Head to head
Fender Standard Stratocaster vs Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J
The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($500 - $1,000 against Under $300), and the pickup layouts differ (SSS against HSS). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 27 rows that actually differ marked out.
Standard Stratocaster
Olympic White, maple fingerboard
The cheapest guitar that says Fender on the headstock rather than Squier
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 Stratocaster8.2
- 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 | Pacifica PAC112J | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fender | Yamaha |
| Model | Standard Stratocaster | Pacifica PAC112J |
| Finish | Olympic White, maple fingerboard | Black |
| Instrument | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Fretline score | 8.2 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Value for money | 8 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.3 / 5 (51) | 5.0 / 5 (1) |
| Price | $500 - $1,000 | Under $300 |
| Type | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Body | Stratocaster | 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 | Maple | 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 single-coil Strat | Humbucker, ceramic |
| Configuration | SSS | 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, Pop, Funk, Country, Indie | 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
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Fender Standard StratocasterHighest 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 StratocasterBuild 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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