Yamaha Pacifica Mod

Tazer

Hey guys,

I have an old pacifica and instead of buying a new guitar I was thinking of just upgrading this one.

I play mainly acoustic but on lectric Id like a guitar that sounds like a fender strat, I play Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Arctic Monkeys etc.. lots of things really.

Any suggestions for what to get for it? Like pickups, humbuckers, switches etc (new to the whole guitar modding thing). So any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Fingers Mcginty

I use the trem bar a lot...not for divebombs but for adding subtle vibrato to chords and pedal steel licks. The stock trem ain't good for that. I put in a wilkinson trem. Great investment. The arm is a slot in type which IMO is very favourable. I also changed out the pickups to SD's. I think the tuning keys are decent enough.

Adyx

Well I don't have a Pacifica but as a first time mod, changing the pickups can be very rewarding. Some pickup sets don't even require any soldering which makes things very straight forward.

kranog

I've modded my pacifica to bits....it's awesome now...but not what you are looking for I'd say...mine has been hot rodded.
If you are after a classic strat tone, then I'd recommend the Seymour Duncan Classic STK pickups....more strat than any fender...I was blown away with mine when I modded my strat!
What model pacifia is it mate?
Do you have the strat body type or Telecaster type?
Do you have the humbucker and 2 single coil pickup configuration or is it 3 single coil pickups...or if ya have the telecater type, it'll either be 2 single coils or two double (humbucker) pickups?

I wouldn't change the pots as they are already decent, I would change the bridge piece - if ya use the tremolo, then as mentioned already, get a Wilkinson...they aint too expensive and they are excellent - if ya don't use the tremolo - then get a hard tail bridge - the hold tuning far better than any floating (tremolo) bridge!
I'd upgrade the stock plastic knobs to some good quality chrome/metal knobs - they move easier and look better.
While the tuners are actually pretty decent on a pacifica - I upgraded mine to a set of Ping's!
You can get excellent Gotoh's or Grovers on eBay for next to nothing and they all help at keeping your guitar in tune for longer.

If ya need any help with your project, feel free to PM me mate...I can point ya in a few directions for parts and the likes.
Chris

Tazer

Hey guys,

Thanks so much for the great advice.

My pacifica has one humbucker and 2 single coil pickups. Do you have any links for the seymour duncan pickups? Id be very interested in getting these, do they come in a set (one humbucker and 2 single coils) or do you buy them seperatly?

Ive also looked up a wilkinson trem bridge and they look great and from your expierience I think ive made up my mind and I'm going to go with one of these.

As for the tuner, I had a look around google and cant find a good explanation for what it is/does. So any help on that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all the help guys, great stuff.

rcaz

kranog wrote: »

more strat than any fender

???

Tazer wrote: »

As for the tuner, I had a look around google and cant find a good explanation for what it is/does. So any help on that would be greatly appreciated.

Usually referred to as the 'machine head', it's the bit the string wraps around on the headstock.

Tazer

El Pr0n wrote: »

Usually referred to as the 'machine head', it's the bit the string wraps around on the headstock.

Great thanks.

Im thinking of getting this wilkinson bridge:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/WILKINSON-WVPC-CHROME-TREM-BRIDGE-STEEL-SADDLES_W0QQitemZ330395630736QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item4ced1d3c90

Pretty sure that'll do the job.

wild turkey

http://yhst-50206111187217.stores.yahoo.net/index.html

these make good pickups etc &cheap shipping
Dont forget to stick a ciol tap in there as well

kranog

El Pron....ya never heard the saying "More Strat than Strat"?
I just put my own take on it to get the point across that the Classic STK's are just the best strat pickups I've ever heard!

Tazer...yer actually cheaper buying them seperately to be honest from the US ebay site!
I recommend maybe a SD 59 or Pearly Gates as the humbucker and 2 classic STK's for the middle and neck pups!

rcaz

kranog wrote: »

El Pron....ya never heard the saying "More Strat than Strat"?
I just put my own take on it to get the point across that the Classic STK's are just the best strat pickups I've ever heard!

I see. I was trying to figure out how an aftermarket pickup could make a guitar sound more like a Fender guitar than a Fender guitar pickup could

:P

Fingers Mcginty

Tazer wrote: »

Great thanks.

Im thinking of getting this wilkinson bridge:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/WILKINSON-WVPC-CHROME-TREM-BRIDGE-STEEL-SADDLES_W0QQitemZ330395630736QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item4ced1d3c90

Pretty sure that'll do the job.

Check the measurements on your axe to make sure it fits.

Tazer

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the help.

Ok I was doing a load of research and Im liking the pickups on the guitarfetish website and have been viewing alot of the videos on youtube with the pickups installed. Heres what I intend on getting:

Bridge: http://yhst-50206111187217.stores.yahoo.net/v59alpacl.html

Middle and Neck: http://store.guitarfetish.com/64stovgrropi.html

Im gonna have a look around for the trem bars and other parts now.

Let me know what you think of the selection. Cheers.

kranog

Ah mate...I'd stay well clear of GFS pickups if I were you...I had nothing but trouble with mine...I threw them away in the end...couldn't even give them away!
If ya mail the sellers...they will more than likely ship to ireland as the pups aren't heavy.
Bridge = http://cgi.ebay.com/Seymour-Duncan-SHPG1B-Pearly-Gates-pickup_W0QQitemZ120518892479QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item1c0f7c5bbf
Middle = http://cgi.ebay.com/Seymour-Duncan-STK-S2B-Hot-Stack-for-Strat-Pickup-Blk_W0QQitemZ260538102376QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item3ca947f268
Neck = http://cgi.ebay.com/Seymour-Duncan-STK-S1N-Classic-Stack-Neck-Mid_W0QQitemZ220542364866QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item3359596cc2
Don't pay any more than 10 bucks each on shipping...

You can see the work I've done on my own strat on this link
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055683092
Only cost me 232 altogeher and that included all the paint...which you don't need!
You can also see a pic of the work I did on my pacifica!

Tazer

kranog wrote: »

Ah mate...I'd stay well clear of GFS pickups if I were you...I had nothing but trouble with mine...I threw them away in the end...couldn't even give them away!
If ya mail the sellers...they will more than likely ship to ireland as the pups aren't heavy.
Bridge = http://cgi.ebay.com/Seymour-Duncan-SHPG1B-Pearly-Gates-pickup_W0QQitemZ120518892479QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item1c0f7c5bbf
Middle = http://cgi.ebay.com/Seymour-Duncan-STK-S2B-Hot-Stack-for-Strat-Pickup-Blk_W0QQitemZ260538102376QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item3ca947f268
Neck = http://cgi.ebay.com/Seymour-Duncan-STK-S1N-Classic-Stack-Neck-Mid_W0QQitemZ220542364866QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item3359596cc2
Don't pay any more than 10 bucks each on shipping...

Thats what I'll do so. Better off paying for quality really. Thanks so much mate. Ill get that wilkinson bridge also and new knobs.

Was also looking alot into the painting the guitar body, but thats one for another day haha.

Thanks!

Fingers Mcginty

take pics of the project in progress.....We love that stuff

kranog

Too right....we love pictorals!
Oh....I found this Wilkinson Trem aswell...these would be one of the better ones...I had one of these on my Blade Levison guitars years ago and I thought it was the muts nuts!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Satin-Chrome-Wilkinson-Tremolo-Bridge-VS100-style-NEW_W0QQitemZ270517303032QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item3efc1676f8#ht_1742wt_1165

Tazer

Yep will do guys!

Have sourced the pickups in Ireland now too!! Costing around e180 for the lot! Great success! Ill let ya know when I have everything and Im starting the project! Cant wait haha.

Thanks again..

wild turkey

heres another site in case theres anything else you need
http://stores.shop.ebay.ie/The-STRATosphere

kranog

Great store...I get a lot of stuff from that place!
Excellent ya found the pups in Ireland...what pickup models are they?

Tazer

From the music outlet in Swords.

I asked for specific models so hopefully he can get all 3 of them (listed earlier). They have a link with the seymour duncan crowd so they can source them easily enough.

Now to order the wilkinson bridge....

Oh and would anyone recommend where to get the paint for the guitar and clear coat. Im thinking of doing it in all white with a black logo and pickups. I havent really decided on what to do with it yet. Woodys should do the job I suppose.

Cheers guys.

kranog

I got my paint in Woodies...the car paint section...1 can of Primer (grey), 1 can of colour (if yer only doing one colour!) and 2 or 3 cans of clear coat...ya wanna put a good 8 to 10 coats or clear laquer on it.
Keep the can a good foot away from the body at all times and ya should never get any drips!
If ya need any help with soldering or the likes...let me know mate...

Tazer

Hey guys, just a little update,

Got my wilkinson bridge in the post, looks great. On my 1st layer of spray paint after 3 coats of white primer. Its looking great so far. Will post pics in a minute. Still saving up to get the pickups but I have another week to finish the painting so I should have it by then.

Jeez id defo recommend to anyone whos painting their guitar, go down to b&q, I got a little sander for 20 blips, great thing and works a treat. Id still be here sanding if it wasnt for this thing. Very worth the money.

Will keep you updated!

Ozpac

My 2 cents.
Have modded my 112.

Suhr pickups single coils
SM humbucker
I love the Suhr pickups, awesome classic strat tone.

Sperzel locking tuners.

New nut and string savers.

Bought a wilkinson trem. Thought it had less sustain than the original one.

Tried it again this week. Did an audio recording of both trems, and Wilkinson certainly less sustain than the original one with the new string savers on.

One (hardly) used wilkison trem on ebay coming up!

JonathanAnon

Hey lads, sorry for digging up this old thread... But I'm thinking of modding up my own Pacifica 112v.. it sounds, looks and plays great.. BUT, it's a little noisy when it's not being played... And for soloing it's not as good as my Jackson.. Just doesnt have the same oooomph about it..

Anybody upgraded the pickups and tuners on these? or is there a better option than upgrading what I have?

Ozpac

I am still very happy with mine.
Update..got rid of the graphtec nut and string savers..don't believe the marketing, they kill sustain.

I now have a bone nut, wilkinson trem. Same pups (suhr single coils and SD bucker), push pull volume, sperzel locking tuners. Properly set up. It plays and sounds great.

I also added a treble bleed mod so I could lower volume and keep tone.

After all this I sanded the Yamaha name off..there's not much Yamaha left.

Doc_Savage

while you're on about nuts.... i made a brass nut for one of my strats and found it kept tune and sounded much better than the other nuts i had in it!