Head to head
Cort SFX-MEM vs Yamaha FG830
The short answer is that the scale lengths are not the same (25.5" against 25.56"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 21 rows that actually differ marked out.
SFX-MEM
Open Pore
A thin-bodied acoustic for people who find full-depth guitars uncomfortable
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Score profile
Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.
- Cort SFX-MEM7.7
- Yamaha FG8308.2
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Specification by specification
| SFX-MEM | FG830 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Cort | Yamaha |
| Model | SFX-MEM | FG830 |
| Finish | Open Pore | Autumn Burst |
| Instrument | Acoustic guitar | Acoustic guitar |
| Fretline score | 7.7 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
| Value for money | 8 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.3 / 5 (13) | 4.7 / 5 (530) |
| Price | $300 - $500 | $300 - $500 |
| Type | Acoustic-electric guitar | Acoustic guitar |
| Body | SFX slim body with Venetian cutaway, 83 x 83 mm depth | Dreadnought (Yamaha Traditional Western) |
| Body wood | Mahogany back and sides | Solid spruce top with rosewood back and sides |
| Top | Mahogany | Solid spruce |
| Back & sides | — | Rosewood |
| Bracing | Advanced X-bracing | Scalloped bracing |
| Neck joint | Dovetail neck joint | Set neck |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Nato |
| Neck profile | C shape (21.0 mm at 1st fret, 22.5 mm at 7th) | — |
| Scale length | 25.5" (648 mm) | 25 9/16" (650 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Laurel with dot inlays | Rosewood |
| Radius | 15.75" (R400) | 15 3/4" (400 mm) |
| Frets | 20 | — |
| Nut | PPS | — |
| Nut width | 1.6875" (43 mm) | 1 11/16" (43 mm) |
| Bridge | Laurel | Rosewood |
| Tuners | Die-cast | — |
| Electronics | Cort CE304T three-band EQ preamp with built-in tuner | None |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Styles | Folk, Pop, Blues, Indie, Rock | Folk, Country, Blues, Pop, Rock, Worship |
| In the box | — | — |
A marked row is one where the two differ. A highlighted cell is the stronger figure where one can be judged objectively. Empty cells are specifications the manufacturer does not publish — never estimates.
Which one should you buy?
Computed from the specifications and our editorial scores for these two instruments only. It is not a general ranking.
Most versatile
Cort SFX-MEMHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Cort SFX-MEMHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Yamaha FG830Strongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Yamaha FG830Build and tone scores combined, with credit for tuning-stability hardware that matters when tracking.
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
Want a third opinion?
The comparator takes as many instruments as you like, not just two, and recomputes the whole table and every conclusion as you add them.