Yamaha FG800 review

Yamaha describes the FG800 as its standard acoustic model and lists it under Beginner Guitars on its US store, where it cost $279.99 and was in stock when we checked. The headline spec at this price is the solid spruce top, paired with nato/okoume back and sides and scalloped bracing. The neck is nato with a matte finish and a walnut fingerboard with a 15 3/4 inch radius, and the nut is 43 mm wide, a common width that suits most hands. Die-cast chrome tuners are a practical detail for a first guitar because they hold their setting better than cheap stamped ones. The trade-off is size: the traditional western body is 412 mm wide and up to 118 mm deep, which some smaller players find bulky, and there is no pickup or gig bag. Yamaha ships it with FS50BT or D'Addario EXP11 strings and a hex wrench for the truss rod.

Who it is for

most adult and teen beginners

Price

$279.99 at the Yamaha US store when checked, in stock with free shipping.

$ 279.99 In Stock
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 11, 2026.

Key features

• Solid spruce top with nato/okoume back and sides
• Scalloped bracing
• 650 mm (25 9/16 inch) scale and 43 mm nut width
• Walnut fingerboard with a 400 mm (15 3/4 inch) radius
• Die-cast chrome tuners (TM29T)

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Solid spruce top at $279.99
• Strength: Die-cast tuners help it hold pitch
• Strength: Listed in Yamaha's Beginner Guitars section
• Weakness: Full dreadnought body is up to 118 mm deep
• Weakness: No pickup, so it cannot plug into an amp
• Weakness: No gig bag listed; only a hex wrench is included

Key facts

• Body: Traditional western (dreadnought), 412 mm wide
• Top: Solid spruce
• Back and sides: Nato/okoume
• Scale length: 650 mm (25 9/16 inches)
• Nut width: 43 mm (1 11/16 inches)
• Electronics: None

Where it ranks

Yamaha FG800 is No. 1 in our Best Beginner Acoustic Guitars verdict.