The smell of fresh spruce still clung to my fingers after the clinic. I’d spent the afternoon wrestling with a student’s overly-expensive, aggressively-marketed dreadnought. It was gorgeous, sure, with abalone inlays that could stop traffic, but tone? Flat as a pancake. The kid wanted power, not pretty pictures. This is where the Yamaha FG800 enters the picture.

Let’s be clear: I’ve seen a thousand guitars, played a thousand guitars. High-end, low-end, you name it. The FG800, though, consistently surprises. It’s a workhorse. It delivers. That “cutting-edge acoustic analysis technology” Yamaha touts? Believe it. The thing throws sound. Deep, resonant lows. Clear, articulate highs. You get that full-bodied sound, especially in the low to mid-range, where a dreadnought should live.

It’s the scalloped bracing that really does the trick. Think of it as strategic sculpting under the hood. It allows the top to vibrate more freely, boosting projection and sustain. Now, I know some folks get hung up on the solid Sitka spruce top, as if it’s some kind of magic ingredient. Don’t get me wrong, it helps, but it’s the bracing married with the wood that makes the difference here. The FG800’s solid top is good, but it’s not the rarest, or most highly figured spruce. This is where some folks may compare it to the Martin D-18, which has a higher grade spruce, but, honestly, the Yamaha delivers more value.

I’ve had students bring these in for lessons, fresh from the music shop. The factory setup can be a little high on the action for some, especially those with smaller hands or who are used to electric guitars. This is easily remedied with a quick trip to a guitar tech for a minor setup adjustment. It’s a small price to pay for the overall value. The thing is, this can easily be lived with or remedied. I personally take my new acoustics straight to my trusted tech, who does a quick setup and check. The cost is negligible.

Honestly, for a beginner or an intermediate player, the FG800 is a fantastic choice. The tone is far better than some instruments at twice the price. You get a lot of guitar for your money. If you are a seasoned player looking for a second guitar for playing at the beach, or by a campfire, this would be perfect. Get one and start making some music, and don’t look back.