YAMAHA FD01S Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Yamaha FD01S is an affordable, all-solid mahogany acoustic guitar designed for beginners and students. Part of Yamaha's Folk Series, it offers warm, balanced sound in an accessible package. With its smaller folk-style body, this guitar is lightweight and comfortable for younger players or travelers. Though affordable, the FD01S doesn't compromise on tone or playability. The slim neck and low action make chord changes smooth, while the solid mahogany top, back, and sides provide a focused, mature sound. Its smaller body brings out a punchy midrange and tight low end well-suited to folk and fingerstyle playing. Overall, the FD01S combines playability, portable size, and rich tones ideal for new guitarists or anyone seeking an inspiring secondary acoustic.

Construction

The Yamaha FD01S acoustic guitar features a dreadnought body shape made from solid Sitka spruce on the top and mahogany back and sides. The combination of spruce and mahogany creates a nicely balanced tone with good projection, clarity, and a pleasant low-mid warmth. The guitar has a standard 25.6" scale length and uses nato for the neck, bridge, and fretboard.

Overall, the materials used in the Yamaha FD01S are fairly typical for an entry-level acoustic guitar in this price range. While not the most premium tonewoods, they offer decent tonal characteristics and playability. The all-laminate construction helps keep costs down while still providing a solid and durable instrument. Some buyers may wish for an all-solid wood guitar, but the Yamaha build quality is reliable, especially considering the affordable price point. Those looking for an inexpensive dreadnought with conventional tonewoods and construction will find it delivers respectable value.

When comparing the Yamaha FD01S to other entry-level acoustic guitars, it's worth considering the Cordoba GUCLCOR-02819. This model from Cordoba Guitars also features a traditional dreadnought body shape and a spruce top with mahogany back and sides. However, the Cordoba uses all solid wood construction, which can provide slightly better resonance and sustain. The tonewoods are very similar between the two models, so the main differences come down to construction type and hardware. The Cordoba has a mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard, and ebony bridge, while the Yamaha uses nato for the neck and fretboard. Overall, the Cordoba may offer a bit more in terms of premium appointments at a comparable price point to the Yamaha. However, the Yamaha build quality and playability are still very good for a budget-friendly dreadnought model. Choosing between the two guitars ultimately depends on individual playing preferences and budget considerations when looking for an affordable, conventional acoustic guitar.

Sound

The Yamaha FD01S produces a balanced, clear tone thanks to its combination of spruce and mahogany tonewoods. The spruce top provides brightness and projection, allowing the guitar's sound to cut through a mix. The mahogany back and sides add warmth and fullness, providing a rich bass response.

The FD01S has impressive sustain and resonance for a guitar in its price range. The spruce top resonates nicely when strummed, with notes ringing out for longer than expected. The mahogany back and sides also help the guitar sustain notes, preventing the sound from drying up too quickly.

Overall, the FD01S offers a dynamic sound with clarity in the highs and mids, and fullness in the low end. The tonewood combination allows it to project while also having a pleasing warmth. The long sustain allows notes to ring out, making this an expressive and versatile acoustic for playing chords, fingerpicking, and soloing.

When comparing the Yamaha FD01S to other entry-level acoustics like the Fender FA-125CE, the Yamaha stands out for its balanced tone. The FA-125CE may be a bit brighter in the treble registers thanks to its laminate spruce top, but it lacks some of the warmth and low-end provided by the FD01S's mahogany back and sides. The FD01S has a more well-rounded sound, though the Fender can cut through a mix with its crisp highs.

The Yamaha also seems to have better sustain and resonance than the Fender model. This allows it to really ring out on strummed chords in a way the FA-125CE struggles to match. Notes last longer on the FD01S, while they tend to decay faster on the Fender after being plucked or strummed. The Yamaha's wood combination gives it an advantage in resonance and note separation.

When playing lead lines and solos, the FD01S's balanced tone provides enough cut and bite to make melodies sing, while still retaining enough low-end to prevent thinness. The FA-125CE may have a bit more treble bite for lead work, but its weaker lows can cause melodic lines to sound thin and lacking in body. The Yamaha gives lead lines enough crisp attack to cut through, while retaining pleasing low-mids.

In terms of pure acoustic tone, the Yamaha FD01S surpasses the Fender FA-125CE and many other guitars at this low price point. Its spruce and mahogany body allows it to produce balanced, dynamic sound with great resonance and sustain. While the Fender can be bright and crisp, the Yamaha has a more well-rounded voice making it suitable for various musical scenarios. The FD01S hits above its weight class for tonal quality and acoustic performance.

Playability

The Yamaha FD01S features a comfortable slim taper neck that allows easy fretting and chord changes. The neck width measures 1 11/16 inches at the nut, which is a standard width for acoustic guitars in this price range.

The string action is set low and buzz-free from the factory, making it very playable right out of the box. Both beginners and experienced players will appreciate how the low action makes fretting notes and chords effortless without buzzing.

The fretwork on the FD01S is nicely done, with smoothly finished medium jumbo frets. The fret ends are carefully polished so you won't encounter any sharp edges while playing. Overall the neck feels smooth and fast during lead playing.

The satin finish on the back of the neck allows for a nice natural feel during faster playing. The neck profile is mainstream and comfortable. Most players will find the playability very satisfying for an entry-level acoustic.

Hardware

The Yamaha FD01S features quality hardware that enhances its tone and playability. The tuning machines are chrome sealed die-cast tuners that keep the guitar in tune well. The nut and saddle are made from urea, a synthetic material known for accuracy and durability.

The urea nut promotes precise intonation, while the urea saddle provides a smooth surface for the strings to vibrate over. Together, they help transfer string vibrations efficiently. The bridge is also made of quality urea with a rosewood bridge pin base that anchors the strings firmly.

Overall, the hardware complements the solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides, allowing the FD01S to resonate freely. The tuning machines, nut, saddle, and bridge work together to provide stable tuning and ample vibration transfer for excellent tone and sustain.

Electronics

The FD01S features an under-saddle piezo pickup and preamp system to amplify its sound. This allows you to plug the guitar into an amplifier or PA system for playing live or recording.

The preamp is quite basic but gets the job done. There are no tone shaping controls - simply a volume knob and a built-in tuner. The volume knob allows you to control the output level going into your amp or mixer. The tuner is handy for quick on-stage tuning.

While the electronics are pretty bare bones, they perform reliably for this price range. The piezo pickup combined with the preamp produces a balanced amplified tone without excessive feedback or noise. It's not going to sound as rich as higher end electronics, but it's suitable for beginners learning to plug in and amplify an acoustic guitar.

The lack of EQ knobs does limit tone shaping ability. The fixed preamp voicing aims for an even, balanced sound that works across different genres and playing styles. Those wanting more tonal control will need to shape their tone with the amp or pedals. Overall the electronics successfully deliver plug-and-play convenience in an affordable package.

Comfort

The Yamaha FD01S features a traditional dreadnought body shape that is comfortable for both fingerstyle and strumming. The body has a nice rounded shape that fits well against your torso when playing seated.

At about 4.5 pounds, the FD01S has a lightweight and balanced feel. The guitar's slim neck profile and smooth satin finish make it very comfortable and easy to play, even during longer practice sessions. The wider nut width (1.75 inches) adds room for fingering chords and notes up the neck.

The FD01S has a shallow body depth of 3.75 inches, so it sits close against your body. This allows easy access to the higher frets while keeping the guitar's weight centered on your lap. The smoothly contoured body edges don't dig into your arms or torso while playing.

Overall, the shape, dimensions, and finish of the Yamaha FD01S provide excellent comfort and playability for acoustic guitarists. The well-balanced dreadnought design rests nicely against your body when seated, and is easy to handle during standing performances.

Versatility

The Yamaha FD01S acoustic guitar is a versatile instrument well-suited for a variety of musical genres and playing styles. Its classic dreadnought body shape produces a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum, allowing it to adapt to anything from strumming chords for rock, pop, or folk music to fingerpicking for blues, jazz, or country.

The spruce top and nato back and sides provide a bright, projecting tone with decent bass response. This allows the guitar to cut through the mix when played alongside other instruments, but also gives enough warmth for solo playing. The cutaway body design also provides easy access to upper frets for more advanced soloing.

Overall, the Yamaha FD01S is flexible enough to handle most genres an acoustic guitarist might want to play, from laidback singer-songwriter material to aggressive strumming for rock or punk. Its classic design and versatile sound make it a good choice as a general-purpose acoustic for guitarists who play in different styles.

Pros

• All-laminate construction offers durability without adding extra cost: The all-laminate construction makes the FD01S sturdy and long-lasting without driving up the price.

• Produces a surprisingly full, rich sound: Despite its beginner-friendly price point, the FD01S puts out a balanced, nuanced tone that belies its cost. The combination of the spruce top and meranti back and sides delivers a robust and resonant sound.

• Easy playability right out of the box: The slim neck profile and low action facilitates comfortable, effortless playing, even for total beginners. The guitar doesn't require extensive setup or adjustments to play well.

• Quality hardware and electronics for the price: The die-cast chrome tuners hold tuning reliably. The under-saddle piezo pickup and preamp give you the option to plug in for amplification. At this price range, these features are a major plus.

• Lightweight and comfortable feel: Weighing just a few pounds, the FD01S is easy on the shoulders and back during long practice sessions. The smooth neck and slim body make playing for extended periods a breeze.

Cons

The Yamaha FD01S is an excellent beginner acoustic guitar, but it does have some limitations.

• The smaller body produces a quieter, thinner tone that may not project well during a live performance. It lacks the volume and bass response of a full-size dreadnought.

• The laminate construction makes it more affordable, but it doesn't have quite the same resonance and sustain as a solid wood guitar.

• The satin finish and simpler appointments keep costs down, but some players may want a more elegant guitar with gloss finish and ornate inlays.

• The slim neck profile is comfortable for smaller hands, but those with large hands may find it too thin.

• While versatile for many styles, it may not have the ideal tone for certain genres like aggressive strumming or intricate fingerpicking.

• The onboard electronics are decent but limited, without advanced features like built-in tuners, presets, etc. An external preamp may be needed for detailed tone shaping.

• While well-made for the price, fit and finish is not on par with premium models costing several times more.

Overall the Yamaha FD01S punches above its weight class, but naturally has limitations compared to professional-grade instruments. For advancing players, it may lack some of the features and refinement desired. But it's an outstanding choice for getting started on acoustic guitar.