Best beginner guitar? Yamaha Pacifica PAC112v , Squire Affinity, Ibanez AZES40 roundup
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- čas přidán 12. 10. 2022
- In this episode we compare 3 entry level HSS guitars from Yamaha Pacifica PAC112v , Squire Affinity, and Ibanez AZES40
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I'd say yes, due to the $200-300 range being dominated by inexpensive and well-made copies of popular name brands, which likely come from the same factories. Some of the hardware can be cheap but generally they sound better than what Fender/Gibson are doing with their low-end lines.
Thank you for the brutal honesty about the little things that matter! Fretwork and the nut are so important for beginners buying their first guitar, and you're one of the few who will be brutally honest with this stuff.
Much appreciated, thanks
I’m so glad these days I can get a halfway decent new playable electric guitar for less than $300
Thanks, Mike. I very much enjoyed the relaxed listening experience while providing a reasoned, objective assessment. Onya, mate! Good stuff.
I just noodle a few chords at home. My wife wanted to buy me a Pacifica for nostalgic reasons as I'd had a super cheap one as a teen in the 80s. I tried out the Pacifica 112J and a Squire, and both I and the shop manager really preferred the sound of the Pacifica over the more expensive Squire. I ended up going for the Pacifica over both the sound and also the feel as well - it felt better to play, but of course these things are very subjective. I just play with loads of pedals and things, so the Pacifica is just really great fun for someone who never managed to get much better than my school band heydays :)
I have watched a lot of review videos while searching for my first guitar. This is by far and away the best video I have seen. I really appreciate your critical eye for analysis of these instruments. Thank you.
In my honest opinion, those pickups in the Ibanez AZES40 sounds a lot better compared to the other two.
More reviews please. Everyone only praises these guitars. I really appreciate the constructive criticism and attention to detail.
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for the in depth review! One tiny thing I would disagree with - the Ibanez Radii! A company the size of Ibanez will have designed them that way, and no doubt they have been cut by an automated machine - if the radii aren't perfect it's probably because Ibanez think that it is an ergonomically superior design. Hi from the uk!
Awesome man, I wonder if you could upload something about John Frusciante, RHCP or Hendrix Tones, licks, songs with that AZES40, I''d like to listen! Congrats! I love this guitar but I'm interesting in those tones.
Necks and fretboard radii notwithstanding which are certainly a deciding factor whether a beginner, intermediate or experienced player, the Squier Affinity comes with OEM ceramic pickups as does the Ibanez, so not really in the same class as the PAC112V. On the positive side, the Squier does have a 2 point mount if lightweight block trem vs the others 6 point.
Pros and cons to all three, but when if it came to parting with my money and playing, I'll take the Yamaha PAC112V with its Alder body, Rosewood fretboard, body mounted humbucker with push pull coil split and Korean G&B (YGD designed) alnico V pickups. Ibanez's AES40 ranks 2nd place.
@Kevin P. Ceramics are constructed differently and sound different. Alnicos (usually Vs) are more versatile and popular today and generally viewed as 'better'. Both have their place and tonal signature. OEM just means a no name pickup of unknown or unbranded origin.
Alnico pickups are not better than ceramic pickups by default. That's nonsense. Some of the best pickups ever made are in fact ceramic pickups. Do your research.
I have the pac 112V and the 112v is fantastic. excellent playability and sounds like my old 66 and 65 stratocaster. id buy several more if i had the cash. just get a nice wilkinson bridge and lets rock or jazz or country it up... great action out of the box..
Totally agree buddy thanks man 😎👍💯✌️✌️
They are. The G&B humbucker in the 112V is particularly impressive at its price point. The bridge is OK, just not a great unit for liberal use of tremolo. Unfortunately an upgraded Wilkinson model isn't just a drop in. New holes have to be drilled. I have two of them BTW. One stock. One modded. Also have a 612VII for basis of comparison.
Great review! I would recommend for an affordable beginner guitar try out a cort, G250 or G260.
Mike a tip re the potential for the unthinking student to bump the straight Switchcraft style TS cable jack when placing the instrument on the stand with a side body mounted jack plate -by far the more common these days. Never presented as an issue for me personally, but the pragmatic workaround is have some cables with a right angle connector on one end. Negates that potential issue entirely, and is more conducive to tucking the cable in behind strap end to secure against you know what. If needing to plug into a Fender jack, just reverse for the straight end connector. Never had an issue with a right angle jack fitting into any amp. I have and use multiples of both type ended cables BTW, but find myself increasingly using wireless connectivity with the improvement in stability, latency & range performance plus reduction in price of those systems over the past two years in the particular. I use a UHF Swiff WS-70 system. Not for gigging, although I reckon it'd do that job in small venues fine as it hasn't exhibited itself prone to interference.
Ho acquistato ieri pa pacifica 112v, se ho capito bene il tono è anche split per i pickup?
Sul manuale interno non lo dice!
Complimenti per il video ! By italy
i just ordered the Squier Affinity HSS. seen this video after. so did i make a good choice? how is it?
I prefer the Pacifica for the price. Dig the split coil feature. I do love Fender necks. Take care 😎👍💯✌️✌️
Great review, but I guess that you've been unlucky with the Ibanez ... I bought one as soon as they were on the market (the one you've tested) and it's a killer ! There are 9 positions with the mics which gives you almost all kind of sounds you can dream about when you are a beginner (or even an intermediate) and that makes you save bunch of money as you don't need to buy other guitars. I have just put locking tuners but I will definitely keep it as I was quite positively surprised by the mics ... I have some very expensive guitars (Strat reissue 62, G&L Legacy USA etc) and that Ibanez is just better than all these over 2,5k€ guitars I have bought years ago ... I guess those who want to buy an entry level guitar should go to a shop (not buy online) and test all these guitars before buying, but definitely, that Ibanez deserves the crown 😉🤘🤘
This is confirmation bias, but I have to agree - I have the Ibanez shown here, and much preferred it over the player strat, squire strat, and pacifica AND the Sire s7 (which I really wanted to buy before I actually tried it!)
You're brand blind. And the Ibanez "9 positions" is something no "beginner" needs, let alone appreciates. That hocus pocus is more likely just to confuse a beginner rather than serve any useful or objective purpose. Most of the time it'll remain unused. Also redundant with digital amps these days, with which again, most beginners find themselves overwhelmed and don't use effectively to their capability for years. Techno hypotheticals and potential is overrated. It's on useful if understood and capable of being used in practice at the skill level of the player.
All of the above are made in Indonesia. Unfortunately with the past three years, the OEM Indonesian factories including Yamaha's own have been pushed to production volumes exceeding capacity. As a consequence we're seeing the consequence and a lot more QC fails making it into the box shipped to distros with only batch spot QC checking. Even Yamaha renown for its legendary quality is affected as is Ibanez. Experienced it personally.
No brand blind bias. I own Ibanez, Yamaha and Squier brand guitars among others.
@@theblytonian3906 I am absolutely not blind, and you don’t know me so keep that kind of remark to yourself. You disagree ? Fine, and fair enough, anyone has the right to having an opinion. But don’t judge others based on nothing. I play guitar since over 35 years. I kind know what I am testing and I am objective. And you are wrong about the fact that it would confuse the beginners. Beginners don’t always know what kind of music they want to play. Having a so versatile guitar from scratch will help them make their choice … and its fun on top if it …
Mike I bought the AZES31 which is the hard tail version with 3 single coils. Thankfully all the curves, paint and nut were really good not like the one you got. I did however find the frets were leveled properly and the intonation almost spot on, but the frets were as you described. The frets were really grainy under your finger and bending the strings was a waste of time. I agree that it seems that after leveling the frets they were not sanded or an attempt made to polish them. I also found like you that the finger board was really dry.
I got out my Dremel and some polishing compound and polished the frets until they were glass smooth. I also oiled the finger board and with some very minor adjustment got the intonation spot on. The only thing holding back this really great playing guitar for me was the lack of polished frets. Should not have left the factory with the scratch marks from leveling the frets not sanded out. This guitar is far better than I expected in its setup, play-ability and sound. I bought this guitar for practice to take with me on trips and not worry about throwing it into the back of my car and damaging it. Its a much better instrument than I expected in its play-ability and feel and with the frets now polished its as good as much more expensive guitars. If you cannot polish frets yourself then my advice would be to inspect closely in the shop before you purchase otherwise a great guitar.
happy daze :) :)
I love Ibanez, from the "cheap" models and up. I have some cheaper Ibanez guitars up to a Premium, and I love them all (the Premium is really nice, though).
I did swap the pickups to suit my personal taste on all of them, but they are wonderful guitars to begin with.
fridge.. :)) great reviews, thanks!
Mike, just an aside and understandably you can only gauge what's in front of you, I think in that particular example of the Pacifica, you have experienced the consequence of recent production pressures on Yamaha's Indonesian plant. Their build quality and QC has lapsed significantly over the past five years IMPE. COVID logistics, the upsurge in entry level guitar demand resultant from it, CITES in 2017 & 2018, along with persistent supply demand issues today exacerbated by their Revstar line. Among my instruments, I have two 112Vs, and neither exhibit the characteristics you mention save the single string tree. My 2017 manufacture in OVS is superlative. The 2019 in SB close, but with a single minor non-functionality affecting routing flaw of the electronics bay cover covered easily addressed with a spacer. Most wouldn't notice it, but I have a basis of comparison.
The Pacifica is an inch shorter overall than the Strat, and for my body type, more comfortable although I play both. I take it you don't like the angular lines of the Pacifica body, because it couldn't be criticised justifiably on body comfort. i.e. Your "sharp (body) edges" comment. They simply aren't "sharp" by any means even compared with a conventional Telecaster, other than perhaps aesthetically offensive to your curvy Stratocaster conditioned eye? Comfort factor for me is 5/5. Just for point of reference, no fret sprout on my 2017. Marginal at the upper frets on the 2019, which isn't unusual. Both benefited from a file & fret polish, admittedly beyond the real world skillset of a beginner. Neck finishing was good in both examples, better in 2017 and its Rosewood was a better grade too. Squier have lifted their game in 2022 too IMPE. That said, my ridiculously inexpensive SX Stratocaster (SSS) has a superior finished fretwork and neck than a Squier Classic Vibe! Other than its ceramic pickups which are very good in their class regardless, it's easily the equal of a Squier Classic Vibe at > x3 times it price point. A set of Korean Wilkinson pickups for about USD$40 addresses that if capable of fitting them oneself.
I have the AZES40. Love it. Me thinks you got a B-stock guitar.
The Ibanez is the easy choice for the beginner: the heel joint is super comfortable and the 25" scale length makes it easier to play for begineers. Sounds great too.
It was the 2nd guitar they sent, the 1st one was even worse
Not "B stock'. Ibanez's Indonesian instrument BQ is erratic and their QC today is rubbish, particularly anything below mid upper segment. Just a fact.
Thank you for telling us the truth 🥰
Are stree trings an SA thing?
The pickups in the Ibanez have more “oomph” then the others. I played both the Pacifica and the Azes40 in the store same amp and chose the Ibanez. Granted, it does need a proper setup, some fret polishing and I changed the nut. It’s a pretty gem now
The ibanez has ceramic pickups. That "oomph" you're referring to is just natural ceramic (gainy) distortion which sounds louder but isn't. The output of the alnico V G&B humbucker in the Pacifica is nearly 13k, so I guarantee you its output is higher than that of the AES humbucker AND louder. It can easily be finessed with the amp's controls to give the even more "oomph" than a ceramic by anyone with half a clue. Ibanez are about margin. At any price point in the low through mid segments, a Yamaha instrument will be better. I own guitars from both brands, so that's not ownership pride bias. Just fact. Yamaha are about establishing brand rapport with loss leading in the low segments. Ibanez spend too much on celebrity endorsement promotion to impress the gullible, but the gullible pay for it in the price of the instrument.
@@jamescreswell9037Thank You Very Very Much for What I Believe Is a Well Informed Piece of Information 🎶♥️🎶
I do not know English very well. which guitar should i buy
What guitars would be comparable, would you say? GFS, Rondomusic, Harley Benton, EART...
My Affinity did not have sharp fret ends, no fret sprout, and no fret buzz at low action. nut was great. Polish was good. Some of the fretwork on the low strings near the end could be better.
Tha Ibanez switching knobs offer more variety making the new user capable of more sounds. Also did you allow for the months/weeks that the guitar was in transit?!?! Did you let the guitar climatic to the environs.
Yes these guitars have been in local shops for more than a year
I got the Ibanez this week and at least for my unit the QC was much better than his. I didn't have any of the issues he mentioned
Hilarious that you initially ignore some of the features of the AZES because the others are lacking. The alter switch is a killer feature. The input jack is fantastic. These features are part of why the AZES costs $350. I have the guitar and love it. Was having a bit of an issue with holding tune but once I used nut sauce all is good. My nut is also ever so slightly skewed which makes me wonder if this is just part of the design. Neck is great, pickups smoke, and the finish on mine is beautiful all around. That said, your final summation gives some props. Thanks.
I’m confused….didn’t he say the frets were popping out and sharp on the Squire while reviewing it only to say at the end they were quite nice?
is pacifica 112j good for beginner?
Indeed, great guitar
Is there something below entry level? My guitar is a lot cheaper than those ones. I'm quite happy with it.
Ask Seasick Steve 😎
The Ibenez sounded OK despite the issues
All probability made in the same factory!
I really want the Ibanez, I'm not a beginner at all cause I've been playing bossa nova for 4 years, but this is going to be my first electric guitar, I almost never played with a pickup, only fingerstyle, and now I'm so confused.
I think the Ibanez has a more mellow tone, the Squire sounds brighter and dirtier at the same time, I'm looking to play Funk, Fusion Jazz and J-Rock mostly, so I think I prefer a mellow sound
Also in terms of design I prefer the Mint Green than the classic sienna sunburst, so this review kinda pisses me off now because I was hearing really good things about the guitar but you said it has a lot of imperfections... :(
Also the Squier is 40€ cheaper than the Ibanez nowadays, I can't really test the guitar in a store cause I live in an island and I always have to buy from the internet...
the stree tring made my day... lol...
bwaaahaaa Stree tring... lol
Ibanez Sounds Win the Competition
Not sure if there is fret-buzz (on the Pacifica) because the action is too high... just about the most important thing we want to know, how the fretwork is (if they are all level)... please set a guitar up properly before a review, this does not help 👎🏻
Please note that these guitars are tested as they are sold. I do not set every guitar up first. Many thanks.
IBANEZ ❤
Firefly
☝️🤓
Damn they all sound horrible. I just ordered a Pacifica 112vm the other day since it had a huge discount. Less than half the price. Now I see why.
My hope was that maybe new pickups could save it. But after watching this im not so sure about that. 😅
Anyone new to guitars should probaby stay away from any of these. If even pro players can't make these instrument sing, well then your all doomed.
Anyway... It will arrive on tuesday. I see it more as a fun project since I never replaced pickups myself before. So that's what I'll use it for. To do experiments on. :D
I thought the Ibanez sounded best also.
I got the Ibanez this week and at least for my unit the QC was much better than his. I didn't have any of the issues he mentioned