Found a really geat 12 string - Yamaha

matchlock · Post by **matchlock** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 11:25 am

I just picked up an new old stock Yamaha Pacifica 12 string model 303-12. This guitar is unbeliveable as far as a great sounding 12 string for all those Byrds songs, Searchers, and of course the Beatles. This one is no longer being made I come to find out, which is a shame. The quality is like that of other guitars 3 to 4 times its price of $350.00 which I paid for it. Body is of Solid Alder, with solid all maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. Has specialty coil pickups, great sustain and tone, with 5 position selector switch, volume and tone controls, all gold plated hardware, high gloss, translucent cherry finish, which shows the wood grain underneath. Very easy to play lead with nice separation of strings and not too big a neck. Came set up perfectly and innotation was right on, perfectly straight neck, most importantly stays in tune. I guess these were only made for a few years but I'm sure glad I ran into this one, definitely a keeper.
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adam_swapp · Post by **adam_swapp** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 12:03 pm

It's nice to see that someone else recognizes that Asian guitars aren't necessarily junk. I've got a Yamaha acoustic, a Charvel Surfcaster, and an MIJ Tele, and there's nothing wrong with any of them.

matchlock · Post by **matchlock** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 1:22 pm

Hi Adam, I also think that alot of the Asian guitars are underrated. I knew that Yamaha had a good name for quality as they've been into several types of musical instruments over the years. I just couldn't believe in the quality and workmanship that went into mine. I easily would have paid twice what I paid for mine. This is the type of quality competition and low prices I like to see. I think alot of the other American guitar manufacturers should take note. I went over this 303-12 with a close eye and absolutely could not find anything to gripe about. I'll have to check out some of those you talked about Adam.

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 2:26 pm

I'm on the verge of buying a Yamaha APX-5-12A in black. Nice guitar for the money!

matchlock · Post by **matchlock** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 2:54 pm

Have to check one of those out also.

doctorwho · Post by **doctorwho** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 8:38 pm

My Coronet (yes, that is the brand name!) 680-D was made in Japan in the 1960s:

Note the similarity in appearance to a Gibson Country & Western of that era. The quality of this guitar is exceptional (rosewood sides and back, abalone inlays), and I would love to find a twelve-string version.

ibmindless · Post by **ibmindless** » Fri Nov 05, 2004 10:24 pm

Yeah, I'll vouch for Asian guitars, too. I have a Yamaha AEX 520 as one example. This looks like a Les Paul body shape, but it is hollow, with F-holes, a Piezo bridge pickup and a mini-humbucker for the neck pickup. A blender lets you control between the two pickups. Nice, fat acoustic sound.

I also have a cheap Applause A/E, and an incredible Ibanez A/E. It's a small body, double cutaway, with a piezo bridge pickup and Fishman preamp/equalizer. Believe it or not, it sounds better amplified than my Taylor 614ce (for a tenth of the Taylor's price) does. Additionally, I have a couple of Ukuleles (Oscar Schmidt). Each of these instruments has very good quality in construction and finishing.

eatswodo · Post by **eatswodo** » Sat Nov 06, 2004 7:39 am

Adam said: It's nice to see that someone else recognizes that Asian guitars aren't necessarily junk. I've got a Yamaha acoustic, a Charvel Surfcaster, and an MIJ Tele, and there's nothing wrong with any of them.

Ditto! I have an OLP MM4, an Ibanez Artcore TM71, and a super Washburn acoustic, all of which get played regularly. The Artcore, in particular, is a spectacular piece of work for the pittance I paid for it.