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Yamaha FG830 Solid Top Folk Guitar Review: Is it the Best Affordable Acoustic on the Market?

The Yamaha FG830 Folk Guitar at a glance:

Click Here to Check Yamaha FG830 Availability! >>

The Yamaha FG800 Folk Guitar is one of the best values on the acoustic guitar market, for beginners and experienced players alike.

The guitar features laminated Nato wood on the back and sides, with a solid Sitka Spruce top and satin finish. The neck meets the body at the 14th fret on this 25” scale length dreadnought acoustic.

The comfy feel makes it ideal for singer-songwriters who are looking to string a few chords together or practice.

A New Edition to Yamaha’s FG Series

Yamaha’s FG800 is the newest entry into Yamaha’s Acoustic Guitar line, based on the classic FG series. This series has been a top seller and player favorite since its 1966 inception.

The FG800 is the most budget friendly of the new FG family, coming in just under $200. Laminated Nato wood makes up the back, sides, and neck with a solid Sitka Spruce top and Rosewood fretboard.

The guitar is a 25” scale length instrument with the same familiar V-shaped headstock that makes all Yamaha’s recognizable. Die-cast chrome tuners and a  urea nut and saddle round out the construction.

Who is the Yamaha FG800 for?

The FG800 is a versatile product in that it should serve beginners and guitar veterans equally well. The budget friendly price and comfortable feel certainly make it a great option for students.

Furthermore, the tuning stability is far superior to most other cheap acoustics. This guitar puts performance above all else, making it a great option for more experienced players too.

Especially, if you aren’t willing or able to shell out big money for a premium acoustic guitar. Overall, it’s a must try acoustic guitar model from any player from one of the most trusted and familiar brands on the market.

Opening the Box

You can purchase the FG800 in a variety of packages, including a value pack, accessory kit, or just as the individual guitar. If you purchase just the guitar, the only extra feature you’ll get is a hex wrench.

You can add a case, picks, tuner, or other sweet extras via the value packs. There is no assembly necessary with this guitar, and it should be ready to go with a quick tune-up straight out of the box.

For pickier players, you may want to get it setup to lower the action a bit. Otherwise beginner players may want to go stock up on picks, capos, and a strap to get the most out the FG800 Acoustic.

Read the Latest Yamaha FG830 Solid Top Guitar Reviews >>

FG800 Acoustic Guitar Highlights

• Solid Sitka Spruce top
• Reliable chrome tuners
• Rosewood bridge
• Resonant, bright sounds
• Classic V-shaped headstock
• Fast, Rosewood fretboard

See it in Action

There’s nothing too crazy here, the Yamaha FG800 should be ready to go out of the box, after tuning it up that is. Check out this helpful review and demo to see how great the FG800 can be for fingerstyle and solo playing!

Yamaha FG800 Folk Guitar Features

As we said before, there aren’t a lot of extra frills or features to prop up the cost of this quality acoustic guitar. The FG800 Folk Guitar features unbranded but reliable die-cast chrome tuners that hold tune great alongside a rosewood bridge and comfortable satin finish.

With no electronics or name brand parts, you end up with an ideal inexpensive acoustic guitar for at-home songwriters and students. More advanced acoustic players may feel limited by the dreadnought-shape, with access to the higher frets pretty difficult.

The Rosewood fretboard is fast and comfortable, making it a good option for players of all skill levels. Because the body meets the neck at the 14th fret, this guitar is definitely more suited for staying within one octave.

The solid Sitka Spruce top is supported by scalloped-bracing, giving it rock solid construction underneath the glossy finish and multi-ply binding.

The Nato wood sides and back sound great, but not quite as warm and loud as higher quality tonewoods like high pressure Mahogany.

You do get bright, very top heavy chime and the chords ring out at a still reasonable volume for jamming. Practicing along to songs, or song writing with a partner should come second nature on the FG800.

Pros and Cons

Yamaha FG830 Solid Top Folk Guitar Review

What are Yamaha FG830 Solid Top Guitar Owners Saying? >>

Other Affordable Acoustics to Try

There are plenty of sub-$200 acoustics on the market, but not necessarily any as great as the FG800. Another top seller, the Epiphone DR-100 is not lauded for the same playability but is a bit cheaper at under $150.

Many of Epiphone’s more expensive options are superior guitars, but come at a steep cost. While the construction is pretty similar, Spruce top, Mahogany back and sides, the build quality is often more spotty with some rough fretwork and less tuning stability.

Epiphone Songmaker DR-100, Dreadnought Acoustic...

Takamine GD20-NS Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar...

Fender’s FA-115 dreadnought is a bit more comparable in terms of quality and price. Retailing around $150, the FA-115 features a Nato set neck, a laminated Spruce top, and Agathis back and sides. Thanks to its light weight, this also is a similarly comfortable and balanced guitar.

Willing to go a bit above $200? Takamine’s G Series GD20 Dreadnought is comparable in quality but for an extra hundred or so dollars.

With a solid Cedar top and Mahogany back and sides, the upgraded tone wood will provide a bit more volume and bass response from the G Series dreadnought. The slim-satin finish on this guitar is comparable to the FG800, making it feel and look familiar when comparing them side by side.

Final Thoughts: Is the Yamaha FG800 Acoustic a Good Fit for You?

Overall, the Yamaha FG800 Acoustic Guitar is one of the best budget acoustic guitars on the market. It has a ton of great features like the smooth Rosewood fretboard and quality tuning stability.

We think most players will be genuinely surprised by how great this guitar feels for the price. It’s an equally great option for beginners and experts alike, and the pros far outweigh the cons.

Once you get the FG800 set up properly it should be ready to go. Without a set up it is definitely best suited as a practice instrument as opposed to a stage instrument.

For $200, it’s hard to find any serious faults with the FG800. It’s absolutely worth checking out if you’re looking for an acoustic guitar. Get your hands on one today, you won’t be disappointed!

What Do Yamaha FG830 Guitar Owners Think? >>

The post Yamaha FG800 Review [Solid Top Acoustic] first appeared on GuitarNiche.

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The 5 Best Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000 Worth Every Cent

Great Acoustic Guitars Comparison Chart:

Product	Best Feature	Rating	Relative Price
#1 Overall Best ChoiceTakamine GN93CE-NAT Nex Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar		(4.7)	$$$
#2 Best ValueSeagull Artist Mosaic Acoustic Guitar		(4.5)	$$$$
#3 Spectacular ToneLa Patrie Guitar, Collection		(4.2)	$$$$
#4 Price Increase :(Blueridge BR-160 Historic Series Dreadnought Guitar		(4.4)	$$$$$
#5 All Solid ConstructionSeagull Maritime SWS SG Guitar		(4.2)	$$$

If you’re looking for the great acoustic guitars under $1,000, you’ll be thrilled to know you can find a reasonably priced premium instrument matching your expectations with great sound, feel, and looks.

Fine Acoustics Guitars Under $1,000 in Review

1. Takamine GN93CE-NAT Nex Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Includes famous Takamine electronics technology.

Takamine GN93CE-NAT Nex Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Takamine GN93CE Features

The Takamine GN93CE-NAT Nex Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar comes with a variety of features to meet your musical instrument needs including:

• Top is made of solid spruce
• Sides are rosewood
• Back is a three-piece, made out of rosewood/quilt maple
• Neck is slim, made out of mahogany has a 12″ radius
• Fingerboard is made out of rosewood; provides you with the ability to play and perform solos
• Comes with the TK-40D preamp system, which provides a built-in tuner, EQ for three instruments and gain controls, switch the mid contour, filter your sound and bypass the EQ
• Glossy natural finish
• Right handed guitar
• Measures 44” x 6” x 20”

Check Takamine GN93CE-NAT Nex Availability >>

GN93CE Summary

The Takamine GN93CE-NAT Nex Acoustic comes highly recommended for both beginners and more advanced players. Primarily because of how incredibly affordable it is. It’s one of the less expensive buys on our list, but also sounds just as good as any of the more expensive examples listed.

Being no slouch in quality acoustic guitar manufacturing, this  exceptional Takamine model provides you with ultimate versatile playability both acoustically and electronically, the TK-40D EQ system built into the guitar is fantastic, and has a top-notch precision and is up to a high standard.

The only downside is that the Takamine GN93CE-NAT Acoustic-Electric does not come with a case, (but you can find one that fits here) and will be an additional cost on top of the guitar itself.

Takamine Nex Cutaway Acoustic-Electric in Review

What Do Takamine Nex Acoustic-Electric Guitar Owners Think? >>

2. Seagull Artist Mosaic Acoustic Guitar

Simply a great combination of build quality, sound, and price.

Seagull Artist Mosaic Acoustic Guitar

Seagull Artist Mosaic Features

• Delivered as a six-string guitar with dimensions of 45” x 8.5” x 19”
• Weighs just 8 lbs.
• Made in North America
• Designed with a new rosewood bridge and fretboard
• Made of selected mahogany back and sides
• Comes with a hand-picked and pressure-tested solid top
• Has a new-style scalloped Adirondack spruce bracing
• Designed with premium gold-finished machine pegs
• Comes with a nice storage case

Check Seagull Mosaic Acoustic Guitar Availability >>

Artist Mosaic Acoustic Summary

Even though the Seagull Artist Mosaic Acoustic Guitar is less expensive than some of these higher-priced brands, it comes finished with beautiful appointments like its glossy top, tortoise-shell pick guard, and Indian rosewood headstock overlay, and truss-rod cover.

If you’ve played a high-end guitar that costs around $3,000 or so, then it’s time to check out this Seagull acoustic guitar for similar feel and sound. It is definitely among the best guitars in its price range.

You could possibly spend hours going through 100+ guitar reviews, and you’ll probably include the Artist Mosiac as one of the premium guitars on your checklist.

This is one guitar even the most demanding of professional players will find to their liking, and it’s only a matter of time before you’ll find some of your favorite players recommending this guitar. It is destined to become a bestseller for its excellent tone and sound.

If you’re looking for the best acoustic guitar under $1,000 dollars, this Seagull acoustic guitar is a great choice.

Read the Full Article Here

Seagull Artist Mosaic Acoustic in Review

What Are Seagull Artist Mosaic Acoustic Owners Saying? >>

3. La Patrie Collection Guitar

Spectacular tone in a classical package.

La Patrie Collection Guitar from Godin

La Patrie Collection Features

• Has standard dimensions of 42” x 14.8” x 5.5”
• Weighs a low 5.8 lbs.
• Delivered as a North American-made six-string guitar
• Comes with a pressure-tested solid top made of cedar
• Has rosewood sides and back
• Finished with the high-gloss custom polish
• Comes with a standard rosewood fretboard and bridge
• Offered with a mahogany neck
• Has a fingerboard with radius to increase comfort and ease of play
• Delivered with a double-function truss rod
• Designed with a compensated saddle over a TUSQ nut

Check La Patrie Guitar Collection Availability >>

Collection Guitar Summary

This smart-looking La Patrie Guitar, Collection comes with a spruced top made of wood acquired from aged wood. The sides and back, made of solid Indian rosewood, complement the semi-glossy lacquered finish.

Free vibrations are allowed along this adequately-thick guitar. Its neck is made of Honduras mahogany with a satin finish, and its medium-size frets are nicely edged.

This La Patrie, Collection guitar is unlike other traditional guitars in that it comes with a dual-action truss rod that may disappoint guitar players wanting the traditional look.

Also, if you’re a professional looking for the best acoustic guitar under $1,000, and with a tone that resonates freely, you may not like its slightly muffled sound.

La Patrie Pros and Cons

La Patrie Collection in Review

Are La Patrie Collection Guitar Owners Happy? >>

4. Blueridge BR-160 Historic Series Dreadnought Guitar

Structure and tonewoods found in instruments three times the price.

Blueridge BR-160 Historic Series Dreadnought Guitar

Blueridge BR-160 Historic Series Features

• Dimensions are 40” x 16” x 5”
• Has scalloped braces offering a crisp tone and clean articulation
• Made of the choicest Indian rosewood fingerboard that increases playing smoothness
• Designed with a slim neck for long-lasting stability, and quick, easy action.
• Offers a vintage look with its distinctive tortoise-style pick guard
• Has a rosewood bridge with rosewood bridge plate
• Delivered in a natural, high-gloss finished six-string guitar
• Designed with bone-finish saddle and nut
• Comes with a delicate herringbone inlay around the top
• Offers highly accurate 14:1 ratio open-back tuners with nickel plating

Check Blueridge BR-160 Historic Series Guitar Availability >>

BR-160 Historic Series Summary

Experienced guitar players have found the Blueridge BR-160 Historic Series Dreadnought Guitar the best acoustic guitar under $1,000, much for its vintage styling that reminded them of yesteryear acoustic guitars.

It comes with a mahogany neck fitted with an adjustable truss rod. High-performance quality is sustained with this carefully crafted guitar. Its exclusive Dalmatian-style pick guard and high-gloss finish look very striking.

The Blueridge BR-160 comes in two variations of spruce tops: Adirondack and Sitka. Depending on which model you choose, you will see a swing in base price of around $300 for the premium Adirondack version.

Read the full review on the BR-160 Sitka version here.

There is an attractive wide-body binding around the top, which is made of top-quality tone-wood, and highly durable back and sides made of Indian rosewood. Its traditional forward-shifting X-brace pattern at the top adds great authenticity to this vintage-class guitar.

Carefully crafted at the Blueridge factory under the Saga Music umbrella, its intricate inlays, fretwork, and hand-carved parabolic top braces will get your immediate attention and take you back to the 1930s—a time when guitars were handmade and set to match the highest quality standards.

Blueridge BR-160 Historic Series Guitar in Review

What are Blueridge BR-160 Historic Series Owners Saying? >>

5. Seagull Maritime SWS SG Guitar

Solid wood construction throughout.

Seagull Maritime SWS SG Acoustic Guitar

Seagull Maritime SWS Features

• Comes with dimensions of 49” x 20” x 9”
• Designed with a solid wood construction including back and sides
• Made of selected pressure-tested spruce top
• Delivered in a strong mellow tone with semi-gloss finish
• Delivers better intonation with its TUSQ nut and compensated saddle
• Made in North America
• Comes with a double-action truss rod
• Comes with a matched body and neck to enable high-precision setting
• Designed with a compound-curved top for additional stability

Check Seagull Maritime SWS SG Guitar Customer Availability >>

Maritime SWS SG Summary

This solid wood Seagull Maritime SWS SG Guitar has all the premium features to last for a very long time, including its select pressure-tested solid spruce top and custom-polished finish.

This elastic and extremely light guitar from the Godin family of instruments ages very well, and is made available to more people with its attractive price range. It delivers full sound and can be used as an accompaniment to other instruments.

Its thin, resilient sheen offers ideal protection but also maximizes total projection and improves the sound quality.

The slightly wider-than-normal neck needs some adjustment. However, this is the best acoustic guitar under $1,000 for casual players looking to upgrade their playing skills to the professional level.

Seagull Maritime SWS SG Acoustic in Review

What Do Seagull Maritime SWS SG Guitar Customer Think? >>

What Are the Benefits of Buying A Better Guitar?

Compared to just a couple of decades ago, we now have a perfect storm of quality and price due to improved manufacturing processes and market competition.

Of course you can get a great guitar from established manufacturers such as Yamaha, a Martin and Taylor, or any one of the famous brands for $1,000 — this is big money for a guitar, and you have plenty of choices.

But our focus here is to find great value instruments under a set dollar value.

Sound and design

These are two areas you will not want to compromise on, irrespective of the brand you choose.

For example, great sound is a must for this price. You’d think this is a given for a $1,000 guitar. You may be on the right track; however, good sound can turn into great sound, especially if the guitar has a good setup. The guitar you choose should be backed by at least 1,000 or more satisfied customers.

Again, the design you specifically need to suit your style of play is available without compromising in sound.

Affordability

Since you’ve already decided on the cost, your target must be to get the best option within that range. You can follow a definite process to arrive at a quality guitar that costs approximately $700 to $800, go higher to $800 to $900, then cap it up at $1000 to arrive at a reasonable number of options meeting your demands.

There’s no doubt the guitar industry as a whole is experiencing a renaissance. Brian Majeski of The Music Trades, continuously published since 1890, has written about this phenomenon and it’s implications more than a few times over the last few years.

Visual Appeal

This is a highly subjective element, and very dependant on individual taste. Personally, I’ve turned away absolutely incredible playing instruments simply on the basis that I though they were butt ugly – fugly! Point is, to each his own, there’s no accounting for taste.

If the instrument strikes a chord with you visually, that’s a big plus for long term enjoyment. But be warned, cosmetic elements come at a price: if a new guitar has a lot of bells and whistles visually, it’s a safe bet that’s where your money’s going.

Would you rather have a shoebox with rubber bands that looks great, or a plain jane that plays and sounds incredible? The choice is yours. Gratefully, we have a guide that finds the perfect balance of both.

Compare These Featured Acoustic Guitars:

Best Choice

Takamine GN93CE-NAT Nex Cutaway Acoustic-Electric...

Best Value

Seagull Artist Mosaic Acoustic Guitar

Premium Pick

Seagull Maritime SWS SG Guitar

Final Verdict: What’s the Best Acoustic Under $1000?

If you’re looking for the best acoustic guitar under $1,000 dollars, this is a great buy. The La Patrie Collection, the Blueridge Historic Series, and the Seagull Maritime SWS SG are among the best currently available at less than $1,000.

However, if you were to make a choice based on referrals, the Takamine Nex Acoustic-Electric offers the best balance of build, sound and overall value. With it’s super comfortable neck, big tone and superior built-in electronics, you can’t go wrong with this quality made instrument.

If our recommended choice doesn’t quite resonate with your preferences, consider reading our individual reviews on two other very fine instruments offered by exceptional brands: the Martin DRS2, and the Taylor 114CE respectively.

EDITOR’S PICK

Takamine Nex Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar

What Do Takamine Nex Acoustic Guitar Owners Think? >>

The post Best Acoustic Guitar Under $1000 (Complete Guide) first appeared on GuitarNiche.