Skip to content
Fretline

Head to head

Gretsch Prelude D100 Dreadnought vs Yamaha FGX800C

The short answer is that they sit in different price brackets (Under $300 against $300 - $500), and the scale lengths are not the same (25.3" against 25.56"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 18 rows that actually differ marked out.

Gretsch
Gretsch Prelude D100 dreadnought acoustic guitar in black, full front view

Prelude D100 Dreadnought

Black

An all-laminate dreadnought that survives being carried around, and sounds like one

6.0/104.4 (60)
Yamaha
Yamaha FGX800C dreadnought cutaway acoustic-electric in Natural, front view

FGX800C

Natural

The FG800 with a cutaway and a proper pickup system bolted on

8.3/104.7 (273)

As an Amazon Associate we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through our links, at no additional cost to you. We do not publish prices, because Amazon prices change constantly and a stale figure helps nobody. Follow the link for the current price and availability.

Score profile

Six editorial axes, overlaid. Where one shape sits outside the other, that is where the instrument gains ground.

  • Gretsch Prelude D100 Dreadnought6.0
  • Yamaha FGX800C8.3

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

Gretsch Prelude D100 Dreadnought compared with Yamaha FGX800C
Prelude D100 DreadnoughtFGX800C
BrandGretschYamaha
ModelPrelude D100 DreadnoughtFGX800C
FinishBlackNatural
InstrumentAcoustic guitarAcoustic guitar
Fretline score6.0 / 108.3 / 10
Value for money7 / 109 / 10
Amazon rating4.4 / 5 (60)4.7 / 5 (273)
PriceUnder $300$300 - $500
TypeAcoustic guitarAcoustic-electric guitar
BodyDreadnoughtDreadnought cutaway
Body wood—Solid spruce top with nato/okoume back and sides
TopLaminated basswoodSolid spruce
Back & sidesLaminated basswoodNato / okoume
BracingX-bracingScalloped bracing
Neck jointSet neckSet neck with cutaway
Neck woodNatoNato
Neck profile"C" shape—
Scale length25.3" (643 mm)25 9/16" (650 mm)
FingerboardWalnutWalnut
Radius12" (305 mm)15 3/4" (400 mm)
Frets20—
Fret sizeMedium—
NutSynthetic bone—
Nut width1.6875" (42.86 mm)1 11/16" (43 mm)
Bridge—Walnut
TunersSealed gear—
Electronics—SRT piezo pickup with SYSTEM66 preamp
Controls—Volume, 3-band EQ, onboard tuner
OrientationRight-handedRight-handed
Skill levelBeginnerBeginner, Intermediate, Advanced
StylesFolk, Country, Pop, Rock, Worship, IndieFolk, Country, Pop, Rock, Worship, Blues
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.

Best value

Yamaha FGX800C

Highest editorial value-for-money score of the instruments compared.

Best build

Yamaha FGX800C

Highest editorial build-quality score.

Best tone

Yamaha FGX800C

Highest editorial tone score.

Most versatile

Yamaha FGX800C

Highest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.

Most comfortable

Yamaha FGX800C

Highest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.

Best for beginners

Yamaha FGX800C

Strongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.

Best for rock

Yamaha FGX800C

Strongest overall score among the instruments suited to rock.

Best for the studio

Yamaha FGX800C

Build 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.

Other comparisons