Yamaha FGX800C Acoustic-Electric Guitar

94
GEARANK

94 out of 100. Incorporating 375+ ratings and reviews.

Street Price: 

$360
Yamaha FGX800C - Natural

Gearank High Notes

Yamaha FGX800C: Highest Rated Acoustic-Electric Guitar Under $500 - 2022.08

Gearank Recommended

The FGX800C first appeared on our recommended list for Acoustic-Electric Guitars Under $300 in August 2018 and it still ranks high enough to remain on the list today, however the price has gone up and it's now on the Under $500 list.

And since March 2022 we've also had it on our list for Acoustic-Electric Guitars for Beginners.

Overview

Cons

  • Too big for younger players
  • Lacks low-end
  • Plastic nut and saddle

Pros

  • Budget-friendly solid spruce top
  • Good projection and top-end clarity
  • Good build quality
  • Student-friendly playability

Yamaha is well known for the quality of their mass produced and affordable Acoustic and Electric Guitars. They continue to be the brand of choice for students and even for teachers.

The Yamaha FGX800C is a quality guitar that can grow with you as you develop your playing and start performing on stage. It was tasked to represent brand in the sub $300 price range (until the price went up in February 2020), and judging from reviews, it is doing very well in the market.

While it is priced slightly above the $300 mark, it is still a good value starter guitar. For the price, you're getting a Yamaha quality pickup-equipped solid top guitar.

The response of the solid spruce top will get better as the wood 'opens up') with age. It has scalloped bracings, which lets the top resonate better without compromising structural integrity.

It has a dreadnought-cutaway body, with easier access to higher frets. Tone is as good as you'd expect of a good solid top dreadnought. It has loud projection, full-sounding lows, and crisp highs. Chords ring well and sustain nicely, and it will sound better as the solid top ages.

There is an over-emphasis on attack, which can result in a scratchy tone. Being a full-size dreadnought, it is quite big for kids.

It has built-in electronics that make it viable for stage use, with a 3-band EQ control and a tuner. This makes it great for recitals and for other performances. Its nato neck and fretboard also follow conventional specs for familiar playability, built to Yamaha's high-quality standards.

Everything about this guitar is conventional, from its familiar dreadnought cut-away shape to its comfortable neck and string action.

But what makes this guitar a bit more special is the use of solid spruce with scalloped bracing for the top, which ups the value of the instrument.

Specifications

  • Body Shape: Dreadnought with Cut-away
  • Top: Solid Spruce
  • Body: Nato/Okume Back & Sides
  • Finish: Natural, Black, Sand Burst
  • Bridge: Rosewood
  • Neck: Nato
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood
  • Number of Frets: 17"
  • Scale Length: 25.5"
  • Nut Width: 1.675"
  • Electronics: Yamaha System 66 Electronics

Rating Source Highlight

Website Source *Rating Value
YouTube The Underemployed Guitar Guys 94/100
*Displayed values are prior to the Gearank Algorithm's adjustments it makes when evaluating the source.

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