Yamaha FGX800C Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Yamaha FGX800C is an affordable, entry-level acoustic-electric guitar that punches above its weight class. Part of Yamaha's FGX series, the FGX800C offers solid build quality, playability and amplified acoustic tone that is hard to beat at this price point.

Known for their expertise in acoustic instruments, Yamaha designed the FGX800C to be an accessible guitar for beginners and intermediate players. With its slim, comfortable neck profile, reduced string tension and built-in electronics, the FGX800C provides a playing experience that lets you focus on developing your skills. Its classic dreadnought body generates rich, balanced acoustic tone that projects well when unplugged. And the included System55T preamp and pickup allows you to amplify your sound with natural acoustic character.

The Yamaha FGX800C is an ideal choice as a starter acoustic-electric guitar or as an affordable backup instrument for gigging musicians. This review will take a close look at the key features that make the FGX800C such a compelling option in the sub-$300 acoustic-electric market.

Body Style and Design

The Yamaha FGX800C features a classic dreadnought body shape that provides a balanced full tone and comfortable feel. This guitar has a large body with a wide lower bout and shoulders, as well as a narrower waist.

The dreadnought design projects volume and bass response very well. It produces a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum, with clear trebles, pronounced mids, and full low end. This makes the FGX800C an extremely versatile acoustic-electric guitar suitable for all styles of playing.

The body is made from laminated Nato wood. Nato is tonally similar to mahogany and provides a warm, balanced sound. The laminated construction makes the guitar lightweight yet durable. At just over 5 lbs, the FGX800C is comfortable for extended playing sessions. The matte finish is smooth and aesthetically pleasing.

Overall, the dreadnought body style and Nato laminate construction of the FGX800C allows it to produce a balanced, rich tone and feels great to hold and play. This is an ideal guitar for a wide range of musical genres and playing scenarios. The FGX800C's versatile design allows it to cover many musical styles, making it a great choice for players looking for an affordable workhorse acoustic-electric guitar.

The Yamaha CG142SH is another quality acoustic-electric guitar from Yamaha in a similar price range to the FGX800C. The CG142SH features a concert-style body made from solid Engelmann spruce and rosewood back and sides. This all-solid wood construction provides excellent resonance, projection, and rich overtones. The CG142SH has a cutaway design for easy upper fret access. It comes equipped with a quality System66 piezo pickup and preamp for amplified playability.

Like the FGX800C, the Yamaha CG142SH delivers warm, balanced tone and is comfortable to play. The concert body shape provides a bright, focused sound compared to a dreadnought. The solid wood construction allows for excellent acoustic projection. Overall, the CG142SH is another versatile, quality acoustic-electric guitar from Yamaha. Players looking for a concert-style body may prefer the CG142SH over the dreadnought FGX800C.

Both the FGX800C and Yamaha CG142SH Y1005485 offer great value for money and are excellent choices for gigging musicians. The FGX800C provides an affordable workhorse acoustic-electric with classic dreadnought tone. The CG142SH offers an all-solid wood concert body alternative with crisp, focused tone. Which is best comes down to player preference on body style and construction.

Tonewood Construction

The Yamaha FGX800C features a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, which provides excellent resonance, articulation and balanced tone.

The solid spruce top is lightweight and responsive, allowing the guitar to produce rich overtones with a clear, bright sound. Spruce is a popular choice for acoustic guitar tops, prized for its dynamic range and ability to age well. It creates an open and airy tone.

The mahogany back and sides offer a warm, rounded sound with pronounced midrange frequencies. Mahogany produces a focused low end, adding depth and dimension to the guitar's voice. Its mellow quality blends smoothly with the spruce top.

Together, the spruce and mahogany create the balanced, nuanced tone the FGX800C is known for. The solid wood construction allows the guitar to easily project complex harmonics. Players can expect excellent sustain and resonance across the tonal spectrum.

The all-solid wood body gives the Yamaha FGX800C a full, rich voice. Both spruce and mahogany are tonewoods with proven acoustic properties preferred by luthiers and guitarists.

When choosing an acoustic-electric guitar, it's important to consider the tonewood construction. The combination of woods used for the top, back, sides and neck have a significant impact on the instrument's sound. Solid wood models like the Yamaha FGX800C tend to have better resonance and projection than laminate guitars.

Another well-regarded acoustic-electric model is the Pyle PSTGT71BL. This guitar features a laminated spruce top with mahogany back and sides. While not all solid wood, it still produces balanced tone with good sustain. The Pyle PSTGT71BL incorporates a built-in preamp and pickup system for amplifying the acoustic sound.

When plugged in, the Pyle PSTGT71BL produces a clear, warm tone suitable for live performances or recording. The EQ controls allow you to shape the lows, mids and highs as needed. While it may not have the complex harmonics of a high-end acoustic, the Pyle offers great value in an affordable acoustic-electric.

For guitarists needing amplification, acoustic-electrics like the Yamaha FGX800C and Pyle PSTGT71BL are worth considering. The Yamaha would be better for players who want rich, nuanced acoustic tone in an unplugged setting. The Pyle is ideal for those needing a basic amplified sound at a budget price.

Evaluating tonewoods and construction is crucial when shopping for an acoustic or acoustic-electric guitar. The choice of woods affects the instrument's sound, sustain and projection. Solid wood models generally provide better resonance, while laminates offer affordability. Brands like Yamaha and Pyle use quality tonewoods to produce great sounding acoustics at different price points.

Neck and Fretboard

The Yamaha FGX800C features a Nato neck and rosewood fretboard and bridge. The use of rosewood is a key factor contributing to the overall warm, balanced tone that this guitar produces. The wood's natural oils impart a smooth, rounded character to the sound. The rosewood fingerboard feels comfortable against the skin while playing. Its tight grain pattern provides excellent durability and maintains tuning stability. The fretwork from Yamaha is also noteworthy, with medium nickel frets that are finely polished for speed and playability. Overall the neck and fretboard allow for versatility across many playing styles, from delicate fingerpicking to aggressive strumming. The smooth feel inspires the player's creativity and expression.

Electronics and Pickup

The Yamaha FGX800C features Yamaha's System66 piezo pickup and preamp system, which is designed to accurately reproduce the guitar's natural acoustic tone when plugged into an amplifier or PA system.

The undersaddle piezo pickup utilizes a series of sensors that detect the vibrations of the strings. This helps capture the nuances of the guitar's natural acoustic sound.

The preamp provides controls for volume and tone shaping, allowing you to adjust the amplified tones to your liking. There is a 3-band EQ with boost/cut for bass, middle and treble frequencies. This lets you easily dial in more low end punch, scoop the mids or add sparkle and clarity in the treble register.

The preamp also has a built-in tuner, which is extremely convenient for quick tunings on the fly. Overall, the System66 electronics package makes it easy to plug the FGX800C into an amp or mixer and achieve quality amplified acoustic tones on stage or in the studio. The undersaddle pickup combined with the flexible preamp provide the essential tools for amplifying an acoustic guitar.

Hardware

The FGX800C features chrome die-cast tuners that keep the guitar in tune extremely well. The tuners are high quality, with a precise 18:1 gear ratio for accurate and stable tuning. The chrome finish gives them an elegant look.

Unlike cheaper tuners that can slip and cause tuning problems, the die-cast design prevents against slipping. The tuners feel solid and turn smoothly without any binding. This allows for easy tuning adjustments, ensuring the guitar stays in tune through extended playing sessions without the need for constant tweaks.

Overall, the die-cast tuners are a nice upgrade over standard tuners, and they perform reliably to keep your guitar sounding its best. Tuning stability is essential for acoustic-electric guitars to maintain good intonation when amplified. The FGX800C's tuners deliver rock solid performance.

Playability

One of the standout features of the Yamaha FGX800C is its comfortable and playable feel. This begins with its slim, conventional neck profile that most guitarists will find very natural and ergonomic. The neck has a standard width and rounded back that allows for smooth, low-friction movement up and down the rosewood fretboard.

The action on the FGX800C is also set very low from the factory. This makes pressing the strings down to the frets easy and comfortable. Beginners in particular will appreciate how little finger pressure is required to fret notes cleanly. The low action also enhances playability by reducing hand fatigue over longer practice or jamming sessions.

Between the slim neck shape and low string action, the FGX800C rates very highly in pure playability. It's an inviting guitar to pick up and practice on, especially for new players. The smoothness of the neck and effortless feel of the strings aid in building fundamentals and developing finger dexterity.

Sound Quality

The FGX800C delivers excellent sound quality that will satisfy both acoustic purists and players who frequently amplify their instruments.

Unplugged, the guitar produces a bright, articulate tone with impressive sustain and resonance across the tonal spectrum. The solid sitka spruce top offers crisp treble definition while the rosewood back and sides provide a rich, balanced low-end and midrange. The tone is clear and focused, yet still very warm and musical.

When plugging in, the onboard electronics accurately translate the FGX800C's natural acoustic tone. The guitar maintains its compelling acoustic character rather than sounding like an electric guitar. The amplified tone is clean, balanced, and organic. There is no harshness in the highs or muddiness in the lows - just an authentic and lively acoustic sound at higher volumes. The FGX800C is flexible enough to handle light overdrive gracefully without sounding muddy or overwhelmed.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The FGX800C features a solid spruce top, which helps produce a bright, balanced tone. Spruce is a popular tonewood choice among acoustic guitars.

• The back and sides are made from mahogany, which provides warmth and richness to the overall sound.

• It has an electric system with a built-in tuner and cutaway body for easy upper fret access. The electronics allow you to plug into an amplifier or PA system.

• The rosewood fingerboard and bridge are quality materials that help with resonance and sustain.

• Yamaha is known for their high build quality and playability in this price range.

Cons

• As an acoustic-electric model with electronics and solid woods, the FGX800C is heavier than a traditional acoustic. This can make it less comfortable for small-framed players to handle.

• The preamp and tuner add more controls which some players may find overly complicated for a starter instrument.

• While decent for an acoustic in this range, the pickup and preamp system won't match higher-end acoustic-electric models.

Conclusion

The Yamaha FGX800C is an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate level players looking for an affordable acoustic-electric guitar. Its smaller concert-style body makes it comfortable for newer players while still producing rich, full-bodied acoustic tones.

The solid Sitka spruce top paired with nato back and sides generates bright, balanced acoustic resonance across the tonal spectrum. The pickup and preamp provides great plugged-in tones whether practicing with headphones or performing live.

With its attainable price point, playability, and quality craftsmanship, the FGX800C is arguably one of the best starter acoustic-electrics currently available. Its versatile sound production and stylish appearance make this a great first guitar or upgrade for developing musicians. Overall, the Yamaha FGX800C delivers impressive performance and value in an accessible beginner-friendly package.