Ultimate Best 2023 Guide: Yamaha FG800 vs FG820

Quick Summary

The Yamaha FG800 vs FG820 are both solid-top acoustic guitars with similar body shapes, but there are some differences between them. The FG800 has a solid spruce top, Nato back and sides, and a rosewood fingerboard.

The FG820, on the other hand, has a mahogany back and sides, a solid spruce top, and a rosewood fingerboard giving it a slightly warmer and richer tone than the other two models. Overall, both guitars are well-regarded for their affordability and quality, and the choice between them may come down to personal preference in terms of tone and aesthetic features.

Let’s get into it!

Is the Yamaha FG820 a better-sounding guitar than the Yamaha FG800?

Both guitars are great-sounding instruments, but which one sounds the best?

The Yamaha FG820 is a dreadnought guitar but it features a solid spruce top and laminated mahogany back and sides. It has a warm, full sound with plenty of volume and projection.

The Yamaha FG800 is a smaller concert-style guitar that features a solid Sitka spruce top and Nato/Okoume back and sides. It has a warm, rich sound with good volume and projection.

So, which one of these Yamaha acoustic guitars sounds the best?

It depends on what you’re looking for in a guitar sound, and of course, your budget. If you want a warm, full sound, then the FG820 is a great choice. And if you want a warm, rich sound with a good projection, but at a slightly lower price, the FG800 is also a great choice.

Whichever one you choose, you can’t go wrong with either of these Yamaha acoustic guitars.

After all, there is a reason the Yamaha FG Series is one of the best-selling lines of acoustic guitars in the world!

Let’s take a closer look at each of these (fantastic) acoustic guitars in greater detail to help you make the right buying decision, based on your wants and needs.

A Quick Snapshot of the Construction Materials

(Complete specifications are provided below)

Yamaha FG820

In addition to a warmer and stronger sound, thanks to the mahogany back and sides, the body and fingerboard binding are cream plastic for an upgraded look.

• Traditional Western Body
• Solid Spruce Top
• Scalloped Bracing

Yamaha FG800

• Traditional Western Body
• Solid Spruce Top
• Nato/Okoume Back and Sides
• Scalloped Bracing

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What Changes Were Made to New The FG Series?

Concerning the three models being compared here in this article, the FG820 replaces the FG720. And the FG800 replaces the FG700.

Yamaha has been listening to its customers and making improvements on all aspects of the series. They recently introduced scalloped bracing, which provides a more full sound with rich details that you can’t get from other instruments!

This bracing allows the top of the guitar to sound more responsive. This translates into effortless strumming and enhanced dynamics.

In case you are not familiar with what bracing is, you can check this

What to look for on an entry-level acoustic?

Now that you know the fundamentals of what to look for in an acoustic guitar, let’s take a look at the first one.

Let’s take a look at the three most crucial elements I believe you should be searching for when purchasing your next guitar.

Laminate VS Solid Top

A laminated top is common on entry-level acoustic guitars. What does this signify? Furthermore, is this feature a game-changer?

Yes, it is a game-changer.

Because laminated wood is composed of many planks or layers bonded together with glue, it does not vibrate in the same way solid wood does. Glued planks don’t move together as solid wood does, so they struggle against the strings. The sound is monotonous, and inharmonic, and rapidly decays due to this.

Solid-top guitars, such as the Martin DSM Dreadnought, are more resonant because the top part vibrates harmonically with the strings. The sound is far closer to what you hear on a record, and there’s much more decay (sustain).

• Decay is how sound ends in audio. Attack, internal dynamics, sustain, release, and decay are all components of an acoustic signal or waveform envelope that contribute to the signal’s or waveform envelope’s distinctive character.

If your budget allows, solid wood, especially for the top of your guitar, is usually preferred instead of laminate. Here’s a video that compares the differences with sound examples.

Neck binding

The neck binding is a strip of plastic that runs the entire length of the neck, from the body to the nut (and sometimes over the headstock as well).

Although it may appear to be merely ornamental, this binding serves an important purpose in ensuring that the frets are completely round and making playing more pleasurable.

If you’ve ever seen Jimi Hendrix or John Mayer fretting with their thumb, that technique is much easier on the thumb when there’s binding on the neck.

If it’s within your budget, an entry-level guitar with neck binding will give you superior results.

Glossy or satin finish for the neck?

The neck of the guitar needs to allow your fingers to move rapidly and effortlessly. Glossy-finished necks tend to be sticky and difficult in places where humidity levels are high.

You might find it difficult to move up and down the neck as your thumb might get stuck.

On the other hand, satin-finished necks are easier to play with regardless of the weather. Whenever possible go for satin-finished necks, especially in entry-level acoustics.

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Specifications for Yamaha FG830, FG820, and FG800

Model	FG830	FG820	FG800
Body Shape	Traditional Western	Traditional Western	Traditional Western
Scale Length	650mm or 25 9/16″	650mm or 25 9/16″	650mm or 25 9/16″
Body Length	505mm or 19 7/8″	505mm or 19 7/8″	505mm or 19 7/8″
Total Length	1038mm or 40 7/8″	1038mm or 40 7/8″	1038mm or 40 7/8″
Body Width	412mm or 16 1/4″	412mm or 16 1/4	412mm or 16 1/4
Body Depth	100 -118mm 3 15/16″ – 4 5/8″	100 -118mm 3 15/16″ – 4 5/8″	100 -118mm 3 15/16″ – 4 5/8″
Nut Width	43mm or 1 11/16″	43mm or 1 11/16″	43mm or 1 11/16″
String Spacing	11 mm	11 mm	11 mm
Top Material	Solid Spruce	Solid Spruce	Solid Spruce
Back Material	Rosewood	Mahogany	Nato
Side Material	Rosewood	Nato	Nato
Neck Material	Nato	Nato	Nato
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood	Rosewood or Walnut	Walnut
Fingerboard Radius	R400 mm (15 3/4″)	R400 mm (15 3/4″)	R400 mm (15 3/4″)
Bridge Material	Rosewood	Rosewood	Walnut
Nut Material	Urea	Urea	Urea
Saddle Material	Urea	Urea	Urea
Bridge Pins	Black ABS w White Dot	Black ABS w White Dot	Black ABS w White Dot
Tuners	Die-Cast Chrome (TM29T)	Die-Cast Chrome (TM29T)	Die-Cast Chrome (TM29T)
Body Binding	Cream	Cream	Cream
Sound Hole Inlay	Abalone w/ Black + White	Abalone w/ Black + White	Abalone w/ Black + White
Pickguard	Tortoise Pattern	Tortoise Pattern	Tortoise Pattern
Body Finish	Gloss	Gloss	Gloss
Neck Finish	Matte	Matte	Matte
Electronics	None	None	None
Controls	None	None	None
Connections	None	None	None
Strings	Yamaha FS50BT or D’Addario EXP11	Yamaha FS50BT or D’Addario EXP11	Yamaha FS50BT or D’Addario EXP11
Accessories	Hex Wrench	Hex Wrench	Hex Wrench
Case	None	None	None

The Yamaha FG series, 50+ years in the making

The Yamaha FG series was first introduced to the market in 1966. 54 years later, it is the best-selling acoustic line in the world. The company worked on the model trying to find an affordable alternative that would sound and look just as good as the competition.

For further specifications see Yamaha FG / FGX Series

Check out this video to hear the FG 800 vs FG 820 in action

Summary

Now we come back to where we began and sum up my assessment at the top of this evaluation. Is the FG820 a better-sounding guitar than the FG800?

Better-sounding acoustic guitars, like all things in life, have a steeper price tag. So, yes, the FG820 is a higher-sounding acoustic guitar. The difference between the three of them isn’t outrageous when you consider how different entry-level guitars they are.

If the price isn’t your driving concern because you plan to continue playing for some time, buy the FG820.

However, if your budget is limited and you simply want a cheaper instrument that sounds good and looks cool, the FG800 is a decent alternative.

Whichever of these Yamaha FG series guitars you choose, you’ll be rewarded with years of joy. My recommendation is to go for the FG820 if you can afford it.

Related Article: Yamaha FG830 vs FG820 vs FG800

Music is life itself.

Louis Armstrong