Head to head
Yamaha FG800J vs Yamaha FG830
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" against 25.56"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 12 rows that actually differ marked out.
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.
- Yamaha FG800J7.8
- Yamaha FG8308.2
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
| FG800J | FG830 | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Yamaha | Yamaha |
| Model | FG800J | FG830 |
| Finish | Natural | Autumn Burst |
| Instrument | Acoustic guitar | Acoustic guitar |
| Fretline score | 7.8 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
| Value for money | 10 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Amazon rating | 4.6 / 5 (368) | 4.7 / 5 (530) |
| Price | Under $300 | $300 - $500 |
| Type | Acoustic guitar | Acoustic guitar |
| Body | Dreadnought (Yamaha Traditional Western) | Dreadnought (Yamaha Traditional Western) |
| Body wood | Solid spruce top with nato/mahogany back and sides | Solid spruce top with rosewood back and sides |
| Top | Solid spruce | Solid spruce |
| Back & sides | Nato / mahogany | Rosewood |
| Bracing | Scalloped bracing | Scalloped bracing |
| Neck joint | Set neck | Set neck |
| Neck wood | Locally sourced tonewood (nato) | Nato |
| Scale length | 25" (634 mm) | 25 9/16" (650 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Radius | 15 3/4" (400 mm) | 15 3/4" (400 mm) |
| Nut width | 1 11/16" (43 mm) | 1 11/16" (43 mm) |
| Bridge | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Electronics | None | None |
| Orientation | Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Skill level | Beginner, Intermediate | Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced |
| Styles | Folk, Country, Pop, Rock, Blues, Worship | Folk, Country, Blues, Pop, Rock, 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 FG830Highest editorial versatility score, backed by pickup layout and switching.
Most comfortable
Yamaha FG800JHighest editorial comfort score: neck profile, radius and body ergonomics.
Best for beginners
Yamaha FG830Strongest overall score among the instruments we rate as beginner-friendly.
Best for the studio
Yamaha FG830Build 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.