Yamaha FG830 TBS Acoustic Guitar: Full Review

The Yamaha FG830 is an affordable, entry-level acoustic guitar with surprising quality and tone. As part of Yamaha's FG line, the FG830 offers solid spruce and rosewood construction in an elegant yet understated Tobacco Sunburst finish. This guitar provides excellent playability and rich sound, making it a top choice for beginners and intermediate players.

The FG series debuted in the 1960s and has become one of Yamaha's most popular and enduring acoustic guitar models. The FG830 carries on this legacy, delivering professional sound and feel at an accessible price point. While affordable, the FG830 does not compromise on tonewoods, craftsmanship or attention to detail. This makes it a reliable instrument that punches above its weight class.

Overall, the Yamaha FG830 acoustic guitar combines high-quality appointments with Yamaha's renowned acoustic engineering. It's an exceptional starter instrument that developing musicians can grow with over time. The FG830 offers incredible value while meeting the needs of most acoustic guitarists.

Appearance

The Yamaha FG830 has a stylish, traditional dreadnought body shape that looks great on stage or around the campfire. The guitar measures 41 inches long with a width of 16.5 inches at the lower bout. This gives it a nice full body size without being overly large or bulky.

The FG830 comes in two great looking finish options. There is a natural, satin finish that shows off the beautiful solid Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. For something a little different, Yamaha offers a Tobacco Sunburst finish which gives the spruce top a nice warm, vintage look. The mahogany back and sides have an attractive shading from dark brown in the center to a honey-color along the edges.

The rosette around the soundhole has an ornate vine inlay design that provides a touch of elegance. Chrome die-cast tuners sit along the headstock which has the Yamaha logo branded across the top. Overall, the FG830 has a high quality fit and finish you would expect to find on guitars costing much more.

The Yamaha FG830's traditional dreadnought body shape and attractive finish options make it an aesthetically pleasing guitar. While looks certainly aren't everything when it comes to choosing an acoustic guitar, it's nice when an instrument also happens to look great. The FG830 manages to deliver top-notch sound and playability while also offering visual appeal.

Some players may want to consider other acoustic guitar models that offer different visual styles. For example, the Martin 11DXJOHNNYCASH has a very distinctive look with its black finish and white binding. The all-black appearance gives it an edgy, rock and roll vibe compared to the more traditional styling of the FG830. While the Yamaha aims for a classic, timeless look, the Martin 11DXJOHNNYCASH makes a bolder visual statement.

In the end, choosing between the traditional aesthetics of the Yamaha FG830 or the edgier appearance of the Martin 11DXJOHNNYCASH comes down to personal taste. Thankfully, both guitars deliver outstanding acoustic tone and playability to match their impressive visuals. Players simply need to decide which look better fits their own personal style and preferences.

Body & Neck

The Yamaha FG830 features a solid Sitka spruce top, which is a popular choice for acoustics thanks to its balanced tone. Sitka spruce provides excellent resonance while remaining lightweight.

The back and sides are made from rosewood, which adds warmth and depth to the overall tone. Rosewood is a traditional tonewood known for its rich overtones.

The neck is also constructed from rosewood and features a slim taper neck profile that is comfortable and easy to play. The slimmer neck allows for easier fretting and chord changes.

The body binding and rosette provide an elegant decorative touch and the matte finish on the body and neck enhances resonance while also being easy on the hands during long practice or jam sessions.

Overall the FG830 has a high quality all-solid wood construction that produces a bold, balanced tone expected from Yamaha's 800 series. The combination of Spruce and Rosewood provides a nice blend of crisp highs and deep lows.

The Valencia VC204TWR is another excellent acoustic guitar option worth considering. With its solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides, it produces a warm, rich tone perfect for fingerstyle playing. The cedar top provides crisp highs while the mahogany adds depth and character to the sound.

Some key features of the Valencia VC204TWR include its thin-line body depth for comfort, 25.3” scale length, and Valencia's AP bracing system. It has a satin finish that enhances resonance and feel. The mahogany neck allows for smooth playability.

This guitar comes equipped with a Shadow preamp system that includes a built-in tuner and pickup for plugging into an amplifier or PA system. The flexible EQ controls allow you to shape your amplified tone.

In terms of aesthetics, the VC204TWR has attractive binding on the body and fretboard, along with an abalone rosette around the soundhole adding a touch of elegance. It comes in a few different finish options including natural, black, sunburst, and walnut.

The Valencia VC204TWR provides warm, rich acoustic tones thanks to its all-wood body construction. It's comfortable to play and has the electronics to connect to amplification when needed. If you're looking for a great full-bodied acoustic with smooth playability, be sure to check out the Valencia VC204TWR.

Sound & Tone

The Yamaha FG830 produces a balanced, warm tone that is characteristic of Yamaha acoustic guitars. The solid Sitka spruce top contributes to the clarity and responsiveness in the mid and high frequencies, while the rosewood back and sides add depth and bass resonance.

Though not as boomy as some mahogany models, the FG830 has a focused low end that provides rhythmic support without muddying the sound. The midrange is clear and open, allowing individual notes to ring out distinctly. Treble notes have sparkle and articulation without sounding brittle or harsh.

The flat sapele neck and rosewood fingerboard produce a balanced tonal profile across the range of the guitar. Basslines have punch and chords ring with fullness. Picking patterns come through with warmth and body. The overall impression is a pleasing, vintage-inspired acoustic tone.

While the FG830 may not have the complex overtones of premium solid wood guitars, its sound belies its affordable price point. From singer-songwriter playing to rhythm guitar accompaniment, the FG830 offers satisfying acoustic resonance and musicality.

Playability

The Yamaha FG830 has excellent playability that makes it comfortable and enjoyable to play for long periods of time.

• The neck has a slim taper that is easy to grip and allows smooth transitions up and down the rosewood fretboard. The neck feels natural and comfortable to hold.

• The action on this guitar is set very well from the factory. The strings are an ideal height above the fretboard, not too high that they are hard to press down, and not too low that they buzz.

• The fretwork on the FG830 is impressive for a guitar at this price point. The frets are smoothly finished with no sharp edges. Bends and vibratos are comfortable and easy to achieve.

• The wider nut width of 1.738 inches provides ample room for fingerstyle playing. Chords have nice spacing and playing individual notes is uncomplicated.

Overall, the Yamaha FG830 offers superb playability right out of the box. The comfortable neck, quality fretwork, and ideal action height make this an acoustic that you can play for hours without fatigue. Both strumming and fingerpicking are effortless on this guitar.

Hardware

The Yamaha FG830 features quality hardware that enhances the playability and sound of this acoustic guitar.

Tuning Keys

The FG830 has chrome die-cast tuning keys that hold tuning stability well and are smooth to turn. The keys have a classy vintage look.

Bridge

This guitar has a rosewood bridge and saddle, which are known for resonance and fullness of tone. The material blends nicely with the aesthetics. The saddle and bridge transfer vibrations efficiently.

Nut & Saddle

The nut and saddle are both made of urea, a synthetic material acclaimed for acoustic sound projection. Urea nuts and saddles have a bone-like tonality but greater durability and easier manufacturability. This guitar's nut and saddle are well-cut for proper string spacing and height.

Electronics

The Yamaha FG830 features a System 55T preamp and pickup system, designed to accurately reproduce the natural acoustic tone of the instrument.

The pickup is a compact piezo pickup mounted under the saddle. Piezo pickups use a crystalline material that generates current when subjected to pressure - in this case, the vibrations of the strings. This allows it to cleanly convert the acoustic vibrations into an electronic signal.

The preamp is Yamaha's own System 55T. It's a simple 2-band EQ, with bass and treble controls. This allows you to shape the tone and adjust the bass response and high-end brilliance to suit your needs. There's also a built-in tuner and a flexible Type-A output jack for connecting directly to a mixer or amplifier.

The controls are minimal, with just individual bass and treble sliders located discretely inside the soundhole. The preamp is powered by a single 9V battery. The understated controls and preamp allow the FG830 to preserve its traditional aesthetic and keep the emphasis on the natural acoustic sound. Overall, it's a straightforward but flexible system that gives you the ability to amplify your acoustic tone when needed.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Classic dreadnought shape produces full, balanced tone
• Solid spruce top and mahogany back & sides provide warm, rich sound
• Rosewood fingerboard and bridge enhance midrange and treble
• Scalloped bracing allows top to vibrate freely for excellent resonance
• Smooth satin finish on neck for comfort and playability
• Diecast chrome tuners keep guitar in tune
• Comes with gig bag for protection and portability
• Affordable price point for the quality

Cons

• Laminated back & sides, not solid wood
• May be too bassy for some players
• No cutaway for access to higher frets
• Not made in USA like higher-end Yamahas
• Electronics can add buzz or noise

The Yamaha FG830 combines traditional construction with modern enhancements, resulting in an acoustic guitar that punches above its weight class for the price. The iconic dreadnought shape and tonewood combination delivers a balanced, nuanced sound, while playability flourishes like the satin neck and scalloped bracing make this an appealing choice for novices and veterans alike. Aside from some compromises like laminate back/sides and lack of a cutaway, it's tough to beat the FG830 in terms of value for your dollar.

Comparable Models

The Yamaha FG830 compares well to other acoustic guitars in its price range such as:

• The Fender FA-100 has a spruce and mahogany body, a playable neck, and decent sound for the price but may not have the same build quality and refinement as the FG830. The Yamaha is better constructed and has richer lows.

• The Epiphone DR-100 has a mahogany body and neck, and a select spruce top producing balanced tone. It's a good starter acoustic but doesn't have the same full sound as the Yamaha across the tonal spectrum.

• The Jasmine S35 has a spruce top, agathis back and sides, and slim neck for easy playability. It punches above its weight for the price but lacks the bass response the all-solid wood FG830 provides.

• The Ibanez PF15ECE has a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and built-in electronics. It plays well but has a thinner, brighter sound compared to the Yamaha's robust and well-rounded tone.

The Yamaha FG830 compares favorably to others in its class in terms of build, sound quality, and playability, making it one of the best acoustic guitar values. The all-solid wood construction gives it an edge over laminate alternatives.

Conclusion

The Yamaha FG830 is an excellent entry-level acoustic guitar that punches above its weight class. Despite the affordable price tag, it offers impressive sound and playability thanks to its solid sitka spruce top and rosewood back and sides. The slim neck profile and shorter scale length also make it an accessible instrument for beginners.

While it doesn't have the projection or warmth of a high-end acoustic, the FG830 provides fantastic value. The build quality and attention to detail give it a feel and tone comparable to guitars costing much more. For those looking to buy their first serious acoustic or find an affordable workhorse guitar, the Yamaha FG830 is easy to recommend.

The combination of traditional construction with Yamaha's meticulous craftsmanship results in a guitar that's ideal for everything from practice to live performance. It may lack some bells and whistles, but delivers where it counts with resonant sound, comfortable playability, and road-ready durability. For its reasonable price, the FG830 is a benchmark acoustic that beginners and experienced players alike will appreciate.