Yamaha FG800 Review: Unleashing the Melodic Powerhouse

In the world of acoustic guitars, Yamaha has carved out a reputation for crafting high-quality instruments that deliver exceptional sound and playability. One such gem in their lineup is the Yamaha FG800. In this review, we’ll explore the features, sound, playability, and overall performance of the Yamaha FG800 to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your musical journey.

A Brief Overview of Yamaha Guitars

Yamaha is a Japanese multinational corporation that is one of the largest musical instrument manufacturers in the world. The company was founded in 1887 by Torakusu Yamaha, and it has been making guitars since the 1940s.

Here are some of the things that make Yamaha guitars unique:

• Yamaha uses a variety of wood types in their guitars, including spruce, mahogany, rosewood, and maple. This allows them to create guitars with a wide range of sounds.
• Yamaha guitars are known for their high build quality. This is due in part to the company’s use of CNC machines in their manufacturing process.
• Yamaha guitars are very affordable. This makes them a great option for beginners and budget-minded players.

Design and Construction

The Yamaha FG800 is a dreadnought-sized acoustic guitar with a solid spruce top and laminated mahogany back and sides. It has a mahogany neck with a 25.5-inch scale length and a rosewood fingerboard with 20 medium jumbo frets. The guitar is equipped with a Fishman Presys II pickup system.

The FG800 has a classic dreadnought design with a comfortable, easy-to-play neck. The solid spruce top provides a bright, clear sound, while the mahogany back and sides give the guitar a warm, rich tone. The Fishman Presys II pickup system allows for amplification of the acoustic sound, and the rosewood fingerboard provides a smooth, fast feel.

Here are some of the features of the Yamaha FG800:

• Solid spruce top: The solid spruce top provides a bright, clear sound.
• Laminated mahogany back and sides: The laminated mahogany back and sides give the guitar a warm, rich tone.
• Mahogany neck: The mahogany neck provides a comfortable, easy-to-play feel.
• Rosewood fingerboard: The rosewood fingerboard provides a smooth, fast feel.
• 20 medium jumbo frets: The 20 medium jumbo frets provide a comfortable playing experience.
• Fishman Presys II pickup system: The Fishman Presys II pickup system allows for amplification of the acoustic sound.

Sound and Performance

The Yamaha FG800 has a bright, clear sound with a warm, rich tone. The solid spruce top provides brightness, while the laminated mahogany back and sides give the guitar its warm tone. The guitar is well-balanced, with good projection and sustain.

The FG800 is a versatile guitar that can be used for a variety of genres, including folk, country, and blues. It is also a great choice for fingerstyle playing, as the rolled fretboard edges make it comfortable to play for long periods of time.

Here are some of the things to consider about the Yamaha FG800’s sound and performance:

• Bright, clear sound: The solid spruce top provides a bright, clear sound that is perfect for fingerpicking.
• Warm, rich tone: The laminated mahogany back and sides give the guitar a warm, rich tone that is perfect for strumming.
• Versatile sound: The FG800 is a versatile guitar that can be used for a variety of genres, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced players alike.
• Comfortable to play: The rolled fretboard edges make the guitar comfortable to play for long periods of time, even for players with smaller hands.
• Good projection and sustain: The guitar has good projection and sustain, making it a great choice for live performance.

Here are some reviews of the Yamaha FG800’s sound and performance:

• “The Yamaha FG800 is a great guitar for the money. It has a bright, clear sound that is perfect for fingerpicking and strumming. The guitar is also very comfortable to play, with a rolled fretboard edge that makes it easy to play for long periods of time.” – Guitar Player Magazine
• “The Yamaha FG800 is a great value for the price. It has a sound that is comparable to much more expensive guitars, and it is a comfortable guitar to play.” – Acoustic Guitar Magazine
• “The Yamaha FG800 is a great choice for players who are looking for a versatile, affordable acoustic guitar with a great sound.” – Guitar World Magazine

The video below is a nice demo of the Yamaha FG800.

Playability and Comfort

The Yamaha FG800 is a comfortable guitar to play, thanks to its SlimTaper D profile neck and rolled fretboard edges. The SlimTaper D profile is a popular shape for acoustic guitars, as it provides a comfortable grip for both strumming and fingerpicking. The rolled fretboard edges make it comfortable to play up and down the neck, even for players with smaller hands.

The FG800 also has a 25.5-inch scale length, which is a standard scale length for acoustic guitars. This scale length provides a comfortable playing feel for most players.

Here are some of the things to consider about the Yamaha FG800’s playability and comfort:

• SlimTaper D profile neck: The SlimTaper D profile is a comfortable shape for acoustic guitars, providing a comfortable grip for both strumming and fingerpicking.
• Rolled fretboard edges: The rolled fretboard edges make it comfortable to play up and down the neck, even for players with smaller hands.
• 25.5-inch scale length: The 25.5-inch scale length is a standard scale length for acoustic guitars, providing a comfortable playing feel for most players.

Value and Longevity:

The Yamaha FG800 is a great value for the price. It is a well-made guitar with good sound and playability. The solid spruce top and laminated mahogany back and sides provide a good balance of brightness and warmth, and the SlimTaper D profile neck is comfortable to play for long periods of time.

The FG800 is also a relatively durable guitar. The solid spruce top is resistant to warping and cracking, and the mahogany back and sides are strong and stable. With proper care, the FG800 can last for many years.

Here are some of the things to consider about the Yamaha FG800’s value and longevity:

• Good value for the price ($229): The FG800 is a well-made guitar with good sound and playability, making it a great value for the price.
• Relatively durable: The solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides are resistant to warping and cracking, making the FG800 a relatively durable guitar.
• Can last for many years: With proper care, the FG800 can last for many years.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Yamaha FG800 is its affordability without compromising on quality. Considering the solid construction, exceptional sound, and reliable performance, this guitar offers tremendous value for its price point. It’s an excellent choice for beginners and intermediate players looking for a reliable instrument that will grow with them.

Yamaha FG800 Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Solid spruce top provides a balanced and rich tone with excellent projection.
2. High-quality construction and craftsmanship ensure durability and reliability.
3. Comfortable and playable neck profile suitable for beginners and experienced players alike.

Cons:

1. The back and sides are made of laminate wood, which may not offer the same tonal complexity as all-solid wood guitars.
2. Some players may find the stock strings to be of average quality and may consider replacing them for improved sound.
3. The design and aesthetics of the FG800 may be considered plain or traditional by some players seeking a more visually striking instrument.

Conclusion:

The Yamaha FG800 is a testament to Yamaha’s commitment to producing outstanding acoustic guitars. With its solid construction, impressive sound quality, comfortable playability, and affordability, the FG800 is a worthy companion for any guitarist, whether you’re just starting your musical journey or looking to upgrade. Experience the melodic powerhouse that is the Yamaha FG800 and unleash your musical creativity like never before.

Hopefully, you can now make an informed decision on whether this guitar is right for you. Next, check out our guide on keeping it clean.

Looking for other options for a beginner acoustic guitar? Check out our post on 10 Of The Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars.

Editorial Process:

My reviews are made by a team of one, myself, before being written and come from real-world experience. Read our editorial process here.

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Chadwick Becks

I have two degrees in guitar performance and was privileged to study under Aaron Shearer, Tom Kikta, David Skantar, Ken Karsh, Tim Bedner, and currently Christopher Berg. Outside my editorial work on this blog, I teach full-time across many genres including classical, jazz, blues, rock, funk, and metal.