thinking, but I use the same amps in most videos for recording consistency. It gives regular viewers a base point of comparison for all the guitars and pedals I cover.
I agree that the Made-in-Mexico Fenders have gotten better over the years, but they aren't really any more expensive than they were in the 90s. When you factor in inflation, $375 in the mid 90s is about $700 today.
Xaviere wins this for me, the Yamaha is a great starter guitar. I had a green Xaviere 870 that was really nice. They’re very close to that classic strat sound and feel.
Am I wrong that you've not included a Squier in the Afford-a-Strat series? Is the plan for a Squier to be a final boss? At the price points discussed surely Squier has a contender? Maybe I have been out of the loop too long to know better though. Great series though, please keep it up as long as you can. Great content, regardless of what Abs quatulate says.