Yamaha Pacifica vs Squier Stratocaster First Electric Guitar

If you ask a guitar teacher what to buy for a first electric, you will hear one of two names. The Yamaha Pacifica and the Squier Stratocaster have been the safe answers for twenty years. Both are good. Here is how to choose between them.

The shape

Both are double cutaway solid bodies with a bolt on maple neck and a tremolo bridge. The Pacifica body is a little slimmer and the horns are longer. Side by side they feel more alike than different.

Pickups

The Pacifica PAC012DLX has a humbucker at the bridge and two single coils, with a five way switch. The Squier Sonic Stratocaster comes either as three single coils or, in the HSS version we stock, the same humbucker and two single coils layout. Get the HSS layout on either guitar. The humbucker handles rock and the single coils handle everything else, and a beginner does not know yet which way they will go.

Neck

The Pacifica neck has a flatter fingerboard radius and a rosewood board. The Squier has a 9.5 inch radius and a laurel or maple board. Smaller hands often get on better with the Squier. Players who already know they want to play lead often prefer the Pacifica. If you can, hold both.

Build and setup

Both arrive from the factory needing a setup, which is true of every guitar at this price. We do that on the bench before shipping, so the action, intonation and tremolo are right when the box opens. Out of the box without a setup, the Pacifica tends to be a little more consistent, which is why teachers lean toward it.

Price and the step up

The Pacifica PAC012DLX and the Squier Sonic HSS are within a few dollars of each other. The step up on the Squier side is the Classic Vibe 50s Stratocaster, a real jump in pickups, neck finish and hardware. See Squier vs Fender for where the lines fall.

Do you need the pack

The Squier Sonic Stratocaster Pack adds a small Fender amp, a cable, a strap and picks for a beginner who has nothing. It is the cheapest way to be playing the day the box arrives. If you already own an amp, buy the guitar alone and put the difference into a tuner and a gig bag.

Our take

Either one is a guitar you can play for years. Pick by neck feel and color. A beginner who loves how the guitar looks practices more, and that matters more than any spec. Start with the electric guitar buying guide for beginners if you want the full picture.

Every instrument we ship is set up by hand on our bench in Athens, Tennessee first. Read what a guitar setup is to see what that covers. Browse all electric guitars. Questions? Call the shop at (423) 462-1894 and a real person will help you choose.