Yamaha FG800 6-String Acoustic Guitar
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Gearank Recommendation
The FG800 has had an excellent showing in the rankings appearing on our recommended list for Acoustic Guitars Under $200 from January 2018 until August 2021 when a price increase moved it onto our list for Acoustic Guitars Under $300 where it remained until March 2022.
We also had it on our recommended list for Beginner Acoustic Guitars from August 2019 until July 2021.
Overview
Yamaha's ability to mass produce and release affordable guitars with good quality is really impressive, to the point that its almost unfair for their competition.
The FG800 is another great example of why Yamaha continues to be a top guitar brand for students, with its solid top construction, beginner-friendly playability and student-friendly budget.
It's as close to a traditional dreadnought as you can get, complete with a solid spruce top which is not usually found in this price range. Solid spruce top guitars generally sound better than laminate top ones, they are also louder and have better frequency representation.
Yamaha also implemented scalloped bracing for this model which ups the sonic quality even more as this feature allows the top to vibrate more without compromising structural integrity.
The neck doesn't stray too far off from traditional specifications, the end result being a classic looking and familiar playing instrument that many appreciate.
The quality of the strings that it came with caused a few users to slightly lower their ratings - we recommend these light gauge strings.
Thanks to the Yamaha FG800, beginners and the budget conscious can now own a good quality solid-top dreadnought at a very affordable price.
Specifications
- String Type: Steel String
- Body Shape: Dreadnought
- Top: Solid Spruce
- Body: Nato Back & Okoume sides
- Finish: Natural
- Bridge: Walnut
- Neck: Nato
- Fingerboard: Walnut
- Fingerboard Radius: 15.75"
- Number of Frets: 20
- Frets to Body: 14
- Neck Profile: Slim Tapered
- Scale Length: 25 9/16”
- Nut Width: 1.6875"
Demo
About the Author
Alexander Briones
I have been writing about and researching music gear for many years, all while serving as a music director at my local church. I engage in guitar playing and singer-songwriter stints, in addition to mentoring young musicians and teaching guitar and bass.
Comments
does this guitar sound better
Submitted by dee (not verified) on
Does this guitar sound better for folk music or for solo with rich tone?
Given its traditional
Submitted by Alexander Briones on
Given its traditional dreadnought shape with solid spruce top, the Yamaha FG800 has the familiar crisp yet boomy acoustic tone that works well with many musical styles, especially folk music.
It will also work nicely for solo performances, be it instrumental or for self-accompaniment. In fact many big-name solo artists use dreadnoughts when they perform.