Is the Yamaha FS830 a good/inexpensive option for a 000 style hankering?

[Lou Tencodpees]

I can't quite get a perspective on the size of this model, but would really like to fill the slot between my Martin D17M and Yamaha parlor with something inexpensive but playable. Based on the quality of the latter I'm a bit intrigued by the FS830. Seems like a lot of guitar for the price.

 

[SixStringSlinger]

I don't know about specific models but the consensus on Yamaha acoustics seems to be somewhere between "a lot of guitar for the price" and dropping the "for the price" bit.

 

[Peegoo]

Yamaha quality has always been at or near the top of the The Most For Your Money list.

 

[Lou Tencodpees]

They're almost in the price range where I could be tempted to violate my "try before you buy" rule. I suppose I could muster up the courage to see if my not-so-local GC has any. Just thought I'd get a perspective on the size. If I understand these are more in the range of an OM than 000?

 

[Freeman Keller]

I can't quite get a perspective on the size of this model, but would really like to fill the slot between my Martin D17M and Yamaha parlor with something inexpensive but playable. Based on the quality of the latter I'm a bit intrigued by the FS830. Seems like a lot of guitar for the price.

The Yamaha web page calls the FS830 a "small concert" sized guitar. I'm used to using that term for a parlor sized instrument. A 14 fret triple ought is the same body size as an OM but with the shorter scale. Comparing the dimensions for the 000 with the 830 (in parentheses) we have length 19-1/8 (19-9/16), width 14-7/8 (14-15/16), depth 4-1/8 (4-5/16). Interestingly they list the scale as 25 inches, half way between an OM and 000.

So yes, the FS830 would be very close in size to an OM/000. It is solid spruce over rosewood (laminated), the nut width is 1-11/16 (a hair narrower than many small bodied guitars). Yamahas have a tremendous reputation, I have one of the early FG's and there is a reason they have almost a cult following.

There is one more thing to remember when talking about OM/000 guitars. By Martin's definition all OM's are long scale, most 14 fret 000's are short, but the earlier 12 fret 000's could be either (and are usually slot heads). The Yami is a 14 fretter and as I said, half way between the two in scale.
I don't know if I've ever played an 830 but that is the size I like and with Yamaha's stellar reputation would be a guitar that I would expect to be very good. As always you should play before you buy, but if you don't have that opportunity I don't think you'd be disappointed.

 

[Lou Tencodpees]

Thanks for taking the time for the explanation, Freeman. Great info. I know most of the ins and outs about electrics but never spent much time getting educated on acoustics.

 

[Freeman Keller]

Thanks for taking the time for the explanation, Freeman. Great info. I know most of the ins and outs about electrics but never spent much time getting educated on acoustics.

Far more than any electric, I think you need to play lots of acoustics of all sizes, shapes and woods. I think its also important to have someone else play while you listen "out front".

I personally think the OM/000 size is the best all around acoustic guitar, it will do almost anything. We think of them as the choice of fingerpicker, but their balance makes them great for flat picking and strumming. The feel good on your lap- not too big, not too small. I have two old Martin dreads that I never play, I'll be selling them this year sometime.

I almost never recommend buying a guitar without playing it but in the case of Yamaha I can - they are incredibly consistent in sound and quality control (and great bang for the buck). I do have one concern about Yamaha guitars, the old ones that are highly prized for their sound (and for many of us, our first guitars) are very hard to do a neck reset on. Any used Yamie should be carefully evaluated for neck angle, with a new one it is not an issue. I also don't know if the newer ones (post 2000 or so) are easier to reset than the old FG's - its just something to think about.

Don't be in a big hurry to buy something, play all you can before you do. Then come back here and tell us what you bought.

 

[Lou Tencodpees]

My parlor Yamaha CSF1M is a fine little guitar and has been really stable. I did replace the nut, saddle and end pins and would imagine I'd do the same with an FS830.

 

[MainLine Florida]

I love my tan label FG-75, made in Japan, 1974, which is my go-to. L-00 size, ladder braced blues box. I had a neck reset done and bone nut and saddle put in. It sounds better every year and was well worth the investment. However, many luthiers will not touch the old Yamahas due to the epoxy used to glue the neck...or dowels to hold in place.

I hope to get a Red Label Nippon Gakki FG110 or 150 and have the neck reset, in needed. Right now I have my eye on a FS5 red label reissue, but interestingly, the Chinese made Yamahas got better build quality reviews than the Japanese made guitars.

Also, the used guitar market is expected to be in full glut due to the growing post covid hang-over, so I will hold off for now. I don't think it is a risky buying site unseen today, since the large online retailers have no hassle returns and credit card protection. Out of the box, always check the neck angle and action.

 

[RookieCaster]

If you're really pinching pennies, the FS800 is even more affordable, about $100 less than the 830. Solid spruce top, nato lam back & sides. Serious bang for the buck.

 

[RoscoeElegante]

I can't quite get a perspective on the size of this model, but would really like to fill the slot between my Martin D17M and Yamaha parlor with something inexpensive but playable. Based on the quality of the latter I'm a bit intrigued by the FS830. Seems like a lot of guitar for the price.

We got one of these a few months ago:
https://www.chicagomusicexchange.co...Oi1BnUAdIaL7cKN4EJ12Qi0t6UmdcghYaArj3EALw_wcB
REALLY pretty critter. Plays very well, and sounds remarkably rich for a newbie. Recommend it highly. I have a Martin 00-15M and I like this little Yamaha almost as much.

 

[Lou Tencodpees]

We got one of these a few months ago:
https://www.chicagomusicexchange.co...Oi1BnUAdIaL7cKN4EJ12Qi0t6UmdcghYaArj3EALw_wcB
REALLY pretty critter. Plays very well, and sounds remarkably rich for a newbie. Recommend it highly. I have a Martin 00-15M and I like this little Yamaha almost as much.

Ooh yeah, the FS800 t looks nice too. I see is Nato/Okoume back and sides vs rosewood on the FS830. Big diff?

 

[RoscoeElegante]

Ooh yeah, the FS800 t looks nice too. I see is Nato/Okoume back and sides vs rosewood on the FS830. Big diff?

Can't really comment on the 830. But the 800 does truly sound remarkable for such a small and relatively inexpensive thing. Very balanced, rich, nice resonance, even with the stock strings, which are one size smaller than what I usually prefer. One of my better guitar buys over the many decades, for sure.

 

[Freeman Keller]

Ooh yeah, the FS800 t looks nice too. I see is Nato/Okoume back and sides vs rosewood on the FS830. Big diff?

No. Back and sides have little effect on anything, laminated even less.

 

[Lou Tencodpees]

We got one of these a few months ago:
https://www.chicagomusicexchange.co...Oi1BnUAdIaL7cKN4EJ12Qi0t6UmdcghYaArj3EALw_wcB
REALLY pretty critter. Plays very well, and sounds remarkably rich for a newbie. Recommend it highly. I have a Martin 00-15M and I like this little Yamaha almost as much.

I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the FS800-t, along with a bone saddle and some Waverly Snakewood pins. Yesterday an unexpected check arrived for a refund on my mortgage escrow account. I took it as a sign.

 

[srblue5]

A few months back, I was looking at the Yamaha FS-8xx range for an inexpensive acoustic to leave in my office at work and allow clients to use if they wanted, and I was mightily impressed with the FS-820 and (a little less so) the FS-800. The 820 was very responsive tonally and reminded me a lot of my former 000-18. The only thing I didn't love about it was the smaller nut width, since I do a lot of fingerstyle playing, but I could've gotten used to it. I'm still considering one, although other financial obligations have gotten in the way (I'm also eyeing the FS5 but again...finances ).

 

[howardlo]

It is a concert or auditorium size. Smaller than a dread, a bit larger than a OOO. I have an older FS820. Really nice guitar.

Yamaha acoustics are very good and consistent for lower cost acoustic guitars. I have a few and gave a couple to one grandson and one of my sons.

 

[fretknot]

I had the FS800 and liked it. It only required minimal attention to make it a worthy instrument. A little steel wool on the back of the neck to smooth out the open pore finish and it became very playable. They have better tone than one might expect for the modest investment. I paid $229.00 at a local brick-and-mortar music store. It has a solid top and Yamaha's reliable quality.

 

[Lou Tencodpees]

Smaller than a dread, a bit larger than a OOO

Huh, I kinda figured it was a tad smaller than a 000, but no matter, if reputation and research withstands it should fit the bill for a small investment.

 

[Lou Tencodpees]

So my overall impression. Looks nice, bright and a little lacking on the low end but will probably open a bit with playing. I've seen reports that this instrument comes with either a rosewood or walnut fretboard. It's advertised as rosewood but looks like it could be walnut to me. The neck relief is straight as delivered. The nut lacks work. Strings are high except for the high e, which is slotted pretty low. I'm a little concerned about the placement of the bridge. I've tried capturing the angle right, but exact camera placement makes it difficult. To me it looks like the strings favor the bass side. Since the alignment at the nut is right it makes me wonder if the bridge was placed a little off. I can address nut issues and saddle height, but don't know if I can live with a misplaced bridge.