FS800J
Natural, Concert
The FG800J in the smaller body, and the easier guitar to actually hold
Amazon rating
4.3 (25)Price band
Under $300
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The short version
Same specification as the FG800J — solid spruce top, scalloped bracing, nato and mahogany back and sides, 25-inch scale, 43 mm nut — in the concert body rather than the dreadnought. The difference is comfort and character. A concert body is narrower at the waist and shallower overall, so it tucks against the ribs instead of pushing the picking arm outwards, and it produces a more even response across the strings rather than a big low end that swamps everything above it. Yamaha explicitly points this shape at fingerpicking, and that is where it shines: individual notes stay separate, and the guitar responds to a light touch rather than needing to be driven. For a smaller-framed player, a younger player, or anyone who has found a dreadnought unwieldy, this is the version to consider first.
Score profile
Six axes, scored 1-10. These are editorial judgements about what this instrument delivers for the money — not measurements, and not anyone else’s ratings.
- Build
- 8.0
- Tone
- 8.0
- Versatility
- 7.0
- Comfort
- 9.0
- Hardware
- 6.0
- Value
- 10.0
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.
Full specifications
| Brand | Yamaha |
|---|---|
| Model | FS800JNatural, Concert |
| Body | |
| Body | Concert |
| Body wood | Solid spruce top with nato/mahogany back and sides |
| Top | Solid spruce |
| Back & sides | Nato / mahogany |
| Bracing | Scalloped bracing |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Neck & fingerboard | |
| Neck joint | Set neck |
| Neck wood | Locally sourced tonewood |
| Neck finish | Matte |
| Scale length | 25" (634 mm) |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood |
| Radius | 15 3/4" (400 mm) |
| Nut width | 1 11/16" (43 mm) |
| Hardware | |
| Bridge | Rosewood |
| Electronics | |
| Electronics | None |
| General | |
| Type | Acoustic guitar |
| Strings | .012-.052 |
| Finish | Natural |
| Orientation | Right-handed |
21 verified fields. Specifications come from the manufacturer first, then the Amazon listing, then authorised dealers — sources are listed at the foot of this page. Fields the manufacturer does not publish are omitted rather than estimated.
The good and the bad
What we like
- Solid spruce top at an entry-level price, so it will open up with playing
- Concert body is markedly more comfortable than a dreadnought, seated or standing
- Even response across the strings, which suits fingerpicking
- Yamaha factory setup, consistently good at this price
What we do not
- Quieter and shallower than a dreadnought when strummed hard
- Laminated nato and mahogany back and sides
- No cutaway and no electronics
- Very few Amazon ratings so far, so owner consensus is thin
Who it is for
Skill level
Styles it suits
What owners and reviewers report
This listing has 25 Amazon ratings — not enough written feedback for us to identify reliable patterns. We will fill this section in when there is something real to summarise.
The verdict
Everything true of the FG800J is true here, with the body swapped for one that more people find comfortable. If you are buying a first acoustic and cannot try it, the honest question is not which sounds better — they are close — but which you will pick up more often. For a lot of players that is this one. The trade is real volume: strum it hard next to a dreadnought and it will be quieter and less deep. Note also that this is a very recent listing with only 25 Amazon ratings, so there is not yet enough owner feedback to summarise reliably.
Sources
Amazon rating captured 2026-08-24. ASIN B0G1CSSSZM.
Strings for this guitar
All stringsIt ships with .012-.052. Staying at that gauge keeps the setup and the neck relief as the factory left them; going a step lighter makes bending easier, a step heavier gives more volume and tension. Anything more than one step either way usually needs the truss rod and the intonation adjusted.
- 8.2/10
- 8.0/10
Elixir · Strings
NANOWEB Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
The long-life acoustic string, and still the one to beat on longevity
- 7.8/10
D'Addario · Strings
XS Phosphor Bronze Coated Acoustic
A coated string that does not feel or sound like a coated string
What else you need
All accessoriesThe highest-scoring option in each category that suits this instrument. If you have never owned a guitar before, the starter guide explains what each of these is for and what you can safely skip.
- 7.8/10
Fender · Tuners
FCT-2 Professional Clip-On Tuner
The tuner to buy first, before strings, before a strap, before anything
- 8.2/10
Dunlop · Picks
The Delrin pick that replaced tortoiseshell, in the gauge most people settle on
- 7.4/10
GLEAM · Stands
The accessory that decides whether the guitar gets played at all
- 7.8/10
CAHAYA · Bags and cases
Six pockets, which is five more than most bags and the reason to pick this one
Compared with
Related instruments
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FG800J
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The safest recommendation in budget acoustics, and it has been for years
Yamaha · Thinline acoustic-electric guitar
APX600
Black
The same stage acoustic, in the finish that disappears behind you
Yamaha · Thinline acoustic-electric guitar
APX600
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The acoustic for electric players, in the finish that gets it noticed
Yamaha · Electric bass
BB234
Yellow Natural Satin
The workhorse BB formula at its entry point, and a genuinely narrow neck