Difference in tone between Yamaha 800 series guitars

[Steven1630]

Looking around for a nice smaller-bodied acoustic guitar, the FS models of the Yamaha 800 series caught my eye. They are really affordable and seem to be highly reviewed.
However, I'm not quite sure what model I want. Let me just make clear that I'm not in a good position to try them all out. The nearest music store is miles away and they don't have them in stock. I know some webshops that do.

So, all of them except the FS850 have a solid spruce top (the FS850 is full mahogany), but the back and sides are laminated and different for each model:

FS800: nato
FS820: mahogany
FS830: rosewood
FS850: mahogany

Since the laminated back and sides are the only thing that differ between the models, I wonder if it is worth it to go for one of the higher priced models than the FS800.

Can someone explain to me the difference in tone (if any) between these different models and whether or not it is worth it to invest in a higher priced model than the FS800?

[gerardo1000]

I played the FS800 and the FS830 rosewood at GC, and to my ears the FS830 was a much better sounding guitar, even if the sides and the back are laminate.

[seeker]

My experience is with the 700 series, as the predecessors to the 800s. I have played several 700s, 720s, and 730s, and one 750, and I felt there were definitely differences among them. The 730, for example, definitely seemed to have "rosewood" characteristics such as deeper bass and more overtones when compared to the mahogany laminates. Maybe it was just my imagination....I have played one 800 and am looking forward to trying the others in the series.

[kkrell]

Originally Posted by gerardo1000

I played the FS800 and the FS830 rosewood at GC, and to my ears the FS830 was a much better sounding guitar, even if the sides and the back are laminate.

I did the same with the FG800 & FG830, and had the same experience. The FS800 vs. the FG800 weren't too different from each other, either, just a smaller body.

[Ralph124C41]

As with the others I too thought the FG830 sounded better than the FG800 ... but it may depends upon what sounds you like; I prefer darker sounds to brighter, so rosewood or rosewood-laminated back and sides appeal more to me.

I have not played (or even seen) the FG820 or FG850 ... but the FG850 with its solid mahogany top is a different beast.

There are also some cosmetic differences between the 800, 820, and 830 lines so that may or may not be a factor.

There has been a lot of discussion here on this forum about the effect of laminates. But I did, as others have noted, hear a difference between the 800 and 830. Now rather that warrants a 50 percent increase in price between the 800 and 830 is up to you.

My three cheaper Alvarez guitars have laminated back and sides made of rosewood (AD710), maple (AJ80) and mahogany (AD30). To my ears the mahogany model is the thinnest-sounding of the three; the rosewood has the most bass and the maple is the most distinctive or clear-sounding ... however that may be partially due to the jumbo design opposed to the dreadnoughts of the others.

I'm still thinking about buying an FG800 one day; one reason is I do prefer the slimmer 1 11/16-inch nut width over the 1 3/4-inch nuts on my Alvarezes.

Btw, the vintage tint on the FG800 looks great IMO!

Good luck. I don't think you would go wrong with any of these Yamahas. Plus don't forget if you talk to some merchants you can sometimes get sizeable discounts of about 15 percent or so.