Size Matters: Yamaha FS9 vs. FG9 - Unboxing the Differences in Tone and Comfort!

[@ryanbloom1738]

I want both❤

[@mrb2436]

Gotta say that back and forth comparison switching every couple of bars was the best way of doing a comparison that I’ve seen. Thanks! My vote was for the FS, but I’d be happy with either!

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@clayoneill3042]

Purchased both FG9 and FS9 Mahogany versions last week. Both exceptional guitars - preferred the FG9 Mahogany over Rosewood. Played Many guitars over the years including Martins (HD 28 included)- in my opinion these guitars are exceptional with incredible tone. Would not swap these for any other guitar I have played. Of note I am based in the UK and both these guitars came with light strings fitted ( 12 - 53) and I double checked with digital Calipers to make certain. Hope this assists.

[@herbmichael5053]

Got to admit I thought A was Dread a bit surprised it was the FS9. Yup, might just get one.

[@lilycat1694]

I thought for sure A was the Dread.

[@hoangnguyennguyen1032]

Same here lol

[@andreweiypo6176]

@@lilycat1694 Me too. Bought the FS9m. It sounded better to me in the video and in the store.

[@andreweiypo6176]

Thought A would be the dread, Bought the FS9m, love it and preferred it in the store against the FG9m too which surprised me

[@pawwalton2157]

The FS9 has a bit more clarity, separation and depth with a bit brighter voice. Both are excellent sounding guitars. I like the FS9 for the song demoed.

[@UniverseSpeck]

SPOILERS: Wow, I have to admit, I thought A was the dreadnought. I liked it more, thought it was a bit more balanced. I was surprised to see it was the FS9

[@firecrackerheart]

they're both wonderful sounding-i cannot pick between them! OM=clear and balanced DREAD=scooped and boomy and loud......

[@neilanderson2374]

I have a FG9R and an FS5. Both wonderful guitars, but the FS5 is definitely my favourite. Lo and behold i preferred guitar A. The FS9 is much better looking than the FS5 but on a par with sound

[@Fallowsun]

The blind shootouts you guys do is really valuable. It really hard to not “listen with your eyes” I was sure I A was the FG but no. I prefer the FS. Sounds more “coherent” to me.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@dalesearcy5734]

That FS9 is awesome! I picked it in the blind test.

[@TheGuitarsquatch]

It would be interesting to hear the FS9 compared to the Martin 000-18 and 000-18 Modern Deluxe

[@AndreRMeyer-ns6gw]

@bigmac51290 as wood / would be, to hear the FG9r compared to the FS9r. ...and the FG9m to the FS9r // FG9r to the FS9m. merry-go-round

[@texhaines9957]

Thanks, John and Jeremy.

[@colined]

I have an FG9. Now, I want an FS9 as well.

[@AndreRMeyer-ns6gw]

@colined I have the FG9m s.n. IKI040A, and paid (in advance) for the / my FS9r yesterday. Greetings from the sunny climes of Basle, Switzerland

[@christopherwatkins9729]

Gotta give 'credit' where it is due... YAMAHA Guitars are consistently excellent value... whatever price range and model are selected... Very happy with mine and offers it's 'own' uniqueness, tone etc., with my other guitars... (Acoustic or Amped)... Mmmm... 🤔... A - B - A - B - A - B - A - B ... 🤨... ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ... 😵‍💫... I give up ! ...😮... Like them BOTH... ! ...🤠...

[@scottfishkind5335]

Great video, great guitars!! That OM is sweet! That FS9 and Yairi FYM66HD are close contenders for my dream OM. My Furch Master’s Choice Gc-CR is my Dream GA so I’ve got that covered (dreads are a no go for me, 64 year old shoulders).

[@stephanielongden597]

I was pleased my ears correctly identified each model. I very much liked them both but the G slightly edged the S for mellowness and deeper sound. I think I would chose the S for its size though and I still love the sound and price. Having both would be a dream combo. 🥰🥰

[@BradleyMcTaggart]

I guessed them right. Both are great guitars. I’ve been wanting to give the FG9 a spin.

[@slpc30]

Those are incredible guitars

[@johnwashburn3793]

I bought a 00 about two years ago and I play it most often. I have a similar dreadnought (both Adirondack/mahogany).I truly appreciate the dreadnought more than ever. It is grand! Both are Martin guitars. I am considering the rosewood FS9 or F5X Red Label.

[@johnwashburn3793]

Perhaps the 000 16 Streetmaster.

[@louisfifteen]

I definitely go with the A.

[@timothybrawley7909]

I liked the FS for being a little on the more balanced side. At the same time, I like the stronger tone of the FG. Both are very close. I really would have to get one in my hands to give an honest opinion. They both are very good guitars.

[@joshuahendrickson4854]

I’ve got a yamaha gd830 CE and it is a great sounding guitar. I’d have to go with the fg9. The fs9 also sounded very good as well.

[@kreso1754]

It would be good to hear it in another musical style

[@nateday9328]

That g run crushes me every time! Lol...my wife doesnt get it, but i snort laugh every time!

[@tothepoint7258]

FS9 rings more. I think I like it better. Strings might make a difference.

[@andersfernbach2399]

I love the comfort of an OM, but almost always think dreadnoughts sound better. Now that you're Martin dealers, maybe you'll get an M-36 at some point. Ive always wondered if that might be my perfect match of comfort without giving up the depth of bass. Thanks for the continued great content

[@BobsYoureuncle]

Hey ..... Be nice to Jer !

[@guitarpt62]

I would go with guitar A.

[@tedwasielewski9641]

I preferred the sound of B better and was frankly relieved to see it was the FG 9 M... because that is what I own. That said the FS 9 sounded excellent and I am certain it is more comfortable to play than the FG, which is very important. If I could only own one? I'm not sure, I'd have to play them both for a while to decide which factors and sound would win out over time. I'd like to own both of course and maybe, some day... :) Thanks for the review and comparison!

[@chullerism]

I preferred the sound of the FS9, but assumed it was the dread. I was shocked when I saw the reveal! I'd love to hear the EIR version.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks for sharing! We haven’t done back to back tone samples with the Rosewood version but we do have tone samples in this video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5vFo6ZnpZWSbbc

[@chullerism]

Now I see why Yamaha put medium strings on the FS9's... they're short 25" scale.

[@earlelfrink]

The FS9 has a cleaner more open tone and sound. It is the better sounding one to me. Actually I have always liked Yamaha guitars because they note more true than a lot of other brands.

[@BulldoggerJK]

I liked the FS9.

[@martyc4906]

I believe I’d choose a FS9R

[@albertpsaros]

Wow im surprised..i chose A for better sound and was convinced that was the dread. FS9 for me!

[@MatthewCuda]

Ha, I picked the OM size.

[@nateday9328]

Fs9 wins, in my book. I like the tone better...i think...the end of the song kinda swayed me to the middle. And i was wrong. I guessed that A was the fg

[@henksalomons8010]

Wow FS9!

[@steelguitartim]

My parents were marred in First Ballymena in the early forties. All my maternal relations come from Ballymena.

[@jmsamborski]

Well I guess I’m not surprised the American market whining (because they want every guitar to have Martin specs) forced Yamaha to switch the F series over to mediums. Fortunately I got my FG9M 2023 model with lights… but now an FS purchase means cutting a new nut and complete setup out of the box.

[@steves12strings]

I'm pretty sure it is just because it's a short scale.

[@johnwashburn3793]

After a large Sunday dinner, sighs matter too.

[@lhvent]

I like the dreadnought

[@AndreRMeyer]

and now ladies and Spassvögel the FG9r vs FS9r comparision, s.v.p. or better yet : comparing the FG9m to a FS9r ( I own the FG9m s.n. IKI040A ) I intend on buying the FS9r, shortly. Merci vielmal. Greetings from the sunny climes of Basle, Switzerland

[@dcallan1]

The FS has the same volume or more in the audible range. The FG has much more low end and low-mid content. In an ensemble with a bass player, you would not hear much difference.

[@ZionForman]

one of these will be mine, I've got my mind set on it, now if my wallet will cooperate, the "smaller" guitar is really not all that small. OM stands for Orchestral Model.

[@jessehudson7113]

Fg for me

[@nereavizcay]

FS!

[@jeffthevideoguy23]

To those who can afford one, enjoy!

[@startreker8591]

FS9 mahogany doesn’t come with a case but FG mahogany comes with case…wtf; I am ordering fg9 hog…I got om 28 a year ago…etc y Guilds omg Ty guys

[@AcousticShoppe]

The FS9 should absolutely come with a case, I don't think it can be ordered without one? We've got one with a case!

[@dennismoore7935]

FG9 better to me

[@uvp5000]

I really liked the graphic instead of blurring out the instrument. Displaying a static graphic left me no option but to use my ears which is exactly what I was hoping to do, thank you for that. I thought guitar A was the FG9 and B was the FS9. I was wrong. This visual format for comparisons is top-notch and worth using from this video forward. As for Japanese builders not being U.S. builders, that should simply not be an issue. Yairi-Alvarez, Yamaha, et al are very high-quality instruments. The only concern a current or prospective guitar player should have is are they considering a musical instrument or something that visually approximates a guitar from an online retail giant that costs less than a parking citation? Poor quality garbage that is very inexpensive is garbage you've just paid to own. In the end, it is still garbage. With all the choices available when shopping for a musical instrument, choose the instrument that works best for you and enjoy playing it. Making music is why we purchase and play these gems.

[@AcousticShoppe]

Thanks so much for the feedback! When I originally blurred the guitars, they were a bit too obvious because of the size change so I'm glad this worked out and gave a fair challenge. Also thank you for sharing your thoughts!

[@uvp5000]

@@AcousticShoppe I really like this channel. Although I realize tone samples must not be normally recognizable musical compositions, the samples here are quite useful. I like that John demonstrates several different picking attacks and some fingerpicking. The note and chord choices do give a sufficient representation of the demonstrated instrument. I'm pleased my comment proved helpful as any refinement also benefits viewers. Keep up the great work.