🎸 Yamaha FS800 Acoustic Guitar: The Ultimate 2025 Guide – Specs, Sound, Reviews, and Buying Advice

🔥 The Yamaha FS800 is trending in 2025 as one of the most recommended acoustic guitars for beginners, fingerstyle players, and anyone seeking quality on a budget. This in-depth guide covers everything: specs, sound, real user reviews, comparisons, history, and why the FS800 is still a top pick for American guitarists.

Yamaha USA: FS800 Series Official Features

🌟 Yamaha FS800 Overview: Why Is It So Popular?

🏆 The FS800 is Yamaha’s flagship concert-sized acoustic guitar, beloved for its solid Sitka spruce top, scalloped bracing, and balanced tone. It’s praised for outstanding value, build quality, and a sound that rivals guitars twice its price.

• Ideal for: Beginners, fingerstyle players, small-handed guitarists, recording artists
• Concert body: More comfortable and focused than dreadnoughts
• Modern engineering: Scalloped bracing for volume and clarity
• Classic look: Natural finish, faux tortoiseshell pickguard, chrome tuners

📊 Yamaha FS800 Full Specifications (2025)

Feature	Details
Body Shape	Concert (Small Body)
Top	Solid Sitka Spruce
Back & Sides	Nato / Okume
Neck	Nato
Fingerboard	Rosewood or Walnut
Bridge	Rosewood or Walnut
Bracing	Scalloped X-Bracing
Scale Length	25" (634 mm)
Nut Width	1.69" (43 mm)
Number of Frets	20
Finish	Gloss Body / Matte Neck
Pickguard	Tortoiseshell
Tuners	Die-cast Chrome
Case/Gigbag	Not included
Origin	Made in Yamaha Factory
Average Price (2025)	$229–$279 (new)

Guitar Center: Yamaha FS800 Product Page

🔊 Sound, Tone & Playability: What Makes the FS800 Special?

🎵 Sound: The FS800 delivers a balanced, clear tone with crisp highs, focused mids, and tight lows. The concert body projects surprisingly well for its size, making it ideal for fingerpicking, folk, and recording.

• Scalloped bracing boosts resonance and sustain
• Less “boomy” than dreadnoughts—great for home, studio, or small gigs
• Articulated high end and balanced midrange translate well through microphones
• Neck is slim and comfortable, perfect for small hands and beginners
• Low action and smooth rosewood/walnut fretboard make it easy to play

🎸 Genres: Folk, fingerstyle, pop, country, bluegrass, singer-songwriter, worship

💬 Real User Reviews: Praise, Criticism & Community Insights

👍 Praise:

• “Fantastic tone for the price. I chose the FS800 and have no regrets.”
• “The FS800 outperforms some Taylors in sound quality.”
• “Great for small hands and beginners—very comfortable.”
• “Balanced sound, easy to record, and looks beautiful.”
• “Perfect for fingerpicking and folk.”

👎 Criticism:

• Some find the string spacing at the bridge too narrow for larger hands
• Not as loud or bassy as a dreadnought (FG800)
• No electronics or cutaway on standard model
• Case/gigbag not included

🗣️ Community Tip: Try before you buy if possible—string spacing and neck feel are personal preferences. The FS800 is best for those who value comfort and clarity over sheer volume.

Reddit: FS800 String Spacing Debate

🟣 Yamaha FS800 vs. FG800: Which Should You Buy?

⚖️ FS800 (Concert): Smaller, more focused sound, easier to hold, better for fingerstyle and smaller players.
FG800 (Dreadnought): Louder, more bass, bigger body, better for strumming and those who want more volume.
Key Differences:

	FS800	FG800
Body Shape	Concert	Dreadnought
Scale Length	25" (634 mm)	25.6" (650 mm)
Nut Width	1.69" (43 mm)	1.69" (43 mm)
Sound	Balanced, clear, focused	Louder, more bass, boomy
Best For	Fingerstyle, small hands, recording	Strumming, big sound, live
Weight	Lighter	Heavier
Price (2025)	$229–$279	$229–$279

FS800 vs FG800: Full Comparison

📜 Yamaha FS800 History: 50+ Years of Acoustic Innovation

📖 The FS800 is part of Yamaha’s legendary FG/FS series, which began in 1966. Over 200 models and five decades later, Yamaha’s blend of tradition and innovation still sets the standard for affordable, great-sounding acoustics.

• 1966: FG180 and FG150 launch Yamaha’s acoustic line
• 2016: FS800 debuts with scalloped bracing, solid top, and modern playability
• 2025: FS800 remains a best-seller and top-reviewed acoustic worldwide

Made in Yamaha: Every FS800 is crafted with careful wood selection, hand-sprayed finishes, and strict quality control.

🛒 Where to Buy the Yamaha FS800 in 2025

🛍️ Major Retailers: Guitar Center, Sweetwater, Reverb, B&H, Amazon
Price Range: $229–$279 new, $150–$200 used
Colors: Natural, Sandburst, and more
Tip: Always buy from an authorized dealer for warranty support.

B&H: Yamaha FS800 Concert-Style Acoustic

💡 FAQ: What American Guitarists Want to Know About the Yamaha FS800

💡 FAQ

• Is the FS800 good for beginners? Yes, it’s one of the most recommended starter guitars for its comfort, sound, and price.
• Is it only for small hands? No, but those with large hands may find the string spacing tight at the bridge.
• Is it loud enough for gigs? It’s great for small venues and recording, but not as loud as a dreadnought.
• Does it come with electronics? The standard FS800 is acoustic-only; look for FSX models for built-in pickups.
• Can I upgrade the saddle/nut? Yes, many players swap the stock urea nut/saddle for bone or TUSQ for richer tone.
• Is it made in Japan? Most FS800s are made in Yamaha’s overseas factories with strict quality control.
• What strings does it use? Standard light gauge steel (.012–.052); can be restrung to taste.
• Is it better than the FG800? Depends on your style—FS800 for fingerstyle/comfort, FG800 for strumming/power.
• What about the Storia series? Storia is a step up in looks and price, but FS800 is unbeatable for value.

Reddit: FS800 vs Storia vs Taylor for Beginners

©️ 2025 | Yamaha FS800 Acoustic Guitar: Complete Guide for US Players, Beginners & Fingerstyle Fans