You may not know the best Yamaha electric guitars, so this guide will help you pick out an excellent instrument. Yamaha is a great introductory guitar if you’re new to playing, and it makes an excellent choice for a beginner.
Yamaha also has a few other guitars that are suited for intermediate as well as advanced players. This guide will help you find a Yamaha guitar that works for you.
Quick Look: Best Yamaha Electric Guitars
★ #1 Best Yamaha Electric Guitars Overall: Yamaha Revstar RS820CR ★
- Best Cheap Yamaha Electric Guitars: Yamaha Gigmaker Package
- Best Yamaha Electric Guitars Under $1,000: Revstar RS720B
- Best Yamaha Electric Guitars Under $600: Pacifica PAC611VFM
- Best Pacifica Yamaha Electric Guitar: Yamaha Pacifica PAC112VM
- Best Revstar Yamaha Electric Guitar: Yamaha Revstar RS720B
I’ve played guitar for many years. When I was teaching students, I had quite a few of them that came in with a Yamaha, and I was always impressed by how well the guitars played.
About Yamaha Electric Guitars
Yamaha is a well-known company that produces electric guitars, acoustic guitars, other musical instruments, and other products. The company is based in Japan.
One of their most popular instruments is the Yamaha Pacifica Series, a copy of a Fender Stratocaster. I’ll feature several of these guitars in this guide, as well as other Yamaha instruments.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Yamaha Electric Guitar
Here are a few things to keep in mind before you purchase your Yamaha electric guitar. It’s important to know what you want before you purchase, so you don’t end up being disappointed.
Size
Yamaha offers a wide range of different sizes because they’re considered to be beginner guitars for the most part. They have guitars that are full size as well as 3/4 size for children and younger players.
The Overall Tone & Sound
You’ll get a decent sound and tone out of your Yamaha guitar. You could make the instrument a little bit better by adding in better-sounding pickups, but this isn’t necessary for a beginner.
Price
Yamaha guitars vary in price, and plenty of their guitars are lower-cost when compared to other brands. This makes them quite cost-effective for a beginner. Here’s some of the prices that you can expect to pay.
- Beginner: $150-$300
- Intermediate: $500-$800
- Advanced: $800+
Types of Yamaha Electric Guitars
There are several different types and styles when it comes to a Yamaha electric guitar. Here are the main ones that you need to know about before you make that purchase.
Yamaha Pacifica Electric Guitar
The Yamaha Pacifica is the most popular model in the Yamaha lineup. These guitars are modeled after Fender Stratocasters. They have decent pickups, a great neck, and a full set of electronics.
Yamaha Revstar Electric Guitar
These are excellent mid-range instruments suitable for intermediate guitar players. They have great necks, humbucking pickups, with various bridge types to suit all styles.
Yamaha Gigmaker Electric Guitar
This guitar features a package deal that includes an excellent Yamaha guitar, an amplifier, and several accessories. This is the perfect option for any beginner.
10 Best Yamaha Electric Guitars
Here are the 10 best Yamaha electric guitars. I’ve picked instruments for all playing levels and abilities with this list. You should find a guitar here that appeals to you.
Yamaha Gigmaker Package
- Type: Gigmaker package
- Pickups: 1 humbucking, 2 x single-coil
- Material & finish: Maple, solid wood, gloss finish
- Best for: First-time electric guitar players
The Yamaha Gigmaker is a great introduction to the guitar. The player gets a decent guitar, a gig bag, accessories, and an amp in one complete package. The guitar has a nice neck, a good pickup configuration, and it sounds decent.
✅ Good guitar
✅ Comes with accessories
✅ Amp included
✅ Gig bag
❌ Amp is poor
❌ Guitar needs setup
Why I Recommend It
The Yamaha Gigmaker is the right option for a younger beginner. The Strat-style guitar has a nice humbucking and single-coil pickup configuration, and the guitar has accessories like picks, a strap, and a guitar cable.
The amp is on the poor side, but it’s fine for a first-time beginner. Take the guitar to a shop for a setup, and it should play fine. This is a great deal for those getting started.
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112V
- Type: Pacifica Series
- Pickups: 1 humbucking, 2 x single-coil
- Material & finish: Maple, alder, rosewood, gloss finish
- Best for: Beginners that want a solid guitar
The Yamaha Pacifica PAC112V is a great beginner guitar, thanks to the excellent pickup configuration. You can play rock with the humbucker and switch over to other styles with the single-coils. It’s got a nice neck and is easy to play.
✅ Great pickups
✅ Deep cutaway
✅ Tremolo
✅ Good price
❌ May need setup
❌ No case
Why I Recommend It
The Yamaha Pacifica is a good guitar, and the PAC112V is a nice beginner guitar. It’s got a simple volume and tone control, so playing the guitar is easy. The neck is smooth, and the deep cutaway makes fret access a breeze.
It’s got a tremolo bridge so players can practice dive bombs and other guitar tricks. The humbucker gives the guitar added bite for crunchy rhythms or lead guitar. This guitar is one of the best Yamaha electric guitars under 200.
Yamaha Revstar RS720B
- Type: Revstar Series
- Pickups: 2 x humbucking
- Material & finish: Spruce, mahogany, gloss finish
- Best for: Those looking for a high-quality Yamaha guitar
The Yamaha Revstar RS720B guitar has two high-output humbucking pickups, a Bigsby tremolo bridge, die-cast tuners, and an easy-to-play neck. The guitar is made with solid wood and sounds great. It’s suitable for many different guitar styles.
✅ Tremolo bridge
✅ Solid pickups
✅ Easy playing neck
✅ Tune-O-Matic bridge
❌ Some may not like tremolo
❌ No case
Why I Recommend It
I like the Revstar Series, and this model is a great choice. The contoured body makes the guitar easy to hold. It has two great humbucking pickups that have a nice output. It sounds great both clean or with some distortion.
The highlight of this guitar is the Bigsby tremolo system. This vibrato system does get some getting used to, but it sounds great and gives the guitar more versatility. The guitar has a dry switch for more sounds out of the pickups.
Yamaha Pacifica PAC 611VFM
- Type: Pacifica Series
- Pickups: 2 x humbucking
- Material & finish: Maple, alder, rosewood, gloss finish
- Best for: Intermediate players that want a rock guitar
The Yamaha Pacifica PAC 611VFM offers a lot for a low price. This guitar has two humbucking pickups, a Wilkinson bridge, locking tuners, and a deep cutaway for easy access to all of the frets.
✅ Locking tuners
✅ Wilkinson bridge
✅ Graphtech nut
✅ Coil tap
❌ No case
❌ No extras
Why I Recommend It
I find this guitar impressive at under 600. It’s got a nice Wilkinson bridge with tremolo as well as two humbucking pickups for plenty of tones and versatility. These pickups also have a coil tap for single-coil tones as well.
Other nice features include Grover locking tuners, which make for easy string changes and better tuning stability. A Graphtech nut further enhances the tuning. This is the ideal guitar for an intermediate player.
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112VM
- Type: Pacifica Series
- Pickups: 1 x single coil, 2 x humbucking
- Material & finish: Alder, maple, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Beginners looking for a starter guitar with a bit more
The Yamaha Pacifica PAC112VM is the perfect beginner guitar. This guitar has an excellent pickup configuration with one humbucker, two single-coils, a coil tap, and a fast C-profile guitar neck.
✅ Great pickups
✅ Coil tap
✅ Fast neck
✅ Lightweight body
❌ No case
❌ May need some setup
Why I Recommend It
This Pacifica offers a lot for one low price. I love the coil-tap feature, so you can get single-coil as well as humbucking sounds out of the guitar. The maple neck has 22 frets and is easy to play.
This guitar has a tremolo, so it’s set up and ready to go for rock guitar playing. It’s got a master volume, a master tone, and a 5-way pickup selector switch, so you have plenty of sound options at your disposal.
Yamaha Revstar RS820CR
- Type: Revstar Series
- Pickups: 2 x humbucking
- Material & finish: Mahogany, maple, rosewood, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Professionals looking for a great-sounding guitar
The Yamaha Revstar RS820CR is an excellent guitar with solid pickups and a coil tap for even more tonal options. It’s made with solid mahogany and maple wood. This guitar is ready to rock right away.
✅ Humbucking pickups
✅ Coil tap
✅ Solid construction
✅ Good tone
❌ No tremolo
❌ No case
Why I Recommend It
I like this guitar since it’s got two humbucking pickups with a coil tap feature. This allows you to change the humbucking pickups to single-coil sounds, which open your guitar to more sound options.
The maple neck has a rosewood fingerboard and 22 frets. It’s comfortable to play and easy to access the higher frets with the Revstar’s double cutaway. The TonePros bridge makes action and tuning adjustments easy.
Yamaha Revstar 420
- Type: Revstar Series
- Pickups: 2 x humbucking
- Material & finish: Mahogany, rosewood, maple, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Intermediate players that want a solid guitar
The Yamaha Revstar 420 is a great option for the guitarist taking lessons. It’s got a good set of humbucking pickups for killer tones. The neck is smooth, and it’s got a dry switch for additional sound options out of the pickups.
✅ Humbucking pickups
✅ Dry switch
✅ Contoured body
✅ Tune-O-Matic bridge
❌ No case
❌ No extras
Why I Recommend It
The Yamaha Revstar 420 is a great intermediate guitar. It’s got high-output humbucking pickups with a dry switch to change the pickup sounds whenever you like. This gives your guitar single-coil ability as well as humbucking sounds.
The thin neck and contoured body make the guitar comfortable to play. It’s got a Tune-O-Matic bridge for added tuning stability and a good set of tuning machines, which make this guitar a top choice for the intermediate player.
Yamaha Pacifica 112J
- Type: Pacifica Series
- Pickups: 1 x humbucking, 1 x single-coil
- Material & finish: Rosewood, maple, alder, satin polyurethane
- Best for: Beginning guitar players with a lower budget
The Yamaha Pacifica 112J is a good introductory guitar. You get great tone from the pickups, and the controls are simple to use. Combine this with an easy-to-play neck, and you have an amazing beginner guitar.
✅ Good pickups
✅ Easy to play
✅ Low cost
✅ Simple controls
❌ Guitar may need setup
❌ No case
Why I Recommend It
The Yamaha Pacifica 112J is a good guitar for a beginner. I like the humbucker and two single-coils that give the guitar a nice rock-oriented sound, which most younger players want to learn.
The guitar has a tremolo bridge for whammy bar tricks, and the neck is 22 frets with a comfortable rosewood fingerboard. It’s got a nice cutaway, die-cast machine heads, and an affordable price tag.
Yamaha Revstar RS320
- Type: Revstar Series
- Pickups: 2 x humbucking
- Material & finish: Nyatoh wood, mahogany, rosewood, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Beginner or intermediate guitar players
The Yamaha Revstar RS320 has a lot going for it with two big-sounding humbucking pickups and a fast 22 fret neck with a rosewood fingerboard. It’s got the tone that beginner or intermediate players are looking for.
✅ Good pickups
✅ Solid bridge
✅ Easy controls
✅ Comfortable neck
❌ May need setup
❌ No case
Why I Recommend It
The Revstar Series by Yamaha is a pretty good deal. These guitars have good humbucking pickups, so they’re ideal for the player taking lessons and looking for a lower-cost guitar. You get that in the RS320.
I like the Tune-O-Matic bridge, as it keeps the tuning stable and makes string changes easy. You get a three-way toggle, one tone and one volume control to round out the electronics.
Yamaha Pacifica PAC012
- Type: Pacifica Series
- Pickups: 1 x humbucking, 2 x single-coil
- Material & finish: Agathis, maple, rosewood, gloss polyurethane
- Best for: Beginners looking for their first guitar
The Yamaha Pacifica PAC012 is the perfect starter guitar. You get a set of excellent pickups that are capable of great rock tones. The guitar has a tremolo system and an easy-to-play neck. Beginners will feel at home with this guitar.
✅ Great for beginners
✅ Low cost
✅ Good tone
✅ Tremolo
❌ No case
❌ May need setup
Why I Recommend It
The Pacifica PAC102 provides everything that the beginner needs. The humbucking and single-coil combination is ideal, as it gives you more ability to play rock music, which will inspire the beginner to keep playing.
This guitar has a tremolo bridge for whammy tricks and a comfortable 22 fret C-profile neck with a rosewood fingerboard. Beginners will love learning guitar with this great Yamaha.
Yamaha Electric Guitars Aesthetics & Build
There are a few things that you need to know about Yamaha electric guitars before you buy one. Keep these points in mind before you make your purchase.
Material
There are several different kinds of wood used to construct Yamaha and other guitars. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know.
- Alder: Standard wood used to make guitar bodies
- Ash: Another common wood similar to ash used for guitar bodies
- Maple: A hardwood used for guitar bodies, tops, and especially necks due to its durability and strength
- Basswood: A cheaper wood used for lower-cost guitars
- Mahogany: A standard wood for guitar bodies that has a wonderful tone
- Rosewood/ebony: These woods are used for guitar fingerboards, as they’re smooth.
Finish
There are several different finishes used on electric guitars. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know.
- Lacquer: This is a common finish used on electric guitars. It’s durable and long-lasting. It has a great shine, which makes the guitar attractive.
- Nitrocellulose lacquer: This is by far the most common type of lacquer used. It’s got a great shine, it’s easy to apply, and it protects the guitar for a long time.
- Poly finish: Many guitars have a poly finish, which is common on Yamaha guitars. Polyurethane is the most used finish, as it has good shine and durability, which protects your Yamaha.
Color
There are quite a few color choices when it comes to a Yamaha guitar. Common colors include black, white, red, and blue. You should be able to find a color that meets your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about Yamaha guitars. Ensure you understand what you’re buying before you order, so you get a guitar that you can be comfortable with.
How Much Do Yamaha Electric Guitars Cost?
Yamaha guitars are designed for beginners and intermediate players. They have a lot of options for these playing levels. They have a few advanced guitars, but they mainly carry beginner models. Here are some price ranges.
- Beginner: $150-$300
- Intermediate: $500-$800
- Advanced: $800+
Are the Pickups Good?
In general, the pickups on Yamaha guitars are adequate. The higher-cost guitars have better pickups, which you can leave alone. The lower-cost guitars may sound better with better pickups, but this is up to you.
If you do buy new pickups, they may cost more than the guitar you just bought, especially if it’s an entry-level guitar. It may be better to purchase a better Yamaha guitar if you’re concerned about the pickups.
What Can I Do to Improve the Tone?
Many Yamaha guitars are beginner-oriented, so the tone won’t match an advanced guitar. Use a good amplifier, a fresh set of strings, and ensure the guitar has a proper setup at a guitar shop to improve the tone.
If you want a better tone, you may have to spend a bit more or install new pickups in your guitar. For most beginner players, Yamaha will be fine.
What Are the Best Yamaha Electric Guitars?
Here are three of the best Yamaha electric guitars. I’ve picked models for beginners through advanced players. There’s a model here for everyone.
Yamaha Gigmaker: Best for Beginners
The Yamaha Gigmaker guitar package is ideal for beginners, as you get a good Yamaha guitar, an amplifier, a case, and accessories. This pack has everything that the beginner needs to get started playing.
Yamaha Pacifica PAC611VFM: Best for Intermediate Players
The Yamaha Pacifica PAC611VFM guitar has nice pickups, a smooth playing neck, and a great cutaway for easy higher fret access. It’s got locking tuners to keep the guitar in a stable tuning and to make string changes easy.
Yamaha Revstar820CR: Best for Advanced Players
The Revstar 820CR has a TonePros bridge for easy string changes and action adjustments. The neck is smooth, and it’s got two high-output pickups. The dry switch gives you more tones out of the pickups.
Where Are Yamaha Electric Guitars Made?
Yamaha electric guitars are made overseas in countries like China, Japan, and Indonesia, where their factories are.
What Is the Best Sounding Yamaha Electric Guitars?
The Yamaha Revstar 820CR has a great sounding double humbucking pickup, a smooth playing neck, and a TonePros bridge for easy string changes. It’s got a push/pull coil tap for extra sound options out of the humbuckers.
Where to Buy Yamaha Electric Guitars
There are several locations where you can purchase a Yamaha guitar. Your best bet is to buy online, as you’ll have a wide selection of guitars to choose from. This is ideal if you don’t have a guitar shop near you.
Amazon
I prefer to shop at Amazon. They have a huge selection of musical products plus fast shipping times. The customer service is good, and you can read reviews before placing your order with them.
Online Music Retailers
Sweetwater and Guitarcenter are two other online music retailers to buy your Yamaha from. They have a large selection of products, fast shipping, and excellent customer service.
Your Local Music Store
Your local music store may have Yamaha guitars in stock that you can try out. The downside is they may not stock the model you want, and you could have a long wait time until the stock is refilled.
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In Conclusion
This concludes my guide to the best Yamaha electric guitars. These are excellent starter guitars, and they do have a few advanced guitars to suit other players. They’re moderately priced, so you won’t blow your budget.
Please share, comment, and send me a message about Yamaha guitars or other guitars in general. I look forward to hearing from you. Now, pick up your new Yamaha and have fun playing.
