Head to head
Squier Debut Series Stratocaster vs Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J
The short answer is that the pickup layouts differ (SSS against HSS). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 25 rows that actually differ marked out.
Debut Series Stratocaster
Black, laurel fingerboard
Squier's cheapest full-scale Stratocaster, built thin and light on purpose
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.
- Squier Debut Series Stratocaster6.7
- 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
| Debut Series Stratocaster | Pacifica PAC112J | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Squier | Yamaha |
| Model | Debut Series Stratocaster | Pacifica PAC112J |
| Finish | Black, laurel fingerboard | Black |
| Instrument | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Fretline score | 6.7 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Value for money | 8 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.6 / 5 (2,465) | 5.0 / 5 (1) |
| Price | Under $300 | Under $300 |
| Type | Electric guitar | Electric guitar |
| Body | Stratocaster solidbody, thin body | Pacifica double cutaway |
| Body wood | Poplar | Alder |
| Neck joint | Bolt-on | Bolt-on |
| Neck wood | Maple | Maple |
| Neck profile | "C" shape | 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 | Narrow tall | Medium |
| Nut | Plastic | Urea |
| Nut width | 1.650" (42 mm) | 41 mm at the zero fret |
| Bridge | Synchronised tremolo with thin block and removable arm | Vintage-style tremolo with block saddles |
| Tuners | Standard cast/closed | Die-cast |
| Neck pickup | Ceramic single-coil | Single-coil, alnico V |
| Bridge pickup | Ceramic single-coil | 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 | Beginner, Intermediate |
| Styles | Rock, Blues, Pop, Indie, Funk, 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
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JHighest 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
Yamaha Pacifica PAC112JBuild 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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