Yamaha Pacifica Professional 12 Sparkle Blue

Yamaha Pacifica Professional 12 Sparkle Blue – Japanese-made electric guitar with Reflectone HSS pickups and Gotoh hardware

The Yamaha Pacifica Professional 12 Sparkle Blue is a Japanese-made electric guitar combining modern playability, versatile tonal options and carefully selected components. It features an alder body developed using Yamaha Acoustic Design technology, a maple neck with a Slim C profile and Custom Tinted Satin finish, and a rosewood fingerboard with a 10–14-inch compound radius and 22 medium stainless-steel frets.

The HSS configuration combines two Reflectone single-coil pickups with a Reflectone humbucker, developed in collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs. A 5-way pickup selector, push-pull coil split and Master Volume with a high-pass circuit provide an extensive tonal range, from articulate clean sounds to powerful overdriven tones. The Gotoh 510T FE-1 two-point tremolo, Gotoh locking tuners and Graph Tech TUSQ nut are complemented by Yamaha's Initial Response Acceleration (I.R.A.) treatment, designed to optimise resonance and sustain. A hardshell case and Certificate of Authenticity are included.

Playability, Sound and Features

Reflectone Pickups Developed with Rupert Neve Designs

The Pacifica Professional 12 features three Reflectone pickups developed in collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs. The neck position is fitted with a Reflectone HS7n single-coil, the middle position with a Reflectone HS7m single-coil and the bridge position with a Reflectone HH7b humbucker.

The HSS configuration delivers both clear, articulate single-coil sounds and fuller humbucker tones. The 5-way pickup selector provides quick access to different pickup combinations, while the push-pull function on the Master Tone control allows the bridge humbucker to be coil-split for additional tonal flexibility. The Master Volume control features a high-pass circuit that helps preserve high-frequency clarity when the volume is reduced.

Alder Body with Yamaha Acoustic Design

The alder body is developed using Yamaha Acoustic Design technology, which is designed to optimise the instrument's resonance characteristics. Carefully shaped contours also improve playing comfort. A bevelled body edge provides a comfortable resting position for the picking arm, while the contoured back helps the guitar sit naturally against the player.

Slim C Maple Neck with Custom Tinted Satin Finish

The maple neck features a modern Slim C profile designed to combine comfortable playability with fast movement. Its Custom Tinted Satin finish provides a smooth surface that allows the fretting hand to move easily along the neck. The sculpted neck joint heel improves access to the highest frets.

Rosewood Fingerboard with 10–14-Inch Compound Radius

The rosewood fingerboard features a compound radius that gradually changes from 10 inches at the lower frets to 14 inches towards the upper frets. The rounder radius in the lower positions supports comfortable chord playing, while the flatter upper section makes fast melodic passages and expressive string bending easier.

The guitar has 22 medium stainless-steel frets. Stainless steel offers excellent durability and a smooth playing surface with reduced resistance during string bends.

I.R.A. Treatment for Resonance and Sustain

The Yamaha Pacifica Professional undergoes Initial Response Acceleration (I.R.A.), a specialised treatment applied after the guitar has been constructed. The treatment is designed to optimise resonance and sustain by influencing the interaction between the instrument's components.

Gotoh Two-Point Tremolo and Locking Tuners

The guitar is fitted with a Gotoh 510T FE-1 two-point tremolo and Gotoh locking tuners. Together, these components provide smooth tremolo operation, dependable tuning stability and straightforward string changes. A Graph Tech TUSQ nut complements the hardware by providing a consistent contact point for the strings.

Sparkle Blue Finish and Japanese Craftsmanship

Sparkle Blue is a vibrant, sparkling blue finish inspired by Japanese city pop art and the guitar culture of Southern California. The body features a gloss polyurethane finish that contrasts with the neck's specially tinted satin surface. The Pacifica Professional 12 is made in Japan and supplied with a hardshell case and Certificate of Authenticity.

Specifications

• Model: Yamaha Pacifica Professional PACP12
• Type: Electric guitar
• Series: Pacifica Professional
• Colour: Sparkle Blue
• Country of Manufacture: Japan
• Construction: Bolt-on neck
• Body: Alder
• Body Technology: Yamaha Acoustic Design
• Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
• Neck: Maple
• Neck Profile: Slim C
• Neck Finish: Custom Tinted Satin Polyurethane
• Neck Joint: Contoured neck heel
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Radius: 10–14-inch compound radius (254–355.6 mm)
• Scale Length: 648 mm (25.5-inch)
• Number of Frets: 22
• Fret Type: Medium Stainless Steel
• Nut: Graph Tech TUSQ
• Neck Width at Nut: 42.0 mm
• Neck Width at 12th Fret: 52.4 mm
• Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: 20.0 mm
• Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: 22.4 mm
• Pickup Configuration: HSS
• Neck Pickup: Reflectone HS7n Single Coil
• Middle Pickup: Reflectone HS7m Single Coil
• Bridge Pickup: Reflectone HH7b Humbucker
• Pickup Development: In collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs
• Volume Control: Master Volume with high-pass circuit
• Tone Control: Master Tone with push-pull coil split
• Pickup Selector: 5-way lever switch
• Bridge: Gotoh 510T FE-1 two-point tremolo
• Tremolo Arm: 5.5 mm, chrome
• String Spacing: 10.8 mm
• Tuning Machines: Gotoh Locking Tuners
• Pickguard: 3-ply Parchment
• Strings: D'Addario EXL120, .009–.042
• Special Features: Initial Response Acceleration (I.R.A.) treatment
• Included Accessories: Hardshell case and Certificate of Authenticity

Frequently Asked Questions About the Yamaha Pacifica Professional 12 Sparkle Blue

Where is the Yamaha Pacifica Professional 12 Sparkle Blue made?

The Yamaha Pacifica Professional PACP12 is made in Japan and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

What pickups does the Yamaha Pacifica Professional 12 Sparkle Blue have?

The guitar features an HSS configuration with Reflectone HS7n and HS7m single-coil pickups and a Reflectone HH7b bridge humbucker. The pickups were developed in collaboration with Rupert Neve Designs.

Does the Yamaha Pacifica Professional 12 Sparkle Blue have coil split?

Yes. The Master Tone control features a push-pull function that allows the bridge humbucker to be coil-split for additional tonal options.

What are the benefits of the 10–14-inch compound-radius fingerboard?

The fingerboard is rounder at the lower frets for comfortable chord playing and gradually becomes flatter towards the upper frets, making lead playing and string bending easier.

What is Yamaha's I.R.A. treatment?

Initial Response Acceleration is a specialised treatment applied after the guitar has been constructed. It is designed to optimise the instrument's resonance and sustain.

What bridge does the Yamaha Pacifica Professional 12 Sparkle Blue use?

The guitar features a Gotoh 510T FE-1 two-point tremolo, Gotoh locking tuners and a Graph Tech TUSQ nut.

Does the Yamaha Pacifica Professional 12 Sparkle Blue include a hardshell case?

Yes. A hardshell case and Certificate of Authenticity are included.