Head to head
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany vs Yamaha FG800J
The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets ($300 - $500 against Under $300), and the scale lengths are not the same (25.3" against 25"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 21 rows that actually differ marked out.
CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany
Natural
A solid mahogany top and a Fishman system, well under the price that usually buys either
FG800J
Natural
The safest recommendation in budget acoustics, and it has been for years
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Score profile
Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.
- Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany8.0
- Yamaha FG800J7.8
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
| CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany | FG800J | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Fender | Yamaha |
| Model | CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-Mahogany | FG800J |
| Finish | Natural | Natural |
| Instrument | Acoustic guitar | Acoustic guitar |
| Fretline score | 8.0 / 10 | 7.8 / 10 |
| Value for money | 9 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.4 / 5 (888) | 4.6 / 5 (368) |
| Price | $300 - $500 | Under $300 |
| Type | Acoustic-electric guitar | Acoustic guitar |
| Body | Dreadnought cutaway | Dreadnought (Yamaha Traditional Western) |
| Body wood | Solid mahogany top with laminated mahogany back and sides | Solid spruce top with nato/mahogany back and sides |
| Top | Solid mahogany | Solid spruce |
| Back & sides | Laminated mahogany | Nato / mahogany |
| Bracing | Quartersawn scalloped "X" | Scalloped bracing |
| Neck joint | Set neck | Set neck |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Locally sourced tonewood (nato) |
| Neck profile | Fender easy-to-play shape with rolled fingerboard edges | — |
| Scale length | 25.3" (643 mm) | 25" (634 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Walnut (current Fender specification; early production used rosewood) | Rosewood |
| Radius | 12" (305 mm) | 15 3/4" (400 mm) |
| Frets | 20 | — |
| Fret size | Vintage | — |
| Nut | Crème plastic | — |
| Nut width | 1.69" (43 mm) | 1 11/16" (43 mm) |
| Bridge | Walnut, with white bridge pins with black dots | Rosewood |
| Tuners | Chrome die-cast | — |
| Electronics | Fishman CD-1 preamp with under-saddle pickup | None |
| Controls | Volume, bass, treble, integrated tuner with on/off switch and low-battery indicator | — |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced | Beginner, Intermediate |
| Styles | Folk, Country, Blues, Pop, Rock, Worship | Folk, Country, Pop, Rock, Blues, 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
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-MahoganyHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-MahoganyHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-MahoganyStrongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for rock
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-MahoganyStrongest overall score among the instruments suited to rock.
Best for the studio
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought, All-MahoganyBuild 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.
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