Fender CD-60S vs Yamaha FG800 Comparison

The Fender CD-60S and the Yamaha FG800 are both solid acoustic guitars when it comes to tone and price point. They're both extremely similar in build so let's take a quick look at how different they sound.

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[brentdenicola]

I want to leave a tip for anyone looking to buy either of these guitars or any guitar and may be a beginner. Despite what every guitar buying guide video says, no two guitars will ever sound the same. I.E (today were looking at "x" brand or model and here is what it sounds like...) Its possible to sound close but not the same. I own a very nice sounding Taylor 210e dlx that was relatively cheap and I have played other Taylor guitars of the same model and absolutely hated the sound they made. I have also played very expensive guitars (of all brands, Taylor, Martin, Gibson, Breedlove, Guild, Paul Reed Smith) that sounded bad to MY ear or were just not inspiring to play. I have played cheap guitars that sounded great and were made by no name company's (that happens less in my experience). I tell you all this because I recently purchased the fender that is shown in this video and I pit it against many other guitars in the store (including the Yamaha shown here) and I bought the fender. I didn't buy it for the brand or the model but for the tone it produced. While these two models of guitars may have many great sounding guitars in there perspective lines, they have just as many muddy and twangy sounding ones. Lesson for today, buy in person! listen to the tone!! despite what all these brand fan boys say every guitar maker sells lemons some times. So don't be brand myopic. Hope this helps someone on their guitar journey.

[johnhildenbrand]

The Yamaha of course...I'm not biased at all...I only own mostly Yamaha guitars and amps...completely impartial, you can trust me, I'm a politician...

[jiggzzaw]

Because of Guitar Center’s awesome 45-day Return Policy, I’ve had the pleasure of bringing home and taking time to really test these awesome guitars: first i tried the FS800 (small-body concert/no preamp/beautiful bell-like overtones), then the FG800 (dreadnaught/no preamp, louder deeper bass mid)for $200 range; well, because of their great tones, I was inspired to plug-in for live sound, so I bought a Fishman Loudbox Mini. I then raised my guitar budget to $300 and exchanged them for a preamp’d guitar, starting with Yamaha FGX800CE piezo), and later the Fender pickup). Hands-down, FGX800CE rings out BETTER tones than the CD60SCE UNPLUGGED, but really not by a longshot. Depending on your string attack, the Fender can also ring out well too. Plugged in however, the Yamaha sounded thin, almost electric guitar-like (defeats the purpose of live acoustic playing for me) through the Fishman amplifier, whereas the Fender had more of a real amplified acoustic guitar sound. Matching electronics perhaps? I kept the Fender to meet my goals, but in the future I will still pickup that Yamaha, but without the preamp since that’s where I found it sounded best: unplugged.

Please note: this (rather lengthy...sorry!) comment/review I share is based on my own personal experience and isn’t typical of anyone else’s. Also note that before i took any of these awesome guitars home, I had tested and picked out the best sounding ones from off the wall (and from in the boxes) in the store. I had literally tried all guitars within the $200 (and later $300) range and below. Took me weeks, but I narrowed down the tone I was looking for to these two brands.

Hope you found this helpful.

Nice playing by-the-ways Chris, I occasionally come back here to listen to the playing and get lost. Good comparison! Thank you!

[ralfybaby]

Yamahoolie for me. So nice, clear and crisp with clear tone separation. The Fender sounds warmer but a bit more muddled.

[patrickrobinson]

Fender, modern sound. Yamaha vintage sound. Bright fender sound, great volume, decent mids great highs. Low end lacks that thump. Yamaha has a mellow even tone, with gobs of mids and bass tone with less pronounced highs which is not a bad thing. In my opinion an overall balanced tone without those tinny high notes that normally cut through the mix. Although the highs are still there. Along with the entire spectrum of frequentcy. I've played for 20 years, pro fender man through and through. Grandma had an old Yamaha ( hummingbird copy)that I played an and had that bassy warm tone and played very easily. After 20 years, I purchased the Yamaha fg 800 and wonder why I played fenders so long. Barre chords were always hell for me to play on my fenders. This fg 800 on the other hand with its flat radius and thin vintage style frets make it effortless to play Barre and more complex minor chords as well. Thanks for making this but video.

[Zangle]

My wife brought a CD-60S into the marriage and recently started playing. Having lots fun! Great guitar.

[franckybgreat]

Fender sounded fuller to me. Yamaha sounded clean. Overall I'd probably pick the Yamaha just based on their brand recognition...or maybe I'd take the fender...ah hell, buy them both!

[darius.burdeti]

I own the Fender CD 60S and in my opinion is the best entry level guitar. The " easy to play " neck ... worth every penny, it makes a huge difference for a beginner.

[hollowmenrule]

he said it all in the beginning. the fact that the fender is easier on the fingers for chords is important. most guitarists that have played for years want an acoustic to feel like their electric as far as ease of playing.

[carlosbulder]

Adding to this: you can buy the best guitar there is but if it doesn't feel comfortable, that will affect your playing and overall sound. That's why I will always chose Fender above Yamaha because it feels great for me. For you it can be different. Conclusion: always play irl on the guitars before chosing one

[gunterleon]

I'm a Fender fan and own several of their products. But when I was looking for a new acoustic I bought the Yamaha FGX830C. I just love the sound it makes.

[DrAgan_tortojed]

Where I live (Serbia, Southeastern Europe), these guitars belong with the different price ranges: Fender is selling for a bit over 200$, whereas Yamaha goes for (almost) 300.

[raymonddancy]

I bought the fender in left handed version and i love it

[anthonygainsford]

I have an FG800, bought 2 years ago. I have (although being a beginner), acute sensitivity to tone and sound generally. I was knocked out by the Yamahas range overall, and the sound volume, without loosing subtlety. Some say, a bit bright, but hey, I like bright and if you want something different we’ll buy it. Here is an important point, I think, many people have mentioned the “high action” and I agree, this makes playing, especially for a beginner, quite hard. See James Taylor here on YouTube, saying about his guitar setup, I like the action on my guitar low to almost buzzy. So I had no guilt over lowering the Yamahas action. Firstly, I sanded the bridge, then very slowly, adjusted the neck, in the tensioning lowering direction( clockwise). I finally have the action about a stiff plectrum distance at the second fret between fret and string. The press down when fretting is now great, for me, light press means easier finger movement and comfort. The sound, well, it sounds resonantly longer sustaining and yet giving brightness and great low tones. It seems the wood of the guitar top has suddenly “seasoned” and releasing sound wonderfully. I’m now looking to fit a bone bridge and nut, with some new strings to see where that takes me, but cautiously keeping the Yamaha originals in case as the guitar already sounds fabulous to me. There is a good reason I think why so many swear by Yamaha even the starter 310 range.

[zeniktorres]

Yamaha FG800 gets my vote. Those who are starting out may try out the Yamaha FS series. It has a slightly smaller body which makes easier for people smaller frames and for beginners. So for a beginner I would tell them to get a Yamaha FS over a FG. It could make the difference between someone giving up due it being uncomfortable to hold or continuing on.

[Hakiblack]

Really nice playing, I forgot why I was watching.

[devinamico]

The Fender sounds full. The Yamaha sounds clean. I don't know what a classic sound, sounds like, but if I were 3 months in the future with my guitar playing, I think I'd choose the Fender. If I were 1 year in the future, I'd choose the Yamaha.

[johnmcclinton]

On this video, the differences are very subtle. The Yamaha had a tad more clarity on the higher frequecys. I have never played the Fender, but got to try the Yamaha at your store. Love It! It's common I guess to call any acoustic guitar an entry level guitar if it costs under $300, lol. The Yamaha I think is great for any level player, even professional. There's a reason it the number one seller. After playing it I understand why. A great guitar at an affordable price.

[arvinddavamony]

Hello there! The two guitars sounded really really good. The YAMAHA FG 800 has a good thick and rich sound, were As the FENDER CD 60s has a good thin sound, I like the YAMAHA FG 800, I would like to buy it

[surf]

Wow, I hope and pray one day to be able to play as good as this gentleman.