Hi there fellow guitar enthusiasts! Today, we shall dive into a comprehensive Yamaha FG800 review which has captured the hearts of many from beginners to experienced players.
This is all you need to understand about this favorite model as an expert in guitars. So grab your pick and let’s begin!
Yamaha FG800 Review
For starter acoustic guitars, Yamaha is a brand that has always been associated with quality and dependability.
The FG800, belonging to Yamaha’s FG series, continues this lineage by offering a solid construction, great sound and easy playability at an affordable price.
First Impressions
Straight out of the box, the Yamaha FG800 is a classic dreadnought shaped guitar with an elegant natural finish.
It feels strongly made; something that gives you confidence on its longevity. The edges are smooth showing attention to detail by Yamaha while nicely dressed frets make it look well finished overall.
Build and Design
Tonewoods and Construction
In this price range most guitars have laminate tops but FG800 offers solid spruce top as compared to them which is considered as huge upgrade. Solid spruce has possibilities for excellent tones & it becomes better with age.
Other than this also nato wood (also known as Eastern mahogany) used for building back & sides provides warm balanced sounds on your guitar.
The neck is made of nato too and comes with rosewood fingerboard complimenting not only its looks but provides smoothness in playability terms as well.
Die-cast tuners along with rosewood bridge are few nice touches that add up to overall quality of instrument.
Bracing
One distinctive feature of FG800 is scalloped bracing. Such type of bracing pattern allows the top to vibrate more freely producing richer, resonant sound like notes are being produced inside yourself in contrast to coming out from a guitar.
This is something that you would typically expect from a more expensive guitar, which makes it a pleasant surprise in this price range model.
Sound Quality
Tone and Projection
This Yamaha FG800 has sound which does not match its cost tag. The solid spruce top combined with scalloped bracing produces full, bright tones with lots of volume and projection.
The lows are warm and rounded, the mids are clear and punchy while the highs are not too much sharp but crispy enough.
FG 800 is highly responsive to picking single notes or strumming chords as it has a dynamic range that can accommodate different playing techniques. It also has an amazing resonance and good sustain which add to overall depth of sound.
Versatility
The versatility of FG800 is one reason why so many people love it. It covers various genres i.e. folk, country, rock, pop etc.
If you are new in music this means that you get an opportunity to play around with different types of songs without feeling like your instrument is limiting you; for experienced individuals it serves as a reliable consistent sound that works well with any setup.
How Can You Play It?
The Truss Rod and Neck
The FG800 features a slim neck that makes it comfortable to hold, especially for beginners or people who have small hands.
This means that you won’t need to adjust much because the action (string height above the fretboard) is good “out of the box.” Rosewood fingerboard is smooth on your fingers and the polished frets make it easier to move up and down the neck.
Intonation and Tuning Stability
How well a guitar stays in tune is one of its most important qualities. The Yamaha FG800 is highly capable thanks to its die-cast tuners and well-made nut/saddle.
This ensures that it sounds right no matter where you play in terms of intonation; i.e., specific pitches are articulated across the entire range of pitch a guitar can produce. Even after long playing hours, this model remains in tune, which speaks volumes about its craftsmanship.
Maintenance And Durability
The Workmanship
Yamaha’s quality control comes out strong with the FG800. There are no noticeable flaws or loose parts; it feels sturdy and solidly built. Its surface finish is even throughout allowing only minor scratches and dings.
Maintenance
Caring for an FG800 is not difficult. Keep cleaning regularly with replacement strings being done occasionally so as to maintain top-notch condition of this instrument.
As time goes by, solid spruce will continue improving as far as sound quality goes due changes brought about by maturing process . It matures with you, produces better sound over time.
Price To Value Ratio
On Affordability
One thing that makes many people fall in love with Yamaha FG800 is its price tag; it costs around $200 which is amazing considering what you get for your money.
In summary, you get an acoustic guitar with a solid top, decent build quality and great sound compared to others that cost more.
Long Term Investment
For beginners, the FG800 is an excellent starting guitar which will not require upgrading anytime soon. For experienced players it’s a reliable backup or travel guitar that won’t break the bank.
It’s a good purchase for any guitarist considering its durability and quality sound.
Advantages And Drawbacks
Pros
- Solid Sitka spruce top: Better tonal quality and aging properties.
- Scalloped bracing: Enhances resonance and projection.
- Affordable: Provides value for money.
- Versatile sound: Can be used in many genres and by many playing styles.
- Excellent build quality: Solidly built to last long.
Cons
- Nato wood back and sides: While decent, they don’t match the tonal richness of more expensive tonewoods like mahogany or rosewood.
- Basic aesthetics: The design is simple and functional, which may not appeal to those looking for more decorative features but is highly preferable to others who are not fans of too much embellishment on their musical instruments.
Summary
This FG800 model from Yamaha has successfully been positioned as one of the best entry-level acoustic guitars you can find today in terms of price-value ratio.
Combining scalloped bracing, solid spruce top and overall craftsmanship, it gives impression of being much more expensive than it actually costs.
The FG800 is an excellent option for anyone who wants to buy their first guitar, or for someone who is already an accomplished player and needs a reliable, cheap acoustic.
Happy playing!
