Yamaha FG Series FGX800C Acoustic-Electric Guitar Sand Burst

Most Liked Positive Review

Solid guitar - unexpected and pleasing purchase

I was planning to upgrade from my Dean Performer E, which I had purchased used from Guitar Center in Springfield NJ. I ended up selecting the Yamaha unexpectedly after playing guitars that cost twice the price for 2 hours. If you're interested, here's my selection story: I went back to the Guitar Center where I bought the Dean to look at a Taylor 114CE, a used Breedlove Stage and brand new Pursuit Bubinga. I also played some Martin guitars (to me sounded muddy). I was really gunning for the used Breedlove Stage because it was a $1,000 guitar going for just $550, but I felt as though I could barely hear it from my playing position. Plugged in it sounded great, but horrible by itself. Kept getting out of tune, also. I tried out a Stage Concert, which sounded better, but still not there. Epiphone Masterbilt... Interesting but overkill on electronics and not great (a pin was popping out- looked like dimensions were wrong). Taylor 114CE. Wow, now that's a guitar! I was mentally settling into the $600 and about to go with the Taylor, but something still didn't seem right. Taylor is bright, clear, good volume at player's position, superb projection, but I wasn't picking up on decent low end. In my role as worship leader at my church, I'm occasionally the only non-percussion instrument, so I need solid high, mid, and low-end sound. Balance is not an option. So I decided to experiment, think outside the box. I lowered my sights a bit. Tried an Ovation Applause. Had my eyes on an Ovation Elite Spalted Maple online (gorgeous!) But I wanted to feel what the rounded back was all about. Ovation- beautiful sound, even unplugged it's great! Couldn't deal with that slight upward tilt from the bowl... So then there was this Yamaha. Never even considered a Yamaha. Played a few chords... Wow, that's rich (deep). Finger picking, clear. Electronics superb. AMF notch type filter. Amazing buttery neck. Played 30 minutes, put on a capo. Nothing out of tune. Sold!