I just got an FG830 (Tobacco sunburst) that when I first tuned it at home and then played it, made me choke up and eyes water. I love her! I think I am still going to replace the saddle, nut and pins from plastic to bone just to get better sustain, but she's a beautiful guitar for $340
I understand the process, I almost always do the same, but when I was shaping a nut + saddĺe on another Yamaha, I noticed how hard it was, Much harder than bone, but I still changed them over But there was no improvement in tone, conclusion, unless there damaged I have found ( the same with Martin's) leave ' em alone. Yamaha's + Martin's in my experiences anyway, can't be improved as simply as that. Other S/Top Acoustic's can but not those 2 Brand's. Just my experiences though, 😊😊😊
Nice comparison, I'm considering an FGX5 as I write. The 830 has rosewood back and sides (laminated I believe) where the 5 had solid Mahogany body. The rosewood is renown to have a brighter response than the mahogany bodied guitars. Huge fan of Yammys, great idea to review these two, thanks.
Old Don here from Hamilton NZ, I agree with you, the 830 sound's better through earphones,an' I own too and it's soo impressive, I played them in the music store for a year or more and no matter which store here in NZ they Always sounded Consistenty good, so I bought 1. Then I bought an L series model, needed repairing, fixed it and Oh Wow, now THAT'S a guitar, kind regards Don 😊😊😊
I like my 830 now that I put in tusq saddle and nut and lowered the action. That gloss finish looks great when you polish and buff it every day. It sure attracts finger marks. My other guitars are matt finish and I really like how they look too.
With the FG5 You're givinig up some gloss finish and pretty esthetics for an all solid wood guitar. Many folks dont like the pearl inlays and all that. But no doubt for the money ($300 or less) the FG800,830 cannot be beat. But if i could only have one and money was no issue, give me the FG5!
What yo call „more articulate“ in the fg830 is what is noticeable in digital music also. The frequencies are richer in the FGX5 as you can hear more harmonics. Some prefer digital/electronic music because of the „simpler“ tonal architecture, some prefer the fuller tone of analog/traditional instruments. Same with these two guitars on a less dramatic level. I have never played a FG830! However, based on your video, I prefer the FGX5 all the way. With tone it’s very subjective of course…
The sound difference may not be substantial enough to warrant spending that extra $1400 but you have to consider which guitar is going to last longer over the years…as well as whether you’re serious about being a musician
Ll16D is sweet mid price between the two.got mine used mint for 450.with orig.case.solid spruce top rose b/s.just really booms bass and tone great no buzz frets.still might add bone Nut and saddle.def.try one before fx5
I like the sound of the FGX5 better, sounds fuller with better sustain to me. I do like the finishes on the FG830 better. The FGX5 is probably a satin finish and the 830 is gloss or clear coated. I have a Yamaha ll-ta and love it, thinking about getting a A5R or AC5R next. I really like the build on the Japanese Yamahas, but some of the cheaper Chinese Yamahas are just as good if not better sounding.
Making a comparison of two instruments is more challenging when one is laminate, one is solid wood and different woods, each having their own tonality. Mahogany is known to be more of a mid range wood and not bright like Rosewood. The FG5 is ARE treated and I believe that adds to the tonality. In sonic terms, the harshness that is often heard in young wood is reduced, while the sustain characteristics at different frequencies are brought into a more balanced, well-coordinated relationship. Like you said, it's all about the tone/sound and The FGX5, for my ear is the one I gravitate towards.
I am curious as to your information source. The 830 has a solid spruce top and no where I could find said the back and sides are laminated or solid. Where did you see what the back and sides are? Thank you.
Inexpensive but not cheap by any means. I agree. The fg830 n the fg840 n magnificent instruments n can be benefited greatly by tusq nut n saddle. N ur choice of bridge pins. I saw a review of the fg830 that had nut n saddle replaced with tusq n it sounded amazing. Actually it was an fs730 but would be same result. Im looking at fg830 to buy. String spacing is perfect n plays really well for my hands. The other reviewer of the fg5 replaced the bone saddle n pins with fmi saddle n bone pins. Sounded pretty sweet. I think the fg5 still comes with plastic pins.
Thank you for your review. I have a FG-830 which I really liked. Sometimes I wonder whether I can find a better one of its sound and playability and price reasonablity. I'm thinking that FGX5 is the answer to my wondering but you could give me a definite idea that FGX5 may not be the answer.
@@adamhill1216 I agree with drat, you will notice the quality of the FGX5. The feel and sound is better. With it being solid wood it will get better with age. Of course it is all subjective.
Ya I think your wrong on that the fgx5 has much better tone and as far as shine gloss does nothing to enhance the tone if anything it takes away instead they do this most for longevity of the guitar I think it murders the tone quality and another thing I would pick the fg5 over the fgx5 all electronics in any acoustic from the top of the line out there will never project the sound of an open Mic that’s what they all set out to do and they all fail in capturing the trueness of the guitar tone electronically I have electronics in my guitars from kk minis to lrbags and there all a joke I put an sm57 or 58 Shure mic in front of my guitar and the proof doesn’t lie there’s no comparison satin finish for any high end guitar if you have a good enough player to showcase the guitar will bring that out as a no brainer I’ve seen expensive guitars being played by experienced players and a lot of them make the instrument sound like crap then there are some that can take a crappy guitar and make it sound like a million bucks that’s the stuff that’s earth catching to me your left bewilderd how do they do that.
Mahogany vs Rosewood - middles vs bass+trebles. Of course 1500 buck guitar wins 300 one but not 5 times!!! I got Rosewood is more requiring to playing technique so same accords sounds differentely - like unbalanced. Rosewood need some way to deal with it - it is like a wild horse, one mistake and you are on the earth. First impression is for mellow mahogany, but if you need a soul cry - rosewood for sure. Nice comparison and performance.
It's probably not Mahogany vs. Rosewood. Back and sides play a role, but not so much as to account for the dramatic difference you can hear in this comparison. Besides, FG830 is not even real solid Rosewood, it is laminate. Something about construction of FGX5 makes for a darker, more muffled sound. Shorter 25" scale length certainly plays a role, in addition to other possible factors like top thickness, bracing patterns, bridge placement, aging process, etc. There's a comparison of FG5 vs. Taylor 517 here on RUclips. Granted, Taylor is substantially more expensive, but it's made from the same types of woods as FG5 (spruce top, mahogany back and sides), and similar to this comparison it sounds way louder and more articulate. FG5 just sounds overly mellow when compared to other guitars, even if they are made from Mahogany. Perhaps this was intentional on Yamaha's part, I don't know.
@@boshi9 Agree, mine FGX5 has pretty thick top, almost 3,3 mm it sounds mellow but also resonant and pretty loud(with new strings) I'm really happy with mine. I'm not fan of bright thin sounding guitars but it's matter of preferences. You can find many praising reviews of this guitar from guys with Martin and Taylor guitars, so it depends.
@@podfuk I agree, it's up to personal preference. Some people feel that higher frequencies are too ear piercing. Bright is the opposite of "thin" though. In order for a guitar to sound bright, it needs to have loud overtone harmonics, so technically the sound spectrum is more full.
@@boshi9 a laminate skate deck has a smooth sound and obviously id only skate one. imagine skaters trying out solid wood decks and claiming how much better they are. when they refuse to go big. see my effort? we're both wasting our time here, but you'll learn something from my time spent. good day sir
I thought the FGX5 sounded better. I know what you mean about the looks, but the more I see the FG3/FG5 FGX3/ FGX5, the more I fall in love with that simple vintage look. I have an old FG720S which I love but want to add another. The FG3 ( if the FG5 didn't cost 60% more I'd go with it) is what I'm looking at but also the LL16. From what I've seen on YT, I think I'll prefer the vintage style better as the LL16 sounds too bright for my liking. That said, I won't know until I go try them in person. The LL16 is prettier for sure, but it's all about the sound in the end. And like I said, the more I see the FG3/5 , the more it appeals to me. My ears and fingers will decide for me in the end.
I wonder what all the people here would say had this video been a blind sound test. They would probably agree with you. And you wouldn't have had to deal with all these backhanded comments hah
I just got an FG830 (Tobacco sunburst) that when I first tuned it at home and then played it, made me choke up and eyes water. I love her! I think I am still going to replace the saddle, nut and pins from plastic to bone just to get better sustain, but she's a beautiful guitar for $340
I got same the YAMMAHA FG830 a week ago with $380.
I love it ..sounds really cool .
I understand the process, I almost always do the same, but when I was shaping a nut + saddĺe on another Yamaha, I noticed how hard it was, Much harder than bone, but I still changed them over But there was no improvement in tone, conclusion, unless there damaged I have found ( the same with Martin's) leave ' em alone. Yamaha's + Martin's in my experiences anyway, can't be improved as simply as that. Other S/Top Acoustic's can but not those 2 Brand's. Just my experiences though, 😊😊😊
Does upgrade to Tusq would be a good upgrade ? My local store way prefer it to bone.
I have an FG830 and I love it
Even better is a comparison of these two and a d28. FG830 sounds (even more) wonderful after two or years playing in
Nice comparison, I'm considering an FGX5 as I write. The 830 has rosewood back and sides (laminated I believe) where the 5 had solid Mahogany body. The rosewood is renown to have a brighter response than the mahogany bodied guitars. Huge fan of Yammys, great idea to review these two, thanks.
Old Don here from Hamilton NZ, I agree with you, the 830 sound's better through earphones,an' I own too and it's soo impressive, I played them in the music store for a year or more and no matter which store here in NZ they Always sounded Consistenty good, so I bought 1. Then I bought an L series model, needed repairing, fixed it and Oh Wow, now THAT'S a guitar, kind regards Don 😊😊😊
I like my 830 now that I put in tusq saddle and nut and lowered the action. That gloss finish looks great when you polish and buff it every day. It sure attracts finger marks. My other guitars are matt finish and I really like how they look too.
With the FG5 You're givinig up some gloss finish and pretty esthetics for an all solid wood guitar. Many folks dont like the pearl inlays and all that. But no doubt for the money ($300 or less) the FG800,830 cannot be beat. But if i could only have one and money was no issue, give me the FG5!
FG830 comes with 80/20s. Change thoughs out for some PB. Sounds a lot better with Rosewood.
What yo call „more articulate“ in the fg830 is what is noticeable in digital music also. The frequencies are richer in the FGX5 as you can hear more harmonics. Some prefer digital/electronic music because of the „simpler“ tonal architecture, some prefer the fuller tone of analog/traditional instruments. Same with these two guitars on a less dramatic level.
I have never played a FG830! However, based on your video, I prefer the FGX5 all the way.
With tone it’s very subjective of course…
The fgx5 sounds so much better.
Oops...forgot to add...great comparison thanks for posting it.
That’s why I went with the fg5. I hate piezo pickups. I don’t want anything between the saddle and soundboard. I thing I made the right choice
The sound difference may not be substantial enough to warrant spending that extra $1400 but you have to consider which guitar is going to last longer over the years…as well as whether you’re serious about being a musician
Ll16D is sweet mid price between the two.got mine used mint for 450.with orig.case.solid spruce top rose b/s.just really booms bass and tone great no buzz frets.still might add bone Nut and saddle.def.try one before fx5
I have the fgx3 and the 830 and play the 830 more…just think if that 830 had the atmosfeel pickup system the fgx3 and 5 have!
what is the best sounding acoustic between the FGX5 and the FG-TA ??
very interesting that 830 sounds lush!!
Please tell me what do you think is worth the money to overpay for this guitar or is it better to buy fg830?
how is the fg830 on your fingers? I have an ovation and it's really tough to push down on the strings. Was wanting something a little easier.
That is just action. Lower your action and you won't have that problem.
I like the sound of the FGX5 better, sounds fuller with better sustain to me. I do like the finishes on the FG830 better. The FGX5 is probably a satin finish and the 830 is gloss or clear coated. I have a Yamaha ll-ta and love it, thinking about getting a A5R or AC5R next. I really like the build on the Japanese Yamahas, but some of the cheaper Chinese Yamahas are just as good if not better sounding.
which wires you have on fgx5?
Factory or?
Do you still feel the same now that its about 4 month later? I have the fg830 and also want to get the fg5. Should I simply save my money?
Go get a Seagull S6...You wont be sorry.
I don't miss it one bit!
Making a comparison of two instruments is more challenging when one is laminate, one is solid wood and different woods, each having their own tonality. Mahogany is known to be more of a mid range wood and not bright like Rosewood. The FG5 is ARE treated and I believe that adds to the tonality. In sonic terms, the harshness that is often heard in young wood is reduced, while the sustain characteristics at different frequencies are brought into a more balanced, well-coordinated relationship. Like you said, it's all about the tone/sound and The FGX5, for my ear is the one I gravitate towards.
I am curious as to your information source. The 830 has a solid spruce top and no where I could find said the back and sides are laminated or solid. Where did you see what the back and sides are? Thank you.
The FGX5 is a professional level guitar for a gigging musician
Inexpensive but not cheap by any means. I agree. The fg830 n the fg840 n magnificent instruments n can be benefited greatly by tusq nut n saddle. N ur choice of bridge pins. I saw a review of the fg830 that had nut n saddle replaced with tusq n it sounded amazing. Actually it was an fs730 but would be same result. Im looking at fg830 to buy. String spacing is perfect n plays really well for my hands. The other reviewer of the fg5 replaced the bone saddle n pins with fmi saddle n bone pins. Sounded pretty sweet. I think the fg5 still comes with plastic pins.
Nope, the pins are wooden ✌️
where did you get yours from I'm picking one up 11-7 and I hoping to be blown away
Got the FG830 used from guitarcenter.com
You like the cheaper sound because you're a beginner.
Good for you though 😄👍
Thank you for your review. I have a FG-830 which I really liked. Sometimes I wonder whether I can find a better one of its sound and
playability and price reasonablity.
I'm thinking that FGX5 is the answer to my wondering but you could give
me a definite idea that FGX5 may not be the answer.
FG830 is more shine and deep bass and the best to my ear !
TRy the Seagull S6 .It blows both of those Yamahas out of the water..And for 399.99.
I have a Seegull S6 - I am presently having it set up - The sound is out of the world - It's a pawnshop pick up - Best $200 I ever spent!!!
It’s that cedar top. It puts back a lot of the bass that’s usually missing in laminated b&s guitars.
Once you get a bit better at playing, you will notice the difference.
Explain some, how would someone see a difference after they are a better player
When you’re a better player you sound better.
@@adamhill1216 I agree with drat, you will notice the quality of the FGX5. The feel and sound is better. With it being solid wood it will get better with age. Of course it is all subjective.
0:54 2:14
Ya I think your wrong on that the fgx5 has much better tone and as far as shine gloss does nothing to enhance the tone if anything it takes away instead they do this most for longevity of the guitar I think it murders the tone quality and another thing I would pick the fg5 over the fgx5 all electronics in any acoustic from the top of the line out there will never project the sound of an open Mic that’s what they all set out to do and they all fail in capturing the trueness of the guitar tone electronically I have electronics in my guitars from kk minis to lrbags and there all a joke I put an sm57 or 58 Shure mic in front of my guitar and the proof doesn’t lie there’s no comparison satin finish for any high end guitar if you have a good enough player to showcase the guitar will bring that out as a no brainer I’ve seen expensive guitars being played by experienced players and a lot of them make the instrument sound like crap then there are some that can take a crappy guitar and make it sound like a million bucks that’s the stuff that’s earth catching to me your left bewilderd how do they do that.
Mahogany vs Rosewood - middles vs bass+trebles. Of course 1500 buck guitar wins 300 one but not 5 times!!! I got Rosewood is more requiring to playing technique so same accords sounds differentely - like unbalanced. Rosewood need some way to deal with it - it is like a wild horse, one mistake and you are on the earth. First impression is for mellow mahogany, but if you need a soul cry - rosewood for sure. Nice comparison and performance.
It's probably not Mahogany vs. Rosewood. Back and sides play a role, but not so much as to account for the dramatic difference you can hear in this comparison. Besides, FG830 is not even real solid Rosewood, it is laminate. Something about construction of FGX5 makes for a darker, more muffled sound. Shorter 25" scale length certainly plays a role, in addition to other possible factors like top thickness, bracing patterns, bridge placement, aging process, etc. There's a comparison of FG5 vs. Taylor 517 here on RUclips. Granted, Taylor is substantially more expensive, but it's made from the same types of woods as FG5 (spruce top, mahogany back and sides), and similar to this comparison it sounds way louder and more articulate. FG5 just sounds overly mellow when compared to other guitars, even if they are made from Mahogany. Perhaps this was intentional on Yamaha's part, I don't know.
@@boshi9 Agree, mine FGX5 has pretty thick top, almost 3,3 mm it sounds mellow but also resonant and pretty loud(with new strings) I'm really happy with mine. I'm not fan of bright thin sounding guitars but it's matter of preferences. You can find many praising reviews of this guitar from guys with Martin and Taylor guitars, so it depends.
@@podfuk I agree, it's up to personal preference. Some people feel that higher frequencies are too ear piercing. Bright is the opposite of "thin" though. In order for a guitar to sound bright, it needs to have loud overtone harmonics, so technically the sound spectrum is more full.
@@boshi9 a laminate skate deck has a smooth sound and obviously id only skate one. imagine skaters trying out solid wood decks and claiming how much better they are. when they refuse to go big. see my effort? we're both wasting our time here, but you'll learn something from my time spent. good day sir
fg830
FGX5 better but the 830 is a good choice...though it's not electrified
I thought the FGX5 sounded better. I know what you mean about the looks, but the more I see the FG3/FG5 FGX3/ FGX5, the more I fall in love with that simple vintage look. I have an old FG720S which I love but want to add another. The FG3 ( if the FG5 didn't cost 60% more I'd go with it) is what I'm looking at but also the LL16. From what I've seen on YT, I think I'll prefer the vintage style better as the LL16 sounds too bright for my liking. That said, I won't know until I go try them in person. The LL16 is prettier for sure, but it's all about the sound in the end. And like I said, the more I see the FG3/5 , the more it appeals to me. My ears and fingers will decide for me in the end.
I wonder what all the people here would say had this video been a blind sound test. They would probably agree with you. And you wouldn't have had to deal with all these backhanded comments hah
830
Fgx5 no question sounds and looks better. And no I don’t own a Fgx5, but wish I did.