Head to head
Gretsch Prelude D100 Dreadnought vs Yamaha FS800J
The short answer is that the scale lengths are not the same (25.3" against 25"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 17 rows that actually differ marked out.
Prelude D100 Dreadnought
Black
An all-laminate dreadnought that survives being carried around, and sounds like one
FS800J
Natural, Concert
The FG800J in the smaller body, and the easier guitar to actually hold
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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 FS800J8.0
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
| Prelude D100 Dreadnought | FS800J | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gretsch | Yamaha |
| Model | Prelude D100 Dreadnought | FS800J |
| Finish | Black | Natural, Concert |
| Instrument | Acoustic guitar | Acoustic guitar |
| Fretline score | 6.0 / 10 | 8.0 / 10 |
| Value for money | 7 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.4 / 5 (60) | 4.3 / 5 (25) |
| Price | Under $300 | Under $300 |
| Type | Acoustic guitar | Acoustic guitar |
| Body | Dreadnought | Concert |
| Body wood | — | Solid spruce top with nato/mahogany back and sides |
| Top | Laminated basswood | Solid spruce |
| Back & sides | Laminated basswood | Nato / mahogany |
| Bracing | X-bracing | Scalloped bracing |
| Neck joint | Set neck | Set neck |
| Neck wood | Nato | Locally sourced tonewood |
| Neck profile | "C" shape | — |
| Scale length | 25.3" (643 mm) | 25" (634 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Walnut | Rosewood |
| Radius | 12" (305 mm) | 15 3/4" (400 mm) |
| Frets | 20 | — |
| Fret size | Medium | — |
| Nut | Synthetic bone | — |
| Nut width | 1.6875" (42.86 mm) | 1 11/16" (43 mm) |
| Bridge | — | Rosewood |
| Tuners | Sealed gear | — |
| Electronics | — | None |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner | Beginner, Intermediate |
| Styles | Folk, Country, Pop, Rock, Worship, Indie | Folk, Pop, Blues, Country, 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
Yamaha FS800JHighest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Yamaha FS800JHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Yamaha FS800JStrongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for rock
Gretsch Prelude D100 DreadnoughtStrongest overall score among the instruments suited to rock.
Best for the studio
Yamaha FS800JBuild 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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