Who These Guitars Are For
Let’s break it down simply: both the Yamaha FS800 and FG800 are solid choices for beginners and intermediate players. If you’re just getting started, both guitars offer something rare at this price point reliability. No sharp frets, no warped necks, no plastic feel. And for intermediate players looking for a solid backup or a mainstay for everyday practice, these models punch well above their price tag.
Budget conscious doesn’t mean bottom tier. The FS800 and FG800 offer real tone and structural quality without forcing you to eat instant noodles for a month. Yamaha kept the flashy extras to a minimum and focused on core fundamentals: clean build, good tonewoods, and playability.
The FS800 uses a concert sized body with a shorter scale length, ideal for smaller hands or players who want a bit less string tension. It’s also lighter easy on your back and your fingers. The FG800 sports a full size dreadnought body and standard scale length. That means more volume, deeper low end, and more space to drive strummed chords if that’s your thing.
To sum it up: FS800 = compact control. FG800 = booming power. If you’re new, go with what feels comfortable. If you’re leveling up, pick the one that fits your style. Either way, you’re not making a bad call here.
Body Size and Comfort
This is where the FS800 and FG800 split paths literally in size and feel. The FS800 is a concert size acoustic, meaning it’s smaller, slimmer, and lightweight. It sits comfortably in your lap, especially if you’re on the shorter side or prefer a more tucked in playing position. This makes it ideal for beginners, younger players, or anyone who plans to practice for hours without shoulder fatigue.
On the other side, the FG800 is a full sized dreadnought. It packs a bolder presence physically and sonically. That larger body means more resonance and volume, but also a bulkier feel. If you’re chasing big strums and stage filling sound, the FG800 holds its weight and then some.
So, it boils down to this: FS800 is for those who want comfort over projection. FG800 is for those who want power, even if it means more guitar to handle. Neither is wrong. Just a question of fit literally and musically.
Tonewood & Build Quality
Let’s talk wood. Both the Yamaha FS800 and FG800 come with solid spruce tops and that’s a big deal. A solid top, as opposed to laminated, resonates more with time. It opens up. Which means the more you play, the better it sounds. This matters especially in the budget range, where a lot of entry level guitars cut corners here. Yamaha didn’t.
The back and sides? Nato or Okoume. Both are cost efficient alternatives to mahogany, and while they don’t offer quite the same warmth, they still provide solid projection with decent resonance. For players looking to save without completely sacrificing tone, this combo does the job well.
Then there’s the scalloped bracing a hidden feature that shapes the sound in a major way. Yamaha essentially trims the internal support braces to let the top move more freely, increasing volume and dynamic range. You get better low end and an overall more expressive guitar. In short: it punches above its price class.
Tone and Sound Profile
The FS800 and FG800 may sit in the same price range, but their voices speak with very different accents. The FS800 leans bright and focused, thanks to its smaller concert body. Mids come through crisp and clear, perfect for fingerpicking or melodic lead work. It’s articulate without being sterile especially in smaller rooms or close miking situations where that mid range detail really pops.
The FG800, on the other hand, is built for presence. With its dreadnought body, it throws a wider, deeper low end, giving chords more weight and rumble. It’s a strummer’s guitar ideal for open chords and full on acoustic jams. Louder, yes, but also richer when recorded with room mics or in more open spaces. You feel the thump of the bass and the fullness across a mix, where the FS800 might get a bit lost.
In untreated bedrooms, the FS800’s clarity helps it cut through without muddying up. In larger settings, the FG800 fills the room better, especially for performers who need unplugged oomph. When mic’d properly, both hold their own, but your style and space should guide the call.
Pick a sound, not just a shape.
Playability and Neck Feel
One of the biggest differences between the FS800 and FG800 comes down to neck profile and how they feel during longer playing sessions. The FS800 has a slimmer, narrower neck a big win for players with smaller hands or those who prefer fast, lighter runs along the fretboard. Think beginner with shorter fingers, or intermediate fingerstyle players looking for comfort over bulk.
On the other hand, the FG800 packs a thicker neck with a bit more resistance. It favors players with a stronger grip who want that dreadnought feel and volume. This isn’t about hand size alone it’s also about playing style. Strummers get more out of the FG800’s design, which holds tension better under heavy, open chord work.
Out of the box, both guitars come with Yamaha’s standard factory setup. That means relatively low action, decent fretwork, and minimal buzz. It’s playable on day one, though a simple setup tweak (like truss rod adjustment or saddle sanding) can make it feel tailor fit. Frets are dressed well, edges are clean nothing fancy, but nothing frustrating either.
For the price, both guitars deliver solid playability, but the neck shape could be your deciding factor. Slim and agile? FS800. Bold and firm? FG800.
Value for the Price
Both the Yamaha FS800 and FG800 punch way above their price tags. For under $250, you’re getting a solid spruce top a feature usually reserved for models well north of this range. That’s the kicker: these aren’t just entry level guitars, they’re starter gear that doesn’t sound cheap. FS800 leans toward clarity, while FG800 gives you more low end punch, but both deliver more tone than the price should allow.
Durability wise, Yamaha didn’t cut corners. The build quality holds up with regular use, thanks to tight craftsmanship and that tried and true scalloped bracing inside. You can gig with these or just hammer through months of practice without running into neck warps or bridge lifts. Sure, the laminate back and sides mean they won’t age like high end tonewoods but they also won’t crack as easily if you forget them in a cold trunk overnight.
Over the long haul, the FG800 tends to wear in slightly better for heavy strummers. Gigging players might lean that way. The FS800 holds its own for finesse playing and fingerstyle, especially after you replace the factory strings and tweak the setup. Bottom line: both will survive years of honest use without caving in, and you’d have to pay a lot more to get a noticeable upgrade in tone or structure.
Which One Should You Choose?
When it comes down to picking between the Yamaha FS800 and FG800, it’s not a matter of one being better just different guitars for different players.
If you’re on the smaller side, play sitting down, or favor fingerstyle over strumming, the FS800’s concert body and slimmer neck are going to feel like a better fit. It’s lighter, more portable, and won’t wear you out after long sessions. Folk, fingerstyle, and soft rock players will feel right at home.
If you’re tall, have big hands, or like to strum with power, the FG800 pulls ahead. Its larger dreadnought body cranks out volume and low end warmth that works well in group settings or solo acoustic gigs. It thrives in genres like country, rock, and bluegrass where projection counts.
For travel friendly needs, the FS800 wins. For raw sound and stage presence, go FG800.
There’s no real wrong call here just pick based on how and where you play. Both deliver solid craftsmanship and sound for the price. You won’t outgrow either quickly.
Want More Gear Breakdowns?
You’ve picked your guitar nicely done. But gear doesn’t stop at six strings. Whether you’re chasing better tone, cleaner recordings, or just looking to upgrade your setup for the long haul, it pays to know what works in the real world. We’ve put pedals, mics, interfaces, practice amps, and even strings through their paces so you don’t have to guess.
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