You’ve settled on Yamaha’s FG800 family and now have to pick between the base model and the step-up. The FG800 and the FG820 sit close together, which makes the choice trickier than it looks.
Both run a solid spruce top, so the back and sides decide it. Nato sits there on the FG800, while the slightly pricier FG820 moves to mahogany and adds extra finishes and variants.
We’ll cover body wood, finish choices, string and handedness options, tone, and cost across both Yamaha acoustics. If you want a deeper look at the base model first, our FG800 review goes further.
There’s a lot these two share before they split, and that’s the right place to begin. Here’s the common ground among these popular acoustic guitars.
Quick Comparison
| Category | Yamaha FG800 | Yamaha FG820 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back and sides | Nato | Mahogany | Yamaha FG820 |
| Tone | Warmer, fuller bass | Brighter, more sparkle | Depends |
| Finishes | Mostly natural | Multiple official colors | Yamaha FG820 |
| Variants | Right-handed 6-string only | 12-string and lefty options | Yamaha FG820 |
| Top | Solid Sitka spruce | Solid Sitka spruce | Tie |
| Price | The budget pick | A modest bump | Yamaha FG800 |
| Overall | Most players' pick | Options and looks | Depends |
The Similarities
The two models come from the same mold. They’ve more similarities than differences, so any buyer should know what stays constant across this series.
First is their size and shape. The FG 800 series are all dreadnoughts, one of the most significant guitar body styles.
The body is a traditional hourglass figure, and the proportions are large enough to generate substantial volume without amps.
Consequently, you don’t need to strum hard just to be heard when playing for others. Even soft fingerpicking is easily detected.
If you plan to go acoustic all the way, this is a good option. Those who want the same models in a smaller form can look into the FS series, which contains concert-size guitars.
The overall look is identical as well. It’s rather basic compared to the more expensive guitars with inlays, graphics, strategic holes, cutaways, and unique headstocks.
This is as plain as it gets, but that isn’t a bad thing. There’s a certain charm about an honest guitar that focuses on the music and does precisely what it’s supposed to do.
With Yamaha, you can be confident about the quality of these products no matter what you pick. The craftsmanship is better than you might expect, and you can take them anywhere and play them every day knowing they’ll hold up.
The Differences Between Each Guitar
While the two guitars share a body, a handful of meaningful differences separate them. Here’s where the FG800 and FG820 part ways.
The Price Points
The first thing that jumps out when comparing these models is the price difference. Some might think the gap is negligible, while others consider it significant.
If they’re going to make the leap, they want to make sure it’s worth the money, and whether it’s depends on the individual and what they value. The FG820 is a bit flashier for sure, and there are substantial upgrades worth a look.
However, these are nice extras rather than necessities.
Guitar Finish Options
Among the reasons for the higher price tag on the FG820 is the range of colors people can choose from. The FG800 is usually found in a natural finish, although you can hunt for rarer variants online.
Meanwhile, the FG820 comes in multiple official finish options, including natural, black, autumn burst, and brown sunburst. Some of these can be hard to picture from their names alone, so try to look at photos so you can see exactly how they look and what shades to expect.
A natural look, with a cream-colored top and darker brown sides, never runs out of style. If that’s too plain for you, autumn burst is a bright orange screamer.
If you want to express your individuality, a bolder color can set your guitar apart. If a loud color is a bit much, the classic all-black finish is always a safe, sharp-looking choice.
12-String and Left-Handed Options
The FG800 only comes in a 6-string configuration, which most people will want anyway. The FG820 has a 12-string variant, which is quite rare.
That’s six pairs of strings creating a natural chorus effect, handy when you want a fuller tone and a louder sound that’s hard to replicate with only six strings. On electric guitars, this effect is achieved with chorus pedals.
The 12-string is suited to more advanced players, such as those who want to mimic the style of early blues musicians. The FG820 also has a left-handed option so lefties can strum in comfort.
Neck, Back, and Side Wood Materials
The material used in building a guitar significantly influences its sound. Both models use a solid Sitka spruce top instead of the cheaper laminates that tend to permeate this price range, and both have a rosewood fingerboard and bridge.
They differ in the back and sides: the FG800 uses nato while the FG820 uses mahogany. Some might dismiss this as a minor divergence, while others mark it as a game-changer.
Nato is a combination of woods glued together like plywood, a budget option for those who don’t mind. Mahogany is considered a superior tonewood and is the main reason the FG820 commands a higher price.
Playability, Tone, and Sound
Both the FG800 and FG820 have similar tonal characteristics, offering a warm, rich tone suitable for soft chords. There are differences, though.
The bass response of the FG800 is fuller than the FG820, which tends to lack low notes. On the other hand, the high end of the FG820 is brighter than the FG800.
The midrange of the FG800 is slightly warmer than the FG820. Neither is objectively better.
It comes down to whether you prefer a warmer, bass-heavy voice or a brighter, more articulate one.
How the FG800 and FG820 Compare
So we’ve covered where these two guitars overlap and where they diverge. Here’s how they stack up when you put them side by side.
| Feature | Yamaha FG800 | Yamaha FG820 |
|---|---|---|
| Top | Solid Sitka spruce | Solid Sitka spruce |
| Back and sides | Nato | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard and bridge | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Body shape | Dreadnought | Dreadnought |
| Finish options | Mostly natural | Natural, black, autumn burst, brown sunburst |
| String options | 6-string | 6-string and 12-string |
| Left-handed model | No | Yes |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
For tone, the FG800 leans warmer with a stronger bass response, while the FG820 is brighter with more sparkle on top. For looks and flexibility, the FG820 clearly pulls ahead with more finishes, a 12-string variant, and a left-handed option.
For value, the FG800 is hard to beat because it delivers the same solid spruce top and dreadnought projection for less money.
If you simply want a dependable beginner dreadnought and the lowest price, the FG800 covers the essentials. If you want mahogany back and sides, more color choices, or a 12-string or left-handed model, the small step up to the FG820 makes sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the FG820 worth the extra money over the FG800?
The FG820 upgrades the back and sides to mahogany, adds several finish options, and offers 12-string and left-handed variants.
If those upgrades matter to you, the modest price bump is reasonable.
If you only need a solid-top dreadnought to learn on, the FG800 delivers most of the same experience for less, since both share the same solid Sitka spruce top.
Are the FG800 and FG820 good guitars for beginners?
Yes. Both are widely recommended starter dreadnoughts because they offer a solid spruce top, comfortable playability, and reliable Yamaha build quality at a low price.
You can compare other options in our best acoustic guitar guide.
Their large dreadnought bodies also project well without an amp, so beginners can hear themselves clearly while practicing chords and fingerpicking.
Does the FG800 or FG820 have a solid top?
Both guitars have a solid Sitka spruce top, which is unusual at this price point and a big part of why the FG 800 series is so popular. The difference is in the back and sides, where the FG800 uses nato and the FG820 uses mahogany.
A solid top generally improves resonance and ages well over time compared to fully laminated guitars.
Can you get the FG800 in a left-handed model?
The FG800 is offered as a right-handed 6-string. If you need a left-handed model, the FG820 is the one to look at, since it includes a dedicated left-handed option as well as a 12-string variant.
Final Thoughts
Yamaha provides compelling, affordable instruments for players who want quality guitars for less. The FG800 is good enough for most people, delivering a solid spruce top and full dreadnought projection at a budget-friendly price.
Those who can splurge a bit more can step up to the FG820 for richer mahogany back and sides, more finish choices, and 12-string and left-handed options.
Either way, you’re getting a well-built guitar that’ll hold up to daily playing, so the decision comes down to budget, looks, and whether the FG820’s extras matter to you. There’s no wrong answer between these two dreadnoughts.
If you’re still weighing your options, it’s worth comparing the FG800 against its concert-size sibling in our FS800 vs FG800 breakdown before you commit.
