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My First Guitar: Yamaha Pacifica 112

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I’ve been interested in music for as long as I can remember and on a spontaneous impulse during the mid-late ‘90s, I headed to Guitar Mania in Poole to equip myself with my first guitar; a Yamaha Pacifica 112.

… I kind of like the fact it’s covered in grime; somehow it ads to the mojo…

With a limited budget, Jon Rabbets thrust a Pacifica and Crate practice amp in my hands and sent me on my way – so began my love affair with the electric guitar.

I’m pretty sure my family thought it would be a phase I was going through and quite rightly so. For the majority of my life I’ve been an impulsive individual, who flits from one craze to another… it’s amazing I’m even still playing the guitar!

Blessing in disguise

A few months after my purchase, the whammy bar sheared off altogether (due to some serious abuse!). Whilst living in Coventry, a friend (who knows nothing about guitars) was messing around with a screw driver and decided it’ll be fun to screw the claw screws as far as possible into the body of the instrument. The noise of the screws tightening was horrendous and I honestly thought he was breaking the instrument right before my eyes.

It turns out it was a stroke of genius, and with the bridge now completely flush with body, the tone of the guitar seemed to instantly improve.

This Pacifica has been used and abused over the years – at one point I donated it (on permanent loan) to a local youth group who subsequently hung it on the wall as a “decoration”, gathering dust for approximately 3 years (or more).

The Pacifica now resides my lounge and has gathered so much dust that it sounds dire when plugged in. I’m sure a decent clean/service would sort it out, but for some reason, I kind of like the fact it’s covered in grime; somehow it adds to the mojo.

Comic book theme

As a comic book fan, I thought it’ll be a fun to cover the natural finish with pages from one of my favourite comics; a late 60’s Nick Fury issue featuring the first appearance of a character called Bullseye. Apparently, this Bullseye is not to be confused with the Bullseye who appears a few years later in Daredevil comics – they are separate characters (so I’ve read on the ‘net). I’ve since purchased the comic again off eBay.

Sentimental value

The Yamaha Pacifica is a fantastic guitar and this model in particular is no exception. For a complete novice, keen to learn the guitar, I couldn’t have been recommended a better model to start practicing on.

Even though the guitar has seen better days, I still enjoy playing it and I can’t ever see myself getting rid of it. From the all night/all day jam sessions, through to my first gig, along with all the other experiences and memories I associate with it, the sentimental value I have for this guitar is too great for me to ever want to part with it.

In the mean time, it’s going to continue to collect dust and grime, but every time I play it, it brings a smile to my face – just like the first day I purchased it.

Was your first guitar a Yamaha Pacifica? If so add your comments below or why not send in your story of your first guitar.

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About the author:

Sam is passionate about talking all things guitar related and started GuitarJar.co.uk to help encourage all guitarists in their guitar playing journey.

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