Yamaha FG730S or Yamaha FS720S?

[ryz05]

I am looking for a beginner's guitar, and have heard people favor the Yamaha FG730S for its quality. I also know people prefer the Yamaha FS720S for its better feel, because of its smaller frame. Since playing comfortably is important for playing well, I kind of lean towards the FS720S, so would like to hear more opinions. How do you compare the FG730S with the FS720S? Which do you enjoy playing more?

I like this review about the FS720S written by EVAN STEIN:

I am a folk/rock and roll singer in a touring band, and needed a back up acoustic in case something went wrong with my Taylor. Of course the first thing I love about this guitar is the comfort. I'm honestly not sure if I've ever played on something that felt any better. Some people say smaller bodied guitars are for beginners and players with smaller hands. I am neither of those. As of now, I threw an LR Baggs M1 pickup on and I actually use my Taylor as a back up! Be sure to throw on some heavier strings to hold proper tension and replace the pins. I can't believe the tone of this considering the price. This is a great guitar for a beginner or a professional. Not joking. I bought the tobacco sunburst, and cannot wait for it to get a little scuffed up and reveal the natural wood tone underneath. You don't know how pretty it looks until you see it in person. I'm very impressed. Other guitars at this price seem to be built to lower factory standards and wouldn't stand up to the kind of crap I put it through on the road, and with a solid spruce top, this thing is going to sound better and better with age

Yamaha FG730S:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-F...94-i1150359.gc

Yamaha FS720S:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-F...25-i1177616.gc

Thank you for reading.

[TokyoNeko]

Or you can consider these... They're even cheaper than the ones you mentioned.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-F...58-i2628345.gc

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-F...52-i1149962.gc

Same finish and construction, the only difference being the size.

[Triumph1050]

I bought my teenage daughter an FS720S and I think it's a great size and good quality guitar.

If you're smaller or size is any consideration I would think the folk size would fit better than a dread

[email4eric]

They're both similar in terms of quality and bang for the buck. It's going to boil down to which you think feels better.

The advice on the "other" low-end solid top Yamaha models is spot-on -- there's little difference between these and the 730/720 excepting bling and finish options. Even the FD series starters hold their own very well.

[Opa John]

I played both of these models about four years ago when I was in the market for a Yamaha guitar. I thought both of them sounded great for the money.

However, I've always played dreadnoughts, so I ended up with the FG730S even though it was about $20 more money. I also felt the FG730S had a more robust sound and deeper base and it also came in a pretty nice tobacco burst version, which was another thing I was looking for. After four years, I still feel I chose the right one.

At the same time, I've often thought about buying one of the FS720S models too......just for kicks. Can't have too many guitars, ya know.

I feel either one is a great bang for the buck!

[dhalbert]

I have an FS700S and a Seagull dread (about the same size as the FG730S). The Seagull has more bass but the FS700S has quite a nice sound and is quite a bit more comfortable for me to hold. I am torn about which to use for practice so I go back and forth.

I put a $12 Tusq saddle into the FS700S a few days ago and it noticeably improved the sustain and richness. Regardless of which you buy, get the action set up properly. Mine was a little high to start.

[yammieplaya]

The great thing is that you can't go wrong, because they are both fine guitars and good value. I prefer the 730s, because they have more bass.

[rsfanforever]

I love my FG-730S, what an awesome guitar!

[ewh2]

I have the the FS720S, which is a fine guitar well built, sounds fantastic for it's price but if you are looking to fingerpick find another guitar; it has very tight string spacing at the saddle.

[MidfieldGeneral]

It depends because they are both excellent guitars but I had to sell my FS720S because I found the fret board too narrow for my porky fingers.

I have kept my dreadnought Yamaha FG700S, which is the entry level version of the FG730S but without the trimmings

The string spacing on the FG730S can also be a dealbreaker (not at the nut, but the spacing based at the saddle).

Previously had and thought I'd preferred the FG700S over the FG730S. Sold because of string spacing and because in 6 months time of a lot of play had a guitar top blown out tonally (by my standards). I do NOT have aheavy fretting hand. I found the fret wear even on such an inexpensive guitar somewhat disturbing. Sold it.

Would say that in the last year especially, the tops on the 730S are somewhat better (as in stiffer, not just cosmetically) in the ones I've sampled. You'd have to really cherry pick with the 700S these day IMO. In short I don't the 730S is simply a blinged out 700S.

If you do get an FG730S do NOT get one that's noticeably much warmer from the gate. My bad with the 700S. Get one that's a little stiff,more defined, one that makes you work a little more. Don't be afraid of "bright and zingy" with these guitars...

To be frank I have a cheapo Fender CD-60CE now that I prefer in every way to the FG700S for all styles of play. I'm in the minority, but who cares.

[ruger9]

I own an FG720, and played an FS720 last week...

Both are great. The OM size is a little more comfortable, but the dread is the most comfortable dread I've ever held. The tones are quite similar (bear in mind I have the mahogany dread). So similar that I walked out WITHOUT the FS, because when I buy an OM-size I want it to sound "more different" than the FS does to the FG.

Both great. If I had any comfort issues with a dread, I would buy the FS, no second thoughts.

[wakakak]

Between 720 and 730 I like the 730 better, although arguably the laminate back and side will have little effect on how the guitar sound, I like the laminate rosewood sound better than the laminate mahogany..

Now, between FG or FS, I think you have to play both type to find out how they feel..

For me, I will choose the FG730, because when I play it acoustically, I feel that dread body size produces more volume...

[MidfieldGeneral]

Originally Posted by Fret Buzz

The string spacing on the FG730S can also be a dealbreaker (not at the nut, but the spacing based at the saddle).

Previously had and thought I'd preferred the FG700S over the FG730S. Sold because of string spacing and because in 6 months time of a lot of play had a guitar top blown out tonally (by my standards). I do NOT have aheavy fretting hand. I found the fret wear even on such an inexpensive guitar somewhat disturbing. Sold it.

Would say that in the last year especially, the tops on the 730S are somewhat better (as in stiffer, not just cosmetically) in the ones I've sampled. You'd have to really cherry pick with the 700S these day IMO. In short I don't the 730S is simply a blinged out 700S.

If you do get an FG730S do NOT get one that's noticeably much warmer from the gate. My bad with the 700S. Get one that's a little stiff,more defined, one that makes you work a little more. Don't be afraid of "bright and zingy" with these guitars...

To be frank I have a cheapo Fender CD-60CE now that I prefer in every way to the FG700S for all styles of play. I'm in the minority, but who cares.

thanks, this is very interesting. I ended up buying an LL6 rather than a FG730S because it it has wider string spacing

[TwoMartinMan]

I owned both for a period of a couple of years. To me, they are two different animals: different tone (due to size more than wood difference), different feel. I enjoyed both. Only sold the FS-720S because I have a vintage FG-331 which is the same size and sounded a bit richer. Only sold the FG-730S because I was playing my Martins more.