Head to head
Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS vs Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J
The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($500 - $1,000 against Under $300). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 26 rows that actually differ marked out.
Standard Stratocaster HSS
Black, laurel fingerboard
The Standard Strat with a humbucker, which is the version that covers more ground
Pacifica PAC112J
Black
The beginner guitar teachers actually recommend, and an alder body at Squier money
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Score profile
Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.
- Fender Standard Stratocaster HSS8.3
- Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J8.5
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Specification by specification
| Standard Stratocaster HSS | Pacifica PAC112J | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fender | Yamaha |
| Model | Standard Stratocaster HSS | Pacifica PAC112J |
| Finish | Black, laurel fingerboard | Black |
| Instrument | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Fretline score | 8.3 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Value for money | 8 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.9 / 5 (16) | 5.0 / 5 (1) |
| Price | $500 - $1,000 | Under $300 |
| Type | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Body | Stratocaster solidbody | Pacifica double cutaway |
| Body wood | Poplar | Alder |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on, four-bolt neck plate | Bolt-on |
| Neck wood | Maple | Maple |
| Neck profile | Modern "C" | 20.9 mm at 1st fret, 22.9 mm at 12th |
| Scale length | 25.5" (648 mm) | 25.5" (648 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Indian laurel | Rosewood or walnut, depending on production run |
| Radius | 9.5" (241 mm) | 13.75" (350 mm) |
| Frets | 21 | 22 |
| Fret size | Medium jumbo | Medium |
| Nut | Micarta | Urea |
| Nut width | 1.6875" (42.86 mm) | 41 mm at the zero fret |
| Bridge | Standard two-point tremolo with satin chrome steel block saddles | Vintage-style tremolo with block saddles |
| Tuners | Fender Standard cast/sealed with hex buttons | Die-cast |
| Neck pickup | Standard single-coil Strat | Single-coil, alnico V |
| Bridge pickup | Standard humbucking | Humbucker, ceramic |
| Configuration | HSS | HSS |
| Electronics | Passive, ceramic magnets | Passive |
| Controls | Master volume, tone 1 (neck/middle), tone 2 (bridge) | Master volume, master tone |
| Switching | Five-position blade | Five-position lever |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate |
| Styles | Rock, Blues, Metal, Pop, Funk, Indie, Punk | Rock, Blues, Pop, Funk, Indie, Metal |
| In the box | — | — |
A marked row is one where the two differ. A highlighted cell is the stronger figure where one can be judged objectively. Empty cells are specifications the manufacturer does not publish — never estimates.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from the specifications and our editorial scores for these two instruments only. It is not a general ranking.
Best value
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JHighest editorial value-for-money score of the instruments compared.
Most versatile
Fender Standard Stratocaster HSSHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Fender Standard Stratocaster HSSHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JStrongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Fender Standard Stratocaster HSSBuild and tone scores combined, with credit for tuning-stability hardware that matters when tracking.
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Want a third opinion?
The comparator takes as many instruments as you like, not just two, and recomputes the whole table and every conclusion as you add them.
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