Looking for a first guitar

[Halloween]

Hello. I joined this forum to study and get information about purchasing my first guitar. So, I’d like to say thank you for that. And thank you for having me. With all of the information I’ve learned I have decided to settle on a Yamaha. I’m about halfway to a Yamaha fg800 in my savings.

My question is if that particular guitar is a good choice, or if I should save up more for the fg830 model. I listen to a lot of guitar and I believe I like the rosewood sound but being that it’s laminate will it really matter?

Thanks for any tips.

[Osage]

Both the 800 and 830 are great choices for a first guitar. I would personally get the 800 if only because you'll be able to have it in your hands sooner.

[Jim Owen]

Welcome to the forum, Halloween. I agree with Osage.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Yamaha is a great choice.

[Chipotle]

Solid choicesfor a first guitar! My first "real" guitar, bought new when I was in middle school, was a Yamaha FG335. It was my daily player and even gigging guitar for years, and I still have it.

If there's someplace near you where you could try them both, I definitely recommend it. You can see for yourself if you feel the sound of the 830 is worth waiting a bit for. Contrary to Osage and Jim Owen, I think if the tone of the 830 is really what you want, save a bit more for that, rather than spending your hard-earned dough on something just to have. "Buy once, cry once," as the saying goes.

[Ian111]

You really can’t go wrong with a Yamaha. I’ve had the FS800, FG800, and the AC1M and they all punch way above their price points. But they all need a setup and they don’t come with a case or gig bag which is a must for any guitar to stay well humidified with a solid top. That’ll add at least another $150.

I hesitated to try out Orangewood for years because of the initial positive hype and the negativity in the internet. As usual the truth is not so cut and dry. The way they sell guitars is a threat to the statis quo (Tesla cars) so there’s that. Anyways I tried out their entry all laminate Dana and for $135 you get a decent factory setup (low action) and a guitar that resonates well unlike most laminate back and side guitars (Martin Lx1 to even Taylor Academy series come to mind). It also comes a with gig bag. The solid top guitars should sound even better. So based on my example one I’m very impressed.

[Jamolay]

Consider lessons online. Justin Guitar is great and can be free for most of the material. Donate if able. So it fits your price range.

[Halloween]

Thank you for the replies and well wishes, everyone.

[biotechmgr]

Welcome to the forum and best wishes for your NGD to be.

[rstaight]

Welcome to the forum. Yamaha, any Yamaha is a solid choice being your first or tenth guitar.

There are many here who will throw out various online courses. Those can be helpful.

But nothing can beat face to face lessons. It's a big help to have someone who can offer suggestions to fix what ever may need work.

I you do opt for private lessons stick with them at least through the first book.

[tsmith28]

Compared to the FG830, you're much better off buying the FG800 (which is essentially the same guitar except for mostly cosmetic differences) and spending the $ savings on a setup. Best of luck!

[Yamaholic]

Can't go wrong with a Yamaha.

At that price point i wouldn't worry about the back and sides.

I would seriously recommend looking at the FG850 Solid Mahogany top as well.
If you want to sing with it, it may suit your voice better.

Also look at Fender; they have somewhat of an image problem for acoustics but in my experience their CD range is pretty good value for money for a first guitar. My first steel string acoustic was A Fender.

[ThePanda]

If you are not set on the Dreadnaught body style, I recommend a OM/Concert body style.

Check out Yamaha FS800 or FSX800C.

This body style more first guitar friendly in my opinion.

[emtsteve]

I recommend the Yamaha FG800 or FS800 (smaller folk size). The money you save over the 830 can be put towards a case. The 800 models are super high value for the dollar. Look at Kraft Music for some nice bundle prices with a case and accessories.

JustinGuitar is a must for a new player. You might want to buy his beginner books too - they're worth every dollar.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

[Rick Jones]

Just to echo what everyone's said, in that you can't go wrong with a Yamaha.

I learned on one, 30 years ago, and still play one regularly, and all my children (18, 16, 14, 13 and 9) started out on and still play them now. Even the 3/4 size my 9 y/o uses is a 'real' guitar and they all had it as theirs until they were bigger, when I got them full-size Yammies.