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Fretline

Head to head

Yamaha FG830 vs Yamaha FSX800C

The short answer is that the scale lengths are not the same (25.56" against 25"). Below, every specification we hold for both instruments is lined up, with the 14 rows that actually differ marked out.

Yamaha
Yamaha FG830 dreadnought in Autumn Burst, full front view

FG830

Autumn Burst

The same rosewood-backed FG830, in a warmer burst

8.2/104.7 (530)
Yamaha
Yamaha FSX800C concert cutaway acoustic-electric in Natural, front view

FSX800C

Natural

The same guitar as the FGX800C, in the body that suits fingerpicking and smaller hands

8.3/104.6 (116)

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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 FG8308.2
  • Yamaha FSX800C8.3

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

Yamaha FG830 compared with Yamaha FSX800C
FG830FSX800C
BrandYamahaYamaha
ModelFG830FSX800C
FinishAutumn BurstNatural
InstrumentAcoustic guitarAcoustic guitar
Fretline score8.2 / 108.3 / 10
Value for money9 / 109 / 10
Amazon rating4.7 / 5 (530)4.6 / 5 (116)
Price$300 - $500$300 - $500
TypeAcoustic guitarAcoustic-electric guitar
BodyDreadnought (Yamaha Traditional Western)Concert cutaway
Body woodSolid spruce top with rosewood back and sidesSolid spruce top with nato/okoume back and sides
TopSolid spruceSolid spruce
Back & sidesRosewoodNato / okoume
BracingScalloped bracingScalloped bracing
Neck jointSet neckSet neck with cutaway
Neck woodNatoNato
Scale length25 9/16" (650 mm)25" (634 mm)
FingerboardRosewoodWalnut
Radius15 3/4" (400 mm)15 3/4" (400 mm)
Nut width1 11/16" (43 mm)1 11/16" (43 mm)
BridgeRosewoodWalnut
ElectronicsNoneSRT piezo pickup with SYSTEM66 preamp
Controls—Volume, 3-band EQ, onboard tuner
OrientationRight-handedRight-handed
Skill levelBeginner, Intermediate, AdvancedBeginner, Intermediate, Advanced
StylesFolk, Country, Blues, Pop, Rock, WorshipFolk, Pop, Worship, Blues, Country
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 FG830

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

Best build

Yamaha FG830

Highest editorial build-quality score.

Best tone

Yamaha FG830

Highest editorial tone score.

Most versatile

Yamaha FG830

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

Most comfortable

Yamaha FSX800C

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

Best for beginners

Yamaha FSX800C

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

Best for rock

Yamaha FG830

Strongest overall score among the instruments suited to rock.

Best for the studio

Yamaha FG830

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.

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