Anyone Play the Yamaha's FS800-850's ?

[CASD57]

Just wanted to know the tone differences from the FS800-830-850
Thanks

[Jusca]

The elusive 800 series. I haven't found any in stores in Houston or my area. I'd like to know how they compare too.

[Bad Poppa]

Played an FG830 on Wednesday and bought it on the spot. They had an FG800, but no other 800-series models yet. Played a new FG730s they had on the shelf and A/B'd it with the FG830. The employee helping me (and myself) thought there was quite a difference.

[Ralph124C41]

Originally Posted by Bad Poppa

Played an FG830 on Wednesday and bought it on the spot. They had an FG800, but no other 800-series models yet. Played a new FG730s they had on the shelf and A/B'd it with the FG830. The employee helping me (and myself) thought there was quite a difference.

I've A/B'd a FG800 against a FG700S and thought there was a marked difference in sound, plus the FG800 neck felt a little less chunky. I know Yamaha says the necks on the 800 series have been slightly modified somehow. Another customer heard the two guitars and voted for the FG800.

I've played an FG735S in one shop and an FG830 in another shop so no direct instantaneous comparison unfortunately but I do remember that the FG830 sounded better.

I've have yet to find a FG820 in my area. Actually, I haven't been finding any of the older FG720S around here either.

[Riverwolf]

So, no new FS models to report? Only FG?

[slowesthand]

There was a member who bought a FS awhile ago, I think he actually bought 2 of them. Maybe a search could find him.

Ralph... there is a FG820 for sale in my local Craigs, I was shocked to see it.If I didn't already have one I would have checked it out.

[Rmz76]

Originally Posted by Jusca

The elusive 800 series. I haven't found any in stores in Houston or my area. I'd like to know how they compare too.

North Houston store near 1960/I45 had a FG800 last weekend. It's in the budget acoustic room. It was up top just to the left of the door to the high-end guitar room.

[Jusca]

Originally Posted by Rmz76

North Houston store near 1960/I45 had a FG800 last weekend. It's in the budget acoustic room. It was up top just to the left of the door to the high-end guitar room.

Thanks for the heads up! I haven't been there in a few weeks.

[jpbrooks]

I just bought an fs800 from Sam ash in Nashville. They matched the Guitar Center 15% off coupon so I got it for 169. I was blown away by this guitar. I had heard all the buzz on here, but wasn't sure since I had not been impressed by the fs700 I have played in the past. This thing is really loud and has great tone. It had high action and did not like the stock strings so I replaced them with elixir pb light. I know others will disagree, but I have played a lot of big baby and 000x in the past few weeks looking for an inexpensive couch guitar and this Yamaha sounds just as good for a lot less.

[tgaume]

I own a FS-820 and love it. It's almost exactly the same size as my FG-150's only about 1/8" deeper. The tone is great, and will only get better. It's opened up a little after about 30 hours of play, but when it was fresh out of the box it was really tight.

I have a video sample of it accompanying me on my YouTube page.

[SFCRetired]

I was at GC yesterday specifically to demo the new 800 series Yamaha and to look for an A3 Yamaha.

I demoed a FS800, FG800 and a FG830. The 800 is nato and the 830 is RW lam. I definitely heard an upgrade in the 830. I didn't think I could tell the difference in different lam tone woods but I learned I could in fact hear a difference. The 830 played well and for an entry level guitar, campfire etc. It should be on everyone's list to try out. If that's your price range in an only guitar it should be given a try out as well, IMO.

The FS800 did not sound as good to me as the FS720 that I bought and then sold to my nephew. But maybe because the 800 is new and the 720 has opened up.

Yes they are a tad better sounding than the 700 series, but not by a whole lot.

They did not have any of the A series I wanted to try out so I left with all of my money.

[sstaylor58]

I played a FS 830 yesterday, liked it, thought it sounded good, but not too different from a 730. Very pretty (sunburst), well made, but I didn't love it so didn't buy it.

[Jeremy]

I bought an FS800 a couple days ago. The sound is much improved over the FS720S I previously had. I put it through a long playing session yesterday and it handled everything I threw at it from light fingerpicking to heavy strumming. The FS720S didn't handle heavy strumming well (understandable given its size).

The action and relief were too high and required some work to get it down to the factory spec, the fit and finish was sloppy with dings and glue marks throughout, and I think the string spacing and nut width are too narrow for a guitar marketed for fingerpicking. But... I still like it and I've seen worse at its $200 USD price point.

[jsanfilippo5]

I just bought the FS800 - I think it sounds phenomenal given its price.. I am returning it though - the string spacing at the bridge feels very small, and i doubt i can get used to it.

Great guitar for the money though!