Is this the guitar for Les than $500? Yamaha FG830

[Ralph124C41]

Originally Posted by jcpharm

in the US i think the FG(or FS)830 go for $299 USD so it is a good buy. i recommended one for my niece who is very happy. for $100 less you can get an Fg/FS800 ($199) which has a different wood back and sides but same solid top which is also a good buy. to my ears, they do not sound much different since they are both laminate B&S. i think Yamaha has made one of the best value guitars for the money - but let's be honest, for more money, one can get a better guitar for sure.

The street price for the 830 has rised to $319 but you may be able to find some at the $299 price. The 800 is still $199.

[LeDave]

The fg830 made me regret my fender for awhile. But as I play more of mine, I start to like it more, more than the Yammy fg830 now. Although the Yammy probably sound lots better, I wouldn't trade up my Fender now.

[llew]

Originally Posted by TNO

Yup, best $300 guitar you will ever find. For $500 the Eastman E1D is on a whole different level.

I agree. Not knocking Yamaha as I've owned a bunch of them over the years. But the Eastman E1D or E2D-Cedar (my favorite of the two) are all solid with the upgraded bone nut and saddle and 1 3/4" nut and to me the next level? Eastman E2D-Cedar $509. A few bucks over the $500 limit but well worth it in my opinion.

If $300+/- is you limit then the Yamaha FG830 is a great option. Just depends on what you can afford and what you want.

[otis66]

Yes. Great guitar for the money. I got a great deal on an 820. Sipo Manogany back and Sides, and cream binding

[jricc]

Originally Posted by AeroUSA

I just bought this guitar and I am honestly shocked at how incredible it is. Not just for the price but as a great guitar!

Hi Aaron. Love all of your videos. They are thorough and really helpful.
Regarding this Yamaha 830, I believe the back and sides are laminated. But it is not really clear on the Yamaha site. It shows the top as solid spruce. But the back and sides are just listed as Rosewood. Either way, it's a nice sounding guitar!

[Birchtop]

Originally Posted by Ralph124C41

The street price for the 830 has rised to $319 but you may be able to find some at the $299 price. The 800 is still $199.

Correct.

The FG/FS 820 and 830 had price increases of $20 Starting back in January of this year.

To keep the FG/FS 800 at $199, and in the “under $200” price bracket, they went cheap and ruined the long tradition of using Rosewood fretboards and bridges on the base model of FG/FS line. The FG/FS800 now uses a softer, dyed, Walnut for both fretboard and the bridge. I no longer recommend these. The older 800’s that have rosewood are fine though. Just my humble opinion.

[Birchtop]

Originally Posted by jricc

Hi Aaron. Love all of your videos. They are thorough and really helpful.
Regarding this Yamaha 830, I believe the back and sides are laminated. But it is not really clear on the Yamaha site. It shows the top as solid spruce. But the back and sides are just listed as Rosewood. Either way, it's a nice sounding guitar!

Yes, the back and sides are laminated on the FG/FS series 800 to 850 models. And even though they are laminated they do sound different between the models.

FG/FS800 = Nato
FG/FS820 = Mahogany
FG/FS830 = Rosewood
FG/FS840 = Maple
FG/FS850 = Mahogany w/Solid Mahogany Top

[CosmicOsmo]

Originally Posted by llew

I agree. Not knocking Yamaha as I've owned a bunch of them over the years. But the Eastman E1D or E2D-Cedar (my favorite of the two) are all solid with the upgraded bone nut and saddle and 1 3/4" nut and to me the next level? Eastman E2D-Cedar $509. A few bucks over the $500 limit but well worth it in my opinion.

If $300+/- is you limit then the Yamaha FG830 is a great option. Just depends on what you can afford and what you want.

The Yammy's are my go-to recommendation for my beginner students, but I've been curious about the Eastman PCH series. I'm seeing these on sale for $240 right now, and the specs look very good indeed for that price.

Anyone compared these to the venerable Yamaha FG?

[Ralph124C41]

I am also wondering about those Orangewood guitars? For under $200 there are some available, including one or two "Junior" series which have the thinner nut width and are smaller instruments.

The next level is under $300. Adding a pickup seems to add about $100 to the price, however. And no Orangewood has laminated rosewood back and sides, although some models have laminated Pau Ferro.

[Shaneh]

I have this for sale which is awesome for money and the trans acoustic is great for experimenting and can play plugged

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/msg...177268696.html

[Rinaz]

Originally Posted by AeroUSA

I just bought this guitar and I am honestly shocked at how incredible it is. Not just for the price but as a great guitar!

high end guitars have spoiled my ears, but I tried a yamaha FG830G at GuitarCenter and I'm shock. I know why most people go for Yamaha guitar as their first guitar

[guitararmy]

I also think the Eastman Pacific Coast highway model might be a good alternative to the Yammy at that price point...

[Dloz]

I love mine. Can't think of a better guitar @ this price point. It plays/sounds/is built well above the $300 it costs

[Rpt50]

If you own an FG or FS (I have both), I suggest you ALWAYS take it with you for some back-to-back comparisons when considering the purchase of another (more expensive) guitar. It really makes it clear what you are getting for the money, and it's a lot better to find out BEFORE making the purchase.

[Yale C]

Originally Posted by UncleJesse

These are great values. I recently purchased a used FS800 to practice my nut/saddle making and bridge slotting on and it plays and sounds pretty good for the hundred bucks it cost me.

I can testify to this guitar, it is a great bargain.