Head to head

Squier Sonic 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 27 rows that actually differ marked out.

Squier

Sonic Stratocaster

California Blue, with amplifier bundle

Everything needed to start, built around a real Stratocaster rather than a copy

7.7/104.7 (262)

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Yamaha

Pacifica PAC112J

Black

The beginner guitar teachers actually recommend, and an alder body at Squier money

8.5/105.0 (1)

See it on Amazon Read the full analysis

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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 Sonic Stratocaster7.7
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

Squier Sonic Stratocaster compared with Yamaha Pacifica PAC112J
	Sonic Stratocaster	Pacifica PAC112J
Brand	Squier	Yamaha
Model	Sonic Stratocaster	Pacifica PAC112J
Finish	California Blue, with amplifier bundle	Black
Instrument	Electric guitar	Electric guitar
Fretline score	7.7 / 10	8.5 / 10
Value for money	9 / 10	10 / 10
Amazon rating	4.7 / 5 (262)	5.0 / 5 (1)
Price	Under $300	Under $300
Type	Electric guitar starter bundle	Electric guitar
Body	Stratocaster	Pacifica double cutaway
Body wood	Poplar	Alder
Neck joint	Bolt-on, four-bolt Squier neck plate	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	Synthetic bone	Urea
Nut width	1.650" (42 mm)	41 mm at the zero fret
Bridge	Six-saddle vintage-style synchronized tremolo with block saddles	Vintage-style tremolo with block saddles
Tuners	Die-cast sealed	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, Pop, Blues, Indie, Punk, Funk	Rock, Blues, Pop, Funk, Indie, Metal
In the box	Fender Frontman 10G 10-watt amplifier, Gig bag, Strap, 10 ft instrument cable, Picks, Instructional DVD	—

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.