Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 I know this is a Hamer Guitar Forum, so it won't bother me a bit if this needs to get deleted. It just seems like the Yamaha PAC 611 is starting to show up in the US. Originally you could only get it in Europe or Japan, but some people are starting to import them and sell them for decent prices on eBay. Actually, on a search for specs, I just found out Sam Ash is now selling them, too. I know there are some who hate the tort pickguard, but I think it works with the transparent stain colors they chose to put over the flame. The HFM is the fixed bridge and is the previous model. I assume they aren't making them anymore. The VFM is the trem model. They have a few new colors, I think. The trem is a Wilkinson VS-50, which doesn't get good reviews. Meaning, there are a few positive reviews out there, but enough negative ones that I think I'd either stick with the hard-tail HFM, or replace the trem if the VFM is all that was available when I (eventually) purchase one. I think the pickup combo is inspired/awesome: Seymour Duncan Custom 5 humbucker in the bridge, with a push-pull coil tap, and a Seymour Duncan SP-90 in the neck. If/when I get one, I think I prefer what they call the trans-black, which looks blue to me: Here are some demos:
Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame Posted February 17, 2015 Author Posted February 17, 2015 I'll leave you with a comparison of the current Yamaha lineup. All pretty innovative:
Sugartune Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 Looks nice to me. I've recently become quite a fan of the HB Bridge/P90 Neck combo in a guitar. Oh so sweet!Are they MIJ or MIK? (Do they still make/export MIJ products?)
Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame Posted February 17, 2015 Author Posted February 17, 2015 You know, it is difficult to find where they were made.But it looks like Indonesia.But I've played a few decent Indonesian-made guitars (mostly Ibanez). People are people, you can make quality guitars anywhere. What matters is the tolerances of the equipment, the standards set by the contract, quality control to ensure those standards are met, and the skill/care of the workers. There is nothing that says that Americans or Japanese are inherently better guitar makers than Indonesians.I think the reason it works out that way is people are willing to pay a premium price for a US-made guitar because of a perceived superiority...that premium price then allows the US company to use better equipment, materials, and skilled workers to make that guitar to match the premium price, whereas overseas makers are usually just trying to crank out mass numbers of guitars to fill the contract.But if someone wanted to have boutique quality guitars made overseas to save money, there's no reason why it couldn't work.That's why 70s/80s Japan guitars were consider utter crap when they were being made, but now are considered to be almost as good quality as the top-quality US guitars. Then Korea was crap, but now Korea has a decent reputation with the earlier import Hamers, PRS SE guitars, etc. For the last few years, "China" and "Indonesia" = "crap guitar", but this might be the sign of a step up for Indonesian products.Still, I'd be lying if I said it didn't reduce my excitement somewhat. While there's no reason Indonesian guitars can't be good, there is still some risk in plunking down money to find out.
Montelovesco Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 Guess nobody knows better than me that this a Hamer (and not a Washburn ;-)) forum. But that blue/black transparent thing looks absolutely killer! The demos are great too. Maybe I should look out for one...
capridriver Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 ...I think tranparent blue with a red tortoise pickguard is a good combination ...(Fender Deluxe Player Strat, original specs) That Yamaha in transparent black/blue looks great. Could be something for my father's son ...
velorush Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 Ah, I love those, but didn't know what to call them. I spied Søren Andersen wielding one of those a good while back looking at this video researching the THR10: Looks great to me (especially in black / tort trim)!
velorush Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 Still, I'd be lying if I said it didn't reduce my excitement somewhat. While there's no reason Indonesian guitars can't be good, there is still some risk in plunking down money to find out.See Lakland Skyline (and their guitar brand, Hanson)! I've never heard anyone bring up quality as an issue with the Skyline basses.
Montelovesco Posted February 17, 2015 Posted February 17, 2015 Ok. We have one on eBay Germany (370 Euro) and, of course, new at Thomann for 629 Euro...
Disturber Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 Don't know what I think of it.That hideous "Pacifica" logo sure has to go, it makes it look like something from Line 6.The pick up config is cool.The tort guard is cool. The maple top looks like photo flame, might not be, but it's just a little to blingy.The bridge looks awful. Might be good for tone though.
Toadroller Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 Kinda sorta reminds me of a Talman with P90s: Oh, and my mahog Standard has a Custom 5 in the bridge and a Phat Cat in the neck. It's a good combo.
Montelovesco Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 Don't know what I think of it.That hideous "Pacifica" logo sure has to go, it makes it look like something from Line 6.The pick up config is cool.The tort guard is cool. The maple top looks like photo flame, might not be, but it's just a little to blingy.The bridge looks awful. Might be good for tone though."Squeeeeeeeeeeetch" (Sound of rising GAS)"Pfltsch" (GAS stopped by Disturbers comment).Disturber, your nickname is program. :-))))
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