Yamaha Pacifica 311 H Black Electric guitar

Yamaha Pacifica 311 H BK — Strat-Style H/P90 Workhorse

The Yamaha Pacifica 311 H BK is a polished black ST-style guitar that trades the usual triple-single-coil setup for a P-90 in the neck and a humbucker at the bridge. Built with a lightweight alder body, bolt-on maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard, this model serves players needing one instrument to handle blues, rock, indie, and country styles. The 311 H BK has been in the Yamaha lineup since September 2011, remaining a favorite among stage and studio musicians.

What Sets This Guitar Apart

Two elements make this model distinct within its class. The P-90 neck pickup with a bridge humbucker and push-pull coil-split provides three unique voices: punchy bridge crunch, clear P-90 cleans, and sparkling single-coil tones via the split. String changes are fast and tuning is stable, thanks to Grover locking machine heads and a black TUSQ-XL nut—features rarely found at this price point.

Body Construction and Tonewoods

Alder, maple, and rosewood are chosen for their specific tonal qualities. The alder body supplies a balanced frequency range, while the maple neck brings definition. A rosewood fingerboard offers a touch of warmth and comfort.

• Body Material: Alder — lightweight and resonant, with balanced response for clean and driven tones
• Maple used in the bolt-on neck contributes to the instrument's clarity and attack for lead playing.
• Fretboard Material: Rosewood (Dalbergia Latifolia) — warmer feel under the fingers than maple

Neck Dimensions and Playability

A 648 mm scale length delivers classic ST-style tension, while 22 medium frets and a roughly 350 mm fingerboard radius strike a balance between smooth chords and easy bending up the neck. Even beginners will find the neck profile welcoming, yet it satisfies advanced players too.

• Scale Length: 648 mm — standard ST-style tension that works for most genres
• Fingerboard radius near 350 mm (13.75") ensures both comfort and technical versatility for various playing styles.
• Frets: 22 medium — enough range for lead lines without cramping the upper register

Hardware and Electronics

Grover locking machine heads and a TUSQ-XL nut help maintain tuning under aggressive bends. H/P90 pickup configuration with push-pull coil-split on the tone knob provides a broad tonal palette via simple controls: master volume, tone (with coil-split), and a 3-way selector.

• Pickup Configuration: H/P90 — P-90 neck single-coil plus bridge humbucker with coil-split
• With a self-lubricating Black TUSQ-XL nut, players notice less string binding and more reliable tuning throughout long sessions.
• Machine Heads: Grover locking — fast string changes and reliable tuning stability
• Bridge: Hardtail — no tremolo, maximum sustain and tuning stability

Who Should Play the 311 H BK

This guitar is ideal for intermediate and advanced players wanting one instrument to cover blues, classic rock, indie, country, and lighter hard rock. Coil-split P-90/humbucker electronics suit musicians who shift between warm neck sounds and brighter, assertive bridge tones within a single set. The slim neck, satin finish, and 350 mm radius appeal to beginners, while pro-grade hardware grows with your skill.

The Yamaha Pacifica Line

The Pacifica series has earned worldwide respect since its introduction. Ongoing production of the 311 H BK since 2011 highlights the enduring appeal of its alder, maple, and rosewood construction, flexible electronics, and reliable Grover hardware. Consistent Yamaha build quality ensures most units are ready to play right out of the box.