NAMM 2024: Can a Yamaha Pacifica ever be worth $2,000? We played the new Pacifica Professional to find out

Yamaha Pacifica Professional
(Image credit: Michael Astley-Brown/Future)

NAMM 2024: The Yamaha Pacifica is one of the all-time classic budget electric guitars. So much so, we still reckon the 112V variant is one of the best beginner electric guitars on the market. So the release of a Professional version priced at $2,199 has raised a few eyebrows to say the least. As my esteemed colleague Matt Parker put it, “Yamaha is hoping to prove the beginner workhorse has thoroughbred potential.”

Yet back when the format was first created in 1990, the Pacifica was considered a custom-level instrument, built for the LA session players. So the Japanese-built Professional is, in fact, a return to the guitar’s roots.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**

Join now for unlimited access

US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year

UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year 

Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Prices from £2.99/$3.99/€3.49

Michael Astley-Brown
Editor-in-Chief, GuitarWorld.com

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.