Yamaha FS830 Spruce vs FS850 Mahogany Tone Shoot Out

[@BarrySW19]

I want one that sounds like the spruce and looks like the mahogany.

[@jakecalatayud8244]

Barry Smith me too!!!!

[@richardlucascronley5128]

That's what laminate gives you

[@abdullahasif1889]

Exactly man

[@devbrit2104]

I prefer the mahogany tone.

[@mfhchaudhary]

Same

[@jimspragg417]

Your review convinced me to buy the FS850, as I could not find one in the Cincinnati area to try for myself. You did not steer me wrong! The guitar was delivered a few days ago and I absolutely love it!..... Thanks for an open, honest review of this amazing guitar!

[@zeniktorres4320]

Update after >1 year of having a FS850 mahogany: I still love the warm tone, very even across the strings. I play mostly fingerstyle and classical pieces on it, which sounds wonderful on this as the treble strings don't sound as twangy and overbearing, combined with the warmer tone. So I would say, my opinion is that if you do mostly fingerstyle, I recommend the FS850 mahogany over the spruce. Excellent guitar also in its construction and finish. (This video review does not show the tonal qualities of the FS850 mahogany at all.)

[@YSMiracle]

But classical guitar all have spruce or cedar top (though with nylon strings).

[@zeniktorres4320]

@@YSMiracle Of course. i wouldn't have a mahogany classical, because it's not best with nylon strings. but with steel, it's sweet.

[@tylerpierce5365]

I own a Yamaha FG830, and it is the best guitar for it's value. The sitka spruce top and rosewood back and sides together sound great. Personally, it's dominant to the mahogany version.

[@deandee8082]

agreed...

[@anonymous72198]

Agreed. Dollar for dollar, Yamaha makes my far the best guitars in the world, in my opinion. Love my FG830!

[@zactogan8903]

I have a FS850 and it has very nice warm welcoming tone. Such a pleasant sound against your body. I recommend it, you'll be happy with it. As a bonus, its very well finished and looks great. Also, the sound from KZbin doesn't do it justice.

[@savanaviolenta]

I am also going to go with the mahogany version ,maybe FG850 also mahogany.

[@zactogan8903]

Good choice. The body size FS850 is more manageable for me. I lowered the action at the nut end and its much easy to play. Enjoy.

[@LUCKYB.]

nothing from youtube does anything Justice ..

[@shalinc8840]

Seems to be an audio issue here

[@tomeisenmenger6475]

Only when he speaks (seems overly compressed). The guitar samples are nice and clear - both sound great but I lean towards the mahogany myself.

[@JS-te4gz]

850 sounds better

[@user-ij8md2kc2v]

actually I hear him good on my broken headphones, but on the speaker ye, a bit too much compression

[@eugeneerdozain7483]

One of the channels is out of phase, only on the speaking microphone though.

[@1davidpeter]

Agree- sound not worthy of all the effort put in

[@RocktCityTim]

The bottom disappears on the 850 while the mid-highs are accentuated. It actually felt a bit "off" in my Sennheisers. The 830 was an all around fuller sound.

[@gazzawilliams5150]

Great video. I would have preferred it if you played exactly the same thing in both guitars but you still get a good idea. I like them both!

[@b.j.surfdog3724]

I have 2 Yams -Acoustic & Electric ( good instruments ) and a Yam Keyboard ( Moxf/ Pro sounds) and would love to get a Yamaha Motor cycle and Jet bike. Good Company!

[@nickaclaus]

I like the spruce 830 for strumming chords but thought the 850 sounded better for picking.

[@valebliz]

I have a FS 820 myself and i have to say i like the brighter sound of both the 820 and 830. 850 is a looker though.

[@AlamoMusic]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Alex-uk9vz]

I’m looking to buy between the 820 and 830 is there one that you may like better than the other?

[@CarnivoreCapers]

I personally prefer the sound of the FS830 over the FS850. Can you please do a comparison between the FGX820C to the FGX830C. That would be awesome. Thanks.

[@atharvrakhelkar]

Mahogany 😍 I like that sound

[@ТвойТаксист-г1ы]

Spruce the best. Mahogany is the spruce in a water. I think. Excuse me for my english. ))) From Smolensk with love and thanks.

[@michellep3359]

Верно подмечено! )

[@b.j.surfdog3724]

I love the way Mahogany projects. I'll take the FS850 please.

[@zactogan8903]

Its very nice, beautiful tone. I'm very happy with mine.

[@binky777]

exellent review, some open chords is all it takes. so many reviwers playing advanced and strange chords and riffs down the neck which makes it impossible to truly hear the sound of the guitar.

[@stefano78]

The spruce sounds better. The mahongany looks better though with the red color, but I think if I ever got an all-mahogany instrument I would like it to have a satin or semigloss finish rather than full gloss like the 850. So, 830 all the way!

[@AlamoMusic]

Love mahogany!

[@santhaleahpaul9741]

Oh..my phone speakers crashed on hearing the tone from these brilliant yamaha guitars!😊

[@pauloratm]

the 850 sounds so sweet

[@karltraunmuller7048]

Big Yamaha fan here. I have a DW10 from the 90‘s, an FG 820-12, an FG 830, and an FG 840. All perfect and lovely and sounding beautiful. Only thing you need to do is swap out the nut to get lower action, and maybe a bone saddle.

[@neonpic]

Hello dear Karl! Could you please recommend which guitar is better to buy: FG 830 or FG 840? And is there are big difference between them in sound and quality? Thank you!

[@karltraunmuller7048]

@@neonpic I think the difference is mostly an aesthetic preference. The 830 is beautifully dark Rosewood, while the 840 is equally beautiful Maple. The 840 is a bit brighter, but both are equally great.

[@noway1844]

I wonder how much impact the rosewood vs mahogany backs and sides effect the sound?

[@irajoshi9483]

Hi... Could you please make a review for FG820 vs FS820 vs FG830 vs FS830?

[@joq702]

If Yamaha could make this same spec (the FS830 or 850) with a nut width that is actually 1.75 or 48mm, I would be all over this. I have owned the 830 before and the nut width and spacing is not my cup of tea. I like everything else about it though.

[@tomeisenmenger6475]

Thanks for this - these are the two at the top of my list for a first acoustic. Still not sure which way to go (I need to play them myself) but leaning towards the spruce based on this vid (it's also $100 less expensive).

[@nancylawson3332]

For what it's worth, I am a raw beginner, purchased the FG830 as my Christmas present to me. I didn't want to spend more that $300 on my first, so had the guy at store play the same music on the three I narrowed down to. Of all the one's I looked at, in this price range, this one sounded the best to me. Had my third lesson last week... Whatever you choose, have fun!

[@stanrubin9409]

@@nancylawson3332 same here, love that fg830. Unbelievable price for such a great sounding guitar, and it’s gorgeous.

[@Jimmy-rd5ig]

Thanks for the comparison. I was curious how the 850 sounds! Going by how the mic picked up the sound, I'd have to say I preferred the sound of the spruce top over the mahogany. Curious if I would say the same if I heard them in person.

[@jakecalatayud8244]

Man I want a mahogany but the spruce sounds better.

[@bighes100]

Love the look of 850 but sound of the 830, I'll have to try in a shop. Currently i have a Tanglewood Crossroads mahogany which is dreadnought and it has a nice full sound to it, but when i upgrade I'll look at 820/830 or even 850.

[@joesanders6898]

I compare the spruce top to; Coffee, black, no sugar with a donut for base. And the mahogany to; coffee with cream and sugar. No donut needed. I love them both.

[@gkisscovers5320]

Excellent 👌🏻😊

[@deandee8082]

for the hale of it I grabbed a FG830 .. I have several vintage FG's including a 580, (solid Brazilian) 375, 365 x 2.. 345 x 2.. several 340's.. a rare 180 with diamond inlay, a rare 200 black label MIJ, and a few others .. so I grabbed a used 730 for couple hunnerd and I thought man for the money its a great playing sounding acoustic, so I was thinking never had a brand new Yamaha let me try one of these FG 830's and see what folks are talking about in the bang for buck and tell ya what, I got a lil more than bang for buck this thing is alive, the A thru B plucked normally runs vibration right up to my shoulder.. I have several guitars acoustic and electric and none of them hi or lo dollar transfer that much vibration form the nut down the neck, unreal to say the least especially right next tot he nut it really shakes.. I gravitated toward the FG's because they feel so good in my hands, the FG's, also a guy I trust told me a long time ago that Yamaha has a special way in which they not only select acoustic lumber but its stored better than any company he is aware of and he has seen pretty much how all the big names store their lumber.. he said that's why they always sound at least decent, and with the selection process they generally look decent otherwise they get paint or stuffed in the wood stove .. I believe there is something to this story as almost every one I have with a solid spruce top the figuring is out of this world, not just on a corner or one side, or blurred out here and there the tops are perfect.. I have a couple that are welp, not so nice but only 2 I think.. I'll donate them eventually to a serious player or beginner.. this new 830 the top is tight consistent grain, 1/4 sawn and consistently figured throughout, very nice indeed.. the back and sides are very nice as well, good dark chocolate rosewood, my favorite combo rosewood and spruce.. the best part of this one is the neck, lucky again, tight grained 1/4 sawn Nato, luck of the draw I didn't get to choose its what they sent in the factory box never been opened.. 1/4 sawn neck and top.. I just got lucky and the tight center grain is perfectly centered in the middle of the back of the neck like a skunk stripe.. just lucky.. I feel I scored big time, when she opens up she should sound very nice and have decent volume .. thanks yamaha

[@roidigitalggroup1721]

I love acoustic guitars there is nothing like recording an acoustic guitar & creating true magic

[@pablodebiddlybo3771]

I’ll take both. Absolute bullet proof purchases those

[@supercraig2009]

I would like to see a demo with Rosewood sides and back. Wish these models had that option. Im somewhat new, but after reviewing, etc, different variations and factors that produce the different sounds. I'm searching for a dreadnought with a well rounded sound and with good bottom end. Any suggestions in this price range? Really like the asthetics finish of this Yamaha F850. I als like the Yamaha ll6 ARE Sunburst Thanks

[@DeejayOU812]

Great video with the guitar sound comparison, but perhaps they should redo this video over with the corrected microphone compression issue?…

[@trigliderider]

Good recording really shows the difference, thanks !!!

[@arthurogle7581]

Wonder now the FS series sound in a Bluegrass environment? I take both my Martin and FG800 to BG jam sessions. Other pickers say my FG800 holds its on against Martin and even a Collings DM1.(But the Collings player seldom bears down on his DM1) I'd like to own the new FG180 Anniversary model.

[@andrewnarzary7462]

How different are these compared to fender cc 60s ?

[@johnarney8022]

Hey Chris, Please redo the comparison mahogany versus spruce if you read this. Thanks Man

[@BobK5]

The spruce sounds better to me, the mahogany sounds harsh but may change with time. I like the look of the mahogany best though.

[@JoeBlow-cw4pu]

The 00 shape is meant mostly for finger style. Tone is almost impossible to discern by strumming.

[@adriannasanchez468]

Dreads sound great finger style too. Matter of fact, I can't find a guitar that sounds bad fingerpicked

[@tsechejak7598]

Both sounded great first half then sounded not quite bright later audio issue? Overall chords better on Yamaha, individual notes sound better when hearing a Fender on your other vid. Thought choice for me.

[@natco3104]

Both are great but for me fs830 wins🎸🎸

[@pascaldeshayes5459]

Sound phase issue (reverse polarity of one of your audio channels)

[@nhuiwarapat7659]

spruce win

[@augmentedkeys5971]

Chris, what kind of strings were used? Medium or Light? Brand?

[@chateaubullion2560]

FS830 comes with light gauge strings (.012-.053). Don't know the brand but I'm sure it's proprietary to Yamaha. Little smaller than a full size dreadnought so it's easier to play.

[@rayhomewood8831]

Great demo. Thanks! Hog for me! 😀

[@MintStiles]

I've got 14 USA guitars each costing more than the next. While they are very nice the Yamaha is just as fun. When you get used to these instruments, you will realize that they are not "student" models. They are excellent professional instruments.

[@mns8732]

The only shoot out where no one gets killed. My kind.

[@devonjohnson1983]

God Vid. Do you know where I can purchase a battery cover for a Yamaha FG 411e Acoustic/digital Guitar?

[@mikestrowbridge]

Why does an 850 cost more than an 830. and FG830 has a solid top and is made of more expensive rosewood. All mahogany Martins are lower line guitars. What is the logic here ?

[@robertthompson7242]

maybe it is just the age of the video --- but the audio quality of the commentary is incomprehensible. Guitars sound nice, though! I just have no idea what you are saying.

[@skaybaltimore]

1. The sound quality was horrible on both. I have to assume (since I have an FG-830) that it was the production, not the guitars themselves. 2. How does the Yamaha Storia II/III compare to the FS-850? They're all smaller body mahogany top guitars, around the same price. So what's the difference in sound? (According to Yamaha's website the Storia has a passive under saddle pickup and a rolled edge neck/fingerboard, a la the Fender beginner guitars. I was wondering about the sound. I'd have to imagine they're similar, but maybe the Storia is a little easier to play?)

[@ChicagoBulls1984]

It must be the audio quality if the video. Sounds bad on my phone

[@Hshjshshjsj72727]

they are shown in concert sizes?

[@guystuffusa]

audio is messed up on this video

[@victoza9232]

Hey Chris, I just got a brand new FS830 and both the B and high E strings are nylon. Does this seem strange to you?

[@augmentedkeys5971]

No

[@Wobbz9413]

😅😅😅😅

[@victoza9232]

@@Wobbz9413 Glad you're having a laugh, dude. But what's so funny? On an acoustic guitar, all the strings are usually steel. I've never come across one that has two nylon strings and four steel.

[@Full_Deflection]

Starts playing at 4:15

[@rakeshu.shenoy8514]

hey! ☺ can you do a comparison video between beginner guitars Yamaha F310 and Ibanez V50NJP?

[@FreedomAndLiberty2024]

Please fix the audio - I am very interested in hearing this review.

[@wooferdevlin3571]

i like the maho better for strumming and spruce for picking. the single notes project more on spruce. when you really got on it - the maho sounded like a full band. it even clipped the mic. lol I like the look of mahogany better too. I'm more strummer so i' get the maho.

[@zeniktorres4320]

Hmmm... actually I thought the opposite. I mostly fingerpick and do classical pieces and I prefer the mahogany as the treble strings are not as overbearing as the spruce. Each to their own I guess. :)

[@joq702]

@@zeniktorres4320 that is what I hear also. The FS 830 is a bit too trebly for my tastes, but it is well made. Both could step up with a 1.75” nut width

[@zeniktorres4320]

@@joq702 Update: I'm still loving the FS850.

[@tecnolover2642]

Always thought yamahas sounded very cheap and trebbly and lacking something but i have to say im liking what im hearing from this mahogany one.

[@MarianIanchis]

How did they upload this video???

[@bobaldo2339]

The mahogany guitar sounded surprisingly thin - tinny.

[@zactogan8903]

I have a FS850 and its opposite to tinny.

In person, it sounds way better.

[@Whatashek]

Nice review; but to me, the 830 sounds much cleaner.

[@jimsteele2072]

Wow, it think the 850 sounds brighter? 🤔 I like both, but prefer the 830

[@davidmeinertdecrepidude]

Did B&R lose a couple of flavours?

[@abdullahasif1889]

I found 830 better than the other

[@AlamoMusic]

Thanks for sharing we love to hear what everyone else thinks!

[@deepseadiver8191]

How can anyone doing anything involving sound have such horrifically bad sound quality in a video? It didn't simply go to trash and re-shot after it was discovered that the sound quality is garbage? In a shootout of guitars where the main objective is the sound comparison????

[@Senira322]

are the back and sides laminated?

[@otisskopik1400]

jup

[@augmentedkeys5971]

YES

[@oldaccount8394]

no but they’re laminate

[@ConditionZero76]

you betcha at that price...

Yes, he said that in the video!

[@iamapat]

830 sounds fantastic

[@codenamebravo2212]

I've gone deaf

[@mdnasimbhuiyan1894]

FS 830 sounds good :):):)

[@carloscardona3924]

Ehh you guys make any guitar sound good 😅❤🎉

[@rapidviral97]

4:11

[@Flguy34698]

You guys need to redo this one the sound just keeps on going in and out and then finally off

[@b.j.surfdog3724]

I think the mic was too far away, too much room sound-not enough guitar.

[@dennisnjenga6744]

There's an audio issue

[@BeamMonsterZeus]

I hate that you decided to compare two different parts of your track instead of 1:1 comparison.

[@tigerwong1093]

And fs820?

[@crowjay91]

Yeah the camara mic is all slrts of fucked up. Which is a petty I was lookimg forward to the sound difference between the guitars.

[@mariocellura9018]

830 , absolutely spruce power

[@Kilovolver]

Useless babbling stops at 4:16

[@cfrtravel7734]

Much thanks! :)

[@keithlamphere]

mvp comment - thank you

[@adriannasanchez468]

Kilovolver I enjoyed the facts

[@Jimmy-rd5ig]

Thanks. You literally saved me 4 minutes and 16 seconds of my life.

[@auralit8]

I enjoyed him talking

[@thomdushane]

What is that guitar in the back that looks like a slope shoulder but has a yamaha style pickguard?

[@AlamoMusic]

That is an Epiphone Texan.

[@danr5105]

I actually have an FG830. It does not sound like the one here.

[@chefclay615]

I'm sort of a beginner I have a guitar already I got it for Christmas about 2 years ago. I should know more than I do but the problem was is that it's a keith urban starter kit guitar. My problem is the sadle is coming up from the body and the strings are higher off the neck. I'm not sure but I think that's why I'm struggling to learn bar chords so I've just decided I need a new guitar before I try to learn any further.

[@chefclay615]

Being that I'm a beginner I really only do strumming no finger picking which I need to start learning but I love the way these look and the price is in my range so would it still be a good choice even though I mostly do strumming instead of picking

[@zactogan8903]

I highly recommend lowering the action. Lower the string height as much as possible above the first fret. You will find it so much easier. Don't worry if there is a little bit of string buzz at higher volumes at this point. Every guitar for me has the string height above first fret way too high, mine just hovers above the first fret.

[@ConditionZero76]

@@zactogan8903 if you start messing around lowering your strings to much without proper knowledge your guitars definitely gonna be out of intonation & sound horrible as you play up the neck..... Most factories set action at 3/32" to 7/64" on the bass E string at the 12th fret and 2/32" to 5/64" on the treble E. Place a string guage ruler on top of the 12th fret and measure the distance between the top of the fret and the bottom of the outer E strings........ Good luck

[@zactogan8903]

@@ConditionZero76 Correct. Thanks for the info. Fortunately the Yamaha FS850 had quite low action out of the box than most others on the shop floor, so reduced the action at the nut only, it didn't lower the string at the 12th fret much at all. It has made it so much easier with less tension to get a clean note, or even a note at all, on bar chords with my skinny fingers. Incidently, I noticed that some new guitars come with action so high that it just discourages beginners away from guitar.

[@ConditionZero76]

@@zactogan8903 absolutely agree, some guitars actions so high it leaves people walking. Good deal glad you got everything squared away... 👍🏻

[@空駆ける天馬-v7o]

いいですねー

[@iyorit1089]

It’s a series produced in China for beginners in 🇯🇵💁🏻‍♂️

[@GuillermoCarrasco]

To my ears, the sound of both guitars went in the opposite direction you´ve described at the beginning of the video...witch sounded absolutely logic, so may be the microphone placing or the playing did the involuntary trick. sfme

[@zactogan8903]

My opinion too. The FS850 has a nice warm rounded tone.

[@NickHolum]

He’s playing louder when he’s playing the 850. Most people perceive louder as better. Bad video.

[@neilmartin99]

Yamaha mid price guitars are great if you are willing to do a bit of work on them to make them more playable. Fret work, action, etc Other than that...very nice tone and feel. It's weird though...I have the FS 830 cutaway and it does not sound nearly as nice as the one in your demo when playing acoustically. So obviously the mic and filters make a huge difference.

[@mrgenodrums]

Mahogany all day (and night)

[@SBVCP]

Damnit, teh Spruce is better. But i like the (sometimes, unconcistent af) sweeter warmer (for me, im not that trained and could be wrong) tone of the mahogany. Is one of the reasons why i like the sound of the hummingbird, yet im watching yamahas lmao

[@pnelson00]

Pointless comparison when the audio quality is this poor

[@manojkokane3365]

Spruce 👍

[@breezecam1099]

4:32 4:15

[@gregariousguru]

830 takes the belt

[@biscuitninja]

Ger to the point.

[@mikelees5093]

830 for me.

[@dankovelkoski3883]

Strum harder he could not

[@7thheaventruth]

Wow I love watching your videos but you got a really cup back on so much talking more specifications more dimensions more comparison and the guitars and less talking please a lot of followers have said the same thing

[@845ranger]

Get the sandburst

[@alexgordonepic]

whoa awful phase issues with audio sheesh! oh ok gets normal for guitar

[@nickspitzley8539]

Ok.... Guys... Re do this review with good audio. This is sad...