Head to head

Fender FA-125 Dreadnought vs Yamaha JR1 FG Junior

The short answer is that the scale lengths are not the same (25.3" against 21.25"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 16 rows that actually differ marked out.

Fender

FA-125 Dreadnought

Sunburst, with accessory bundle

The same FA-125 bundle, in the sunburst finish

7.0/104.5 (2,793)

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Yamaha

JR1 FG Junior

Natural, 3/4 size

The 3/4 guitar that keeps getting recommended, twenty years on

6.7/104.4 (1,119)

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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 FA-125 Dreadnought7.0
Yamaha JR1 FG Junior6.7

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

Fender FA-125 Dreadnought compared with Yamaha JR1 FG Junior
	FA-125 Dreadnought	JR1 FG Junior
Brand	Fender	Yamaha
Model	FA-125 Dreadnought	JR1 FG Junior
Finish	Sunburst, with accessory bundle	Natural, 3/4 size
Instrument	Acoustic guitar	Acoustic guitar
Fretline score	7.0 / 10	6.7 / 10
Value for money	8 / 10	8 / 10
Amazon rating	4.5 / 5 (2,793)	4.4 / 5 (1,119)
Price	Under $300	Under $300
Type	Acoustic guitar starter bundle	Acoustic guitar
Body	Dreadnought	Mini dreadnought, 3/4 size
Body wood	Laminated basswood back and sides	—
Top	Laminated spruce	Spruce
Back & sides	—	Meranti
Bracing	X-bracing	—
Neck joint	Set neck	Set neck
Neck wood	Nato	Nato
Scale length	25.3" (643 mm)	21.25" (540 mm)
Fingerboard	Walnut	Rosewood or walnut, depending on production run
Radius	11.81" (300 mm)	—
Frets	20	—
Fret size	2 mm	—
Nut	Crème plastic	Urea
Nut width	1.69" (43 mm)	1.6875" (43 mm)
Bridge	Walnut with white bridge pins	Rosewood
Tuners	Die-cast sealed	Covered chrome
Orientation	Right-handed	Right-handed
Skill level	Beginner	Beginner
Styles	Folk, Country, Blues, Pop, Rock	Folk, Pop, Country, Indie, Worship
In the box	Gig bag, Clip-on tuner, Spare strings, Picks, Instructional DVD	Gig bag included

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.