Reddit reviews Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112J Electric Guitar; Old Violin Sunburst

Hey guys, newbie here. After reading up on it I decided to get a used Yamaha Pacifica. However, I couldn't find any used 112J/112Vs in my local Guitar Center, only the entry level PAC012. I'm not too comfortable with buying used without trying the guitar hands-on, so my options right now are this:

• ~$100. Used PAC012 at local Guitar Center (played it, think it's in good condition though I don't really know what to look for)
  
• ~$200. New 112J from Amazon. I would get it from Guitar Center or the likes, but Amazon is the only seller I've found that sells the Old Violin Sunburst finish, which I like the most.
  
• ~$300. New 112V, from anywhere.
  
  I'm a broke college student, so I'd like to get the best bang for my buck. Does the upgrade from PAC012 to 112J justify a $100 increase? Or the upgrade from 112J to 112V another $100? I think I'll be getting a Roland Microcube to go with it, and play it through my headphones with a 1/4" to 3.5mm adapter.
  
  Any help would be appreciated. Thanks :)

You may want to wait for Black Friday deals if they will be available for you in Canada.

If it were someone I was buying a Strat-style for, and I was buying now, I'd spend a little more:

Guitar:

Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112J Electric Guitar; Old Violin Sunburst for $199 - Definitely better than the comparably priced Squiers - Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlVyMoR1ck0&ab_channel=Gear4music

OR

Yamaha Pacifica Series PAC112V Electric Guitar; Old Violin Sunburst for $299 - Upgraded construction, materials, hardware and electronics - Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5rwlPfMjs4&ab_channel=DawsonsMusic -

Discussion of differences between Pacifica models: http://www.guitaradventures.com/yamaha-pacifica-review

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Amplifier:

Fender Mustang LT-25 - Digital Amplifier for $150 - A good, simple, versatile practice amp with digital effects - Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Peuxg2To42A&ab_channel=DawsonsMusic

OR

Fender Champion 40 - Amplifier for $200 - A good, simple, versatile 1x12 40 watt practice amp with effects - Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KafkKR5L_Gs&ab_channel=PMTVUK

OR

Boss Katana 50 mkII - Amplifier for $230- An excellent, impressively versatile, great sounding 1x12 50 watt practice amp with an amazing array of Boss effects built in - Review/Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hGl1ZeGBQA&t=8s&ab_channel=JustinGuitar

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By the way, do yourself a favor and visit justinguitar.com, the website site of Justin Sandercoe the guy doing the Boss Katana review. He has literally hundreds and hundreds of absolutely free guitar lessons that range from complete beginner through advanced guitar subjects. Plus, he's one of the nicest, most accessible teachers you'll ever come across.

I started with this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-Pacifica-PAC112J-Electric-Sunburst/dp/B001CC3Q74

It is the exact same amount as that used guitar you are looking at. :)

It is a great beginners guitar.

I still use it. Really flexible because of the pickup configuration. You won't believe this but the actual guitar isn't really that important after you get some basic quality issues settled. The yamaha's tend to have really good QC for cheap guitars. The only danger with that used one is whether it has developed any issues or not.
Good luck with it!

I've got some experience with an acoustic, I'm looking to move up to electric now. No need to worry about amps, pedals, or anything like that. I have a plan. The main thing I need to worry about, obviously, is what guitar to get. I'm on a tight budget (up to $200, but you can try to convince me to $250). I'm only looking for a simple, entry-level guitar, nothing that requires the mother-of-all-amps or a studio to sound good (I'm a budget college kid :P)

The two I'm considering are the Yamaha Pacifica or the Les Paul Special-II (any other ideas for LPs?). I do want to be able to play a mix of both pop/funk and also classic rock/heavy rock, so I need something with a decent enough pickup set.

Looking at these two models in particular, I've found this:
[For the Yamaha.] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001CC3Q74/sr=8-1/qid=1496817722/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=&qid=1496817722&sr=8-1) No clue what those numbers and letters in the "Style" menu mean... help pls?

...and this, for the Special II Also a bundle option there. Like I said, don't need amps, but still, if my original plan doesn't work, tell me if that pack would be any good.

So yeah, that's more or less where I'm at. Ideas? Suggestions? Anything in particular I should look for? As I said, I have NO CLUE what many of these 112V or J or whatever tags are supposed to mean, so uh... given what I was looking for, maybe you all could help fill me in? As I said for anything on the instrument that depends on amps, pedals, etc., don't worry, that's covered.

EDIT: Formatting derps.

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

New 112J from Amazon.

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^^i'm ^^a ^^friendly bot