Yamaha FG800: Top Budget Acoustic for Newbies?

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Yamaha FG800 dreadnought acoustic guitar has earned a reputation as one of the best budget acoustics for beginners and intermediate players alike. With its classic dreadnought body shape made from solid spruce and mahogany, this affordable workhorse delivers the full, balanced tone expected from more expensive guitars. Though it has a budget-friendly price tag under $300, the FG800 doesn’t compromise on playability or construction quality.

For new players looking to buy their first serious acoustic, or experienced guitarists seeking a high-value beater guitar, the FG800 represents an almost unbeatable combination of quality and affordability. This in-depth review covers everything potential buyers need to know, from the FG800’s key specs and features to how it stacks up against close competitors. While there are always tradeoffs when seeking out an inexpensive instrument, we’ll examine whether this Yamaha rises above other guitars in the sub-$300 price range to truly earn the title of "best budget acoustic." Keep reading to see how the Yamaha FG800 balances cost, construction and classic dreadnought tone to become a top choice for acoustic guitarists on a budget.

Yamaha FG800 Overview and Key Features

The Yamaha FG800 features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a dreadnought body shape. This combination of woods and body style produces a balanced, warm tone with good projection that punches above other acoustics in its class.

Some key features that make the FG800 stand out include:

Solid spruce top – The solid spruce top is rare for a guitar at this price point. It allows the top to vibrate and resonate freely, resulting in better volume and clarity. Laminate tops can sound dull in comparison.
Mahogany back and sides – Mahogany adds warmth and sweetness to the FG800’s tone. The mahogany construction also increases mid-range presence.
Dreadnought body – The larger dreadnought shape produces a loud, deep bass output. It’s the most popular acoustic body style for a reason – the full sound works well for all styles of playing.
Scalloped bracing – Scalloped bracing carves away wood from the underside of the top. This allows it to vibrate more freely. Most budget acoustics don’t have this feature.
High-quality matte finish – The FG800 comes in a nice looking vintage matte finish. The open-pore finish doesn’t restrict vibration like a thick gloss finish would.

The Yamaha FG800’s design focuses on the fundamentals – great materials, solid construction, and a timeless body style that delivers an impressive sound for a fraction of the cost of other all-solid wood acoustics.

Sound Quality

The Yamaha FG800 delivers impressive sound quality for a budget-priced acoustic guitar. The solid spruce top helps produce a balanced and articulate tone, with crisp highs and warm lows. The mahogany back and sides add mid-range punch and sweetness to the sound.

The combination of tonewoods creates a nicely balanced tone across the tonal spectrum. The low end is present without being boomy or overpowering. The mids have pleasing warmth and body. The highs come through with clarity and definition but avoid harshness. The guitar projects well for its size too, easily filling a room or cutting through a mix.

The FG800’s intonation is quite accurate up the neck. Chords sound in tune across multiple fret positions. The guitar holds its tuning well during playing sessions too. This tuning stability allows you to confidently play up and down the fretboard knowing the guitar will stay in tune.

Overall the FG800 delivers a quality acoustic sound and performance that rivals more expensive instruments. The solid spruce top in particular helps it punch above its price point. The tonewoods and construction allow this budget guitar to produce balanced and nuanced acoustic tones.

Playability

The Yamaha FG800 features fast, comfortable playability right out of the box, making it ideal for beginner players. The action on the FG800 is set low and even, with very little fret buzz. This allows easy fretting without excessive finger pressure. The neck has a slim taper "C" profile that fits nicely in smaller hands. The fretboard edges are smoothly rolled for added comfort.

During longer practice or jam sessions, the FG800 remains comfortable to hold and play. The body contours and lighter weight help prevent shoulder, back, and neck strain. The wider 1.75" nut width provides enough room for beginners to learn proper technique and fingering. Overall, the FG800 rates high for comfort and ease of playing for the beginner demographic. More advanced players may desire a fuller neck profile or lower action setup, but the FG800 still plays smoothly.

Yamaha FG Series Background

The Yamaha FG series has a long history of being one of the most popular and respected beginner acoustic guitar lines. First introduced in the 1960s, the FG series aimed to bring affordable yet quality acoustic guitars to the masses.

Over the decades, Yamaha has continued to refine and improve the FG line, cementing its reputation for being excellent entry-level acoustic guitars. While keeping costs down, Yamaha doesn’t cut corners in build quality or tone.

The FG line includes a range of models at different price points. The FG800 sits on the lower end, while the FG830 and FS800 offer some upgraded features for players willing to spend a bit more. Higher end FG models even start incorporating solid tonewoods rather than laminates.

But the heart of the line remains the same – great sounding, easy playing, budget-friendly acoustic guitars. The Yamaha FG800 exemplifies these core qualities, making it a fantastic first guitar for beginners.

FG800 vs FG800J: What’s the Difference?

The Yamaha FG800 and FG800J are essentially the same guitar, with a few key differences:

Construction

The FG800 is made in China, while the FG800J is made in Indonesia. Both use solid spruce tops, but the FG800 has mahogany back and sides, while the FG800J has nato back and sides. Nato is tonally similar to mahogany but is a less expensive wood.
The hardware and fittings may also vary slightly between the two models. The FG800J tends to use cheaper tuners and bridge pins.
The bracing patterns are also different, with the FG800 using scalloped bracing for better resonance, while the FG800J has standard X-bracing.

Pricing

The Yamaha FG800 typically retails for around $200-250 USD.
The FG800J is priced lower, usually around $150-200 USD.
The FG800J represents a more budget-friendly option, but some guitarists feel the all-mahogany FG800 is worth the extra cost for better resonance and tone.

So in summary, the FG800J cuts some corners on materials and construction to reach a lower price point, while the FG800 aims for maximum quality and tone in this affordable price range. The choice comes down to your budget and priorities as a beginner guitarist.

Full Specs

The Yamaha FG800 has the following specs:

Body

Body depth: 114mm
Body width: 412mm
Body length: 508mm
Total length: 1040mm

The FG800 features a standard dreadnought acoustic guitar body shape with a solid Sitka spruce top, Nato/Okoume back and sides, and rosewood fingerboard and bridge.

Neck

Scale length: 25.5"
Nut width: 43mm
Number of frets: 20

The FG800 has a nato neck and a rosewood fingerboard with a standard 25.5" scale length. The nut width is 43mm, which is a good width for beginners learning chords.

Electronics

The Yamaha FG800 is an entirely acoustic guitar with no built-in electronics or pickup system.

Hardware

Bridge pins: Black plastic bridge pins
Tuning machines: Die-cast chrome tuners

The hardware consists of standard die-cast chrome tuners and black plastic bridge pins.

Let me know if you would like me to expand on any of the specs or provide more detail. I aimed to cover the key dimensions, materials, and electronics as requested.

Accessories and Options

The Yamaha FG800 comes with a few useful accessories right out of the box. Here’s what’s included:

Gig bag – The guitar includes a lightweight nylon gig bag to protect it during transport and storage. While not as protective as a hardshell case, the included gig bag is well-padded and gets the job done for a beginner acoustic.
Extra strings – Yamaha includes an extra set of strings, allowing you to re-string the guitar once without needing to purchase new strings right away. The included strings match the factory strings.
Pick sampler – The FG800 comes with a variety of sample picks to experiment with. Yamaha includes picks of different materials and thicknesses so players can find the right feel.

In addition to the included accessories, here are some recommended additions for FG800 players:

Tuner – A clip-on tuner is essential for beginners to keep the guitar properly tuned. The Snark SN-1 and D’Addario NS Micro are affordable yet accurate tuner options under $15.
Strap – A strap makes playing the guitar while standing up more comfortable and easier. Elixir and Fender make solid basic nylon straps for under $10.
Capo – A capo is useful for changing the key of songs without altering the fretting hand position. Kyser and Nordic Essentials make great budget-friendly capos.
Extra picks – It’s handy to have a variety of pick thicknesses and materials on hand. Players may want to grab an assortment pack from Dunlop, Fender or D’Addario to identify the right pick.
Humidifier – For players in dry climates, a humidifier can help prevent the wood from drying out. The D’Addario Humidipak and Planet Waves Humidipak are two top options.

Keeping accessories simple and cost-effective is smart for new players, as fancier gear is not essential starting out. Prioritize the basics like a tuner, strap, and picks when accessorizing the FG800.

Yamaha FG800 Price and Value

The Yamaha FG800 offers exceptional value for money given its quality and performance. The street price for a new FG800 typically ranges from $200 to $300 at major music retailers. This positions it at the lowest end of the budget acoustic guitar price spectrum, making it very affordable for beginners and players on a tight budget.

Compared to other top acoustic guitars in the sub-$300 price range like the Fender FA-125 and Epiphone DR-100, the FG800 competes very favorably on price while offering features like solid wood construction that are rare at this low cost. The all-solid wood build and scalloped bracing provide a level of quality that outperforms other guitars with laminate tops and plywood construction.

Considering the FG800’s quality materials, reliable playability and impressive tone, it delivers outstanding bang for your buck. The solid spruce top in particular gives it better projection, clarity and dynamic range than other guitars using laminate or cheaper tonewoods. While the hardware, electronics and fit/finish are basic as expected for the price, there are no major compromises or cut corners that negatively impact sound or playability.

In terms of value for money, the FG800 exceeds expectations. While it may not have deluxe appointments, it focuses spending on the critical components that benefit tone and playability. The FG800 gives beginners a well-constructed instrument capable of providing years of musical enjoyment. Ultimately it represents one of the best acoustic guitar values under $300.

Who is the Yamaha FG800 Best Suited For?

The Yamaha FG800 is an ideal acoustic guitar for beginning players who want a quality instrument to learn on without breaking the bank. Its combination of playability, solid construction, and great tone make it one of the best options in its price range for new guitarists starting their musical journey.

Some key reasons why the FG800 is so well-suited for beginners:

The slim neck and comfortable body size reduce hand fatigue during long practice sessions. This helps build finger strength and dexterity faster.
The smaller 1 11/16" nut width allows for easier fretting and chord changes. Wider necks on many acoustic guitars can be difficult for smaller hands.
The lightweight build and included gig bag make the FG800 easy to transport to lessons or jam sessions.
The all-solid wood construction means the guitar will mature with the player’s ability rather than holding them back.
The balanced tone with good bass response provides a nice full sound when strumming open chords.

While the Yamaha FG800 is designed with beginners in mind, more advanced players may find it limiting in a few ways:

The smaller lower bout body and lack of cutaway can restrict access to higher frets.
The fixed bridge and saddle limit ability to fine tune or customize the intonation.
The thinner body doesn’t provide as much volume and projection for playing with others.
The factory setup may need adjustment to lower action for easier fretting.

Overall, the Yamaha FG800 is a perfect first guitar for getting started on acoustic. While not meant for pros, it’s well-crafted enough to last years of casual playing long after beginner status is left behind.