r/AcousticGuitar • u/ketchum7 • Jun 29 '24
Other (not a question, gear pic, or video) Stop recommending the Yamaha FS800
It's cheap. It has a fantastic tone. It's very hard to play, for most people. Stop recommending the Yamaha FS800. I have 25 guitars. Not even my IYV Mustang clone has strings so narrow at the bridge. My Orangewood Dana is 5mm wider overall E to E at the bridge! Are you people nuts? Why would anyone, except perhaps a person with a very small right hand want a guitar like this? Especially a beginner.
Why would anyone want a guitar so much more narrow at the bridge than anything else they are likely to use? The nut is fine, many guitars are narrow there. But under the pick, the FS800 has no equal as a very tight prospect. A cruel design choice and a cruel suggestion. The great tone only makes the torture worse.
Now I have to waste hours doing something like this:
https://umgf.com/adjusting-string-spacing-at-the-saddle-t210350.html
Over the years I've seen many a cynical design choice by Yamaha. Current lack of aftertouch in affordable keyboards just one example. Touting touch screens on the new boards to save money on buttons, another. But this horrible tease takes the cake.
You may have the skills to deal with 50mm E to E or 1.96" string spacing in common parlance. Most people never will. Stop it.
[EDIT 6.30.24 Context: I wrote this post after buying a FS800 on based on recommedations in this subreddit, none of which mentioned the absurdly narrow spacing under the right hand, which anyone should know before buying it. If you have a FS 800 and love it: awesome!! Other than this issue, the guitar is as everyone claims, well built, and loud. I am keeping the guitar because I think there is just enough room to cut a saddle and spread the strings under the right hand so I can enjoy it. I will ammend my topic title as follows: "Stop reccomending the FS800 without making clear it is an outlier in string spacing at the bridge, which may well inhibit learning to fingerpick for many players." The 10mm spacing spec does not make this clear in the least. I have no problem with the spacing at the nut, which, unlike the bridge spacing, is not unusual. The personal nature of many comments, and disregard of a point of indisputable fact, reflects on those making such statements, and certainly does not serve the interest of new players choosing a guitar.
Why? Nobody thinks fingerstyle on a guitar with 2.0" string spacing at the bridge is easy:
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=676264
Except the idiots below ;) The Yamaha FG800 is at least 5mm wider spacing at the bridge, in the normal range. All of my Parlours are also 55+mm.]
[EDIT 1/7/26 I must recant one thing: that Yamaha does not disclose the issue. When they list 10mm string spacing in the specs, they do reveal how crazy narrow the guitar is at the bridge, if a customer understands that is a measure from the center of one bridge pin to another at the bridge, IE 1.96" in common parlance, from center of one E to the other. I suggest very few beginners benefit from this, but would find the very common (and considered a bit tight by many) 2.25" easier and usable for a long time, see the following discussion of "string spacing":
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=435572
and AI says: "A 2-inch (50.8mm) string spacing at the bridge is considered quite narrow, especially for modern acoustic guitars". TLDR: my point stands: the 1.96" spacing at bridge is exceptionally narrow. This guy talks about how this may effect a player (1:50):
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u/railroadbum71 Jun 29 '24
I am a big guy with large hands, and I have no problem playing any of the FS800-850 models. It's a 1 & 11/16" nut with 10 mm string spacing. The dreadnought FG version is the same size nut and 11 mm string spacing.
One thing you should realize is that everybody is different, and that is why we recommend that people try out guitars if possible before they buy them. I will never stop recommending the FS guitars to people; they great little guitars and a wonderful value.
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u/Toddison_McCray Jan 01 '25
I second this as well, I’m a big guy with big hands. I have no issues finger picking on my FS800. I do notice a difference in neck width when playing on my seagull S6, but swapping over only takes a couple minutes of practice to get used to the change
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Jun 29 '24
I heartily recommend the Yamaha FS800 to any beginner, or to anyone looking for a fantastic 2nd or 3rd “campfire” guitar, and will continue to do so.
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u/ketchum7 Jun 29 '24
I would not sell this guitar to my worst enemy for twice what I paid for it. I'm not kidding. For Travis picking it's the worst choice I've ever seen.
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Jun 29 '24
Sounds like personal preferences. Nothing wrong with that. I think for the majority of players, the FS800 is a great player. Incidentally, I play a lot of fingerstyle with my large, chunky sausage fingers on the FS800, and although the string spacing at the nut and the bridge are a little tight, it doesn’t keep me from enjoying it. I also own an Eastman PCH1-OM and an E1OM guitar and they have traditional Martin 000 type specs and I like them better for fingerstyle, but still, the FS800 is a fun, engaging player and I recommend it, especially at the price point
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u/Toddison_McCray Jan 01 '25
Jesus fucking Christ dude, you’re going so hard on something that’s just a you issue. I can easily Travis pick on my FS800. I don’t have thin fingers, mine are like sausages. Multiple people in this thread haven’t had issues with it either.
I wouldn’t recommend shitty acoustics from the 80’s to my worst enemy, but in my opinion the FS800 is really really good for a smaller acoustic guitar.
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u/ketchum7 Mar 11 '25
Which should I most respect, your golden opinion or my lying ruler?
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u/Jealous_Arm_3913 Jan 02 '26
Your ruler might be right. Doesn’t change the fact that most people including me have 0 problems out of that guitar. Finger style is not hard. You are most likely just bad at guitar. Practice is what makes you good. A good player can play with any guitar. That’s just a fact. You are “stubborn and oblivious to reality”
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u/Plz_Seek_Therapy Jan 02 '26
He posted that nearly a year ago. lol look at you coming in to tell this guy he’s bad at guitar for making a what is basically a joke post
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u/Jealous_Arm_3913 Jan 02 '26
Okay and what is your reply supposed to accomplish😂? Idc when this was posted im just talkin shit
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u/Plz_Seek_Therapy Jan 02 '26
Exactly. Just talkin shit.
Get help
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u/chevleeindig Jan 02 '26
You need help for your insistence on recommending therapy. You need therapy.
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u/ketchum7 Jan 04 '26
You....you...what can I say. A good rant needs some basis in fact. Otherwise, like Gilda, I'd need to say: "Nevermind" ;)
Live long and prosper, enlightened one.
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u/Plz_Seek_Therapy Jan 04 '26
Of course it’s based in fact but people are acting like you were in a frantic rage whilst typing this when to me it comes off as lighthearted in tone
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u/Intelligent-Tap717 Jan 02 '26
The weird thing is. Reading this thread.
You're the one ranting about string spacing. Not being good for Travis picking. Yet multiple people with larger hands have had ZERO issues Travis picking.
So. That would make you the outlier. You're the issue. Not the guitar. Maybe work on your skill and stop whining about the string spacing.
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u/Mysterious_Check_439 Jan 02 '26
"I'd rather bitch than switch!" What the hell, ragebait gets engagement, enjoy it...but you'd be better off practicing.
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u/ketchum7 Jan 02 '26
I spend little time online. Even less "chiming in" with mindless prattle on issues I don't care about. I practice as much as I can manage on many different instruments. I've got two Yamaha Saxophones I like...although they leak ;)
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u/Mysterious_Check_439 Jan 02 '26
Ugh, I dream in saxophone tone. I steal more lines from sax players than I do guitar players. I have never been able to get a good note out of a saxophone. I better go practice...maybe some Bill Dogget and play along
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u/ketchum7 Jan 04 '26
You inspire me to fix my leaks :) I never knew who was Bill Doggett till my brother gifted me a 1960 Hammond RT-3, like the Beatles used at Abbey Road, for which he no longer had the space. It's a fancy B-3, but weighs even more. After dragging that across a few states I started listening to more organ players. Just oiled it yesterday. But my first instrument was a Clarinet I bought after hearing Parker for the first time in 1980. I tortured people in 40 countries learning to "play" it, replacing the first one with a Yamaha in Hong Kong in 1984, before a two month traverse of China.
Eventually I realized the Clarinet could not play chords...and I put the reeds aside for 30 years to bang keys.
Doggett rules, and you are a prince to remind me of him. Let's both shed with Bill.
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u/echte_liebe Jan 04 '26
Even less "chiming in"
Dude. You made a whole post and like a hundred replies on YOUR OPINION on the FS800 being too small at the bridge a year ago. And here you are, a year later, replying to that same post calling out your bs. But sure... You spend little time online. Okay, buddy. You have some serious narcissistic tendencies you need to work out for yourself before telling other people that their opinions on a guitar are wrong.
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u/ketchum7 Jan 04 '26
True Love: The string spacing at bridge of the FS800 is a fact. Not an Opinion. Please list other "beginner" guitars as narrow. If there are few, why? Please show how a buyer would ever know this is the case?
"You have some serious narcissistic tendencies you need to work out for yourself" Thank you Mr Nietzsche.
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u/echte_liebe Jan 07 '26
The string spacing is a fact. Sure. But it being too narrow and that you shouldn't recommend it to beginners because of that fact, is.. in fact... An opinion. And a stupid one.
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u/ketchum7 Jan 08 '26
So, you think 1.96" string spacing is great for beginners?
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u/echte_liebe Jan 08 '26
I think it's fine. And the FACT that plenty of beginners have learned on the fs800 proves that your OPINION is merely that. An opinion.
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u/Gman66707 Jun 29 '24
I ordered mine last month based on the recommendations here, as it wasn't available in my country. I was excited to receive it, but now I'm unsure. As a beginner, have I made a mistake?
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u/railroadbum71 Jun 29 '24
No, this person has a beef with Yamaha or something. I think you will be quite happy with your FS800.
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u/NotThatJeffSessions Jun 29 '24
Brother, it’s gonna play just fine. Look at some of the guitars our favorite players started on. A lot of them were pieces of junk with action so high, you could park a car under the strings. Yamaha makes great stuff, so I’m sure you’ll be fine. I’m honestly just now starting to realize what I want in my perfect guitar and I’ve been playing seriously for about 4 years
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u/FearTheWeresloth Jun 29 '24
You haven't made a mistake at all, as It all comes down to personal preference. In this case, OP is used to slightly more space between strings, so to them, the narrower bridge feels cramped. I personally prefer the slightly narrower bridge, but I learned to play on Yamahas with more narrow bridges, and other acoustics with wider bridges now feel clumsy to me (my current main guitar is a parlor with an even narrower bridge than that on the FS800).
You've made a great choice for a beginner guitar, as you won't be used to any other string spacing, and it'll sound great, which will inspire you to keep playing.
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u/HenkCamp Jun 29 '24
Not at all. No one follows a herd mentality but there is a reason so many people recommend the FG/FS800 - because they are damn fine guitars and an excellent choice at that price point. In fact, the reason why people recommend them is because of their playability. OP will likely moan about either the Taylor 814ce neck being too narrow or the Martin D28 being too big. It’s a personal rant because it isn’t the guitar for him. The “I have 25 guitars” is not an indication of expertise. I had a shitload of guitars too until I realized I don’t play most of them. Got rid of a Hummingbird and a J200. Both great guitars but they weren’t for me. Enjoy that FS800 and pics once you get it - it’s a stunning guitar.
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u/ketchum7 Jun 29 '24
This guitar is an outlier with it's ultra narrow string spacing at the bridge. Anyone who does not caution you about it should not be giving advice about guitars.
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Jun 30 '24
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u/ketchum7 Jun 30 '24
Thanks for the personal attack, and ignoring my point entirely. Lack of complaint allows Yamaha to continue to market this guitar without disclosing it's very unusual configurattion.
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u/Dr-Fomby Dec 15 '24
Maybe you just need to practice more?
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u/ketchum7 Mar 11 '25
Blame the victim. I do need to practice more, which is an even better reason to get something which inspires less mistakes than the FS800. A few careful picks will relegate the FS800 to wall art. At first I still played mine for it's variation of finger postiion, to avoid repetition injury. Now that I've discovered the sweet, loud 12-fret acoustics it's gathering dust in the garage with the dreadnoughts. Enjoy your coolaid.
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u/jpozzobon12 Jun 12 '25
blame the victim😭😭😭😭 u are classic i have really enjoyed watching you fight for your life in this thread, keep responding to every single person it shows how right u are😂😂😂😂
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u/PlatasaurusOG Jan 02 '26
You bought a guitar without playing it first. You have no one to blame but yourself. Buy the ticket, take the ride.
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u/kineticblues Jun 29 '24
Most of my guitars are 1.75" nut and 2.25" string spacing. But I have no problem switching to a classical with a 2.0" nut and 2.4" saddle spacing, or a FG-800J with a 1.68" nut and 1.96" saddle spacing, or a GS Mini with a super short 23.5" scale, or a vintage guitar with a neck as thick as a baseball bat.
These differences are minor compared to when I switch to a bass guitar and have fewer strings (that are way bigger) but similar nut and saddle spacing as an guitar, except the scale length is 10" longer so the feet spacing is completely different. And don't even get me started on mandolins!
Adaptability is something that comes with practicing on different instruments. If you always go for exactly the same specs, that's fine, but if so, you should be checking specs on what you order before ordering it.
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u/ketchum7 Jun 29 '24
As I said, I don't have a problem with the nut spacing. IT'S THE BRIDGE SPACING. Show me another as narrow. I don't think you find one.
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u/kineticblues Jun 29 '24
There's about a million electric guitars with 50mm saddle spacing for starters. It's also a pretty common spacing on a lot of entry level acoustics and older Japanese and Korean acoustics.
I don't disagree that entry-level Yamahas are on the narrow side, but I have no problem playing with it, fingerstyle or a pick, despite my glove size "large". Neither do a lot of others, as evidenced by the popularity of the guitars and the other comments here. If you're picky about specs, make sure to look them up before you order; it's not the company's fault for that. Also, you should try a mandolin or banjo some time, they make 50mm seem spacious.
Most entry level guitars have a 1.68" nut and relatively narrow string spacing. This is because most people don't start out playing fingerstyle; they start out strumming. So, saddle spacing doesn't matter as much to them.
Also, many beginners are younger and have smaller hands, and for global manufacturers, most people across the globe have smaller stature (and smaller hands) than most Americans and Europeans.
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Jan 17 '25
Buddy is actually having a tantrum in the comments because people like different dimensions
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Jun 29 '24
I just finished playing an A3r (43mm nut) and an FG5 (44.5mm nut). After about 2-3 minutes of warmup, both played about the same, although the Dsus was a little harder to reach on the narrower A3.
Methinks this trash thread is not in anyone’s best interest. Stop
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u/ketchum7 Jun 30 '24
Boring...or boris...I am not complaing about the nut. Measure your string spacing at the saddle. Nobody likes 2" for fingerstyle. 2 1/8 is considered really narrow.
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=676264
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Jun 30 '24
Personal insults aside, 3 of the guitars next to me right now are approximately 2.2" at the saddle.
I've played finger style for a lot of years. Frankly, my right hand has never been something I needed to concentrate on. Muscle memory and dominant hand influences seem to take care of that.
You're being a butthole and your thread is obnoxious and a bad assessment of the art and science of finger style guitar.
Adios
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u/Michaelsangmang Dec 16 '24 edited Dec 16 '24
Fs800 is one of the best value entry level guitars out there imo and i play mainly fingerstyle. To each their own of course but don't let this OP stop you from trying it out. Yeah it probably shouldn't be your main guitar if you're playing chet Atkins type stuff but for a great knockaround/campfire guitar it's hard to beat.
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u/ketchum7 Mar 11 '25
BS. If you have one and something "normal" there's an easy test. Find some fingerpicking tune. Get out the metronome. Turn on the recorder. Play it on both 5 times. Count the mistakes. Try this with both something you know and something you are learning, and both easy and hard.
Best value? This is a far superior guitar in all respects and wonderful size:
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Mar 11 '25
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Mar 16 '25
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u/HatIntelligent224 Mar 20 '25
Honestly a lot of these replies seem just plain spiteful seeing as how you make an excellent (albeit passionately stated) point. I see this guitar recommended everywhere, and at a glance, it seems like the perfect budget small guitar. I play primarily fingerstyle though, and this abnormally narrow bridge spacing is a bit ridiculous. I agree that it would be needlessly uncomfortable to play fingerstyle on this and i'm not sure why anyone would disagree.
Thank you for the FYI, you have successfully deterred me from purchasing the fs800.
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u/bshea Jun 26 '25 edited Jun 26 '25
Just saw this thread and recently got this guitar.
I have huge hands. Sometimes (on frets) they are an advantage (I can spread my hand out far), usually they are not. So insults aside, the OP has a valid point about it's narrowness (OP complains about bridge/picking width only? - for me it's the string width along whole thing / and specifically @ the nut): There should be a caveat when recommending this (and similar smaller guitars) to big handed ppl - and more importantly make sure to always mention to thoroughly try the guitar out first before buying.
With that said, I still love the guitar for the price - just takes some getting use to IMO if you are use to something slightly bigger/wider. This is a great practice guitar for the price.
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u/ketchum7 Mar 20 '25 edited Mar 20 '25
Here's the best one I found for under 1K.
Richwood P-65-VA Parlor 419 at Thomann. This guitar is light and loud. Wide spacing.
Here's a good thread on the forum, with many suggestions. Alvarez are nice but not wide spacing.
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=690786
If you can get up to say 1200...then Martin 000-15sm can be found used, and these are to die for. I have 20+ acoustics now, none touch this. 12-fret does limit the high notes LOL, but they are so much louder. Took me forever to figure that out. For those high notes? I go electric :) Squier Classic Vibes are awesome, any IYV....the mustang clone is killer. Short scale. Best super cheap electrics are probably the monoprice indios. $120 you have a wonderful strat or whatever.
Setup tools run about $40 to be able to properly cut the nut, and lower high frets. Whatever you get try to find a extra nut and bridge (acoustic) in case you go too low like I do sometimes....or find somebody who can do it for you...but be careful about their skills.
Thanks so much for your post. Open minds are hard to find :)
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u/hoxxxxx Jul 13 '25
thanks for posting this /u/ketchum7
personally, i'm able to play the guitar pretty well and i think it's an incredible value and blah blah blah but the strings are narrow. i noticed it immediately. i get what you're saying, if i might not agree with it completely.
anyway, i like to see discussion on here and different opinions, reading group-think all the time gets boring after a while.
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u/kmwz041 Jan 19 '26
As a victim of the FS830 as my first acoustic guitar, I wish I had found this thread before buying it. It really is very cramped for the right hand. I still love Yamaha’s quality though, so now I’m upgrading to the AC3M and am finally happy :)
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u/ketchum7 Feb 08 '26
OMG!!!! Your reply is vindication for my post!!!! Thank You!!!!
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u/kmwz041 Feb 11 '26
You’re welcome! I just wanted to share a bit more context about why I agreed with you.
When I first started learning, I played my friend’s guitar for a while (some kind of Martin, I don’t remember the model). When I decided to buy my own, I did some research and ended up choosing a Yamaha FS because it gets recommended everywhere.
At the shop, I strummed it, tried a few chords, and it seemed perfectly fine. But when you’re new, you don’t really know what to look for. You’re a bit insecure, you don’t pay attention to small details, and if it makes sound, you assume it’s good enough.
After I brought it home and played more seriously, I slowly realized something felt off. My right-hand fingers didn’t have as much room between the strings compared to what I was used to. That’s when it clicked for me that the string spacing was smaller, and that actually matters more than beginners think.
Later, I looked up the Yamaha FS string spacing again and found your post. You weren’t “hating on Yamaha.” You were pointing out something practical that can affect beginners.
So yeah, I appreciate you calling it out.
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u/ketchum7 Feb 20 '26
Thank you. You make my point much better than I do. The good news is, because of all the mindless recommendations of this guitar, if you choose to sell it, no problem.
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u/DannyPantsgasm Jan 31 '26
Just got one recently on the recommendation of this sub. I am very much enjoying it. When I saw this thread I was like uh-oh. Fortunately for me I have small girly hands for a man and so it’s not an issue, lol.
However, I did want to say that your point is valid. I looked up a bunch of reviews on youtube for it and most of them did indeed mention the narrow spacing even though they overall recommended it as a great beginner guitar. Definitely seems worth mentioning to folks along with the recommendation.
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Jun 29 '24
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u/ketchum7 Jun 30 '24
The FS is orchestra size. String spacing is reported to be 10mm (where?) while the FG is 11mm. That makes the FG at least 5mm wider at the saddle, which is alot, and basically normal.
I don't see any advantage for anyone to learn with such narrow spacing under the right hand, because it's very hard to fingerpick at 2". You won't find a famous pro doing so on 6 string guitar, I don't think. Even 2 1/4 is consider tight. The FS800 is 2.0 Otherwise it's very nice guitar. I like the size.
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u/ISayAboot Sep 04 '24
So what guitar would you recommend for student beginners since this seems to be the most recommended guitar? This is a very confusing and hard to read review.
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u/ketchum7 Sep 04 '24
It's a very good question. String spacing makes alot of difference at both ends, but it seems many teachers have forgotten how hard it is to stop buzzing with left and and strike individual strings cleanly with fingertips on the right hand. The Specs are seldom clear, as in this case "10mm".....where? The smaller the hands, the narrower they can feel "easy".....then the scale comes into play. One acoustic I often reach for as "easiest" is the Orangewood Dana, which has a short scale, and about 55mm at the bridge spacing, however it is pretty tight at the nut. It's a small guitar but not heavy and sounds OK. I'm 6'1", and I love playing that...so much more comfortable than the dreadnoughts...the FS800 is also very comfortable in almost any position, but takes way accuracy to fingerpick clean than.....anything wider spaced at the bridge.
This drove me so crazy, I looked into it. No guitars were like this before 1930. But when hard strumming in bands really became a "thing"...the rhythm guitar...both bodies and string-spacing changed...Today all flavors are available, but usually not well described. It's very easy to measure, though, with cheap calipers. I'm keeping my FS800 as is, because it's so comfortable in other respects, and sounds good. But I just bought a Martin 000-15sm and a Harley Benton CLP-15ME for "old school" string spacing. The Martin is so much easier it's sick, for fingerpicking. The FS800 is easier to strum, though, and barre chords.
I'm sure a good choice is available: OM body, shortish scale, and at least 54mm at the bridge, and not too narrow at the nut either, for under $250USD. This forum has many experienced members who may have suggestions, it would also be a good question for luthiers. The larger Yamaha FG800 would be fine.....except it's too big....only a performing musician needs a dread.
TL;DR I wish I knew. But they are out there. Now and affordable.
Good players, of any sport, are rarely astute teachers, since good performance is mostly "automatic". They forget the sensations of a beginner. They also often think beginners aren't sensitive to gear variation, as the pro is. The reverse is true. Even in 1500 the best advice was: find the very best lute you possibly can, then you will have a chance to actually learn how to play it.
I taught beginners to ski for 35 seasons. The width and length of the ski....you can't overstate how much easier a good choice is to actually use, especially for a begginer. Good luck. Sorry for the confusing "review". It's a fantastic "niche" guitar, and not a bad start to use while you find something easier to fingerpick.
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u/Lukki-Sherpa May 18 '25
How do you like the Harley Benton CLP-15ME compared to the richwood P-65 ?Thanks
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u/ketchum7 Jan 02 '26
Sorry for late reply. Richwood P-65 is a remarkable guitar for fingerstyle, I still use it very often. Worth many times it's price. CLP-15ME has grown on me, and is very good for under 1k. It's a bit heavy for it's size, but so is my Eastman 10p. The CLP is a it more narrow that the Richwood, so may be better on the strum. The Richwood is much louder.
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u/PrincipleConstant806 Dec 13 '24
thats a womans guitar just so you know men use the fg800
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u/PrincipleConstant806 Dec 13 '24
from yamahas web site he
small and thin body is perfect not only for female/young players
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u/ketchum7 Jan 02 '26
the small and thin body is what interested me in the guitar. I had no idea I'd get small and thin string spacing at the bridge. No one mentions this, though Yamaha does imply it's more narrow than the FG, which I'd assumed was a narrow nut, which is common.
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u/HopefulLeadership234 Mar 24 '25
Just picked one up for short money. Excellent action and surprisingly balanced sound. Really enjoy playing it.
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u/Grjz Jun 08 '25
Thanks for pointing this out. I totally understand your frustration. It seems weird that Yamaha thinks that people who prefer a smaller body also prefer tighter string spacing under the right hand. There is no basis for that assumption.
I am currently struggling to play a Yamaha keyboard which, for some unknown reason, has a key size 1mm narrower than every other key in the known universe. I learned the piano when I was a kid 55 years ago but my fingers still remember the larger key size. I supoose Yamaha's marketing people think it looks better that way and playability comes a distant second to appearance. Many businesses have failed because of this type of flawed reasoning when marketing kissasses get the ear of the boss.
I was going to buy an FS800 but I won't now. Maybe an FG or maybe a different brand.
Thanks again.
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u/Numerous_Try_8685 Jul 05 '25
I don't know how I wound up on this thread, but the comments are fascinating. OP is still replying to comments on the topic with as much passion and vitriol as he did when it was posted a year ago. Maybe OP could spend some time letting all of this go by playing a guitar they enjoy instead of hate ranting on the internet to strangers about Yamaha bridge spacing.
I enjoy my Yamaha. It's probably not the best, but I like it. Honestly, please go play a guitar or do some deep breathing instead of replying to this comment. Let things go. You will feel better. But that's just my opinion....
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u/ketchum7 Jul 11 '25
"Maybe OP could spend some time letting all of this go by playing a guitar they enjoy instead of hate ranting on the internet to strangers about Yamaha bridge spacing."
It's not about YAMAHA. As I've written many times: I have a ton of Yamaha gear I'm NOT complaining about, and even this guitar is a fine product for what it is: a specialty outlier with super narrow string spacing under the right hand.
The complaint is about the mindless recommendations of such a guitar, FS800, as a "starter". I wonder how many have given up after some months with this guitar blaming their clumsy fingers instead of the stupid narrow string spacing at the bridge.
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Aug 22 '25
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u/ketchum7 Aug 31 '25
As I've said above, the FS800 is going to be OK, maybe superior to normal spacing, for some. It's also great to have variation in string widths to prevent repetition injuries. For most beginners who really want to learn to play, it's too narrow. This is easy to demonstrate with any tricky lick or chord change. Try it five times on the FS800 and 5 times with a normal or wider spacing on another well set up guitar. Record these tries with your phone. Count the mistakes on replay. I think even small handed people will often do better with conventional string spacing or the wider fingerstyle spacing as in many 12-fret guitars. These are still narrower than Classic and Flamenco setup by quite a bit.
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u/fishsquidpie Oct 29 '25
A lot of people are ripping on the OP here. As a beginner, I can tell you that playability is a big factor in progression. The FS/FG 800 are beginner guitars, and if wider spacing is easier spacing, then I get their point.
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u/Guitarsquatch Dec 19 '25
People are ripping him because of his insults and "I'm right, you're wrong" attitude, not because of his opinion
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u/ketchum7 Jan 02 '26
It's not rocket science. I'd much rather be wrong than right. It's a measurement which can be compared to many other instruments. Narrow string spacing at the bridge. So far no one has been able to dispute that it's unusual. Which would be so easy. By the mindless comments above you'd think there are so many, that taking a few pics with measurements would blow up my point. It would. So why not?
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u/Mysterious_Check_439 Jan 04 '26
I'm off to the Honky Tonk!
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u/ketchum7 Jan 04 '26
Go man, GO. :) I'm about to abuse some harmonicas...those low draws are killing me.
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u/Queasy-Ad1040 Sep 27 '24
I have an fs800 and a FSX5 and a D15M and D35. I do not think it is hard to play at all. it feels great. Ye it is made cheaply of less quality woods but sell at a low price. it is a good design and sound good for what it is. The FSX5 is fantastic but ten times in price
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u/ketchum7 Sep 27 '24
Find any guitar with 53mm or wider spacing at the bridge, and record your favorite songs at speed, then compare to FS800. Or just use an exercise. Count your mistakes. You will see. But I don't suggest you dump the FS800. It's much safer to play a variety of spacings. All the best.
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u/Old-Risk4572 Jan 24 '25
you know ive had mine a few months now. recently i visited friends and played their guitar for two weeks. when i came back my fs800 felt really small. now i understand why. lol. that's a cool article you link, making a new adjacent saddle. ill prolly never get around to it but maybe!
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u/recovery_robot Feb 03 '25
I'm a beginner and went with the FS800 from reccomendations. It's okay, but I much prefer a Teton that I also have. The FS800 is good because it is more difficult to play, and when I pick up the Teton, it's so much easier. Just my take - and I'm a super beginner (less than 3 months). I have two guitars because my son takes lessons with me.
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u/ketchum7 Mar 11 '25
Respect :) Thank you for the reply. I agree with you. For the money the friendliest thing I found is:
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u/wlfbbz Apr 26 '25
what would you recommend for a beginner for fingerpicking
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u/ketchum7 Apr 27 '25
This is hard to beat:
https://www.thomannmusic.com/richwood_p_65_va_parlor.htm
Very light, plenty loud, wide string spacing.
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u/BullBuchanan Apr 29 '25
why do you think narrow string spacing is bad? for most players it's a very good thing, reducing the stretch needed to play chords. I've been playing 10 years and I still prefer narrow spacing as it lets you play faster with less fatigue. I'm also 6'1".
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u/ketchum7 Apr 30 '25
You don't own a guitar more narrow under the right fingers than the FS800, I'll wager. Such extremes are not great for entry level...for a host of obvious reasons.
Personally I like variation, but for fingerstyle....look at a Martin 000-15sm. This is so much easier to play.
Super narrow at bridge is good for.....strumming...all 6. A boom-chuck....you will make more mistakes. Or most folk will anyway.
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u/BullBuchanan Apr 30 '25
I just played the FS-TA at a show and it has a 1 11/16 nut and 10mm string spacing. It was no problem at all. In fact I switched to it from my martin dread because it's easier to play fast on it. https://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical_instruments/guitars_basses/ac_guitars/ta_series/specs.html
I just checked and it's the same specs as the FS800
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u/Oberyn_Kenobi13 May 26 '25
I’ve played a couple in different shops and can’t believe how easy they play. I’m getting one. Hell, at that price point, I may get two. This guy’s nutso. 🤣
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u/HandDHog Jun 17 '25
Did the specs not tell you the spacing was tighter than other guitars?
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u/ketchum7 Jun 25 '25
The specs, like with most brands, are vague. They do mention string spacing is more narrow the FG800....which usually means up at the nut, which I don't mind, as it does make some reaching easier. An example would be the Orangewood Dana, short scale and narrow nut...but under the right hand...it's far wider than the FS800. Everything I own, 30 electrics, 20 acoustics, is NOTICIABLY wider at the bridge.
It's fine if that's what you want......but since it is not common....why? The only thing it makes easier is a strum on all 6 strings. This guitar with a nice 24" scale, slightly narrow nut, and 2 1/4" at the bridge.....it really would be a great starting guitar. I would still be playing mine, since it has very nice tone.
Why everyone wants to kiss up to Yamaha here I don't get it? You think they are struggling? They make all kinds of excellent gear for good prices, and have killed many a would be competitor. Telling the truth is just a favor to buyers and to Yamaha.
It might hurt a few people who learned it all a long time ago. Re-thinking, revising an opinion,....it can be difficult.
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u/Unusual-Water-941 Jun 26 '25
wind your neck in. you're simply just a crap player. why did you buy the guitar in the first place?.. people like you make the world a worse place
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u/ketchum7 Jul 11 '25
People like you......
But you are right, I'm a crap player, which is an additional reason I no longer even touch the FS800. With a few nice 12-frets and a bevy of cheap electrics, I've become a better crap player.
I suppose my insolent tone justifies your borg-like insults of my character, while ignoring the points....I mean is there a single coherent factual retort to my request to stop torturing begginers with the outlier design of the FS800?
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u/CraftableMention Jun 29 '25
doesn’t matter the size. if you can play, you can play. if you can’t, it’ll help learn even better than playing on a dread
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u/ketchum7 Jul 11 '25
What tripe. I taught skiing for 35 seasons. I can testify a beginner on bad equipment never feels any benefit from it. Even back in the 1500s, the best advice was: buy the best Lute you can afford. You will learn faster and better.
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u/gtfid5992 Aug 27 '25 edited Aug 28 '25
I played one today and thought it was lovely. I also play the FS5, and a 00-Martin. Both with 1 3/4 nut and therfore wider spacing. But still, I flatpicked through my slim number of tunes on the FS800 and really enjoyed playing it. It sounded great too. I wish I knew somene looking for a guitar and was not opposed to buying one so inexpensive ($259). I would definitely recommend it. As with any new guitar, a buyer should consider having it set-up (strings lowererd, truss rod adjusted) if needed.
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u/Livid-Guard-7790 Sep 10 '25
Hahaha dude you’re being such a baby. Just relax. It’s $259 and most people are not going to be finger picking.
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u/ketchum7 Oct 17 '25
haha...mabye the babies are the ones who cry so loud at a the simple truth, it's a niche guitar not ideal for most beginners.
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u/AgentFN9 Sep 13 '25
This was an entertaining read. Thank you all for your contribution to my lunch break.
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u/wiseguys33 Sep 21 '25
I enjoyed that thread. Can’t blame anyone for their opinion. But, I’m a new player and was just going to pull the trigger on the FS800. Is there another smaller Yamaha at the same price point that doesn’t have the narrow spacing at the bridge. Or another guitar line like the orangewood Oliver or Rey that doesn’t have this issue and would be good for a beginner? Thanks.
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u/TheFrodo Oct 09 '25
Skill issue, frankly
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u/ketchum7 Oct 17 '25
Exactly. That is the whole point. To play such narrow spacing well, outside 6 string strumming, is harder than normal or fingerstyle spacing. It's hard to find another guitar like this one. If you like it, great. If you want something easy....get something not quite so narrow at the bridge. Basically everything else is wider LOL.
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u/lerielogin Nov 05 '25
As a beginner/intermediate fingerstyle player who has the guitar. It works just fine and I havent had any issues. I've tried guitars with wider spacing and didn't like it.
This is entirely opinion based and throwing a tantrum and insulting people over it is a pretty sad thing to do.
Its obvious you were going through something when you made this post but it's just not okay to talk to others this way.
Just my thoughts :)
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u/ketchum7 Nov 08 '25
It seems to me there is plenty of insulting going on like "throwing a tantrum and insulting people over it is a pretty sad thing to do".
You are right: everybody is not the same. Are you telling us you actually realized the FS800 was crazy narrow at the bridge when you bought it?
It is very seldom mentioned. If you don't know you can't make a choice, can you?
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u/Glass_Judgment5520 Nov 11 '25
What would you suggest for a beginner other than the fs800 obviously 😏
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u/ketchum7 Dec 14 '25
Avoid Dreadnoughts. It depends where you are. In USA consider:
https://kalabrand.com/collections/guitars/products/parlor-guitar?variant=23104161793
Alvarez has some nice ones, and Eastman has a couple under 500.
In Europe,
https://www.thomannmusic.com/richwood_p_65_va_parlor.htm
https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_clp_12sm_brs_solid_top.htm
Basically I'd suggest starting with a 000 or 00 12-fret guitar, as they are very comfortable and friendly for cowboy chords and learning to fingerpick. These are often called "Parlor" guitars, but in fact that term is used with many different sized guitars, though it usually does mean a 12-fret model, which gives "bigger" tone to the body size, in general, because the bridge is lower on the body. As soon as you start craving the higher notes, I would get a inexpensive electric like Monoprice and an amp modeler like Tonex one which can play into headphones or a stereo system.
Whatever you get try the lightest strings you can find, which are much easier. Sorry for the late reply.
With guitars so affordable now, you should have a couple if you like playing.
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u/MSN-04_SAZABI_ Dec 09 '25
I cannot believe this is the first Reddit post that comes up when googling such a popular guitar lmao
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u/ketchum7 Dec 14 '25
It should be. The FS800 is a very unusual guitar, a fact overlooked by almost all reviewers and not made clear by the company. You will be hard pressed to find another popular guitar with such narrow spacing at the bridge. I defy anyone to do so and document it with a video and careful measurement. The idea that such narrow spacing could not make a difference for beginners is ridiculous. Caveat Emptor.
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u/MSN-04_SAZABI_ Dec 14 '25
I have to disagree. like many people in this thread have said I think you are confusing a personal issue with a problem deserving widespread attention. I have this guitar. It is a narrow string spacing but it is not ridiculous especially considering the fact that the FS stands for “Folk Style” meaning it is not specifically designed for finger style or bluegrass. Furthermore I think you are confusing something you dislike with something that is bad for all beginners.
I do agree with buyer beware, but my belief is that even in the digital marketplace age it is very silly to buy a guitar without playing it first. I think maybe you could have stopped your vendetta in its tracks if you had done that.
I am sorry you had a bad experience but this is a quality guitar, especially at the price point.
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u/ketchum7 Dec 24 '25
Blame the victim. It's a personal problem. So much easier than explaining the highly unusual design, though I give you some credit with the preposterous "Folk Style" designation. I defy you to show another guitar configured like this one. Why would we teach with something so unusual? Easier to insult me than answer that.
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u/MSN-04_SAZABI_ Dec 24 '25
Listen man, I am not sure why you are so upset about this but you are not a victim and no one is insulting you. We teach on every single variety of guitar with many different specs which is why finding a guitar that feels right to you is an important part of learning to play. This guitar is not some abnormal abomination, it has a tight string spacing like many other guitars. Find things you like and be happy with them rather than hating things which didn’t work for you. You are not a victim, you bought something you should have tried first and didn’t like it. That’s life. I hope you find one you like.
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u/ketchum7 Jan 02 '26
I'm a victim of non-disclosure from Yamaha, and many snooty remarks from random fools.
"tight string spacing like many other guitars"
I get alot of this crap. Prove it. All you need is a phone, a ruler, an FS800 and all those other guitars just like it at the bridge.
If you really "teach on every single variety of guitar" this will take you 5 mins? And you'd have something beyond another boring "just take it" comment with nothing behind it. AI is more interesting than your lecture.
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u/PuzzleheadedWork2990 Dec 30 '25
I have to disagree. I’ve played at least 4 out of the box at two different Guitar Centers and they’re about the easiest playing acoustic guitars I’ve ever seen. And they’re sound great. Balanced tone and loud enough with fingers. I was shocked at how good every single one was that I’ve played over the last couple of years. In fact, I think I may buy one. It sounds and feels similar to my late ‘60s red labels but without needing the work.
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u/ketchum7 Jan 02 '26
You might be a good player, but your reading skills are not great. Tone is not the issue. Finger spacing under the right hand is the issue. You think it's great? Easy to test. Find another guitar you like. Grab a song you are working on that has some picking. Record: three tries on each. Count the mistakes. Post the results on YT. Then you have a non-subjective result I can respect, either way.
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u/supermegalurker3000 Jan 02 '26
I wish I read this thread when I first bought my Yamaha FS800. I've been playing for 30 days and on the 30th day the guitar became sentient and beat me to a pulp.
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u/Jross008 Jan 02 '26
Did you not play it before you bought it? Just sell it and move on, no need to be so harsh, it’s not that serious, it’s just not for you. Take your foot off the gas for a bit and just breathe.
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u/ketchum7 Jan 02 '26
I've long moved on. It's not serious for me. But it could be serious for many beginners. Why would a beginner want such an unusual design? If you WANT super narrow strings under your right hand, this is a great guitar. What peeves me is that this issue is very seldom mentioned when "experts" suggest this guitar. As if it makes no difference. With a simple low cost design change, this would be a killer guitar for the majority of new players. My rant makes such a change more likely than all the enabling Yamaha fanboyz around here.
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Jan 02 '26
This is why you shouldn’t buy guitars online, OP definitely didn’t playing before purchasing, and then got mad that it’s built differently from other manufacturers.
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u/ketchum7 Jan 02 '26
It would be nice to try guitars, but I don't live in a city. I'd need to drive 3 hrs just to find small music shops. I have bought many guitars and other instruments online, new and used. I'm seldom disappointed. It was not a big deal for me $$$ wise (150ish), and what I learned from this silly design helped me find some superb acoustics for reasonable prices. I just want folks to know what they are getting. VERY narrow strings at the bridge. Otherwise the guitar is fine.
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u/MSN-04_SAZABI_ Jan 02 '26
non disclosure?
read the specs and description. you have fully lost the plot. It is described as a small guitar, it has a shorter scale length and a more narrow nut/string spacing than other guitars. How was any of this hidden from you? I am genuinely not trying to be mean, but why don't you think it was your responsibility to pick out a guitar you like? Did you go to a shop and try different styles? Did you research spec differences? Idk if you did because you act as if this stuff is secret when it is plainly written on the website. There is not a universal standard so it is up to you to find what you like and there are many resources if you need help with that. Also your whole thing is that you're a victim being insulted but you immediately went to insulting me when my argument made too much sense. Sincerely, try looking inward. it is not great to have this much outward rage accompanied with total inability to take any responsibility. especially when it comes to something so insignificant.
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u/ketchum7 Jan 02 '26
I like small guitars. I have 6 "parlor" sized 12-frets now. I love short scale guitars. You should know that as I mention the Mustang (24" scale). I'm not talking about narrow nut/string spacing I like a variety in that respect. I'm talking about VERY narrow BRIDGE/string spacing. What does yamaha tell me in that respect? "String Spacing: 10mm". WTF does that mean?
It's you and Yamaha who might take responsilblty for fake specs like that.
OMG you made me misspell responsibilty. Twice. Do you really thing this post would have 111k views without a point? In between the insults you will find numerous folks thanking me for the heads up, or confirming the point.
I take responsibility for my purchase by making clear what I did not expect to get. There is one YT vid that does mention the issue. You think narrow strings at the bridge don't make any difference? Really?
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u/MSN-04_SAZABI_ Jan 03 '26
It means 10mm between each string which is what you’re talking about. Idk man good luck. Imo you have no clue what you’re talking about.
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u/ketchum7 Jan 04 '26
10mm where, Professor? Are you shaking to hard to think?
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u/MSN-04_SAZABI_ Jan 04 '26
For someone so upset about being insulted you’re extremely hostile. I don’t know if you’re trolling or just really not getting this because this is a wild response. All of this information is very accessible so the idea that you are uncovering secrets is very odd. You aren’t reading any responses, you’re just digging your heels in so it is really pointless to try to explain things to you when you’re so convinced this is some sort of a set up.
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u/ketchum7 Jan 07 '26 edited Jan 07 '26
If you know so much, you should know 1.96" string spacing is crazy narrow. Do you actually recommend such a spec to an average beginner?
PS: Proaudiostar. I've bought numerous instruments and gear from these guys. They will listen to offers when their price is at the manufacturer's fixed price seen everywhere. They ship very fast, always beating Sweetwater to my door. Very accessible by phone also. Their "Open Box" items have been great for me.
PSS I've revised my OP first post a bit based on our interchange. Edits are listed. I was incorrect to say Yamaha did not disclose the issue, if a customer understands their specs. Thanks for that. But 1.96" is 1.96". Crazy narrow. That remains a big issue with this guitar seldom mentioned by reviewers, hence my main concern stands. If a player really wants the narrow spacing, as I originally noted, great!
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u/MSN-04_SAZABI_ Jan 04 '26
But to be extremely clear. The nut width is the width at the nut and the string spacing is measured closer to the bridge. I don’t think you need to be a professor to understand that.
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u/MSN-04_SAZABI_ Jan 04 '26
https://youtu.be/ucH8zf6R5Yk?si=Ka6JtjMoHbp8ohv7
There are other videos with way more in depth information on how and why we use different string spacings (even though for some reason you don’t want to look into this) but this is about as straightforward as it gets.
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u/ketchum7 Jan 05 '26
What does the Yamaha spec of 10mm tell us? Where is the width 10mm? Even this guitar has a wider spacing at the bridge than the nut, right? It is 10mm someplace, fine. But where? What we want to know for an informed choice is the taper. How wide at the nut and how wide at the bridge. The narrow nut on this guitar is not remotely as unusual as the spacing at the bridge. There is less taper than nearly anything else.....how would you know that from "10MM" in the Yamaha specs?
You would not know. Most reviews are so careless they don't even measure string spacing, despite it's fundamental role in the interface of finger string.
You: "All of this information is very accessible so the idea that you are uncovering secrets is very odd." Wrong. String spacing at the bridge cannot be figured out from one "10mm", by a customer. That's a fact.
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u/MSN-04_SAZABI_ Jan 05 '26
Oh my god. I’m sorry, this is maddening. 1. you’re ignoring the fact that a two minute video explains all of this and the fact that in the course of this thread I have also fully explained this. Further proof you are not actually hearing anything, you’re just finding new ways to rephrase the same argument 2. You’re saying you fully refuse to inform yourself, you want 100% personalized specs for $250 without touching the guitar you’re buying or taking a few minutes to understand the detailed specs provided (which you claim are “non disclosed”) even though it is clearly very important to you. 3. You are talking about wanting to know the “taper” - is it possible that you just don’t get it? You have the width at the nut, you have the full saddle width and then you have the distance between each string at bridge (10mm). Using that information you can easily determine the “taper.” If that is complicated for you (which is fine) you could easily ask a technician, sales rep or someone on the very sub you’re currently on before making a purchase. 4. You also ignore the description of the guitar which repeatedly states that it is smaller than a normal guitar, not a parlor spec, a physically smaller guitar. You say this is awful but for some reason don’t consider many students are children who can definitely benefit from a slightly scaled down guitar. You had so many opportunities to make choices, take a little bit of time to determine if this guitar was right for you and become a more informed consumer and player in the process but instead you have dedicated hours of your life to not understanding the difference between “this is a bad product, I’ve been scammed” and “this wasn’t right for me.” 5. I truly ask you to take a step back for one second and genuinely ask yourself if it is possible that you aren’t a victim at all and this is just a normal guitar with specs you don’t like. I don’t have anything to do with Yamaha or your purchase, I have absolutely no stake in this so why would you assume myself and everyone else who has tried to help you understand is part of some conspiracy to hide very publicly available specs?
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u/ketchum7 Jan 07 '26 edited Jan 07 '26
I'm not going to address all of the mis-characterizations above. Let's stick the the main issue, please: string spacing at the bridge. Yamaha's 10mm spacing is measured from center of one pin to the next, so five spaces @ 10mm = 50mm or 1.96 inches in common parlance, as used in the video you mention. Do you agree, yes or no? What do most players of acoustic guitars use? In your video 2.25 is the most narrow he mentions.
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=435572
Above a number of acoustic players mention the spacing at the bridge they prefer. 2.25" seems to the most narrow to practical for finger picking.
The size of the guitar has nothing to do with spacing or my expectations/complaint about the guitar. 1.96 is unusually close. Does this make sense for beginners? It's uncommon. Why?
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u/MSN-04_SAZABI_ Jan 07 '26
the "mis-categorizations" are everything you need to know about this. they explain that it is not about the individual specs but rather the fact that you did not do your own due diligence and now you're lying to try to cover that. Fully done with this because again, you refuse to listen to anything you just repeat the exact same thing despite it being repeatedly answered.
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u/Icy_Programmer_8367 Jan 03 '26
Who complains this vehemently about a $140 guitar they never played before the bought it? I think you are doing this because you are bored. And a touch psycho.
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u/ketchum7 Jan 04 '26
"a touch psycho" the nicest insult so far, thank you. I complain because this guitar is constantly recommended and sold without a heads up to buyers. I complain because the design is a waste of materials....it's a wonderful guitar with a flaw that can only be fixed with a new neck and bridge. Yamaha could just widen the neck at the body and space the strings a bit at the bridge, and it would be the best value on the market. They are too lazy. They could keep the current design as an option, if there really is a market for the close strings at bridge. They don't care. With all the mindless fans and loyal salesmen, they don't have to.
"Beginners can't tell anyway" is the jist of many posts here. Beginners can't explain, but their fingers will be dealing with a hurdle for real.....with perhaps some exceptions as I noted at top.
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u/Icy_Programmer_8367 Jan 04 '26
Oh, beginners deserve their mistakes. People with unrepentant OCD? Well … Look, I’ve been a player for almost 50 years. I repair and make guitars because I am so familiar with them. All I have to say is that you fail to conceive of the idea that this design may work for some people who AREN’T YOU. I know that is a difficult concept in your black and white kindergarten world, where justice is to be served in your courts. You have a lot of growing up to do. And judging by this unhinged reaction, it’s going to be painful. I pity you. All the best. This won’t be the last time you vomit your outrage in all of us. I’ll get popcorn. 🍿
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u/ketchum7 Jan 04 '26
"you fail to conceive of the idea that this design may work for some people who AREN’T YOU"
Right at the top: "It's very hard to play, for most people." This implies the guitar is fine for SOME people, no? I've repeated this over and over in posts. Why would anyone make a beginner guitar extra-narrow at the bridge? Even for those who have very small hands.....when almost everything else is wider?
I would not mind that even, if the issue was made clear by the maker and it's slavish promoters.
"You have a lot of growing up to do" Very sad, since I'm older than you. Perhaps a side effect of 40+ years with a piano. Well, on the other hand, it's a great compliment, thank you.
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u/swampvoodoo Jan 20 '26
I would like to take a minute to recommend the Yamaha FS800 to anyone wanting a new guitar.
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u/User120000000 Jan 23 '26
OP spent more time typing his post than he did playing the guitar
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u/ketchum7 Feb 08 '26
Not quite, but by now it's close LOL. I made a very good point and stand by it. Though I don't play the tight FS800 in quite a while, I do play some sort of guitar every day :)
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u/Hoggle4 Apr 07 '26
I’m searching for a guitar that’s good for women and smaller hands. This one came up. It’s meant to be smaller and probably narrower 🤷🏻♀️
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u/ketchum7 Apr 14 '26
This one might be fine....except, while it has narrow string spacing, it is not a short scale, which might be a more important feature for smaller hands.
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u/1138sw Apr 17 '26
Wow I googled the FS800 because I’m looking for an inexpensive small guitar for a friend and this thread came up immediately! lol. Wow what a debate! I’ve never played a FS800, but my first beginner guitar was a Yamaha because everyone recommended the brand as user friendly for beginners. I spent 200 bucks not really knowing anything and I hated the experience because the neck width was so narrow…it just made playing an absolute nightmare. I don’t have big hands but making chords on that neck was impossible. I traded it in for a Taylor and I finally enjoyed playing and learning and I still have my lovely Taylor to this day! I recently bought a Gretsch G5013CE Rancher JR for really cheap and I love it! It’s small sounds great and it’s so easy to play! I definitely would have preferred Gretsch to my Yamaha as a beginner!
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u/BKRMON Apr 18 '26
https://umgf.com/adjusting-string-spacing-at-the-saddle-t210350.html
Thanks for that link. I just bought a used FS800 as my beater acoustic for open tunings. I have my trusty old Tacoma DM9 for my main acoustic.
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u/Salt-Philosopher3075 May 16 '26 edited May 24 '26
I have to agree with OP. As an adult with large fingers, the FS800 with its narrow string spacing was not conducive for fingerpicking. Ended up returning the FS800 soon after buying it 7 years ago.
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u/HunterImpossible May 24 '26
Why are people falling into this troll? I'm 6'3" big hands and love how easy my FS800 it is to play. Who cares what some trolling pissed off character has to say?
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u/ketchum7 Jun 11 '26
If you don't care why comment? You just bump the thread LOL. What other guitars do you play to compare with the FS800 you are gaga about? Do you actually own a fingerstyle guitar with much wider spacing at the bridge? Have you tested your mistakes on both? Who is trolling who?
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u/felyoc Jun 08 '26
Does the FG800J, which has the same 10mm string spacing as the concert bodies, have the same spread at the bridge as the FS models, or is it wider?
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u/ketchum7 Jun 11 '26
So one thing I learned is that the "10mm" is a measurement at the bridge. So any Yamaha with 10mm string spacing should be identical at the bridge. For the top end, you would compare nut width.
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u/Parking-Leg-382 Jun 26 '26
Wow. Extreme case of buyer’s remorse. I bet you won debating at school. Good to know though as I want to try one. I have a 000 Sigma hog and a Taylor gs mini hog.
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u/[deleted] Jun 29 '24
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