Head to head
Ibanez AZES40 vs Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J
The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($300 - $500 against Under $300), and the scale lengths are not the same (25" against 25.5"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 21 rows that actually differ marked out.
AZES40
Purist Blue
Nine pickup sounds from three pickups, and a short scale that suits smaller hands
Pacifica PAC112J
Black
The beginner guitar teachers actually recommend, and an alder body at Squier money
As an Amazon Associate we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through our links, at no additional cost to you. We do not publish prices, because Amazon prices change constantly and a stale figure helps nobody. Follow the link for the current price and availability.
Score profile
Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.
- Ibanez AZES408.5
- 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
| AZES40 | Pacifica PAC112J | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Ibanez | Yamaha |
| Model | AZES40 | Pacifica PAC112J |
| Finish | Purist Blue | Black |
| Instrument | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Fretline score | 8.5 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.5 / 5 (95) | 5.0 / 5 (1) |
| Price | $300 - $500 | Under $300 |
| Type | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Body | AZ double cutaway | Pacifica double cutaway |
| Body wood | Poplar | Alder |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on | Bolt-on |
| Neck wood | Maple (AZES profile) | Maple |
| Neck profile | — | 20.9 mm at 1st fret, 22.9 mm at 12th |
| Scale length | 25" (635 mm) | 25.5" (648 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Jatoba with white dot inlays | Rosewood or walnut, depending on production run |
| Radius | 9.84" (250 mm) | 13.75" (350 mm) |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Fret size | Medium | Medium |
| Nut | — | Urea |
| Nut width | 42 mm | 41 mm at the zero fret |
| Bridge | T106 tremolo with comfort round steel saddles | Vintage-style tremolo with block saddles |
| Tuners | Ibanez machine heads with split shafts | Die-cast |
| Neck pickup | Essentials single-coil (passive, ceramic) | Single-coil, alnico V |
| Bridge pickup | Accord humbucker (passive, ceramic) | Humbucker, ceramic |
| Configuration | HSS | HSS |
| Electronics | Passive, dyna-MIX9 switching with Alter switch | Passive |
| Controls | Volume, tone, alter switch | Master volume, master tone |
| Switching | Five-way selector plus alter switch, giving nine pickup combinations | Five-position lever |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate |
| Styles | Rock, Blues, Pop, Funk, Indie, Metal | 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
Ibanez AZES40Highest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Ibanez AZES40Highest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Ibanez AZES40Strongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Ibanez AZES40Build 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.
Other comparisons
Affinity Series Stratocaster vs Pacifica PAC112J
Squier · Yamaha
AZES40 vs Affinity Series Stratocaster
Ibanez · Squier
X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS vs Pacifica PAC112J
Jackson · Yamaha
AZES40 vs X Series Dinky DK3XR HSS
Ibanez · Jackson
AZES40 vs Pro Plus Series Signature Misha Mansoor Juggernaut ET7
Ibanez · Jackson
JS Series Dinky JS11Q vs Pacifica PAC112J
Jackson · Yamaha