$279 vs $2000 Guitar // Cheap vs Expensive // Yamaha FG820 vs Martin D28 // Is it worth it?

Does a $2000 guitar sound good enough to justify all that cash? Or can you find a $200 guitar that sounds close enough to do the job? In this video, we put a cheaper Yamaha FG820 side-by-side with a more expensive Martin D28. Give it a listen and then leave a comment telling us if the (more expensive) Martin is worth the extra money.
BTW, be sure to watch to the outtakes at the end ;)
Check out my full review of the Yamaha FG820 here:
• Yamaha FG 820 (vs FG 8...
VISIT: reverb.grsm.io...
In this video:
Yamaha FG 820 amzn.to/3cjXiAM
Yamaha FG 820 reverb.grsm.io...
Martin D28 1980 reverb.grsm.io...
Martin D28 (others) reverb.grsm.io...
D'Addario EJ-26 Strings reverb.grsm.io...
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[@slowfinger2]

You can't go wrong with Yamaha! Instruments, stereo components, boat motors, snowmobiles, motorbikes. All top level kit.

[@damham5689]

And Yamaha started as an instrument company back in the 1880s. Long before they made stereos, bikes, boats, etc... So they know how to make instruments just as good as Martin.

[@slowfinger2]

Agreed. For instance, I have a 1980 FG331 that cost $120 Ca. A good low-end model. Everyone loves that little solid-top, knock-about campfire guitar. It plays and sounds fantastic, even with 43 yrs of dents and wear. I do my own set-ups.@@damham5689

[@kennewton5877]

I thought the Yamaha was very comparable. I’m 70 yrs old and have been playing since I was 20. Yamaha has Always been a very good guitar. That’s why I have 2. A 1980 model and a FGTA (which I love). I play at Church and switch back and forth from my Yamaha to my Alvarez.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Thanks guys watching!

[@86scottsdale]

I actually think the cheaper one has a more vibrant tone. The Martin sounds great of course but the clean rich sound through all ranges from lows to highs is impressive for the price.

[@domtiesflies743]

I just picked up an 820 off Markeplace for $125 with a case and strap/headstock tuner, new with tags… It’s ridiculously good for the money.

[@40rpt]

Using "over the ear" headphones, the Yamaha sounds like the clear winner to me. Surprising.

[@madcat5965]

I did this test with an FG830 vs D18, D28, HD28, and a D35 yesterday. The Yamaha crushed them, no joke. I’ve had a ton of guitars over the years, and it just out-performed in both feel and tone. The Yamaha’s overtones are just angelic. The only one that I liked almost as much was the HD28, so I have a feeling it’s the scalloped bracing I enjoy. I have to say that, based on this video, my FG830 sounds more lush and sweet than the 820 here. I like the Martin more in this video, but not $1800 more. Either way, I’ll never get rid of my FG. Insane tone, regardless of the price. I’m about to buy the 850, and then the FGX5 for gigging… with all three, I’ll still be well under the cost of a standard Martin.

[@vivattt]

I bought FGX830C last year both bridge and nut upgraded to bone. It's always a dream for me to buy a Martin guitar. Since I read your comment I think I should cancel my dream :P

[@TheJonci0322]

Martin is good but Yamaha is innovative and uses top of the line technology to enhance their guitars. They are also a monster of a company which allows them to provide great products at very low prices. I have had an fg700s and now a fg830 and they are comparable to higher priced Taylor's. I say it's aboviosuly a preference but somepeoples preferences are based on hype and branding instead of playability, sound and construction. This is like Apple and Samsung. Martin being like Apple were people just buy the brand because if the consistent quality regardless if there are better options available, like Yamaha.

[@TempoDrift1480]

I agree. My Yamaha acoustics blow away the big guys. No question.

[@sjmuffler1]

Martins get better over time. They are very bright when new and then they mellow out with time and playing. To compare a new Yamaha with a new Martin is not doing justice to the Martin. I know this because I have a Martin, Yamaha, Guild and Gibson. BTW this takes nothing away from the Yamaha. They are great working guitars and I play mine often.

[@MisterRorschach90]

I’m a Martin fanboy. That is certain. I would easily spend 12k on a custom shop authentic aged om 28. That being said, Yamaha has offerings that are literally the exact same wood pairings and body/build style for a fraction of the price. I do wish I were around a large selection of Yamaha guitars to compare. Some of them seem almost too good to be true. Where you have to spend 3k for a Martin with certain specs, you can get the same thing for less than half the price with Yamaha.

[@Bigroy1975]

i gig out i have the acoustic electric one of this bought it for 339 new. i have gigged it for two years. like it more than my epiphone aj 200. it just sounds better and feels better. i will say the neck feels a little wide. but i got big hands

[@RobertNolan]

I think that what you're hearing in the end is the wood has aged and settled in the Martin, while the Yamaha still needs time. That Yamaha will find it's voice in time and it'll sound great.

[@nomandad2000]

To add From experience: if you do any processing/effects, the difference becomes even more negligible. If you set the Yamaha up nicely and put it through a decent effect chain, you won’t gain much value by spending thousands more on the expensive model (through effects: reverb, eq, etc)

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

All good points. Thanks for mentioning that!

[@mattvanlandingham8034]

LOL! Someone sings with auto-tune.

[@nomandad2000]

@@mattvanlandingham8034 care to elaborate?

[@stegingeorge8861]

Perfectly correct

[@lelandstronks319]

I checked out a Blueridge 160 and a Martin D 35 Both sounded great, well made guitars. I loved the Martin but bought the Blueridge it’s sounding better as it ages and I saved money.Happy with my choice.

[@christianvidigalmiranda4229]

If I had done a blindfolded test I'm sure most would say that the best sound was Yamaha, most prefer the brand and not the sound.

[@dougc9117]

Great comparison project however I would feel it is more credible if you were comparing a Martin D 18 with mahogany back and sides with the Yamaha 820. Conversely you might compare the Yamaha FG 830 with Rosewood back and sides with the D 28 that you have in the video with Rosewood back inside. To answer your question the Martin is not worth the extra money in my opinion and over 50 years of acoustic guitar experience. The mahogany FG 820 offers a bit brighter sound as mahogany will, and the Martin D 28 offers a slightly rounder fatter sound albeit very slight because of the Rosewood dynamics and properties as a Tonewood. In my opinion I will always choose the Mahogany back and sides. In this instance Yamaha has put together a truly amazing series with the FG 800s and the FS 800s and all of their configurations. These are wonderful guitars for any level of player and picker. In my experience I purchased the FS 800 in Mahogany or actually NATO and the FS 830 with the Rosewood. For basically $500 I have two beautiful guitars.

[@vs_830]

820 is more tiny and middle in tone due to mahogany and 28 is bassy for rosewood. If level them by volume they are quite close to each other. The difference in class starts after 7th fret. It would be interesting to compare with 830 rosewood back and sides .

[@japanrulz87]

I would like to see this comparison too. I own an 830 and like it. With 80/20s, the 830 is bright and punchy. Planning to put some phosphor bronze on it next time to make it a little more warmer.

[@vs_830]

@@japanrulz87 the 830 will smooth sound with age. It is bright for new deck. When i use Phosphor bronze was little dull on my 830.

[@japanrulz87]

@@vs_830 Oh, ok. Then I'll stick with the 80/20s that it came with. Mine is still fairly new, so that's great to hear it will smooth out as it opens up. Thank you for the feedback. I appreciate it. Have you done any other upgrades to yours (bridge pins, bridge slotting, saddle, nut)?

[@vs_830]

@@japanrulz87 change all to bones will give volume up. Strings not less than 12th.

[@paulp679]

A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that an expensive ‘brand named’ guitar can make them a better player. A good guitar player can make even the cheapest guitar sound good so for me it’s all about practice

[@damham5689]

The expensive guitar could make you play better. Because you will look at it and say " I spent all that money, maybe I better learn to play it so I dont feel like a complete fool" 😁

[@susanroycroft89]

Exactly!! 😮😮😮

[@billdivine9501]

When I first started playing 30 years ago I had a crappy nylon string acoustic with very high action. I didn’t know what action was at the time. I was always a sub-par/crappy player at best. One day I played a friends Kramer acoustic electric and it was a night and day experience. Did I become better? Well, it was so much easier to play that to me, I sure sounded better and I wasn’t fighting the guitar. That said, I’m going to buy a $350 Yamaha FG830 because I want to get back into it. I can’t justify spending $2k or more, they both sound good and probably feel very similar. What I started with was crappy. This affordable Yamaha is a good guitar- not crappy.

[@hazard3020]

when i was looking for a concert guitar in 1986, i actually played lots of them. Prices varied between $5000 down to $750 and the best for me (after a few weekends of trying) was a $1250 hand made guitar. The others were a bit "dull" in my opinion. Especially the $4999 ones. Canadian Spruce and Rosewood + Mahogany back won the day for me.

[@brentfoster8024]

I've enjoyed many Yamahas over the years, and recommend them regularly. However, the rich, almost buttery sound of the Martin is unmistakable.

[@dew12u]

great way to word it

[@podfuk]

Agree. Thankfuly Yamaha has Japan made solid wood Red Label series FS/FG 5 around $1200 and made in China FS/FG3 around $800. Highly recomanded guitars!

[@waynzwhirled6181]

Wow. That's not what I'm hearing. I hear very little difference, and I'll put my ears up against most anyone.

[@Wobbz9413]

Not 8 times as good. Of course it sounds better. Its all solid and way older.... yamaha is the better guitar in my mind.

[@ellesnyder942]

The clip at 4:57 on the yamaha was the best sounding you got from it- i've be very tempted with that. I liked the Martin but not for thousands more. And if I got a martin it would be a mahogany top.

[@michellegare2894]

The Yamaha is brighter than the Martin, which is not a problem in itself; however, I think that if the strings were replaced on the Yamaha with some "less bright" strings, It would come closer to the Martin. So in my case, no need to spend 2000$ on a Martin.

[@blazinghacker6112]

Less bright? Huh? Do you even know how the guitar works? People literally pay to get the warm sound.... if people could replace it like that, then there wouldn’t be any people buying Yamaha and just cheap guitar replacing it with some “less bright” strings. I’m not saying to encourage people to buy a Martin but rather to get people have a sense of how guitar works and ofcourse my point is only for the acoustic guitar without any amplifiers.

[@richardinnocente4527]

Every brand of string sounds different on a guitar,I think the point is valid

[@blazinghacker6112]

@@richardinnocente4527 well then... you meant if u have bought a $100 guitar with let’s just say $30 strings, it would sound like a $2000 Martin? I don’t think so man... it won’t come even close... try it yourself if u want and I can guarantee you that you won’t ever come close to $2000 with a $100 guitar

[@RobertoBo]

Yamaha

[@MOHD-jx3bp]

Just brand???u want spend 2000 why ??? Many brand under 1000 quality same like martin....

[@jed1166]

Remember, the Martin is old, so has opened up… the Yamaha, with a solid top, will improve some with age / playing time, and mellow out some…. Sounds amazing for $279! I have a Japanese Takamine P4dc for stage, but am thinking of buying the Yamaha and installing a HyVibe system… the price of the FG820 + the HyVibe is the same as the Yamaha FG Transacoustic, but with many more effects built in, programmable blended effects via APP, plus a tuner, metronome, and looper! Worth a try!

[@InsideTheStadium]

Your a Legend man, Love your videos. Priceless information for a begginer like me, you rock bro, Thank you 👑🍻

[@petestaint8312]

I'd take the Yamaha. 👍

[@alanfbrookes9771]

I actually had this decision to make. I bought a Yamaha FG180 back in 1965. I was a student back then, and couldn't afford a Martin, though it was the guitar of choice for Hank Williams and a lot of my favourite stars. Over the years I've been happy with the Yamaha, and I even went on to buy the 12-string version of the same guitar, the FG412-12. But, about 1980 I was in a guitar shop in San Francisco, and decided I wanted a Martin. So, I tried one out. I wasn't impressed. I tried a Martin 6-string jumbo, and a 12-string, and neither of them impressed me. So, the answer to me is, don't waste your money on a Martin unless you have lots of it. It's not worth ten times the price, and I bet most people would not be able to tell the difference in sound. In fact, from this video, I prefer the Yamaha to the Martin. The next question is whether I should consider buying a Gibson.

[@Tzadeck]

I really think Martins have had their ups and downs. I went Martin shopping in 2008 and was not impressed (I ended up being a used hand-made Japanese guitar instead). But since 2018 I've been VERY impressed with what Martin has been doing, and I finally bought one. Went with the OM-28.

[@JugerGaijin]

Thanks for the review, both guitars are great! What is the name of the first song you played please? or how to play it? I'm just a beginner))

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

It's not any song in particular. Just a basic chord progression I pulled out for this comparison. Thanks for watching and commenting! Have you subscribed? I've got more reviews of beginner guitars coming down the line.

[@kevinkeener]

The Martin has a more assertive, compact midrange, and a more compressed, even tone. The Yamaha, being a budget offering, is an amazing surprise, with a decently tight low end and bright high end, but does not come close to the Martin in terms of that woody, tight midrange. Both sound fantastic and mesmerising though.

[@SaintsPurgatory]

Yea you're repeating the talk but truth is the Yamaha sounds just incredible and as it ages it'll sound as good as the Martin. Martin's are great if you like that thuddy resonance but comparing an all wood guitar to a solid top with laminated b/s under $400 yamaha there's no doubt the Martin's have always been overpriced. Paying for the name with Martin and to be seen with that name on the headstock. I'd keep that extra money and get the Yamaha.

[@DeenDesperado]

Sure, the Martin sounds better but most definitely not 10 times better as the respective prices would suggest.

[@randytausch3519]

Oh yes it does.

[@doge8676]

Ya and you if you can’t the difference like me than you got yourself a bargain.

[@susanroycroft89]

It's just me again ( own's Yamaha FG 830 and Martin) Iv'e recently acquired a Yamaha LGXC And Wow, that's a Superb acoustic, subtly different from the FG 830, but a more refined tone, definitely the equal to the Martin 😮😮😮

[@ccchhhrrriiisss100]

That Martin sounds AMAZING. It is absolutely a better sound. However, for the money, I think that the Yamaha sounds amazing (relatively to cost).

[@deandee8082]

clearly subjective or your ears need to be checked, put em oth on an audio analyzer and see which one has more frequency response, to my ears the ? Yamaha does with the Martin having more mids, Yamaha is much louder

[@stasbatov]

@@deandee8082 if i put the strings on a metal bucket it will also be louder than a martin 🙂

[@keisaboru1155]

i wonder tho . maybe if you change the strings its gonna be way different lol .

[@susanroycroft89]

Every dreadnought I buy (second hand) I always replace the nut and saddĺe for bone ones, you Instantly get Better Sound, watch the quality of the Bone components ( dense,not brittle). You can do it yourself, eg, cattle or ox bone, boil it,scrape all the meat off & give 'em a hot bleach cool em, another scrape now you've got blank's to cut 'n' shape with 😊

[@yosephra9299]

Martin has richer and extended sound. Seems the Yamaha string is not break-in yet. If you put Elixir strings on Yamaha and a proper setup probably it will sound better. Morover changing pins, saddle and nut with bone will make the sounds richer. Anyway great comparison 👍

[@ethanstollingsmusic5967]

I have elixir strings on my Yamaha they are definitely the best at least for my fg800. It sounds great for a $250 guitar.

[@crabbypaddy5549]

Yeah, id go for the cheaper. I cant justify buying something expensive when I really only play for my dog, and he never leave me any tips. He pay in licks....

[@Wobbz9413]

My dog gets up and walks away! Im not that good...😂

[@garytibo]

Easy...The Yamaha...Not because of the sound BUT the different in sound is not worth $1800.00 dollars more.

[@jamesskyway6746]

I will be 65 in 3 months, thus will be retired. Been thinking about getting a guitar that i can play in my 2nd childhood. I played eons ago (late 60's early '70's). Wanted to get a guitar 3 years ago but Covid. Wanted to take lessons but now i wish i got one back then as there is a ton of great lesson material on youtube. That said. I got a really cheap (Denver) lightly used. It is ok but i am exchanging it for the FG820. Being a lefty, i have to wait a week or so as the store has to order one in. as for the two compared in this video. The sound btwn the two is different for sure. Maybe hard to explain but the FG has a more richer bass full sound to it and the D28 the individual notes / strings are more pronounced / defined. I checked the 2022 price of the D28 and here in Canada they range from 4k to over 5k$ and the lefty Yamaha is 499. So looks like it is the Yamaha for me

[@Full_Deflection]

That Martin does sound warmer, but is it 8x the guitar? I don’t think so. For some people spending $2k is how I feel about spending $200 and those are the folks the Martin is aimed at. For people that just want to play music on a good guitar, the Yamaha line is more than enough.

[@anthonyegan59]

Sound is related to your own vibration. We All operate at different frequencies, so if you find a guitar that resonates with you, then it Just comes down to Workmanship + craft.

[@daviator4720]

I like the brighter sound for my picking ... So the Yamaha me wins. However I think try should ALWAYS mention what strings are mounted ... For comparison they should be the same string IMO . Great video ....

[@Blasthoff]

OK, I'll cut to the chase. For the "guitar players" learning their skills including those with several years of experience you need only ask yourself one question, is the Martin a $2,000 improvement in sound over the Yamaha? Keep in mind all the improvements that could be added to the Yamaha at a relatively low cost such as upgraded saddle and nut, choice of strings, and a professional setup. Think about it, even if it doubled the price of the guitar there is still a HUGE difference in value. I haven't kept up with things over the past 25 years when I bought an FG820 for my grandson. When I tried it I was blown out of my socks at the tone and playability for the buck!!! These are NOT the lacquered plywood boxes of 25-30 years ago!! As I told my grandson, you have a REAL guitar!!

[@error404m]

From what i read it seems like Yamaha is not well known for instruments in the US. Here in Japan its everywhere. I have two exellent yamaha guitars, we have a Yahama electone, amd my kids both go to Yamaha music school.

[@PaulvanHuet]

What about the playability?

[@lukecuxton1514]

The first review with a hymn, blessings on you

[@truthray2885]

Maybe I'm a philistine, but I don't think the D-28 sounds all that much better than the Yamaha, if at all. I have many Yamahas, and I'm glad I do. No regrets.

[@granada025]

I have an FG 180 Yamaha that is 55 years old and a HD 28 Martin that is 38 years old and I love them both.

[@pauloevans7180]

I have the FG830 Yamaha. I just changed the strings to Martin lifespan MA535T lowered the action and installed a bone nut. Now it sounds so great that my friend sold his D28.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Wow!

[@Xt1000]

Put a bone nut,saddle and pins on the Yamaha. I believe the 830 model is the same wood as the Martin.

[@Wobbz9413]

Yammie 820 is solid sitka top. Laminated MAHOGANY back and sides. D28 is all solid with ROSEWOOD back and sides.

[@jeffstone7912]

The Yamaha is an awesome value. Most people would not hear the difference if they were not told they were different guitars. They do sound ever so slightly different but that does not mean Yamaha doesn’t sound as good.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Thanks for watching, Jeff. Are you a subscriber?

[@paulraykingston]

The D-28 has more depth. The overtones are more apparent and sustain longer. The Yamaha sounds great but is just a bit lackluster in comparison.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

That's a fair analysis. Thanks for listening. Are you a subscriber?

[@esinsonat675]

yamaha has clearly shown that the guitars of Martin or another brand will not cost that much. if yamaha can sell their guitars at these prices.the martin brand or other brands that want high, exorbitant prices are making a fool of people.. this test has clearly shown this.. thanks..

[@gaaks6642]

yeah the yamaha is better

[@Bondwan]

I like the Martin a lot better. I have Yamaha’s and two Martins (HD 35 and a vintage D-18) and the Martin’s sound way better.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

The Martin is my go to. The Yamaha is a great number 2 though. Are you a subscriber?

[@craigsbuyer2270]

I hope it would cause it cost way more but nope it don’t and that’s before the Yamaha solid top ages. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@MikeyLee789]

For the money Yamaha, for the depth and tone Martin.

[@peterdeboer9335]

If you compared the D-28 to a Yamaha FG 830 which is rosewood back and sides (instead of the 820 which is mahogany back and sides), they would sound even more similar.

[@dada1952]

Wrong the D28 is solid RW back and sides. The Yamaha is also RW but laminated back and sides.

[@Wobbz9413]

The guy is martin biased obviously, but I know Ill NEVER sell my FG 820! I own an LL16D Yamaha as well, and love it, but play the 820 more than any of my other guitars.

[@Wobbz9413]

​@@dada1952820 is mahogany. You are quite mistaken...😊

[@adityafirdaus3881]

Awesome comparison sir. May I know which one has the thicker neck shape? Martin ora Yamaha?

[@BigHeinen]

The current 'new' Yamaha model is the FG830 and it is AMAZING and only $289 right now (March 2023).

[@kornfreak78]

Maybe I'm strange by saying this but I think the Yamaha sounds better. It also happens to be the exact guitar I'm saving up for. (I'm poor.. heh.) So the "cheap" guitar is still expensive for me.

[@rossheard9446]

Nothing works better than the "blind" taste test or in this case blind hearing test. Many people if they're aware of the expense of one item over another will more likely lean in that direction because the brain perceives it as "better" due to the cost. I close my eyes and listen and I agree the Martin sounds better.....but for the difference in price? Hey, if you've got money to burn...Martin. If not...Yamaha all the way or to be honest many other guitars out there sound amazing. I personally just spent $300 on a used Ibanez after playing on some $3000 Taylor guitars....I thought the ibanez was just as good, just as smooth. I prefer money in "my" pocket. Don't look at the price tag kids.....pick up and play and let your ears decide. Rock on.

[@philos212]

Torn between the two and leaning more towards the sound of the Yamaha. I am just blown away by this comparison. I wonder what it would look like to pit the FG830 against the Martin.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

That video is coming! Be sure you're subscribed so you don't miss it.

[@ronstafford2819]

Better comparison an all solid wood Yamaha vs an all solid wood Martin

[@roberteweil]

The only really noticeable difference is the brightness of the Yamaha because of the layered back and sides, as compared to the solid wood back and sides of the Martin. Frankly, I prefer the more modern brightness sound of the Yamaha to the old traditional, almost too mellow, sound of the Martin, so the Yamaha wins this contest for me. Also, if you are going to use "expensive" for the Martin, then use "inexpensive" for the Yamaha, and NOT "cheap." Incidentally, I've owned a mid 1960s Martin D28 that I purchased in 1968 and sold it. It was nice but I needed the bucks to help pay for my daughter's birth! No regrets and I've had many great guitars since, my favorite of which was an inexpensive little Alvarez, which was stolen from me two years ago, along with some other guitars.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Thanks for taking time to comment!!

[@dennisfinch5981]

I listened with my ears and to say one was better than the other would be a lie, both have their differences, though it depends on what you are looking for, for me and my budget I would have to take the Yamaha. thank you.

[@Legnerps]

Try playing this KZbin video through your Alexa or similar speaker. They both sound fantastic!

[@jimdent351]

I think the Yamaha might have a saddle made from a different material. It would have been worthwhile to make sure they both used the same materials such as bone or synthetic.

[@waynzwhirled6181]

Excellent point. The Yamaha saddle would be urea. The Martin would be bone. Significant difference, yet there wasn't that much difference in the sound.

[@0bm31770]

I went to buy a new guitar last week. I was willing to spend up to $1200. I ended up buying the Yamaha FG830. It sounded as good as a $1000 Taylor and looks better. I didn't expect to like such an inexpensive guitar. Oh and for your comparison, I like the Martin's sound better, but for me, the FG830 is sufficient.

[@justonepaking3021]

Martin guitars as we all know is a big name in musical instrument world so we don't worry much about the quality

[@dirkjohnson1113]

Ahhh, the "name game". This is a riot to play it. The name on the head stock doesn't make anyone a better player. Give a cheap guitar to a good player and stand back. You'll be surprised. I have a nice mid-range Yamaha ($400 retail) that I paid $100 for on Craigslist. It's my "beater" but I like it a lot, so I treat it decent, but we all need a guitar that we can take to a jam and toss around indiscriminately without too much worry. It sounds pretty damn good for a $100 guitar. Low cost guitars have come a very long way in the last 20 years. A lot of good $500 guitars, from a lot of manufacturers, are nowadays appropriate for a recording session. I've played some $2500 Gibson's and Martin's at Guitar Center that I wouldn't give you $100 for some of them. Just dead. I own an torrefied Orangewood, a Craigslist rescue, and it was never played. $550. It's as good as a $1800 Taylor. Truly special guitars these days are usually luthier-built one-off boxes.

[@lat1502]

My question is, would there be a difference if you put heavier gauge strings on the Yamaha? Would that take some of the 'tinny' sound out and come closer to the sound of the Martin? Just wondering.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Maybe...

[@Wobbz9413]

I have XS 12/53 phosphor bronze strings on my 820 and it DEFINATELY doesnt sound "tinny". Its sounds full and woody but with a bright "laminate" tone. I have an LL16D yamaha that has the more bassy, rich tone of solid rosewood. To me, the (somewhat unfair) comparison is about the cost for what you get. For me, its the Yamaha by a country mile. As a bonus, you get the proven and renowned quality of a yamaha instrument. As well as all those dollars still in your bank account. I bought an all solid LL16, an 820 both with cases, for less than that D28. and I play my 820 every day!

[@jamesbrinson7488]

Can you try this with a emerald guitar x20 against the expensive and a cheap guitar thanks

[@ravronin1025]

Yamaha sounded cleaner, thinner, but a little more articulate. The Martin sounded nice, a bit muffled, nasal. The Martin has a more distinct “vintage” vibe of course. I think it comes down to purpose and wallet size. Great video!

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Glad you liked it! Are you a subscriber? I've got some more comparison videos coming.

[@voltecrules624]

Hardly a fair comparison calling the Yamaha the “cheap guitar” while referring to the other one as “the Martin.”

[@Wobbz9413]

Call em whatever. I prefer the yamaha 820. I have one, and will NEVER sell it!

[@jaydoraiswami4762]

(Full disclosure: my guitar is a Yamaha FG series model) I really like the Martin, its got a rich, mature sound; the Yamaha is brighter. Kinda like a grand piano vs an upright. For practical reasons, I got the Yamaha, but would love to own the Martin.

[@ctcards2636]

Ive been playing for 30+ years and have owned and played MANY MANY guitars in my life and i own about 40. Id used US Ovations for acoustic for that entire time. Recently I bought a F335 Yamaha and since then ive kept adding to my Yamaha list. These guitars out play guitars that cost 5x the price. For the little bit "more" you get out of a $2k Martin aint worth the difference in price. I own: F310 F325 F325D F335 FD01S FG700 FG800 SLG200S The 700 is my favorite along with the 335 and 800. Yamaha has products out that just cant be beat from the tone, feel etc. I did 3 simple mods to all of my Yamaha's that made them sound even better than they already did. Replace nut with bone, replace saddle intonated bone saddle and use ebony or rosewood pins. If you like the sound of your Yamaha now, wait til you add these to it. Only 2 of the Yamaha acoustics i bought, did i buy new. The 800 and SLG200S were only new ones. I got the 700 a few weeks ago for $148 shipped to my house with a case and it was in ridiculously good condition. You wont find a better acoustic guitar for $148. Even the 800 which was $229, theres no guitars remotely made as well in this price range. Martins cheap acoustics are junk imho and most of the other companies cheaper stuff is just that.... cheap. The backs of the Yamaha necks are where its at wiith the satin feel to them. My only complaints come with the 325D and the 800, they are not rosewood FBs and i like rosewood FBs. If you like the 800, try a 700 first as i think the 700 is a better guitar all around. But if money is an issue, keep an eye out for a used F335 and they can be had for very little, it may be a laminate top, but theres no other cheap cheap acoustics that are as well made as the 335. I bought mine for $80 shipped that was a blem. Added the bone and wood saddles to it and just wow. $80 acoustic. Cant be beaten. But i prefer a solid top overall so id go for my 700 or 800 first. But def sit down an try a 700 before ya buy an 800. These two guitars are very different, but the 700 imho feels better and plays better.

[@Wobbz9413]

If you think replacing the nut makes ANY difference, I think you are not credible. Hardly ANY notes make it to the nut in normal playing. Only the occasional open string. And thinking logically, changing the nut material makes very lttle sense.

[@howardlo65]

I want to hear these picked over the sound hole, not right near the bridge where all acoustics sound harsh and thin.

[@WindOfTheWisp_Janine]

Agree...I see so many folks who don't pick over the sound hole...they must have their reasons, as I'm sure they are all much better players than me!🙂 But I can tell a huge difference & always play over the sound hole. I once read that folks sometimes pick toward the bridge to make the sound less deep & boomy, but I actually much prefer the deeper sound!

[@rmzzz76]

Martin's tonal advantage comes out less when you're strumming than when playing lead runs, but it certainly does sound better. 10x better? No. Professional players who need that nuance sound and can afford it who can really hear the difference (you need acclimated ears to hear it) should probably save up for a Martin and to be fair a $1200 USA built Martin 000-15m will deliver that same kind of leap. You don't need a D28. In fact an all solid Blueridge BR160 (~$900 Asian built D28 copy and a really good one) would be a great choice and it could give that Martin some competition.

[@stevenzhou925]

Thanks for sharing. Just to be fair, it should be done as a blind test instead. I'm an audiophile and we do head-to-head tests all the time, but the results can only be unbiased when the participants have no idea which one is being played.

[@ronnichols884]

My guitar man told me that you start out with the cheaper one until you learn to play it well. Then go with the more advanced better one. He also used to build both guitars and motorcycles. He said you don't jump on a Harley right away. You start on a good cheaper one until you learn to ride it well, then go to the Harley.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Great approach!

[@mothereartha7]

It’s nearly always about comfort and playability, richness of tone, that one is an investment as well.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Agreed! Be sure to subscribe. More comparisons coming.

[@elbelnini]

If the Yamaha was played over the soundhole close to the fretboard with better strings, I would chose it. Money wise. If it were a vintage Martin D-28, I would absolutely choose the Martin.

[@loombaron]

well if you are a pro and need a guitar for touring/studio of course get the martin. For amateur players the yamaha is the def way to go.

[@franciscolopez3229]

For the price of the Yamaha, it ain't dead last when it come to the sound quality. For everyday gig, it will surely do good.

[@TheAtomBat]

Blueridge br40 vs a martin d18! We gotta have it.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Send em to me and I'll make the video. 😉

[@nickedward3257]

I have an FG830. What's the difference between the FG820? Thanks.

[@DUK703]

The 830 has rosewood back and sides, while the 820 has mahogany back and sides

[@aliciavalerio9630]

Considering the price...this yamaha model seems better than this martin because the sounds are both excellent.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Great point.

[@gennarogiordano2823]

Difficult for me to say. The Martin has a slightly better sound over my iPhone lol. Need to hear them live right. And as per one of the other comments once you amplify and run through effects the acoustic differences are almost meaningless. I would love too see the addition of say a Taylor and done blind so we don’t know which is which. Also maybe say how they feel in your hands.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

I plan to do a video on how I do live acoustic sound. Been working for a while to get it where it is. Are you a subscriber?

[@gennarogiordano2823]

@@ThisGuitarChannelOnline I just subscribed today, this was the first thing I saw. I believe this video was very worthwhile. Too many people are suckered by the big brands, which hey, certainly are good guitars, but the quality of that Yamaha for example is fine and especially if you will be running through a sound system.I'll be checking out some more of your vids now that I am aware you are there. Again I would love to see you do a video with 2 high priced guitars and 2 low priced guitars all played behind a screen so they would be guitar A, B, C, and D. Ask for the comments and then in the next video reveals the brands.Thanks.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Glad you found it helpful! Thanks for subscribing and for the video ideas. I'll see what I can do. 😊🎸🎸 BTW I changed the name of the channel...

[@domdimensions9219]

I would go with the FG820. I really don't think the difference is worth 10 times the price. The yamaha actually sounds really good. The epiphone masterbilt series are all solid wood guitars for around 1000 dollars new, and it seems like amazing value for the money, although they are made in indonesia and not the USA like gibsons or martins, so if you care where it is made that might be a deal breaker. I don't mind if it's made overseas. I would really like to own one.

[@cameronnewton1320]

Easy decision, thank you for the honest review Yamaha 100 for the money

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

So glad you found it helpful! Are you a subscriber?

[@roberteweil]

Would have been interesting to have done this comparison, without seeing the guitars. Just playing the sounds as Guitar #1 and Guitar #2. And then asking which one sounded the best. Then the big reveal at the end of the video of the identities of Guitar #1 and Guitar #2. I believe the outcome would have been a big surprise to many.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Great suggestion!

[@norco4life518]

Personally I liked the Yamaha.. I may be biased cause I’ve played Yamahas for decades, but to me, for the price, it has a sweeter sound for what I like to play

[@BryanLee-o1m]

D28 has solid rosewood back and sides, while fg820 has laminated mahogany , better comparison would be d28 vs yamaha ll16 ARE which uses solid rosewood for back and sides as well . My personal opinion , the ll16 ARE beat d28 in terms of sound quality at 1/3 the price

[@davidbanta7303]

need to be doing a blind comparison,,,people often will go with higher priced just because of the influence of name,,overall,very little difference in sound,,i have owned Yamaha acoustics and they were good guitars,,i paid a bit more for my Takamine,not so much a difference in sound as playability ,the Tak is finished better overall and has a better feel when playing and there is a much bigger difference in feel between Yamaha and Martin or Taylors that i have played than between the Takamine and the more expensive guitars,,,,and as has been stated before when amplified sound difference is negligible,,,what it boils down to is you have to play them and then decide

[@TheAtomBat]

I myself prefer the yamaha, idk why... Just like the sound better.

[@christianvidigalmiranda4229]

@@TheAtomBat I agree!

[@prvlovs]

For my opinion, both guitars are coping well with tunes, but Martin as like asking you, that you should give him most difficult music to do.

[@kingfisher5150]

I prefer the Yamaha. Even at the same price I'd choose the Yamaha

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

They are great guitars.

[@oinkooink]

Martin clearly sounds better. Who knows though. You get some nice strings on the Yamaha, set it up really well, put a bone nut and saddle in there, dress any rough frets, get the neck in good position it might sound and play better.

[@Wobbz9413]

No rough frets on an 820 yammie. I guarentee it. They need some setup, yes, but very little really, and they sound just fine. Its a laminate back and sides, so will never sound like all solid, but As I keep saying, I bought an all solid LL16 yam. An 820 yam and cases for both for far less than a D28. I love my 820 and play it every day. Its just common sense. Great quality, great price and a sound that just keeps getting better. Yamaha for me, all the way.

[@Mike-up6go]

To make it fair, the Yamaha FG820 should be compared to the Martin D18. Mahogany vs mahogany. Even though the Martin is solid wood all around and the Yamaha is HPL back and sides with spruce top. To me, overall, the Yamaha sounds as good as the Martin, regardless of wood type. Swap out the urea saddle and bone and bridge pins on the Yamaha and it would get real interesting.

[@thomaslamb1104]

Martin guitars are well made and sound great but for the money, the yamaha is the winner because it's so much cheaper in price not in the sound.

[@Wobbz9413]

Agree they sound good.....

[@dalesearcy5734]

You should compare Rosewood to Rosewood and Mahogany to Mahogany.. I have a Yamaha LL-16 D that is half the price of the Martin and sounds equally as good.

[@gilwe]

You really can't judge a guitar via a youtube video. Guitar is feel, action, volume, resonance, sound... all these you can really judge only by playing it.

[@sammyrothrock6981]

Yamaha is abit brighter but, for the price difference I would be happy. Should compare a Guild 240E to the Martin I have one it has serious punch very Martin sounding

[@MikeBikerKickstand]

I lust after a Martin or Taylor, but I can't put down my Yamaha AC3R. Pound for pound I would put it up against just about anything. Besides, when I plug them into my signal chain and amplify thru a PA they pretty much sound the same anyways.

[@shawndavidmorgan7854]

Both sound good but I think the Yamaha has a little more brighter sound

[@Wobbz9413]

Yes. Its laminate mahogany....sounds nice though and mine just keeps sounding better and better

[@maestroadam]

Wow, that Martin sounds GOOOOOOOOOOD.

[@antalantal2366]

To my ears the Martin sounds "better" (warmer, with more sustain and depth) but the comparison you propose has a kind of weak point: the back and sides are made of different woods. I know that the Yamaha back and sides are laminated but... still... A perfect comparison would have been the D28 vs. the yamaha FG830. Is the difference in price worth our money? Well... Even if I am a yamaha fan I would say "yes it is". Indeed, we all know that gettiing a decent sound out of a woodbox ain't that difficult but.. Every little improvement requires costly adjustments. In other words, the relationship between quality and money is not linear in almost every field of craftsmanship: the fact of putting five times more money does not yield five times more quality. I already wrote in comment for another lovely video you posted that what is missing on YT (and everywhere else ,I would dare to say) is a comparison between high end yamahas (26 and 36 series) and other high end guitars. I used to own a lj26 and the beauty and sound of that guitar are still unmatched and unparalleled to my eyes and ears. A buddy of mine owing a D35 was upset by how my yam sounded. I am thinking about buying a ls26 but, oh man, they are so expansive. Gotta save money!

[@CarolinaJbird316]

Playing for the Lord. Love it!

[@Lostolddiary]

Can you please tell the name of song he’s playing between 3:06 - 3:45

[@stegingeorge8861]

In my opinion......... Yamaha is best, affordable and quality instruments. Martin is very expensive but has quality. Even Yamaha also have $4500 guitar. But Yamaha produces guitar according to our choice and what we need. Martin keeps it's legacy and icon. If you need cheap Yamaha is also available. If you need high end model, still Yamaha provides you. Secondly, Martin is made in USA and labour market is high which add additional cost and as a total Martin is very expensive. But Yamaha is made in Japan and Indonesia where the quality is same as good as Martin but less labour costs. That's why Yamaha is cheaper than Martin. But if u see quality, it's same

[@jw_23_]

I had my phone in my pocket and didn’t know which one was the one playing but I honestly think the Yamaha is a million times better, I’m even scared myself😥

[@shawnpeterdesilva]

There is hardly a difference of the sound. Therefore buying a martin is not worth it