Overview: FS800 and FG800 at a Glance
Both guitars come from Yamaha’s wellrespected 800 Series, known for solid tops, reliable construction, and good value. Built in Yamaha’s factory in China, the FS800 and FG800 share a lot: solid Sitka spruce top, scalloped bracing for improved tone, nato wood for the neck, and a rosewood or walnut fretboard depending on production year.
The key difference? Shape and size.
FG800: Traditional dreadnought shape, louder, more bassheavy. FS800: Concert body shape, smaller, tighter mid and high response, more comfortable to hold.
Body Shape and Comfort
Comfort is often the deciding factor for many players, especially beginners or those with smaller frames. The FS800, with its concertsized body, sits comfortably on your lap. It’s lighter, easier to manage when playing seated, and better suited for fingerpicking or softer strumming.
The FG800 is fuller, heavier, and projects more volume thanks to its larger dreadnought body. That makes it ideal for players who want a big, boomy sound—great for open chords and bluegrassstyle strumming.
If you’re smaller in stature or plan on long playing sessions, the FS800 may win. If you’re after volume and power, the FG800 gets the nod.
Tone and Sound Differences
This is where personal taste plays a big role. While both guitars feature Yamaha’s signature scalloped bracing—a design that boosts the low end and gives the top more resonance—their tonal characteristics vary slightly due to size.
FG800: Deeper bass, broader projection. It fills a room more easily and can suit live play or louder jam sessions. FS800: Brighter, tighter, more articulate. Great for delicate styles like fingerstyle and soft acoustic pop.
If you’re a strummer or play in a group, the FG800 has the lowend thump and projection you might want. For solo playing, recording, or fingerpicking, the FS800’s clarity shines.
Build Quality and Cosmetics
Yamaha builds reliable instruments. Both models come with excellent craftsmanship for their price point. Finish quality is consistently strong. Binding is clean. Fret edges? Usually dressed well with few complaints.
The FS800 and FG800 both feature mattefinished necks, which offer a fast, nonsticky playing experience that many players prefer. The hardware—tuners, bridge pins, and nut/saddle—are functional but basic. Don’t expect highend materials here, but for the price, it’s all more than acceptable.
Visually, both guitars keep it simple: natural spruce top, minimalistic rosette, and no pickguard on the FS800. That gives it a cleaner, more strippeddown look compared to the FG800’s black pickguard, which adds a classic touch.
Playability
Right out of the box, Yamaha setups are usually decent. You may still want a professional setup, especially if you’re particular about action height or neck relief.
Thanks to slightly lower string tension, the FS800 feels a bit easier to play, especially for beginners. Those with small hands or short reach will appreciate the slimmer waist and light overall body weight.
The FG800 isn’t hard to play by any means—it’s still beginnerfriendly—but long sessions or barre chords might feel a touch more demanding due to the bulkier body and higher perceived string tension.
Durability and LongTerm Value
Both the FS800 and FG800 are built to last. The laminate back and sides help resist temperature and humidity changes better than allsolid wood models might. The solid spruce top will age and open up tonally over time, giving you more for your money the longer you play it.
In terms of resale or longterm use, either model holds up well. Yamaha’s reputation and consistency mean you’re unlikely to regret the investment. They’re guitars you won’t need to replace quickly if you’re just starting out.
Use Cases and Player Recommendations
Let’s break it down even simpler.
Choose the FS800 if: You’re under 5’7″ or prefer smaller guitars You mostly fingerpick You’re after a brighter, clearer sound Comfort matters more than raw volume
Go for the FG800 if: You want more bass and volume You’re doing big chord strumming or playing with others You prefer boxier, traditional dreadnought tones You like the classic look of a pickguard
yamaha fs800 vs yamaha fg800 acoustic guitar specs
Let’s talk numbers and nittygritty. Here’s a sidebyside breakdown of the most important Yamaha FS800 vs Yamaha FG800 acoustic guitar specs:
| Feature | Yamaha FS800 | Yamaha FG800 | |||| | Body Shape | Concert | Dreadnought | | Top Wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce | | Back/Sides | Nato or Okoume (Laminate) | Nato or Okoume (Laminate) | | Scale Length | 25″ | 25 9/16″ | | Nut Width | 1.6875″ (43 mm) | 1.6875″ (43 mm) | | Neck Wood | Nato | Nato | | Fingerboard | Rosewood/Walnut | Rosewood/Walnut | | Bracing | Scalloped XBracing | Scalloped XBracing | | Finish | Gloss top, matte neck | Gloss top, matte neck | | Price Range | ~$220–$250 | ~$220–$250 |
As you can see, the specs are nearly identical. The real clinchers are the body shape and how that shapes sound and feel.
Final Take
So, which one’s better? It comes down to how you play, not just what’s on paper. If you prioritize comfort and clarity, the FS800 is your pick. If volume, lowend, and strumming muscle are what you’re after, go FG800.
Still not sure? Head to a local music store and try both. Specs matter, but feel and sound seal the deal. The good news? Either choice gets you quality and tone that punch way above their weight class.
So the Yamaha FS800 vs Yamaha FG800 acoustic guitar specs comparison isn’t really about which is best—it’s about which one fits you.