Head to head
Ibanez PJ50E Performance Series vs Yamaha FS800J
The short answer is that the scale lengths are not the same (25.5" against 25"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 18 rows that actually differ marked out.
PJ50E Performance Series
Open-Pore Vintage Amber Sunburst
A jumbo body and a working preamp, at a price where you usually get neither
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.
- Ibanez PJ50E Performance Series6.8
- 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
| PJ50E Performance Series | FS800J | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Ibanez | Yamaha |
| Model | PJ50E Performance Series | FS800J |
| Finish | Open-Pore Vintage Amber Sunburst | Natural, Concert |
| Instrument | Acoustic guitar | Acoustic guitar |
| Fretline score | 6.8 / 10 | 8.0 / 10 |
| Value for money | 8 / 10 | 10 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 5.0 / 5 (1) | 4.3 / 5 (25) |
| Price | Under $300 | Under $300 |
| Type | Acoustic-electric guitar | Acoustic guitar |
| Body | Jumbo | Concert |
| Body wood | Meranti | Solid spruce top with nato/mahogany back and sides |
| Top | Laminated spruce | Solid spruce |
| Back & sides | Laminated meranti | Nato / mahogany |
| Bracing | — | Scalloped bracing |
| Neck joint | Set neck, joining at the 14th fret | Set neck |
| Neck wood | Meranti | Locally sourced tonewood |
| Scale length | 25.5" (648 mm) | 25" (634 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Nandu, bound | Rosewood |
| Radius | — | 15 3/4" (400 mm) |
| Frets | 20 | — |
| Nut | Plastic | — |
| Nut width | — | 1 11/16" (43 mm) |
| Bridge | Nandu, with black Ibanez Advantage bridge pins | Rosewood |
| Tuners | Chrome Ibanez | — |
| Electronics | Under-saddle pickup with Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp, onboard tuner and 2-band EQ | None |
| Controls | Volume, bass, treble, onboard tuner | — |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate |
| Styles | Folk, Country, Pop, Rock, Worship, Blues | 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
Ibanez PJ50E Performance SeriesHighest 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
Ibanez PJ50E Performance SeriesStrongest 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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