Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $365

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

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High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Yamaha Pacifica 311S". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 19, 2026.

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Description

The Yamaha Pacifica 311S is a versatile electric guitar that combines classic design with modern functionality, making it a perfect choice for both beginners and seasoned players. This solid body electric guitar is crafted with an alder body that delivers a well-balanced tone, while the smooth maple neck and rosewood fretboard provide a comfortable playing experience. Whether you're strumming chords or picking intricate solos, the Pacifica 311S offers exceptional sound clarity and sustain.

Equipped with a dynamic pickup configuration, this guitar features a bright and articulate P90 pickup, paired with a powerful humbucker, allowing you to explore a wide range of musical genres. The inclusion of Grover locking machine heads ensures that your tuning remains stable, even during intense performances, so you can focus on your creativity without worry.

The Yamaha Pacifica 311S is not just about exceptional sound; its aesthetic appeal is equally captivating. With its sleek contours and high-quality components, this guitar is designed to turn heads both on stage and in the studio. Whether you're just starting your musical journey or looking to add a reliable workhorse to your collection, the Pacifica 311S offers both style and substance.

Key Features:

  • Alder body for a balanced tone
  • Maple neck with rosewood fretboard
  • Black TUSQ-XL nut
  • Pickup configuration: 1 x P90, 1 x Humbucker
  • Grover locking machine heads

Product specs

Available since September 2011
Colour White
Body Alder
Top None
Neck Maple
Fretboard Rosewood
Frets 22
Scale 648 mm
Pickups HS
Tremolo None
incl. Bag No
incl. Case No

FAQs

What kind of tones can I expect from the Yamaha Pacifica 311S pickups?

The Yamaha Pacifica 311S features an HS pickup configuration, providing a versatile range of tones. The humbucker in the bridge offers a warm, full sound suitable for rock and blues, while the single-coil in the neck delivers bright, clear tones ideal for clean and funk styles.

Is the Yamaha Pacifica 311S suitable for beginner guitarists?

Yes, the Yamaha Pacifica 311S is well-suited for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile and versatile sound, making it easy to play across various music genres.

What is the neck profile like on the Yamaha Pacifica 311S?

The Yamaha Pacifica 311S features a comfortable C-shaped neck profile, which is designed to be easy to play for both beginners and experienced guitarists, offering smooth playability across the fretboard.

Does the Yamaha Pacifica 311S come with a tremolo system?

No, the Yamaha Pacifica 311S does not include a tremolo system. It is a hardtail electric guitar, which provides better tuning stability and sustain.

What materials are used in the construction of the Yamaha Pacifica 311S?

The Yamaha Pacifica 311S features an alder body, maple neck, and rosewood fretboard, combining to offer a balanced tone with a comfortable playing experience.

Reviews

PROS

  • High-quality hardware: TUSQ nut, Grover locking tuners, D'Addario strings

  • P90 pickup offers sweet tone and high output

  • Excellent playability with perfect setup and fast satin-finished neck

  • Stunning vintage white style with a tortoise pickguard finish

  • Offers warm telecaster-like sounds with ST style body

  • Fantastic build quality for the price

  • Versatility in sound variety makes it great for all-round use

  • Rolled fretboard enhances playing comfort

CONS

  • Humbucker pickup has low output, especially when split

  • Loose tone knob with potential adjustment issues

  • P90 pickup can produce typical hum and slight fuzz through an amp

  • Minor inconsistencies in fretboard features across models

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha Pacifica 311S.

Features and functionality

  • The Yamaha Pacifica 311 includes locking tuners and graphite nut and saddles, offering enhanced tuning stability and durability.

    Source
  • The Pacifica 311H features a coil-split humbucker combined with a P90, offering tonal versatility and phat tones.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Proper care is crucial for longevity, as inexpensive guitars like the 311 can last years if maintained well, even outperforming neglected high-end models.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners have inquired about adding a humbucker pickup in the neck position for tonal versatility, indicating the guitar's mod-friendly nature.

    Source
  • Some owners recommend replacing the stock humbucker with a P90-type pickup for improved tone, such as Lollar's P90 with rod magnets.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Pacifica 311 is recommended for players transitioning from acoustic to electric, offering a versatile platform suitable for home practice over several years.

    Source

Build quality

  • Yamaha's quality control is highly praised, even on low-end models, ensuring consistent playability and sound quality if properly set up.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners note that Pacifica models outperform similarly priced Epiphones and Squiers in terms of features and build quality.

    Source

User experience

  • One user highlights the Pacifica 311H as the most playable guitar they've owned, appreciating the lightweight design and satin neck finish.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The Pacifica 311H is recognized as offering exceptional features for its price, often beating higher-priced Fender models in terms of inclusions like locking tuners.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how Som Wardner uses Yamaha Pacifica 311S

Som Wardner

Singer, Guitarist

My Vitriol

...
Verified via Photo

This image from a live performance by My Vitriol shows Som playing a 311S in a natural finish.

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