I have an FG 800. I sits in my stand. Honestly, i really enjoy it. It has opened up pretty nicely over the last couple years. I play it more than any other guitar.
Great to hear you play my guitar! 😀 I have the FS800 and Im impressed how good an inexpensive guitar sounds. I was thinking of upgrading the saddle, nut and pins.
I just bought a FG830 yesterday and i could not believe how great it sounds. Especially for $350.00 I did an A/B test with my Blueridge BR60 which costs over a grand and it’s louder and a better sounding guitar. I’m going to do an A/B test with my Martin MMV tonight and see how it compares to the Yamaha. I bought the Yamaha off Amazon which normally I won’t do with an acoustic because it’s unlike an electric guitar as far as tone. But i learned many years ago that Yamaha guitars are very consistent as far as tone and build quality so i wasn’t concerned, and wow the Yamaha FG 830 is a beautiful sounding and looking guitar. I bought the sunburst version and it’s the first time I’ve owned one that isn’t a natural top and I love it. Thanks for making this video.
Excellent! Glad to hear it. Yamaha for the win again. I like the sunburst they do, and for the money I bet it holds its own in A/B testing even if it doesn't outright win against many guitars. Cheers!
👋 I ordered the FG- 830 about a month ago... the first thing I did to it was... take a grinder and some sandpaper to it... so I just ordered the FG-820 about an hour ago. I hope it sounds as good as the 830 did when I first got it.
Great review... Enjoyed your playing and demo. Also your "finger picks"... I too use a thumbpick, very interested in the other picks you were using. Reminded myself of metal picks that are used for "bluegrass banjo" scruggs style. Cheers and kindness.
Hey, If you can play them at a store that'd be best, but size would be the biggest factor for me. FGs are full sized guitars and the FS may suit a smaller frame. Both are nice choices for a good price. If I had to select one for you blind, I'd go FS and look at other guitars once you know you'll stick it out and possibly develop more of a preference. Good luck, hope you fall in love with playing, cheers!
Hey Jason ...so I am a bassist of 30 yrs and now have started learning guitar and drums....but anywho I have a Recording King 11 series acoustic and SHOULD have bought Yamaha ....hahaha...If I am playing a ton of blues of all kinds and all kinds of other stuff ...which would be a better choice ....an 830 or 850 do you think ???? Being a bassist I do LOVE the Lowend that a GOOD dread will produce .....BUT I don't want muddy ...lol...I don't care a ton for mids ...never have ...lol....but do like a crisp high end .......so with all that said .....what is your opinion on my situation ...I can buy a nice used 850 for 300 bucks right now ???...please let me know as I don't want to miss out on the one I NEED ...lol....
What body style is your 11 series? Those are really nice guitars and sounds right for your wishes. The 850 will be balanced. If you want a bolder thump, the 830 may suit you. I doubt either will be muddy. That being said, an OM style may be worth trying out for a punchy sound. Hope that helps!
I'm a recording artist, and have several pretty high end and amazing Martins, Gibsons etc and use my FG720, FS700 and FG800 almost as much for recording (and general playing around the room). While the Martin and Gibson awe people with their super rich and intricate sound- the Yamahas are often much better for recording in "less intimate" mixes- their characteristics cut thru nicely where as the Gibsons and Martin often have too much going on for situations where they're not the highlight. The Yamahas sound like 70% as good for like 1/20th the cost. That said, I did spend a couple hours and like $30 each replacing the nut/saddle/pins and upgrading the stock strings to Martins. Doesn't necessarily give them a "better" sound- just a little more crispness in the mid-bass and mid/upper trebles.
Glad to hear your experience, thanks for sharing. I like the recognition of the place each maker holds in your studio. Makes sense that the 7/800 models are useful in that way. I love to hear how reliable and widely used Yamaha is. They deliver as promised in my book and I'm sure the higher models, F9 etc., are killers too but I've never played them. I did play an F5 once and fell in love right away. Cheers!
Don't know what all the fuzz over the stringspacing with the FS800 is about, I have no problems playing fingerstyle and I have really big hands, at the bridge I messure exactly 2" and 10mm stringspacing is correct, yep, larger spacingwould play easier I suppose but I don't know anything else, great sound, great playabillity.
Nice. I know a few folks that have big hands and fingers and play with agility. I'm always impressed. Once I spend 20 minutes with a guitar the odd feeling from different string spacing melts away for the most part and I get used to it. That being said, having two different guitars on hand I'll opt for the wider one pretty much all the time. But if only one, I just play it and enjoy it for what it is, cheers!
The FS800 has a punchy low end. It is crisp and loud. I don't have an FG800 to compare with, but will soon. That will be a more direct comparison than the mahogany 850. Sometimes the 850 sound crisp on the lows, but more so it just has an evenness across all strings. As mentioned in the video, the string spacing is different on these models, so that may be another consideration.
Ohhhh ..YES ...that is a GREAT point to ask about.....so which has the wider spacing ??and does the FS have a closer spacing than a FG model???or vice versa??? Man thanks so MUCH for all your input!!!
@@b.d.charles-nb2vg as a big guy i started with a fs800 it sounded great but i couldnt get over the tighter string spacing so i returned it and went with the fg800. the fg is a bit more boomy? little more spacing. more my size is mostly it. sound pretty much the same though honestly. the dreadnaught has a bit more oomph to it.
=== Sounds like the high e intonation is off or is flat? ==== The laminated back and sides does matter. I have solid wood back and side, Sitka top Lowden. It sure does sound different from mine. ==
Many do, but, off the top of my head I played a lower end Guild that did (video on my channel), and I believe Recording King models do. Both my Alvarez parlors did and I love them, but they're pushing $350. Hope that helps!
The FS800 has a 2.0" string spacing at the bridge, making it unsuitable for fingerstyle at any level. No strong FS players use something so narrow under the right hand. The FG800 is fine.
I'm not aware of a mahogany top cheaper than this one. They may make one. The "Storia" model might fit the bill, but I'm not sure its retail is cheaper.
Very nice aa always..please do review Hex guitars like DG 350 s, and other GA model sizes , string spacing neck width , I love yamaha quality but only feel one thing not in my list is string spacing that's it else this guitars are built very fine & strong .HeX guitars review need from you.. 😊thank you
Nicely done and thank you. I’m still struggling with the purchase, but this helps. ☮️
Much appreciated, and good luck! Both are excellent guitars. A good problem to have really, Cheers!
Thanks for this 🙏 and yes it sounds great with the new parts.
My pleasure, thanks for the spark, cheers!
I have an FG 800. I sits in my stand. Honestly, i really enjoy it. It has opened up pretty nicely over the last couple years. I play it more than any other guitar.
I have bought the same guitar recently.
It's a lot of guitar for the money that's for sure.
Both guitars sound wonderful especially the way you play them. Thanks.
Much appreciated, cheers!
Great to hear you play my guitar!
😀
I have the FS800 and Im impressed how good an inexpensive guitar sounds.
I was thinking of upgrading the saddle, nut and pins.
The FG850 sounds great
It's a good one! I recommend them all the time. Great value, quality and sound.
Thank god 🙏 you played them like they are supposed to be played. So many people slam on them
Much appreciated, thanks!
Nice picking, and good sound
Hey thanks, much appreciated!
I just bought a FG830 yesterday and i could not believe how great it sounds. Especially for $350.00
I did an A/B test with my Blueridge BR60 which costs over a grand and it’s louder and a better sounding guitar. I’m going to do an A/B test with my Martin MMV tonight and see how it compares to the Yamaha. I bought the Yamaha off Amazon which normally I won’t do with an acoustic because it’s unlike an electric guitar as far as tone. But i learned many years ago that Yamaha guitars are very consistent as far as tone and build quality so i wasn’t concerned, and wow the Yamaha FG 830 is a beautiful sounding and looking guitar. I bought the sunburst version and it’s the first time I’ve owned one that isn’t a natural top and I love it.
Thanks for making this video.
Excellent! Glad to hear it. Yamaha for the win again. I like the sunburst they do, and for the money I bet it holds its own in A/B testing even if it doesn't outright win against many guitars. Cheers!
FG/FS 830 is the best budget guitar hand down.
@@phanhuyduc2395 definitely 👍
Wow, you make that 800 sound great! I would have guessed that you'd swapped out the nut and bridge on that one too. Excellent comparison, thank you!
Hey much appreciated!
Funny, as your doing your intro I'm sitting here with my FS800 in my lap. Very comfortable. Thanks for the eval.
Excellent choice. Good sound, nice size, can't beat it really!
👋 I ordered the FG- 830 about a month ago... the first thing I did to it was... take a grinder and some sandpaper to it... so I just ordered the FG-820 about an hour ago. I hope it sounds as good as the 830 did when I first got it.
Haha! Alright then, hope it delivers, cheers!
@@jasonvalcourt
Probably not as good as the 830' I enlarged the sound hole.
That's probably the best sounding fs800 I've heard. What strings are you rocking?
Sure is a good one. Those are EJ16s, cheers!
@@jasonvalcourtque calibre son?
Thank you
my pleasure!
FS800
What strings are on it? Sounds good.
Have you thought of replacing the nut, saddle and pins on it?
D'Addario EJ 16s. I did those upgrades on the 850 but not on the 800.
Great review...
Enjoyed your playing and demo.
Also your "finger picks"...
I too use a thumbpick, very interested in the other picks you were using.
Reminded myself of metal picks that are used for "bluegrass banjo" scruggs style.
Cheers and kindness.
Thanks. Yes, I use banjo picks on first two fingers. Stainless Steel Dunlop .020 is what I have.
@@jasonvalcourt ...Appreciate the reply and info.
Thanks.
Kindness from Australia.
I'm planning to learn guitar and I've never touched guitar before. My friend suggested FS800, hearing about FG800 as well. Could you suggest one?
Hey, If you can play them at a store that'd be best, but size would be the biggest factor for me. FGs are full sized guitars and the FS may suit a smaller frame. Both are nice choices for a good price. If I had to select one for you blind, I'd go FS and look at other guitars once you know you'll stick it out and possibly develop more of a preference. Good luck, hope you fall in love with playing, cheers!
FG850 is definitely more warm. Good presentation and good demo.
Much appreciated!
Hey Jason ...so I am a bassist of 30 yrs and now have started learning guitar and drums....but anywho I have a Recording King 11 series acoustic and SHOULD have bought Yamaha ....hahaha...If I am playing a ton of blues of all kinds and all kinds of other stuff ...which would be a better choice ....an 830 or 850 do you think ???? Being a bassist I do LOVE the Lowend that a GOOD dread will produce .....BUT I don't want muddy ...lol...I don't care a ton for mids ...never have ...lol....but do like a crisp high end .......so with all that said .....what is your opinion on my situation ...I can buy a nice used 850 for 300 bucks right now ???...please let me know as I don't want to miss out on the one I NEED ...lol....
What body style is your 11 series? Those are really nice guitars and sounds right for your wishes. The 850 will be balanced. If you want a bolder thump, the 830 may suit you. I doubt either will be muddy. That being said, an OM style may be worth trying out for a punchy sound. Hope that helps!
I'm a recording artist, and have several pretty high end and amazing Martins, Gibsons etc and use my FG720, FS700 and FG800 almost as much for recording (and general playing around the room). While the Martin and Gibson awe people with their super rich and intricate sound- the Yamahas are often much better for recording in "less intimate" mixes- their characteristics cut thru nicely where as the Gibsons and Martin often have too much going on for situations where they're not the highlight.
The Yamahas sound like 70% as good for like 1/20th the cost. That said, I did spend a couple hours and like $30 each replacing the nut/saddle/pins and upgrading the stock strings to Martins. Doesn't necessarily give them a "better" sound- just a little more crispness in the mid-bass and mid/upper trebles.
Glad to hear your experience, thanks for sharing. I like the recognition of the place each maker holds in your studio. Makes sense that the 7/800 models are useful in that way. I love to hear how reliable and widely used Yamaha is. They deliver as promised in my book and I'm sure the higher models, F9 etc., are killers too but I've never played them. I did play an F5 once and fell in love right away. Cheers!
Hello, I am searching for an Acoustic dreadnought with overall good projection. Well balanced. Is the FG850 a regular full size?
@supercraig2009 yes. The modern FG series are all full size. Enjoy your search!
Don't know what all the fuzz over the stringspacing with the FS800 is about, I have no problems playing fingerstyle and I have really big hands, at the bridge I messure exactly 2" and 10mm stringspacing is correct, yep, larger spacingwould play easier I suppose but I don't know anything else, great sound, great playabillity.
Nice. I know a few folks that have big hands and fingers and play with agility. I'm always impressed. Once I spend 20 minutes with a guitar the odd feeling from different string spacing melts away for the most part and I get used to it. That being said, having two different guitars on hand I'll opt for the wider one pretty much all the time. But if only one, I just play it and enjoy it for what it is, cheers!
And how much Lowend do you loose between the FS and FG models ???? Saw where they make a FS 850 as well .?????
The FS800 has a punchy low end. It is crisp and loud. I don't have an FG800 to compare with, but will soon. That will be a more direct comparison than the mahogany 850. Sometimes the 850 sound crisp on the lows, but more so it just has an evenness across all strings. As mentioned in the video, the string spacing is different on these models, so that may be another consideration.
Ohhhh ..YES ...that is a GREAT point to ask about.....so which has the wider spacing ??and does the FS have a closer spacing than a FG model???or vice versa??? Man thanks so MUCH for all your input!!!
@@b.d.charles-nb2vg as a big guy i started with a fs800 it sounded great but i couldnt get over the tighter string spacing so i returned it and went with the fg800. the fg is a bit more boomy? little more spacing. more my size is mostly it. sound pretty much the same though honestly. the dreadnaught has a bit more oomph to it.
=== Sounds like the high e intonation is off or is flat? ==== The laminated back and sides does matter. I have solid wood back and side, Sitka top Lowden. It sure does sound different from mine. ==
I bet the Lowden is a fantastic guitar. Pierre Bensusan style!
=== Wee Lowden ( real one, not Ed Sheeran model at 1K ) @@jasonvalcourt Wee Lowden Sitka Spruce top / Indian Rosewood back and side. ===
@kennethbransford820 very nice
I feel Fs800 has warmer tone, and FG850 has more bright tone, is it correct ?
I think that's fair. To me the 850 has more sparkle and the 800 has surprising bass for a small guitar.
Are there any guitars you recommend that have a bone nut and saddle installed already for under $350?
Many do, but, off the top of my head I played a lower end Guild that did (video on my channel), and I believe Recording King models do. Both my Alvarez parlors did and I love them, but they're pushing $350. Hope that helps!
@@jasonvalcourt for the money which are you going for in that lower price point?
For the options I mentioned, (assuming they come with the bone) I would personally start with Alvarez, then RK.
The FS800 has a 2.0" string spacing at the bridge, making it unsuitable for fingerstyle at any level. No strong FS players use something so narrow under the right hand. The FG800 is fine.
Definitely takes a second to get used to. It's a fun guitar.
Which Yamaha model have mahagony top beside this one? Cheper i mean
I'm not aware of a mahogany top cheaper than this one. They may make one. The "Storia" model might fit the bill, but I'm not sure its retail is cheaper.
Very nice aa always..please do review Hex guitars like DG 350 s, and other GA model sizes , string spacing neck width , I love yamaha quality but only feel one thing not in my list is string spacing that's it else this guitars are built very fine & strong .HeX guitars review need from you.. 😊thank you
Thank you. I haven't heard of Hex guitars before. I'll check them out!
If you don't look at camera when you play the guitar, this will be great review.
Maybe sunglasses next time
If he hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't even have seen it. Thank you. Great review.
Probably He’s looking at tab, hope you understand 😅
Don't be a fauk!
?
Both nice but the 850 really shines!
It does!
FG IS THE BEST !
Such a good one!
Maan wtf is going on with your strings? xd Pliers!
Keep those things away from my guitars!