Electric guitars

Yamaha Pacifica SC P11SM BM

The Yamaha Pacifica SC P11SM BM combines a single-coil bridge pickup and neck humbucker with premium appointments, including stainless steel frets and locking tuners. Its fixed bridge and high price make it a better fit for players who value its specific features than for those seeking a budget-friendly all-rounder.

★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker

Yamaha Pacifica SC P11SM BM: Technical Review

The Yamaha Pacifica SC P11SM BM is a solid-body electric guitar listed at $1,975, with availability beginning in January 2026. Its specification centers on an alder body, a maple neck and fingerboard, and a pair of pickups with different designs: a bridge single-coil and a neck humbucker. A hard-shell case is included. No customer reviews are available, so this assessment is limited to the supplied product details rather than player reports or claims about how the guitar performs in practice.

Body, Neck, and Fingerboard

The body is made from two pieces of alder and has a Black Metallic finish. There is no separate top, according to the specifications. The maple neck is attached with a bolt-on joint, and the fingerboard is also maple. The combination gives the instrument a clear visual identity, though the listed information does not specify the finish type, neck profile, or neck dimensions beyond the nut width.

The fingerboard has a compound radius that transitions from 9.5 inches to 12 inches, or approximately 241.3 to 304.8 mm. That describes a fingerboard that becomes flatter toward the body end. The listing provides the measurements but does not establish how that geometry will feel to a particular player. The nut is 42 mm wide, or 1.650 inches, and is made from Graph Tech TUSQ.

There are 22 medium jumbo stainless steel frets. The material and fret size are useful details for comparing this model with guitars that use other fret materials or dimensions. The supplied specifications do not state fretboard edge treatment, fret finish quality, or setup measurements, so those points cannot be assessed from the listing.

Pickups and Controls

The pickup configuration is one Reflectone HT7b single-coil pickup at the bridge and one Reflectone EH7n humbucker at the neck. The combination provides two distinct pickup designs in one instrument, but the available information does not include output readings, magnet type, or frequency response. Those omissions make it impossible to draw reliable conclusions about relative loudness or tonal character from the names alone.

Controls consist of a master volume with a high-pass capacitor, a master tone control with a push-pull focus switch for the single-coil pickup, and a three-way pickup selector. The specifications identify the switching functions, but do not explain the precise wiring in each selector position or the effect of the focus switch. Buyers who need a particular control layout should confirm those details with Yamaha or a retailer before ordering.

The pickguard is three-ply parchment. Together with the Black Metallic finish, it adds a contrasting component to the exterior, though the listing does not provide photographs or describe the exact shade of either part.

Bridge, Tuning Hardware, and Scale

The guitar has a 648 mm scale, equivalent to 25.5 inches. Its Gotoh BC-TS1S bridge is finished in chrome and uses compensated three-brass saddles. The listed bridge type is not a tremolo system, and the general specification explicitly states that there is no tremolo. Players looking for a vibrato arm or a floating bridge should treat that as a clear distinction when comparing models.

Gotoh locking machine heads are fitted. Locking tuners use a locking mechanism at the string post, but the product information does not make a specific claim about tuning stability or how quickly string changes can be completed. The supplied strings are D'Addario XL-110 in.010 to.046 gauge. These are the only string details provided, and the listing does not say whether the guitar ships with a particular tuning.

Included Items and Buying Considerations

A hard-shell case is included, while a separate gig bag is not. The sales unit is one guitar, and the item number is 634960. These practical details matter for confirming exactly what is part of the purchase. The product data does not provide the guitar's weight, country of manufacture, included accessories beyond the case, or warranty terms.

On paper, the Pacifica SC P11SM BM is defined by its mixed pickup layout, maple construction for the neck and fingerboard, compound-radius fingerboard, stainless steel frets, and non-tremolo bridge. The $1,975 price places importance on checking the complete specification and verifying any unanswered questions before purchase. Because no customer feedback is available, there is no basis here for claims about comfort, sound quality, reliability, or setup consistency. The most dependable assessment is the one the published details support: this is a Black Metallic, 22-fret, fixed-bridge electric guitar supplied with a hard-shell case.

Yamaha Pacifica SC P11SM BM, front view
8.2/ 10 overall score
$1,975current price at the retailer
Check today's price price and delivery time at the retailer

Shipping and duties

The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.

Scores by area

Where it shines, where it stumbles

What convinced me

  • Versatile pickup layout pairs a bridge single-coil pickup with a neck humbucker.
  • Locking tuners, a Graph Tech TUSQ nut, and stainless steel frets are included.
  • A hardshell case is included.

What bugged me

  • The fixed bridge offers no tremolo effect.
  • The price may be difficult to justify for players who do not need its premium hardware or pickup options.

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

A good fit for players who want both a bridge single-coil pickup and a neck humbucker, plus a push-pull focus switch. Also suited to buyers who value stainless steel frets, locking tuners, and an included hardshell case.

Look elsewhere if

Not ideal for players who require a tremolo bridge. The listed price may not suit buyers looking for a more affordable guitar or a simpler specification.
RockFunkBluesPop

Suggested level: Intermediate

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Specifications

Color
Black Metallic
Pickups
SH
Fretboard
Maple
Tremolo
None
Body
Alder
Top
None
Neck
Maple
Frets
22
Scale
648 mm
Including case
Yes
Incl. bag
No

Up close

Yamaha Pacifica SC P11SM BM, detail 2Yamaha Pacifica SC P11SM BM, detail 3Yamaha Pacifica SC P11SM BM, detail 4Yamaha Pacifica SC P11SM BM, detail 5

Watch and listen

Watch the video demo on YouTube →

Before you decide

Questions players ask

Does the Yamaha Pacifica SC P11SM BM have a tremolo?

No. It has a fixed Gotoh bridge with three compensated brass saddles.

What pickups does this guitar have?

It has a Reflectone HT7b single-coil pickup at the bridge and a Reflectone EH7n humbucker at the neck.

Can the guitar produce a single-coil sound from the neck pickup?

The master tone control has a push-pull focus switch for single-coil operation. The listed specifications do not describe its effect in more detail.

Is a case included?

Yes. A hardshell case is included; a separate gig bag is not listed.

What are the scale length and fret count?

The scale length is 648 mm, or 25.5 inches, and the guitar has 22 medium-jumbo stainless steel frets.

The last word from the bench

The Pacifica SC P11SM BM offers a useful contrast between its bridge single-coil pickup and neck humbucker, with a push-pull focus switch adding another single-coil option. Its compound-radius maple fingerboard, stainless steel frets, locking tuners, and included hardshell case make for a well-appointed package on paper. There is no tremolo, and the listed price is substantial. Consider it if these specifications match your needs and budget.

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Yamaha Pacifica SC P11SM BM

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