Yamaha FG 800 vs FG 830 (Which is BEST?)

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Which one of these two guitars would you pick? Leave a comment and lemme know!

[@bryanbaskett4010]

Do what I did, go to Guitar Center, pull several off the rack, play them. I ended up with the Yamaha FG830, the sound is AMAZING, it was the clear stand out of all the instruments I played, I picked it up for $279 on sale. Put in a bone nut and saddle, and SHAZAM!! Even better!

[@ralfybaby]

That was my experience also when I went to pick out a guitar for my stepson's birthday. Tried them all. Kept the Yammie for last. It wasn't even close. The only thing that can touch it is an Alvarez.

[@charlesjohnson4544]

Best demonstration of a Guitar on all of You Tube .. You let the chords ring out for an accurate assessment of Tone and Volume ---- as where other Demonstrators are more concerned with their picking abilities rather than chords ... Thank You for an accurate demonstration ...

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful.

[@markstacey2906]

I've had a fg800 for quite a few years and it's only got better with age but I'd go for the fg830 if I wasn't already going for a fg ta.. Great comparison thank you for sharing...

[@jwilder2251]

I’ve played for a long time, and the 830 is the best bang for the buck guitar I’ve ever played.

[@kornfreak78]

I'm currently saving my pennies for the FG830. Can't wait to finally get one. I was thinking about the FG820 for awhile but the small upgrade in the FG830 to me was worth the price difference.

[@Adam-dy4iq]

I am strictly a beginner, having never played the guitar before. I recently retired (I'm 67 years young) and my wife told me "Hey Honey .... You need a new hobby." I spent a few hours in my local guitar shop, strumming away on the 800, the 820, and the 830. To my ears, the difference in tone was not significant enough to justify the increased cost of the 820 or the 830. The 800 felt super comfortable and sounded really nice. So, I bought the 800, and for the $ 110 difference between the 800 and the 830, I was able to buy a really nice case, a great clip on tuner, and a nice "in the hole" humidifier. So, all in all, I'm extremely happy with the 800, and I'm playing for at least an hour every day. Yes, .... I'm a very happy camper, already mastering a half dozen chords and the intro to "Smoke on the Water." LOL. Sublime enjoyment indeed ! I'm already loving my new hobby, and really looking forward to growing as a player.

[@kmtim6888]

You can also try the FG850.

[@InsideTheStadium]

The fg800 is a great begginer guitar tim, probably one of tge best fir begginers, rock away my friend 🤩🙏🏽💯

[@Jasper_Yay636]

Old beginner here too. Sounds like you plan to be the best player possible. I sprang for a D-18 MD. Inspiring. Semper Fi amigos

[@DEATHVIPER1777]

Keep rocking Bro!!

[@JayneRinehart]

I join the rest of you who are beginners and trying to soak as much knowledge in before I hit my guitar shop.

[@InsideTheStadium]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this review my bro, everything I needed to know and hear. Your a Rockstar and a legend. I'm a begginer and this is priceless for me, thank you.

[@gerardeummelen5357]

In 1983 I started playing guitar on a classic guitar (Aria AC 7) and learned three chords from a friend. Wrote several songs and in 1993 I recorded my first and last cd. In 2005 I was suprised on my 50th birthday with a Alhambra P5 also a classic guitar. In 2019 I bought the FG 830 and what an amazing sound this guitar has. I still play it most every day. A year ago I also bought the FSX830 BS (a semi accoustic/electric guitar) A beautiful guitar and I use it to perform in nursing homes.

[@vs_830]

They are quite close by sound in common. 830 is little deeper in details. And visually 830 looks like premium one.

[@nathanxbond]

I have a FS800 and a FS830. I use them for recording and they compliment each other perfectly. Now I just need the mahogany FS850. I love these guitars. The sound, the way they play, is beautiful and I’d put them up against a more expensive guitar any day.

[@musicfromtheeastbranch4815]

Appreciate the video and the comparison. I would probably choose the FG830 between the two, but that FG800 still seems nice.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Right there with you.

[@niuniu778]

I'm originally from the United Kingdom, but living in China a number of years now. I decided to buy my first guitar during the constant Covid lockdowns we've had here. I went for the FG830, despite my limited playing ability, I'm very pleased with it.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

It's a great guitar. Glad you're enjoying it. Thanks for watching. Be sure to subscribe if you haven't already. More of you to come!

[@niuniu778]

Yup, already subscribed. Love your channel!

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

@@niuniu778 Thanks!

[@JohnRotonto-ql9ds]

I have the FG 830 and I love it! I ordered the FG 820 so I have that contrast between the rosewood and mahogany. Im sure I'll love that one too. Great review dude! 👍👍🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@VanceCarolin]

With most things being equal, rosewood back and sides will almost always give any guitar a deeper and richer tone.

[@JohnEagle220]

ИМХО на звук влияет только верхняя дека... А нижнюю и боковую хоть из папье-маше делайте - разницы не будет

[@wyattsdad8561]

I just bought the fg830 and received it yesterday. I usually won’t buy an acoustic without playing it and hearing it but Yamaha makes a very consistent guitar. I frikken love this 830! I did an A/B comparison with my Blueridge acoustic and it sounds better. It’s louder and sounds better. Tonight I’ll A/B it with my all solid wood Martin MMV. I ordered the sunburst finish and I love it. All my other acoustics are just natural finish tops. Man it’s a great guitar especially for the price. My Blueridge cost around $1,000 now and my Martin MMV is around $1,900 now. So this is a really great deal. The scalloped bracing really makes the top resonate.

[@kindianmguy]

I tested both in the shop. Both are amazing in my opinion but I picked FG830 for better build quality.

[@wyattsdad8561]

That fg800 sounds pretty damn good too. I usually go for rosewood back and sides because I like that tone but the 800 is really a great sounding acoustic

[@davidlackey4873]

bought fg 800 8 or 9 yrs ago to learn, didn't know much about guitars...started getting better at playing and got a blueridge br 140 and a carbon fiber from enya with the trans acoustic style onboard...good guitars...but going to step up and get a yamaha ll 16 d in black color...i think yamaha guitars are the most consistent sounding guitars made and that's the only brand i will buy.

[@DoloresTymchak]

I have a FG800 and I love it,the tone is great, and I would never trade it for another guitar.

[@RobertoCichetti]

there you go, i feel the same thing about mine,,, the fg 830 is not better different is not better its just different

[@kmtim6888]

I would choose the FG850 and skip the FG830, but the FG800 is definitely above average. If you're not sure yet, buying the FG800 won't disappoint you.

[@josejcastaneda5826]

I have owned the FG 800 for a short period of time. I now own the FG 830. The FG 830 has been the best economy guitar that I have found.

[@corkbour7708]

I’ve had my 730 red label for quite a while and would never let it go. Playing it is like hanging out with an old friend

[@TransformersAndVideoGames]

Great comparison. I just started out and have been learning open chords on a cheap Yamaha F-310 that I found at a garage sale, which I believe is an all laminate guitar. It would nice to upgrade to one of these guitars at some point. It’s funny but in my area, no one ever seems to have the FG830 in stock; Just the FG800 and FG820.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Check out Reverb: reverb.grsm.io/yamahaFG830

[@TransformersAndVideoGames]

@@ThisGuitarChannelOnline Thanks brother.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

@@TransformersAndVideoGames i'll sell you the one in the video

[@martinevans4010]

It's because FG830 is so good ! It should be a lot more money than they are selling it.🤫😉🙈🙉🙊

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

@@martinevans4010 that's right

[@ashemoski]

This was a very good comparison. I appreciated not only the descriptions of the differences, but hearing each back to back was interesting. I actually did a "fast-forward/rewind" to have an almost immediate A/B comparison. To my ears, they sound *very* similar. Far too similar to justify the extra expense of the 830 which, in my opinion, isn't just "a little more expensive." Relatively, the 830 is 150% the cost of the 800, but doesn't sound 50% better. I just picked up a lightly used (very lightly... even the pick guard is pristine) FG-800 as my "re-entry vehicle" to playing after 30 years away from it. I'm looking forward to seeing what it can do.

[@RobertoCichetti]

your a smart mam, i got the fg800 and it sounds good enough

[@kwn-th]

Price two level. I Agree with you

[@jazzlehazzle]

Would you be open to looking into your recording solutions? These sound here like they're just coming over a standard camera or phone mic, so both sound pretty tinny to me, (despite the 830 still having the bigger voice). Definitely not as full as what either guitar can do as shown on other channels around YT, plus there's a fair bit of line or background noise. I'm listening on decent headphones where other guitar channels you can really hear the guitar sounding like it would in the room or on a pro live recording. Check out J.P. Cormier's "Guitar Stuff" for a great example! Thanks for these helpful demos regardless, happy picking!

[@XSFlanger]

These Yamahas are performing like high end instruments, that would be 4-5 times expensive. Very good choice on budget and for beginners. My all time dream acoustic is a vintage D45, but maybe I will be able to get my hands on D18 or D28 someday :)

[@51RainArmy]

This video ( along with others) helped me choose the FG 830 as my beginner guitar after trying both at a music store. The visual appointments make it more appealing and honestly, the prettier the guitar, the more you feel like picking it up to play. Even to my beginner ears the laminated rosewood sounds better than the na(y)to okume. So thanks @ThisGuitarChannelOnline

[@alanvanallen7762]

Hi Matt Thanks for reviews,I have a couple of Yamaha acoustics,,an FG403MS and an FG720S-12 ,I have had both guitars quite few years and like them both and now I am thing about getting a Yamaha FG830 I think the 830 has a warmer tone and more presence but both guitars are good.BTW I enjoyed the little bit of the hymn Lord of all Hopefulness you played there

[@MichaelObler]

Good comparison. Thanks.

[@susanroycroft89]

Thanks for this comparison, yes they are both very close in sound, however I bought the 830,& added a bone nut and saddĺe myself- WOW what a difference

[@wyattsdad8561]

I had an all solid Blueridge that was quite a bit more money than their Blueridge one with laminated back n sides and I sold off the all solid one because the laminated back n side one sounds so much better. I’m really interested in one of these for a campfire rig. So sometimes all solid doesn’t automatically mean better tone

[@maynx2743]

Dream guitar. PRS silver sky US model, but in a polar white color similar to a fender strat.

[@raybassman7536]

I have an FG800 that sounds better than a Martin. I am so thankful to own a FG800.

[@robertmiller4204]

thank you, I'll be going with the 830, I really do love seagull guitars but can't spend that kinda money

[@raelenecronin1827]

FG 200. Since 1973. Have several others, 2 Martins (OO and backpacker) all the rest are yammys, various models. The FG 200 blows them all away.

[@ZionForman]

I teach about forty students per week, several of them have entry-level Yamaha guitars, they fit the bill.

[@HI2LIFE]

Watching from Australia

[@Utoober-yp7mf]

What about FG800 vs FG800J - any difference?

[@ralfybaby]

Buy the 830 people. It is well worth the extra $100. It is easier to play, sounds better. I bought a FG800 for myself as a first acoustic. I found it OK, but a bit hard to play. Found a used alvarez MD60 all solid mahogany guitar that was obviously much better. Fast forward a year or two I bought my stepson a guitar for his birthday. Got him an 830. Much much better. I may have been a bit unlucky with my FG800 but the 830 is great. If it were mine I might have never bought my MD60. And certainly not my second MD60 that I bought for my place where I work.

[@antipodesman2]

Scalloped bracing on production guitars is done by machine in one dimension only. A hand built guitar by a good luthier will have scalloped bracing in two dimensions giving more resonance and sustsain. Some people will sand the bracing through the sound hole to avchieve the second dimension. That is a difficult project.

[@arnoldr3920]

For me the 830 sounds better! 👍

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Thanks for watching!

[@TropicalLatitude]

After 70 years, Yamaha finally has the D-18 and D-28 sounds nailed.

[@keiththompson5193]

Not really. I have a d 28 and an fg 830. They are very good for the price and I would definitely recommend the fg 830 for anybody on a budget. I also have an fs 830. I love it because it is the concert style. I just like the smaller size and it sounds as good as the fg 830. I play it more than my d 28.

[@billallen1594]

I’m surprised how much fuller and rounder the 830 sounds and how much bigger sounding the bass is. I have the 800 😔 800 sounds really thin. What I need is a new guitar 😂 Would love an FS5. But the truth is can’t justify it

[@timdybala7127]

Howdy from western Colorado!

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

🙋 from pemba.

[@genghis_connie]

I have a Taylor 812 CE (1992) and a ‘96 Martin D15M. **I just came across a Yamaha 800 for super cheap - but it has a green label like the 830. I think it may be vintage. Does anyone know? My dream guitar is something with a deep tone that I open-tune and band the heck. I guess I’m a big-bottom gal. 😂

[@sarthwahb]

Dream guitar : Taylor 814 ce dlx or 914ce builder's edition

[@chekhurra]

Hello Sir, Can you please do a comparison between Orangewood Oliver and Yamaha FS800?

[@Jasper_Yay636]

I reckon a prettier guitar makes me sound a little better.

[@sprucelee8813]

The 800 sounds really cheap the 830 is way nicer I have a FG 340 and it’s my precious 😂I love it to death I think the 830 sounds close to my FG 340 ❤

[@shanechurch6720]

The 840 with the flame maple back and sides vs the 850 has me going in circles like a wormy dog...

[@Geotubest]

Love my FG800. It's a beast.

[@krisverding3908]

What string do you recommend ?

[@goranbosnjak3908]

How about Ibanez TCY10E for beginer to start?

[@Styla78]

Is the 830 easy to play for a beginner? How's the action?

[@joeblough261]

It's gonna depend on the one you get, these are mass produced. But whatever yours is, just take it in for a $50 setup by your local guitar tech. They'll lower the action if needed, intonate it, and put on nice strings -do a lighter gauge for easier playing, esp. for a beginner. I just took my friends FG830 in as a fist, spend $60, and the thing plays and sounds like an absolute dream, as good as some of my $800-$900 guitars

[@billchessmen]

A real hard choice, they both sound good. Probably the 800 because I think it looks a little prettier....but then again the 820 might sound a tad better going up near the body of the guitar

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

I kind of wish they'd left the binding off the headstock on the 830. It's a little bit of overkill. I like it on the body and the fingerboard tho.

[@JamesAdams-f2w]

Rosewood rules!!

[@abetaylor5062]

I love my FG830!

[@lhvent]

There's a difference in the sound. The FG830 has a deeper sound. That being said, you can't go wrong with the FG800.

[@Meedav]

Great guitar right off-the-shelf. But,.... the sound gets even better if you replace the factory saddle with a bone saddle. Well worth the trouble.

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

What did it do to the sound/tone wise replacing it with bone.... How did it change it for you?

[@RJ-vb7gh]

I think that the tonal difference in different guitars on the rack puts these guitars closer than they sounded here. Although I've never met an actual bad Yamaha, some always sound better than others even within the same model range. Also over time all solid tops will sweeten and mellow with age so an older FG 800 is likely to sound better than a brand new FG 830. Of course, solid Rosewood is always going to sound better than almost anything else... all other things being equal, but both guitars are laminate so the body isn't going to resonate all that differently as they are likely laminated with the same glue. Now... There's a big difference in looks. And that' makes a difference to some folks. I like the look of rosewood and the embellishments, but other people might like the simple and warm look of the FG 800. So it comes down to a matter of taste. If I were to give someone starting out advise.. Find an FG 800 that sounds good to you and save the extra money for your step up solid body guitar. At that point you will know your style and what you like and the kind of sound you really want. About half of the really good base players I know started out with an acoustic guitar. Things change. I'm going to add one kind of funny footnote... I know some people that bought a basic Yamaha decades ago. Over the years it sweetened up and literally sounds better than it did new. And the funny thing is that these people never did trade up and still play their old faithful Yamaha as their only guitar. Some even taught their kids to pay on it. Of course I'm not talking about professional musicians, mostly folks that like to play for themselves and friends when they get in the mood. . But if history is a teacher, Yamahas last a very long time and a used one is going to have a lot of life left in it and might be a really great option at an even better price. In any event you won't go wrong with either.

[@RJ-vb7gh]

@@BryanClark-gk6ie The 800 series is laminated, so they sound closer to each other than they would if they were solid body. But they are still natural wood, so each will sound unique. Overall they will all sound pretty good, but I recommend you play several and choose the one that strikes your fancy. I might add that different strings will also make a big difference in 800 series guitars. Now looks are a different story. Some people love the plane Jane 800 while other folks like the fancier upscale versions. Giving advise about the looks of a guitar is a lot like picking a prom dress for a girl without asking her what she wants first. If you are new to guitars, and if you can find one you like go for the standard 800, it's cheap and great to learn on and it's actually good enough to gig with. Over time, you can use the money you saved on the upscale 800 to get something solid wood you will love forever.... That said, I know several people who still play their first Yamaha 50 years later. As they all have a solid top, they will all mellow and sweeten with age. And the laminate body isn't going to need nearly the care of solid body guitar.

[@RJ-vb7gh]

@@BryanClark-gk6ie Exactly, The aesthetics are a matter of preference. As a musical instrument, it's got to project the flavor of you. Before you mod it play it, to make sure it feels and sounds overall right. There's something to be said about choosing the best one off a rack in a music store which you don't get when you order an instrument. But Yamahas are made to very high tolerances and you are likely going to get a really good one. My daughter likes her elixers and prefers to play softly and they produce a nice rich tone without mods. Although the Urea nut and saddle are overall fine, bone should be a nice upgrade. Let me know how you like it when you get it. Getting a new guitar is like making a new friend. It's a special time so have fun.

[@JimHaurylko]

Can you do an 830 vs Martin Shenandoah?

[@ThomasDoubting5]

I have the fg 800m , it's great but I brought an old FG 411s and that trumps the FG 800 for playability and sounds but the 800 is a cracking guitar you won't buy better for the price point in fact I'd say you would need to spend considerably more .

[@tadkingsbury79]

In the final analysis ........it's all personal preference......... I would not be ashamed to play a Yamaha next to a Martin anytime .

[@Hellboy_vt750]

The 800 is just a little bit warmer on the ears

[@paulthompson2072]

830 all day

[@deandee8082]

830, and a 730 .. I have like 20 vintage FG's, a 580, couple 365's, 100 series, 200, all of them, really want a 460 bird . . 1500, 2000, got the 580, Brazilian..pretty nice .. I should have started collecting in the 90's when they were dirt cheap . . . meh .. goodwill .. lol

[@dariushir2002]

thanks

[@jonatherton]

The 830 is warmer, deeper and has more resonance. I doubt there's a better guitar at twice its price.

[@PhillipHolt-f9r]

I want a jumbo guitar but the 800j is it wider than the 800?

[@barbaram.sherlock1219]

Best guitar I ever played was an IRIS A/B

[@manofthecloth777]

Sweetwater has the FG 830 for $350 new.

[@donaldelmore7085]

Just curious...are both guitars in these tests strung with the same strings and does that really make a difference?? Truthfully I'd rather hear maybe just a verse of a tune instead of strumming chords, because the reason I'm buying is to play & not just chording..Thanks..

[@ninj4stud]

Listening through a decent hifi system, the difference is discernable. The 830 is a much superior sound; richer and fuller.

[@RogerCooper-z8p]

Yamaha FG series are great guitars for the money but no way compares to a D28 Martin!😊

[@davefrazier8627]

830 has a bit more going on

[@lucywong6086]

Just bought 800

[@lhvent]

Almost 5 years in, my FG830 plays so well. The sustain is amazing.

[@lam3083]

Do you have fg850 sir?

[@olegarena13]

Hello, can you make video Yamaha fg820 vs 830?)

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

I'd have to get my hands on an 820.

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Here's a review of the FG820 standalone: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHqop2hjgtONlZI

[@fredkuykendall9390]

The Yamaha sounds just as good to me and more affordable

[@naokmoon1487]

830 easy

[@deandee8082]

830 is a helluva guitar for the money IMHO, see in em used for $200, oh yea throw one in the trunk, got one the rosewood was dark brown chocolate.. real nice pieces of wood .. Indian rosewood .. the back bounces or reflects so it does matter for resonance and volume but only in a way that if the laminate is just sound deadening which laminated rosewood generally isn't so the loss is negligible

[@Garspawnish]

Watching from Texas, favorite guitar is the best one ever made (slight hyperbole warning) my 1981 Yamaha FG 335ii. FG 830 wins for sound and visual aesthetic

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Thanks for tuning in! Have you subscribed?

[@art.ann.]

Both of these nowadays made in china? Is there any difference in country of origin?

[@jaime8318]

830 sounds much nicer. Not even close

[@thomaswfleenerjr5874]

Martin 000-18

[@mademepickaname]

Blue Monk

[@Cinta-up6zj]

not significant !!! the only difference is the side and back Fg800 nato Fg830 rosewood 

[@emran_hussan1597]

感谢❤

[@77guitarts22]

Subscribed! Nice comparison, I love the Yamaha guitars... My choice would be the FG830 ... I have one similar but from the 700 series kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWG4pqRrq6drb7M After a lot of years it sounds better and better

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

Thanks!!

[@ComicKish]

What's Yamahas next up model above the fg830 ?

[@ThisGuitarChannelOnline]

There's an 840 and an 850

[@sergeia3279]

830

[@jamnee]

Acoustically sounds the same. The 830 has rosewood and some nice cosmetics. Both of these guitars are a great value! I was lucky to get financing for a Martin D18. That is my guitar for life.

[@3124cm]

F830 is the best.

[@BigHeinen]

As of 3-31-2023 the FG830 is now $289 at all retailers. Quite the bargain! No bag - no case....

[@harrydelossantos5873]

seems like they return it to $339

[@BigHeinen]

@@harrydelossantos5873 Yes sir sadly you are correct. 🤔

[@gonebyrv9748]

@@harrydelossantos5873 Must be too many people watching these videos. It's now August of 2023 and the typical price is $349.

[@PhillipHolt-f9r]

If I had known nice Yamaha is I would never have bought Epiphone.

[@PhillipHolt-f9r]

At first you were calling it 820 then the 800 which is it. Anyway I can't see spending the extra 100. I like the jumbo body on the 800.

[@jharmon1071]

Well it would help if he was holding the guitars properly instead of like a violin. It's obvious that the 830 is more money and made slightly different with woods and added touches .

[@HenrykJerome]

recommended strings???

[@ДмитрийКрасовский-л8ш]

Обе имею, хотя 800-ю на продажу выставлю, наверное.