When it was introduced in 1966, the Yamaha FG proved that a great acoustic guitar didn’t need to cost a fortune. With a focus on great playability, musical tone and outstanding build quality, the original FG180 quickly became a classic with countless careers and hit records starting life on an FG. 50 years since the introduction of the FG acoustics, the new range features the best-ever FG tone and the same great playability and class-leading quality that’s made it the choice of millions of guitarists. Wherever your musical journey’s going, it all starts here.
When it was introduced in 1966, the Yamaha FG proved that a great acoustic guitar didn’t need to cost a fortune. With a focus on great playability, musical tone and outstanding build quality, the original FG180 quickly became a classic with countless careers and hit records starting life on an FG. 50 years since the introduction of the FG acoustics, the new range features the best-ever FG tone and the same great playability and class-leading quality that’s made it the choice of millions of guitarists. Wherever your musical journey’s going, it all starts here.
When it was introduced in 1966, the Yamaha FG proved that a great acoustic guitar didn’t need to cost a fortune. With a focus on great playability, musical tone and outstanding build quality, the original FG180 quickly became a classic with countless careers and hit records starting life on an FG. 50 years since the introduction of the FG acoustics, the new range features the best-ever FG tone and the same great playability and class-leading quality that’s made it the choice of millions of guitarists. Wherever your musical journey’s going, it all starts here.
When it was introduced in 1966, the Yamaha FG proved that a great acoustic guitar didn’t need to cost a fortune. With a focus on great playability, musical tone and outstanding build quality, the original FG180 quickly became a classic with countless careers and hit records starting life on an FG. 50 years since the introduction of the FG acoustics, the new range features the best-ever FG tone and the same great playability and class-leading quality that’s made it the choice of millions of guitarists. Wherever your musical journey’s going, it all starts here.
Last updated at 06/29/2026 13:20:25
Yamaha FS830NT Acoustic Guitar Natural
Delivery $40.36
Yamaha FS830 Acoustic Guitar Natural
Free delivery
Yamaha Fs830 Acoustic Guitar Natural
Delivery $75.95
Yamaha Fs830
Free delivery between 8–10 July
Yamaha Fs830 Acoustic
Delivery $159.44
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
originally posted on sweetwater.com
I have yet to review 4 previous guitar purchases from Sweetwater...this guitar just surprised me so much I had to do one immediately. They say you get what you pay for. A lot of times that's true and paying less for something often results in poor quality. In this case you are honestly going to be stunned to see how much guitar you get for the low price of this FS830. For one the abalone inlay on the rosette is very nice. The fretboard is well done very smooth (mine is Rosewood), Frets are cleaned up nicely with no noticeable sharpness. The Frets could use a light polish as I found some rough spots during string bends. Intonation has been pretty spot on honestly with only a few spots slightly off further towards the 12 fret (which honestly isn't a big deal). Action ... MoreI have yet to review 4 previous guitar purchases from Sweetwater...this guitar just surprised me so much I had to do one immediately. They say you get what you pay for. A lot of times that's true and paying less for something often results in poor quality. In this case you are honestly going to be stunned to see how much guitar you get for the low price of this FS830. For one the abalone inlay on the rosette is very nice. The fretboard is well done very smooth (mine is Rosewood), Frets are cleaned up nicely with no noticeable sharpness. The Frets could use a light polish as I found some rough spots during string bends. Intonation has been pretty spot on honestly with only a few spots slightly off further towards the 12 fret (which honestly isn't a big deal). Action is a little high and could probably use a bit taken off the saddle to get it right but its not unplayableby any means. Fit n finish is pretty decent too...just a couple slightly rough spots on the binding that most people wouldn't even notice and some little finish swirl spot on the neck by the body. Other than those little things the whole thing all in all is just beautiful, the Rosewood on the back looks pretty stunning and I honestly wish my Larrivee D-40R had a woodgrain pattern like it lol. I only wish I could have had one of these to start off on. This is a great bang for your buck instrument. Oh and before I forget...the sound really opened up after the strings stretched out. It's a great sounding guitar. Nice and punchy all around with a good low end. I got this mainly for taking to family functions or camping, it will serve those purposes very well. Now stop reading long winded reviews like this one and just get it already.
originally posted on guitarcenter.com
This guitar is a textbook example of getting "bang for your buck." I've always wondered why more companies don't follow Yamaha's lead in how they treat their prospective entry level customers. No, this isn't going to blow you away, but it is far better than your average beginner instrument and for the price, is a real value. I promise your new guitar player will find this playable, fun and easy to practice on.If you're unfamiliar with this line/model, "FS" stands for folk small; it's a concert body style (slightly smaller than a regular dreadnought or FG series). This means it's a great choice for kids or small handed adults. In my opinion the FS830 is pretty big leap forward in terms of sound and tone from Yamaha's truly entry level guitar (the FS800) because the ... MoreThis guitar is a textbook example of getting "bang for your buck." I've always wondered why more companies don't follow Yamaha's lead in how they treat their prospective entry level customers. No, this isn't going to blow you away, but it is far better than your average beginner instrument and for the price, is a real value. I promise your new guitar player will find this playable, fun and easy to practice on.If you're unfamiliar with this line/model, "FS" stands for folk small; it's a concert body style (slightly smaller than a regular dreadnought or FG series). This means it's a great choice for kids or small handed adults. In my opinion the FS830 is pretty big leap forward in terms of sound and tone from Yamaha's truly entry level guitar (the FS800) because the 830 has rosewood back and sides instead of the Nato. That difference alone gives much more more projection and gives it a little personality. I also find it quite easy to play, the action low, and the neck really comfortable. My students have said it feels like it's easier to make the comfortable chords and easier to make stretches for harder ones. I've found it keeps its tuning decently as well. As far as aesthetics, this Dusk Sun red is more subtle than the picture would indicate (for obvious reasons). Yes, it's got some pink hue to it, but it's a versatile burst that shows shades of burgundy and red based on the light and angle. It's striking and lovely, not gaudy.The bottom line is, this guitar feels good, plays good, and looks good. If you're browsing around trying to decide on your first instrument, I know it can seem daunting. Sometimes people without knowledge just go for the cheapest option just to "see" if they like playing guitar. In the category of "beginner" instruments, you're not going to find one much better than this. It's well worth the few extra dollars and in my view will easily provide a great start to the highly worthwhile journey of making music...
originally posted on musiciansfriend.com
Understanding the context of what this guitar is (and isn't), makes the decision to buy it pretty easy. Simply put, you get huge bang for your buck; it's an awesome value for the money. It's a better than average starter guitar, and if you have the proper expectations for it, it's worth picking up for the beginner in your life or just noodling on the couch...For those unfamiliar, Yamaha's FS series stands for "folk small" and refers to size of the body. The FS series are concert body (or slightly smaller than a dreadnought or Yamaha's FG size) guitars. So for young people or women with small hands, this is perfect to feel like the instrument is not too big. It also means the neck feels thinner, the frets feel closer together, the action is is good, etc. All the ... MoreUnderstanding the context of what this guitar is (and isn't), makes the decision to buy it pretty easy. Simply put, you get huge bang for your buck; it's an awesome value for the money. It's a better than average starter guitar, and if you have the proper expectations for it, it's worth picking up for the beginner in your life or just noodling on the couch...For those unfamiliar, Yamaha's FS series stands for "folk small" and refers to size of the body. The FS series are concert body (or slightly smaller than a dreadnought or Yamaha's FG size) guitars. So for young people or women with small hands, this is perfect to feel like the instrument is not too big. It also means the neck feels thinner, the frets feel closer together, the action is is good, etc. All the things you want for easy playability and motivation to practice when you're first learning.The FS830 is a big upgrade from Yamaha's true starter guitar, the FS800, because the FS830 has rosewood back and sides instead of Nato. This means it has a LOT more projection, a nicer tone and some personality. It actually feels closer to a mid-range instrument than most starter guitars. Another great feature is that Yamaha actually gave this model some aesthetic options in terms of finish, and the sunbursts are surprisingly subtle and warm (the picture above is enhanced for obvious marketing reasons). At this price to even have the choice of a "Dusk Sun Red" for instance, helps further attach you to the instrument, and it's something I wish more companies followed Yamaha's lead in doing (meaning, give their beginners market some credit/options).So bottom line: this thing feels good, plays good, and looks good. For first time buyers just trying to figure all this stuff out, believe me when I say for just a little extra, this instrument is a massive leap forward in quality over the regular FS800 or most any other starter instrument. This guitar is a fine entry point for any musical journey.
Yamaha FS830NT Acoustic Guitar Natural
Delivery $40.36
Yamaha FS830 Acoustic Guitar Natural
Free delivery
Yamaha Fs830 Acoustic Guitar Natural
Delivery $75.95
Yamaha Fs830
Free delivery between 8–10 July
Yamaha Fs830 Acoustic
Delivery $159.44
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
I have yet to review 4 previous guitar purchases from Sweetwater...this guitar just surprised me so much I had to do one immediately. They say you get what you pay for. A lot of times that's true and paying less for something often results in poor quality. In this case you are honestly going to be stunned to see how much guitar you get for the low price of this FS830. For one the abalone inlay on the rosette is very nice. The fretboard is well done very smooth (mine is Rosewood), Frets are cleaned up nicely with no noticeable sharpness. The Frets could use a light polish as I found some rough spots during string bends. Intonation has been pretty spot on honestly with only a few spots slightly off further towards the 12 fret (which honestly isn't a big deal). Action ... MoreI have yet to review 4 previous guitar purchases from Sweetwater...this guitar just surprised me so much I had to do one immediately. They say you get what you pay for. A lot of times that's true and paying less for something often results in poor quality. In this case you are honestly going to be stunned to see how much guitar you get for the low price of this FS830. For one the abalone inlay on the rosette is very nice. The fretboard is well done very smooth (mine is Rosewood), Frets are cleaned up nicely with no noticeable sharpness. The Frets could use a light polish as I found some rough spots during string bends. Intonation has been pretty spot on honestly with only a few spots slightly off further towards the 12 fret (which honestly isn't a big deal). Action is a little high and could probably use a bit taken off the saddle to get it right but its not unplayableby any means. Fit n finish is pretty decent too...just a couple slightly rough spots on the binding that most people wouldn't even notice and some little finish swirl spot on the neck by the body. Other than those little things the whole thing all in all is just beautiful, the Rosewood on the back looks pretty stunning and I honestly wish my Larrivee D-40R had a woodgrain pattern like it lol. I only wish I could have had one of these to start off on. This is a great bang for your buck instrument. Oh and before I forget...the sound really opened up after the strings stretched out. It's a great sounding guitar. Nice and punchy all around with a good low end. I got this mainly for taking to family functions or camping, it will serve those purposes very well. Now stop reading long winded reviews like this one and just get it already.
This guitar is a textbook example of getting "bang for your buck." I've always wondered why more companies don't follow Yamaha's lead in how they treat their prospective entry level customers. No, this isn't going to blow you away, but it is far better than your average beginner instrument and for the price, is a real value. I promise your new guitar player will find this playable, fun and easy to practice on.If you're unfamiliar with this line/model, "FS" stands for folk small; it's a concert body style (slightly smaller than a regular dreadnought or FG series). This means it's a great choice for kids or small handed adults. In my opinion the FS830 is pretty big leap forward in terms of sound and tone from Yamaha's truly entry level guitar (the FS800) because the ... MoreThis guitar is a textbook example of getting "bang for your buck." I've always wondered why more companies don't follow Yamaha's lead in how they treat their prospective entry level customers. No, this isn't going to blow you away, but it is far better than your average beginner instrument and for the price, is a real value. I promise your new guitar player will find this playable, fun and easy to practice on.If you're unfamiliar with this line/model, "FS" stands for folk small; it's a concert body style (slightly smaller than a regular dreadnought or FG series). This means it's a great choice for kids or small handed adults. In my opinion the FS830 is pretty big leap forward in terms of sound and tone from Yamaha's truly entry level guitar (the FS800) because the 830 has rosewood back and sides instead of the Nato. That difference alone gives much more more projection and gives it a little personality. I also find it quite easy to play, the action low, and the neck really comfortable. My students have said it feels like it's easier to make the comfortable chords and easier to make stretches for harder ones. I've found it keeps its tuning decently as well. As far as aesthetics, this Dusk Sun red is more subtle than the picture would indicate (for obvious reasons). Yes, it's got some pink hue to it, but it's a versatile burst that shows shades of burgundy and red based on the light and angle. It's striking and lovely, not gaudy.The bottom line is, this guitar feels good, plays good, and looks good. If you're browsing around trying to decide on your first instrument, I know it can seem daunting. Sometimes people without knowledge just go for the cheapest option just to "see" if they like playing guitar. In the category of "beginner" instruments, you're not going to find one much better than this. It's well worth the few extra dollars and in my view will easily provide a great start to the highly worthwhile journey of making music...
Understanding the context of what this guitar is (and isn't), makes the decision to buy it pretty easy. Simply put, you get huge bang for your buck; it's an awesome value for the money. It's a better than average starter guitar, and if you have the proper expectations for it, it's worth picking up for the beginner in your life or just noodling on the couch...For those unfamiliar, Yamaha's FS series stands for "folk small" and refers to size of the body. The FS series are concert body (or slightly smaller than a dreadnought or Yamaha's FG size) guitars. So for young people or women with small hands, this is perfect to feel like the instrument is not too big. It also means the neck feels thinner, the frets feel closer together, the action is is good, etc. All the ... MoreUnderstanding the context of what this guitar is (and isn't), makes the decision to buy it pretty easy. Simply put, you get huge bang for your buck; it's an awesome value for the money. It's a better than average starter guitar, and if you have the proper expectations for it, it's worth picking up for the beginner in your life or just noodling on the couch...For those unfamiliar, Yamaha's FS series stands for "folk small" and refers to size of the body. The FS series are concert body (or slightly smaller than a dreadnought or Yamaha's FG size) guitars. So for young people or women with small hands, this is perfect to feel like the instrument is not too big. It also means the neck feels thinner, the frets feel closer together, the action is is good, etc. All the things you want for easy playability and motivation to practice when you're first learning.The FS830 is a big upgrade from Yamaha's true starter guitar, the FS800, because the FS830 has rosewood back and sides instead of Nato. This means it has a LOT more projection, a nicer tone and some personality. It actually feels closer to a mid-range instrument than most starter guitars. Another great feature is that Yamaha actually gave this model some aesthetic options in terms of finish, and the sunbursts are surprisingly subtle and warm (the picture above is enhanced for obvious marketing reasons). At this price to even have the choice of a "Dusk Sun Red" for instance, helps further attach you to the instrument, and it's something I wish more companies followed Yamaha's lead in doing (meaning, give their beginners market some credit/options).So bottom line: this thing feels good, plays good, and looks good. For first time buyers just trying to figure all this stuff out, believe me when I say for just a little extra, this instrument is a massive leap forward in quality over the regular FS800 or most any other starter instrument. This guitar is a fine entry point for any musical journey.
I bought this guitar a little over a year ago (September 2018) as a birthday 🎂 gift to myself. I am an older beginner, in my 50s, but playing guitar was always something I've wanted to do but never took the steps to make it happen. So I did my research and decided on the Yamaha FS830 small body. I got the natural color but they all look and feel great. I started off trying to teach myself with YouTube videos, thank you Marty Schwartz, you're awesome, and am now taking lessons and making good progress. I love the size, feel, and sound of this guitar. It just fits me really well. And after speaking with my teacher and several of my friends, I got a really good deal on a quality instrument. As another reviewer mentioned, apparently you get a lot of bang for your buck ... MoreI bought this guitar a little over a year ago (September 2018) as a birthday 🎂 gift to myself. I am an older beginner, in my 50s, but playing guitar was always something I've wanted to do but never took the steps to make it happen. So I did my research and decided on the Yamaha FS830 small body. I got the natural color but they all look and feel great. I started off trying to teach myself with YouTube videos, thank you Marty Schwartz, you're awesome, and am now taking lessons and making good progress. I love the size, feel, and sound of this guitar. It just fits me really well. And after speaking with my teacher and several of my friends, I got a really good deal on a quality instrument. As another reviewer mentioned, apparently you get a lot of bang for your buck with Yamaha. The only negative I have is the action (string Height) of the guitar. I am a beginner and obviously my hand muscles aren't as strong as they need to be for playing, but it's difficult for me to play bar chords. I just don't have the strength to press all the strings with my left hand yet. I am thinking about having the action lowered just a tiny bit but the salesman at Guitar Center said it's not far off, maybe just a tad high. My teacher can play it without a problem so it's obviously me. However, as a beginner, a slightly lower action would help. Of course lowering can cause other issues like buzzing so for now I'll just keep working on strengthening my fingers.Overall though I am extremely happy with this guitar and would recommend it for all beginners and intermediate players. I plan to keep it for a long while.
Ordered the FG830 first but sent it back for the smaller body FS830. Both sounded amazing but I liked the feel of the smaller body better. Put a good set of strings like Elixer HDs on right away and it brings this thing to life. I went ahead and did a TUSQ saddle, nut, and bridge pins to match my Taylor. This guitar is incredible with a few upgrades. Out of the box I'd say 4 stars. With a few upgrades, you will have a hard time finding a guitar that sounds better sub thousand range.Maybe better woods, but won't have the sound. I'd buy this guitar over and over again. The rosewood was nice and dark, looks great and the fit & finish were perfect. Pics don't do it justice.
This thing sounds amazing! Only thing I found to possibly cause an issue is the bridge plate. It's really rough looking and I'll post a photo. It's the part inside the guitar that the ball ends of the strings rest on. Changed the strings and had some issues trying to get the new strings to seat rite
Have been waiting to order this from Musician's Friend while out of stock. Found it at a local Guitar Center last week brand new, and not only played it but had the store employee play it while I stood back and listened. The tone was totally flat, action was fairly low but still needed some further adjustments. Store employee offered to add the sixty buck setup to the cost to bring this instrument to what it should be (in his words) so I demurred and also won't be purchasing it from Musician's Friend. Very disappointed in the tone and projection/sustain even though it is a smaller body guitar - def not worth the cash MF, crazy absolutely not worth MSRP from GC. Sorry, folks, this one is a non-starter for me - Yamaha has a better rep than this, so this applies only ... MoreHave been waiting to order this from Musician's Friend while out of stock. Found it at a local Guitar Center last week brand new, and not only played it but had the store employee play it while I stood back and listened. The tone was totally flat, action was fairly low but still needed some further adjustments. Store employee offered to add the sixty buck setup to the cost to bring this instrument to what it should be (in his words) so I demurred and also won't be purchasing it from Musician's Friend. Very disappointed in the tone and projection/sustain even though it is a smaller body guitar - def not worth the cash MF, crazy absolutely not worth MSRP from GC. Sorry, folks, this one is a non-starter for me - Yamaha has a better rep than this, so this applies only the the FS830.
Great quality from a relatively cheap guitar. Fit and finish excellent subject to a fret polish and minor tweaking to suit my personal set up preference, including fitting slightly lighter strings.
I set the action with a truss rod adjustment and put some new D'addario 16 coated strings on it, and it really came to life. The rosewood back and sides really do add richness to the sound of this guitar. They are a nice upgrade from the 700s of a few years back, and those were good, too. The new bracing makes this seem like a much more expensive guitar. I was choosing between the FG830/FS830 and an FGx3, and went with the two 830s. The x3 was great, but these 830s sound both "crisper" and "warmer" to me, while costing less combined. I can use a sound hole pick up when needed. The only drawback on the Fs830 is that the nut width is a bit on the tight side. I'm getting used to it, however. Overall, a couple of very satisfying guitars,
this is my first purchase of a brand new quality guitar. The experts at Sam Ash helped me to choose it and I am extremely happy with the purchase.You simply cannot go wrong with Sam Ash and Yamaha. Thanks
