Yamaha FS800 vs Eastman PCH1-OM - Best Budget Acoustic?

[@RodClark]

My local coffee shop has a FS800 that the owner bought at a garage sale for $50, and - even though I have a 00-18 and a 000-18 at home - I play the FS800 most days over a cup of coffee and you know what ... it's a darn nice guitar. I'd happily own one - and I have 3 Martins.

[@susanroycroft89]

Yes l agree, just ole Don here from Hamilton NZ, I have 1 Martin- Nothing beats, But I also own 4 Yamaha's-FG 180, FG830, an FS electric cutaway, and an L series cutaway electric, All are Truly GOOD ACOUSTIC'S, and the L (never heard OR played 1 before, but IT'S incredible. Started with Yamaha, 60 years ago, and played other Brands but Yamaha have a CONSISTANCY in the Realm of Martin, just my experiences though 😮😅😊😊

[@curtisjordan9210]

It's much more comfortable playing a guitar that you're not afraid to scratch or dent. Plus the quality of the Yamaha guitars is insanely good for their price. Imo they are the best value for your dollar guitar that you can buy.

[@johncrane6673]

My very first guitar was an Eastman (AC508). I also had an AC822CE-Koa-Ltd which I have since given to my son. Both are phenomenal guitars. Eastman and Yamaha build guitars that clearly punch way above their weight in tone and quality. It's hard to understand how they do it at these price points, but they do.

[@uvp5000]

These two instruments are quite impressive in their sound. Having played some lower-end Yamahas, I've been pleased with their playability. I have yet to try an Eastman guitar.

[@lhvent]

Yamaha has that attention to detail at every level that can't be beat. I own an FG830 and LL6M ARE and such great guitars.

[@PhillipHolt-f9r]

I am very impressed with Yamaha guitars are ìwant to buy a dreadnought straight avo

[@PhillipHolt-f9r]

Straight acoustic

[@samk4801]

Respectfully...I own an FG830. And I had a bone nut and saddle made to replace the plastic that Yamaha provides. And I added a K&K Pure Mini. (NOTE: Through the K&K, especially with the XLR pre-amp/breakout box, that guitar will outplay almost anything NON-K&K through a sound system.) And I've always told people it was the best guitar for the price and that it punched WAY above it's weight class. However...I just got an Eastman E1D...and while it's not fair to compare a $600 guitar to a $350 guitar, I was extremely impressed with the Eastman. (I would definitely compare the E1D to the LL6M ARE, however.) Then when I started listening to reviews of the PCH/laminated line I was so impressed that I think at this point if I were ever to get an entry level guitar, it would be the PCH line. But I'm so content with the E1D I think my +1 guitar days are done

[@cugir321]

Had to return an LS6m...I have lots of great yamaha's...the LS6m was the worse guitar I saw in years....neck was full of high spots and high frets. It should have never left the factory. Just saw a FS800 today which is possibly the best neck I've ever seen on a guitar. Perfect level on fingerboard and frets....almost completely buzz free when capo'd to the 4th fret. That blew my mind....and sounded great! Great bass....not as good as my Yamaha LL16 (Which had a bad hump in the neck til I refretted it) but great. I think I'd rather have 4 great FG/FS 800's over my LL-16...it would be the same price - 4 for 1.

[@scoggers1628]

I bought a Yamaha FS800 as an extra guitar for the lessons I teach to beginners and it's such good value for money. Easy to play, excellent set up, good build quality and tone. Superb value for money. I haven't played any of the PCH series from Eastman but do have one of their all solid models, an E6 OM, which I'm very happy with.

[@PhillipHolt-f9r]

I'm going to buy a Yamaha dreadnought straight acoustic budget model.

[@scoggers1628]

@@PhillipHolt-f9r Good choice. Anything from the F800 series should serve you well.

[@anthonyb2334]

Thank you for another excellent video. I’ve owned both of these as travel guitars. I think the Eastman is better for me based on the 1-3/4 inch nut and OM depth. The Yamaha is wonderfully built but a touch deeper of body, so sitting in a camp chair I like the Eastman a little more. But the Yamaha is hard to beat at the price point. Thank you again.

[@mariodriessen9740]

These guitars sound so much more expensive than they are! I mean, I didn’t know, so I looked it up and I was shocked. I paid more for some of my pedals for my electric guitars. 😳

[@MrWriteright]

Both guitars are excellent choices for the price. I chose the Eastman. For me, the satin finish simply cannot be beat. I also like the depth the Eastman possesses. The Yamaha is bright. The Eastman has a dark sound. The treble works really well for FS800 (the major chords really sing out). The bass for the PCH is amazing (the minor chords are quite articulate). Again, both guitars would be a great beginner guitar. If you can find an Eastman PCH buy it.

[@Joe_Montfort]

Thanks for spotlighting these affordable guitars! (They both sound great, btw.)

[@onlineon64]

Congratulations for the work... I liked the Yamaha guitar on the base... and the other guitar, I liked the solos... speaking here about Brazil... Hugs!

[@thainanjoao8631]

Another brazilian guy here 🎉

[@christianvidigalmiranda4229]

Mais um, tenho um FS730s e não quero mais nenhum.

[@laurietice2612]

Been trying to find a used Yamaha FS800 for awhile now. I am a beginner senior on a fixed income and need to watch every dollar I spend. But, I did try playing one that a friend of a friend had and it was nice and easy for me to chord, etc. Enjoyed your video. Both guitars sound awesome.

[@88superpop]

Just found one for sale for 50$ just outside of Sacramento

[@kingstumble]

I have had a number of Yamaha guitars over the years, starting with with one of the original Red Labels (FG140) but while you can't knock the build quality I have always found their string spacing much too tight, so for me the Eastman with its wider neck wins hands down.

[@samk4801]

That's interesting. I just got an Eastman E1D and while I've got several guitars, and the one that is the easiest to play is my Taylor Mini Hog, the E1D is similar in playing to the Mini. I just got it and already I'm loving playing it because of the sound and ease of playing. I never thought it was due to the string/nut spacing. Thanks.

[@shoer5151]

Yamaha sounds better 🎉

[@willmcgregor7184]

Thanks for the review. Im a beginner and bought the FS800 as it sounded good to my drummer’s ear. I don’t have big hands but I do want to try some guitars with greater string spacing to see if they will be easier to play.

[@bertbregdenz2756]

both are good ! Guild and Sheeran nice comparison 🌻

[@tdc_2021]

Yamaha sounds better but I bet the Eastman is nicer to play with the 12” radius. I own a Yamaha FS5 and a Gibson J-15…they both have their own unique sound but the Yamaha isn’t half as fun to play, and I think that comes down to the neck width and the radius.

[@jebjohn7934]

I have the exact same Yamaha and I love it, it’s been through some stuff and it’s handled it all and still plays great

[@roytube10]

great review a couple of nice guitars. hard to beat yamaha in any category though when you talk a price range!

[@patricklundquist9869]

I just gave this another listen. In this video, the Yamaha FS800 has deeper bass and more volume. (Maybe Quentin played it harder because he was unhappy about waiting to be handed the Eastman?) I just looked up the specs and the Eastman PCH1-OM has 15" width, 4"- 4 1/4" depth, while the Yamaha FS800 has 14 15/16" width and 3 9/16"- 4 5/16" depth. The Yamaha is 1/16" narrower, 1/16" deeper at the bridge end and a full 7/16" shallower at the neck end. There was no body length published but the Yamaha has a rounded jumbo style bottom while the Eastman has a flattened curve. Somehow or another, those differences, along with internal construction add up to a major tone and volume differences. I have to give the win to Yamaha and I hate doing that because I'm a big Eastman fan. I currently own 4 Eastman guitars and only one Yamaha, my old 1972 FG-150 red label.

[@imdaroger]

Ive tried the pch before and I prefer the feel of it more than the Fs800.

[@gfblack5307]

I give the edge to the Yamaha.

[@auramac]

Definitely.

[@phillecompte3438]

Terrific review. The Yamaha has more of a mahogany tone while the Eastman more of a brighter maple tone .

[@edfulginiti8798]

The Yamaha has a pretty decent “depth” to it . 👌

[@Joe_Montfort]

Doesn't it, though? I usually to prefer dreads for that, but this is making me change my mind.

[@auramac]

@@Joe_Montfort Still prefer dreads, but Yamahas at their price points can't be beat. Quality, period.

[@dalesearcy5734]

Great comparison video. I liked the Yamaha a bit more but not by much. The Eastman does look cool!

[@BaktaBak3]

Yamaha , Eastman, Blueridge budget guitars are awesome ! 🎸

[@michealofloinn2539]

Better value than a €5000 guitar 😀🇮🇪

[@bretfisher7286]

For no objective reason at all, I prefer the Yamaha here, and there, and everywhere. It's only because Yamaha is traditional for me. I learned on a Yamaha classical guitar, and since then I've come to understand that, for a player like me, Yamaha offers tremendous value, great quality assurance, and great beauty-- all for always-surprising prices. I just bought an FG820 this morning, matter of fact. Can't wait to get it and get going. A gorgeous guitar for $300.

[@donnysmith946]

I'm more hooked on the Epiphone line. I even own a Epiphone Masterbilt that sounds and plays better than my Gibson J-45 at a forth or fifth of the price !!!!!

[@uhoh007]

You don't mention a big difference between these guitars.....string spacing at the bridge. The FS800 is exceptionally narrow under the RIGHT hand. It's a great strummer, but for "western" size adults, it's quite narrow for fingerpicking and hybrid picking: you won't find professionals fingerpicking often with such narrow spacing. For less large folks it's probably fine.

[@patricklundquist9869]

Yes on the insurance guitar! I have an Eastman DT30-GACE (double top which sells new for $2,850) and recently bought a PCH3-GACE (sells new for $569). Both are grand auditorium cutaway electric and eyes closed they feel identical. The really big shock is how close they sound to each other. The double top has more volume, sustain. Although it may not sound as lush, that laminate sides and back PCH3 still sounds like a solid wood guitar with a very respectable tone. I have no idea how Eastman pulled that off. Since they feel the same, there is no fumbling around getting used to a new neck shape and width, or string height, etc. The PCH3 makes a great insurance guitar, especially considering you can buy five of them for the cost of a double top (which will never leave the house). In fact, buy several PCH guitars then you can have guitars in alternate tunings so you won't put your audience to sleep while de-tuning and re-tuning a single guitar.

[@samk4801]

I could be wrong but I think Eastman kind of shoots itself in the foot when it comes to their expensive lines because even the entry E1D is ALL solid wood, bone nut/saddle, smooth tuners, a little thinner so it's not like wrestling a usual dread, and the sound is just unbelievable. I used to get that from my FG830, but now it sounds more entry level, whereas the E1D can hang with anybody.

[@patricklundquist9869]

​@@samk4801 Agreed to a point. Eastman's build quality is excellent on even the bottom-end guitars. Construction-wise, the higher end guitars have differences that aren't easily visible. For instance their lower-end guitars have three-piece necks with a glued scarf-joint head stock and neck heel.

[@samk4801]

@@patricklundquist9869 Does it make a bit of difference in the sound?

[@patricklundquist9869]

@@samk4801 As far as the neck construction, probably no noticeable difference in tone but might be a difference in durability.

[@samk4801]

@@patricklundquist9869 All Eastman guitars are hand made. Have you ever heard of an Eastman neck falling apart?

[@Craig_KCfan]

Love your reviews but it would be nice if you more consistently would review acoustic guitars with electronics..

[@antalnagy8075]

I like smal body guitars and I played the FS 800 in a shopp. The craftmanshipp and the construction is great. I was waiting to soud better for so many demmos I listened. It has a good sound for the money, and I'm sure that upgraded with some natural bone nut and saddle and some rosewood or ebony bridge pins and some Elixir or Martin strings would sound greater, but does not fit my bigger hands. It has less than 43 mm nut widtht and I can not play it properly on the first 3-4 frets (touch the neighbour strings on certain chords). The Eastman has 44.5 mm. So. My advice is that if you have small hands go for the Yamaha, but if you have big hands, do not chose the Yamaha at all, because you will have difficulties to play it conffortable. The Eastman has wider neck, so it's better for middle size hands. But if you have large fingers, than go and find some 46-48 mm nut widht guitars. Greatings.

[@gordonbezanson4710]

I have a 1983 Yamaha FG340 II and eastman 4:27 ac120ce . Buget guitars but i love them both. 😁 the yamaha in this vid sounds amazing.

[@terrymattingly6843]

Have you guys stopped mentioning crucial info like the nut width? Scale length?

[@ronlight7013]

Information free in all its glory - and how much can you romance "price point," the poetry just rings

[@banjo1434]

Re nut widths. My FS 820 - and presumably the 800 - is 1 11/16. The Eastman - which I have the solid back and sides version - is 1 3/4. The yamaha is super sleek and fast, the Eastman more chunky and slower. For me. I lean towards the Yammy as an all rounder, and the Eastie for finger picking. But both do both very nicely. Here's the thing worth bearing in mind. With either guitar you are only 200-300 notes away from the sold back and sides options, which is a big upgrade for not much outlay. Rest assured, whether you go laminate or solid you will have a very nice guitar.

[@wabisabi6875]

Hey, it would be helpful if you could tell us about scale length and nut width.

[@patrickd1805]

paul do u ever play?

[@abranvigil4904]

Is that the FS800 Natural? Or FS800T(tinted)

[@Disruptor23]

How the body depth is different on Yamaha FS800 than the Taylor GS Mini?

[@aaronlarsen7447]

They have a very similar voice. The Yamaha sounded less boxy, not as tight, less tinny, smoother e.q., dry, more expensive. I feel that the Yamaha beat the Eastman flatbout in this comparison.

[@kellputt51]

does the Yamaha have a smaller neck..? I have short fingers and need a shorter neck... thanks

[@triples4good]

The Eastman sounds really nice and sounds old school bluesy, but the Yamaha has more tonal complexity and would be more versatile. Yamaha is just a winner at every price point.

[@WysteriaGuitar]

Yeah, Yamaha wins this battle...

[@Megg028]

So in Germany the Yamaha is a bit above 300€ ... still a good investment?

[@Colt_Funky]

It is!

[@jimmyv6703]

I think if your theme of presentation is the price point, shouldn’t you tell us the cost?

[@dangrather1280]

I bought an Yamaha LL6 for $750 Canadian as a cheap guitar to bring camping. I play it more than my expensive Taylors and martins.😂 I could by 10 of these for the price of my other three. I don’t know how they do it for the price…or maybe the big guys are ripping us off.😂

[@sesa2984]

Yamaha.

[@bammbamm1961]

what.... you ask the question and then don't bother to answer it??? loveya guys, but come on have an opinion

[@aynrandy1]

That eastman blows the yamaha away

[@auramac]

Tinny in comparison.

[@federicoines1848]

Both good China made guitar

[@Xt1000]

The Eastman is 100$ more than the Yamaha but not as good of a guitar.

[@k5blazernut485]

Terrible review!

[@michaelk7194]

they sound ok for a budget, but no match for the Martin

[@multipipi1234]

For the money can be seen as insulting to some..