There are 3 distinct ranges in the 900 series each with models within the range having some variations:
The 904 range comprises the 904 the 904M the 904SF and The 904MSF
Then there is the 912, 921 and the 921M
The J range is the 912J and the 912JM
All the 904s are Made in Japan, The other models less certain. Some of all the other models are definitely Made in Taiwan,
but there are lots of Made in Japan claims so perhaps they are made in both countries as with several other models.
Although there are 4 models catalogued they are really one guitar with slightly different attributes.
They are catalogued as 904 904M 904SF and 904MSF. The M is Maple instead of Rosewood board and I now know thanks to a
correspondent from Japan named Mongoose that the SF means special finish. More from Mongoose later.
The only model that appears in the Western catalogues that I can find is the 904 and I can't find that the Maple
option was available in the west, although I don't have all the relevant catalogues. So it appears that the M SF and MSF
were domestic models only
The archives have these as launched in 1994 at ¥138000 for the 904 and M and ¥148000 for the SFs These prices
stayed consistent for the duration of their production as did the colours
Specifications
Body Alder with a Light Ash Top and Gloss finish see below for SF models
Neck Warmoth Maple Satin Finish
Fretboard Rosewood or Maple 22 medium frets compound radius 240mm to 400mm
Headstock Plain Pacifica Yamaha old logo Tuning Fork logo with Warmoth Logo on the back
Tuners Locking Sperzel Trim Locks
Pickups 4 white single coil Alnico V two at bridge act as Humbucker and have black surround
Controls White 1 Volume 1 Tone doubles as push push coil tap 5 way switch
Nut 41mms non locking
Hardware Nickle Satin finish
Bridge Satin Nickle Yamaha Vintage style steel fulcrum
Pickguard White laminated
Colours Faded Blue, Faded Burst, Old Violin Sunburst or Natural Finish available on SF models
Years available 1994 to 2007
Some text from emails sent by Mongoose
"SF" probably stands for "special finish", a natural type finish.
As a source of information, I will provide the original text and machine translation of the text about special finishes
from the 1996 Yamaha catalog.
[machine translation]
The 904SF/904MSF features a Special Finish (NF) made from a special synthetic paint created using Yamaha's proprietary
painting technology.
Its thinness and hardness combine to maximize the resonance of the body, resulting in excellent acoustic characteristics.
It also has outstanding durability against environmental changes such as humidity and temperature.
The beautiful wood grain will develop a tasteful appearance over the years.
Although I couldn't find a source, "SF" is said to be a finish that uses painting techniques used on brass instruments.
I suspect that if they are using painting techniques from brass instruments, they may be using acrylic lacquer paint.
Thank you Mongoose
The 912 and 921 have some different specs in addition to the pickup configuration obviously the M is just a Maple board
| 912 | 921 | |
| Body | Swamp Ash Gloss Finish Bi-Axial body bevel | As 912 |
| Neck | Maple with Total Access joint | As 912 |
| Board | Rosewood 22 medium frets compound radius 240mm to 400mms | Rosewood or Maple 22 large Dunlop 6100 frets compound radius as 912 |
| Headstock | Plain with Pacifica 912 Yamaha old logo and Tuning Fork Logo | Plain with Pacifica 921 Yamaha Old logo and tuning fork logo with a single string bar |
| Tuners | Staggered Locking | As 912 |
| Pickups | USA made DiMarzio Single coils white humbucker black SSH | As 912 but HSH |
| Controls | White 1 volume 1 tone 5 way switch incorporating coil tap | As 912 |
| Nut | 43mm non locking | 43mm locking and height adjustable |
| Hardware | Chrome | As 912 |
| Bridge | Vintage Pro ii | Rockin Magic Pro ii |
| Pickguard | White Laminated | As 912 |
| Colours | Crimson Red, Metallic Gold, Pacific Blue or White | Black Pearl, Pearl White, Deep Blue Metallic or Crimson Red |
| Years Available | 1989 to 1991 | 1989 to 1995 |
DiMarzio Pickups
Thiery Vercammen who has helped with information before wrote to DiMarzio to find out exactly what these pickups are
here is their reply. Thanks Thiery
We designed and manufactured the original pickups for Yamaha. The bridge pickup is identical in performance to an F-spaced
PAF Pro (DP151F). The only difference was the polepieces, which had a slightly different head.
Obviously the same guitar just a Maple board option. The 912J replaced the 912 in 1992 and was based on the 912
but with some specification changes.
The nut is now a Locking and height adjustable type
A single string bar has been added to the headstock
The standard bridge has been replaced the early models having a RM pro ii and the later ones an RM pro iii
The colours are Black, Faded Burst, Trans Blue or Crimson Red
Otherwise as the 912
