yamaha fs800 vs yamaha fg800 acoustic guitar specs
Specs Overview—Where They’re Alike
Both are entrylevel to midlevel guitars, built for durability and value:
Top: Solid Sitka spruce—rare at this price; key for dynamic range and rich tone as the guitar ages. Back/sides: Laminated Nato or Okoume for structure and warmth. Neck: Nato/Okoume, comfortable satin finish. Fretboard/bridge: Rosewood or Walnut. Tuners: Diecast Chrome. Bracing: Yamaha’s “scalloped” Xbracing for increased resonance and stability. Finish: Natural or available burst—simple, no inlays except soundhole rosette.
When comparing yamaha fs800 vs yamaha fg800 acoustic guitar specs, construction quality is essentially identical.
Where the Difference Starts—Body Shape and Size
FG800: Standard Dreadnought
Shape: Dreadnought—classic, broadshouldered, loud. Scale length: 25.6″ (650 mm) Body dimensions: Larger and deeper—ideal for projection, volume, and power. Tone: Balanced but fuller lows and mids, projects well in group settings. Good for: Strummers, those who want classic acoustic voice, biggerbodied comfort. Playability: Suits medium/large hands; sitting or standing comfort.
FS800: Concert/Grand Auditorium
Shape: Smallbody “concert”—more slender, slightly shorter. Scale length: 25″ (634 mm) Body dimensions: Slimmer waist, shallower depth—lighter, easier for long practice or smallframed players. Tone: Focused mids, clearer trebles, less boom. Quick note “attack.” Good for: Light strumming, fingerstyle, players with smaller hands/frames/kids. Playability: Narrower body hugs the torso, easier for sitting, beginners, or those playing long sets.
Key Yamaha FS800 vs Yamaha FG800 Acoustic Guitar Specs
| Feature | FG800 (Dreadnought) | FS800 (Concert) | |||| | Body Width | 16.25″ | 15.0″ | | Body Depth | 3.94″–4.65″ | 3.94″–4.06″ | | Scale Length | 25.6″ (650mm) | 25″ (634mm) | | Nut Width | 43mm | 43mm | | Upper Bout | 11.81″ (approx.) | 11.5″ (approx.) | | Weight | Slightly heavier | Lighter |
Sound Comparison
FG800: Bigger bass, rounder lows. More projection; preferred for rock, country, or powerful strumming.
FS800: Crisper, balanced sound. Punchier mids/highs; shines with careful picking, singersongwriters, and solo settings.
Which Model Is Best for You?
Choose the FG800 If: Most of your discipline is spent strumming and singing along. You prefer a “boomier,” traditional acoustic sound. You have averagetolarge hands or want maximum volume in group play. You just want classic, robust, unadorned power—gig backup or couch jams.
Choose the FS800 If: You’re a fingerstyle player or want clarity for chord work and melody runs. You’re smallerframed, younger, or value lightness for long routines. You prefer light, disciplined play—precise patterns, solo, or recording.
For beginners: FS800 often wins for comfort, FG800 for presence.
Additional Considerations
Both are excellent for outdoor, travel, or songwriting discipline—tough, easy to maintain, and affordable. No electronics on base models—add later or upgrade to cutaway FSX/FGX lines if you need amplification. Consistent tuning, solid necks, and forgiving setup out of the box.
Price and Value
Both retail $199–$229 at most shops, sometimes bundled with basic cases, straps, and picks. The veneration among teachers and working guitarists comes from reliability—a guitar you can own for decades, outlast trends, and pass to learners.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between the Yamaha FS800 and the FG800 isn’t about better or worse; it’s about focus. If you’re a disciplined strummer, the FG800’s dreadnought boom will satisfy all group and solo needs. If your playing is intimate, precise, or physically minimized, the FS800’s concert body delivers clarity and comfort—a structure that rewards routine and finesse. The specs are clear; the value, proven. Whichever you choose, these models define what an entrylevel acoustic can be: dependable, affordable, and endlessly rewarding for those who practice. Stick to your needs, check your specs, and let discipline—not impulse—guide your pick.