Yamaha FS800 vs Yamaha FG800 Acoustic Guitar Specs
Both the FS800 and FG800 are part of Yamaha’s revered 800 Series. They’re known for combining premium build quality with price tags that won’t make your wallet cry. Here’s how they stack up:
| Spec | Yamaha FS800 | Yamaha FG800 | |||| | Body Shape | Concert (smaller) | Dreadnought (larger) | | Top Wood | Solid Sitka Spruce | Solid Sitka Spruce | | Back & Sides | Nato/Okume | Nato/Okume | | Neck | Nato | Nato | | Fingerboard | Walnut | Walnut | | Scale Length | 25″ (634mm) | 25.6″ (650mm) | | Nut Width | 1.69″ (43mm) | 1.69″ (43mm) | | Bracing | Scalloped XBracing | Scalloped XBracing | | Finish | Gloss | Gloss |
They look almost identical on specs alone. Both guitars offer a solid Sitka spruce top, which is the gold standard for bright, punchy tone with a touch of warmth. The real difference? Shape, feel, and sound projection.
Sound and Tone
This is where body shape throws its weight around.
The FG800, with its dreadnought body, delivers more volume, lowend depth, and resonance. Think strumming around a campfire or leading a singalong—this guitar fills the air.
The FS800, with its smaller concert body, leans toward a more balanced tone with a tighter low end. It’s more articulate and ideal for fingerpicking or softer styles. Great if you’re recording in a controlled space or what you play leans toward nuance over noise.
If you’re a heavier strummer, the FG800 will give you the boom you’re after. Prefer clarity and control? The FS800 punches above its size in tonal focus.
Comfort and Playability
Guitar size doesn’t just affect sound. Comfort changes too.
The FS800’s smaller concert body makes it a better fit for players with smaller frames, younger learners, or anyone who wants an easier time holding the instrument for longer periods. It’s also a savvy pick for couchbound practice or studio sessions where you want that tight midrange.
The FG800, being a fullsize dreadnought, might feel more imposing for smaller players but offers a classic feel many guitarists crave. It gives you that fullarm strumming position and a more “professional” stage presence.
That said, both guitars have a comfortable neck profile and standard nut width—so fretting feels very similar no matter which you choose.
Build Quality
Yamaha doesn’t mess around with quality control—even at this price point. Both guitars feature scalloped Xbracing, a premium inclusion in budget models. This subtle bracing detail lets the top resonate more freely, creating better tone projection and sustain.
Construction is solid across the board. Joints are tight. The finish is polished. Setup out of the box is decent—though as with any factory guitar, a quick trip to a tech for string height and truss rod adjustments can take it from good to great.
Value for Money
Few acoustic guitars at this price point deliver like the FS800 and FG800. Solid tops? Check. Reliable tuning stability? Check. Durable workmanship? Also check.
If your budget’s tight and you want a guitar you won’t outgrow too fast, either model is a smart bet. The FG800 has slightly more presence and projection thanks to the dreadnought body. The FS800 counters that with balance and playability in a smaller package. Neither will disappoint.
Yamaha doesn’t fill these models with gimmicks. Instead, you get a serious instrument that holds up for beginners and intermediate players alike.
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose the FS800 if: You’re smaller in stature or buying for a younger player. You like fingerstyle or intricate picking. You want a portable practice guitar that sounds crisp and even. You value comfort in longer sessions.
Choose the FG800 if: You strum often and want that dreadnought boom. You prefer a louder, fuller acoustic sound. You’re planning to perform live or lead group sessions. You want a more traditional guitar shape with familiar dynamics.
The Bottom Line
When comparing Yamaha FS800 vs Yamaha FG800 acoustic guitar specs, it’s less about right vs wrong and more about you: your size, your style, your sound preferences.
Same woods. Same neck. Same DNA. But different voices and different roles. Get the FG800 if you want bold and full. Go FS800 if you want tight and clear. Either way, you’re getting a guitar that punches way above its price tag.
So, if you find yourself in a showroom with the two in front of you, play both. Don’t overthink specs—let your hands and ears decide. But if you’re stuck at a screen, this headtohead on Yamaha FS800 vs Yamaha FG800 acoustic guitar specs should help clear the fog.