Best Sound Acoustic Guitar (Jan 2023 Update)

I bought this guitar to check out a budget friendly offering from Yamaha. I have to say I was not disappointed! Excellent tone and volume, the top really resonates. The guitar was really well setup right out of the box. It needed about 3/4 of a clockwise truss rod adjustment, no prob. Other than that it didn't need any fret dressing whatsoever. That's really impressive for a Chinese guitar. Heck even one of my Mexican Martins needed fret dressing out of the box! Also intonation was spot on and this also is important in your guitar. Very impressed with this guitar, intermediate/advanced feel but priced at a beginner budget. You won't regret picking one up, I assure you!Big Bone Murphy

There is a point of quality when an instrument reaches when it stops being seen as "better or worse" but rather just a different flavor. This Yamaha has reached that point. You can play it alongside a guitar costing 5x more and it stands up well. Yamaha is also one of those rare companies with a long history of top quality across all kinds of products, and guitars are an area Yamaha knows well. This is just a beautiful guitar through and throughout. You can get beautiful uncompromisingly great studio recordings with this guitar. Hitting the low strings hard with strumming gives a nice deep and rich tone. Also, the hardware / tuners are nice.Scott

I've owned many acoustics over the years, MANY, and this Yamaha is one of the best sounding I've ever owned. Went to GC just to check out a few lower end acoustics to pick up for jamming on, and tried almost every one in the room. Picked this one up last just before I was ready to leave, and immediately was blown away by the sound and playability, brought a couple friends to listen and tell me which one they thought sounded the best, and hands down this won over all of them. It has the tone and warmth of a Martin D34, which I have owned a few, and it plays like a dream. The neck is so sliky smooth, easy to fly up and down with no effort. It has amazing sustain and beautiful tone, I fell in love with it and just couldn't put it down. I didn't expect a guitar of this price range to sound as good as it does, got it home and I couldn't put it down. Played for 4 hours straight, and even after trying to put it down to go to bed at 1am I found myself playing a for a few more minutes before I could actually go to sleep. Love this Yamaha more than any guitar I've bought in the last decade. The best thing about it is, It gave me the desire to pick up playing guitar again, after hardly touching any of my other guitars for almost a year it's the one I want to play more than all of them. Great guitar, wouldn't hesitate to buy another in a different color, if you want something that you won't be able to put down this baby has the sound and feel your looking for.Johnny D

I am a professional musician/songwriter (also a Berklee grad-1981). While guitar is not the principal instrument I was trained on (piano/keyboard are my primary), I have been playing guitar on and off since I was a teen back in the 1970s. However, over the last couple of years I've been putting a lot more dedicated practice time on improving my guitar skills for both for songwriting and solo guitar playing. I've been particularly focused mastering the layout of the guitar fretboard so I can put all my harmonic knowledge to work on the instrument, something I wish I did many years ago, but better late than never! I purchased this guitar because I wanted an instrument that was reasonable, easy to play, and enjoyable to listen to. I tried guitars in a variety of price ranges and was surprised at how much more I liked the F335 than guitars 2-3xs more costly. Although this guitar has a laminate rather than solid spruce top, it has a clear yet warm sound that I find really pleasing sonically. The fretboard is also very comfortable and easy to play which adds to the enjoyment of making music with it. I was so impressed with this instrument that I recently also purchased a Yamaha FS800 to use more for fingerstyle playing while using the F335 for flat picking. Those are a nice combination of instruments that cover all my guitar playing needs at this time. Regardless of what level you are playing I highly recommend this (and the FS800) for anyone looking for a very reasonable option that you can use for playing and songwriting.Scott F.

First of all, I own 2 Yamaha Guitars, the F335 being the first one I have owned. For an entry-level dred, you could not ask for a better quality, easy to play right out of the box, althought I would recommend a set-up with any instrument right out of the box with the addition of a bone saddle. Did this with this one and it brought its already rich tone to another level. I only give it 4 stars because I have owned a number of high-end instruments. If you are a brand new player, or one who is in the market just to have a dred to beat around with, look no further. This is the one for you.Chris

I purchased this guitar while it was on sale so can't really complain. There are several QC issues I would expect better from Yamaha even in a cheap imported product. Fit and overall build seems solid but there are odd finish issues that make no sense. At the neck joint there seems to be the remains of a tape line from the body to the neck all around the joint. This neck feels quite thin and comfortable but again, the finish is inconsistent. Just before the headstock, the finish goes from semi-gloss to mat in a very visible way that can also be felt in the hand. As I said in the beginning, cheap guitar, cheap price, hard to complain.Robert

Absolutely amazing guitar. I had been shopping for a while, and tried an OM-21 in my local GC. The overtones, the warm tone, I just had to have it! Definitely a forever guitar and could not be happier. Get your hands on one of these!K

I really love this guitar! I purchased in a sunburst finish. There's nothing to dislike. Martin's come with the action a little high, this is to be expected. I took it to a tech to have the action lowered to my taste. Because it's plek'd from the factory, you can really get the action quite low. It's is now the best of my guitars. The sound is so balanced, it's beautiful to behold and to play. I never want to put it down. I've waited a bunch of years to commit…it is everything I wanted and imagined it could be. Martin standard series are all amazing. They Are the Martin sound defined, the reference point. They are not a cheap investment, but they are worth it. Whether you like a short scale hog (000-18), or a long scale Rosewood dread (D-28), you will not be disappointed. I love the long scale OM with rosewood. I wanted a sunburst with understated dark bindings to blend with the sunburst. This is my guitar…it is stellar in every respect. If you can acquire any model of the standard series of martins, you will be blessed with tone and beauty. It will be a lifetime guitar.GGC

I don’t like buying mid to high end guitars in the blind. Even if it’s a Martin, Collings, Taylor etc… but I was able to play 3 M36’s at a store in Nashville and they all sounded the same. I had to think about it because I have a Martin HD28 and it was very close. The thing about the M36 is that it having a OOOO (Jumbo) size body, I got bolder low ends. Finger style was easy and picking was bright and articulate. Problem solved not needing to bring more then one guitar to the recording studio and didn’t have to worry about gigging with it because of the affordability. American Musical Supply always makes it easy with the nice selection and 12 months interest free to get one. I installed (myself) a K&K pure mini pickup and this guitar sings. Thank AMS!T Galloway

I bought this guitar to check out a budget friendly offering from Yamaha. I have to say I was not disappointed! Excellent tone and volume, the top really resonates. The guitar was really well setup right out of the box. It needed about 3/4 of a clockwise truss rod adjustment, no prob. Other than that it didn't need any fret dressing whatsoever. That's really impressive for a Chinese guitar. Heck even one of my Mexican Martins needed fret dressing out of the box! Also intonation was spot on and this also is important in your guitar. Very impressed with this guitar, intermediate/advanced feel but priced at a beginner budget. You won't regret picking one up, I assure you!Big Bone Murphy

There is a point of quality when an instrument reaches when it stops being seen as "better or worse" but rather just a different flavor. This Yamaha has reached that point. You can play it alongside a guitar costing 5x more and it stands up well. Yamaha is also one of those rare companies with a long history of top quality across all kinds of products, and guitars are an area Yamaha knows well. This is just a beautiful guitar through and throughout. You can get beautiful uncompromisingly great studio recordings with this guitar. Hitting the low strings hard with strumming gives a nice deep and rich tone. Also, the hardware / tuners are nice.Scott

I've owned many acoustics over the years, MANY, and this Yamaha is one of the best sounding I've ever owned. Went to GC just to check out a few lower end acoustics to pick up for jamming on, and tried almost every one in the room. Picked this one up last just before I was ready to leave, and immediately was blown away by the sound and playability, brought a couple friends to listen and tell me which one they thought sounded the best, and hands down this won over all of them. It has the tone and warmth of a Martin D34, which I have owned a few, and it plays like a dream. The neck is so sliky smooth, easy to fly up and down with no effort. It has amazing sustain and beautiful tone, I fell in love with it and just couldn't put it down. I didn't expect a guitar of this price range to sound as good as it does, got it home and I couldn't put it down. Played for 4 hours straight, and even after trying to put it down to go to bed at 1am I found myself playing a for a few more minutes before I could actually go to sleep. Love this Yamaha more than any guitar I've bought in the last decade. The best thing about it is, It gave me the desire to pick up playing guitar again, after hardly touching any of my other guitars for almost a year it's the one I want to play more than all of them. Great guitar, wouldn't hesitate to buy another in a different color, if you want something that you won't be able to put down this baby has the sound and feel your looking for.Johnny D

A fine, good looking guitar that sounds every bit as good as it looks. The Fender feel is right there and the tone. The design has been adhered to rigidly, this is transferred over to the player , it blends into the body. Then of course, the price, I would have willingly paid a lot more than the Fender price for a guitar that was up to the Fender standard . Unbeatable.footballer10sweeper

Sounds great and does everything it needs to! Ticks all the boxes for me as I’m just starting out as a guartarist… thoroughly recommend for anybody starting out, although consider whether you want an amp or not first, this version doesn’t have an audio output…Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

I bought this guitar for my wife to learn how to play and it is perfect. I have been a Fender devotee my whole life and could not believe the great value for money this guitar was. Manny's allowed for a trouble free purchase, I can recommend them for both price and service!Greg

Overall: I am barely into my third year playing guitar. I progressed from a Yamaha FG800 to an Epiphone Masterbilt DR500 MCE. I always wanted a Martin but I can't drop the coin for the D-18 or the D-28 that I really want, so I bought this without seeing or hearing it. I was honestly worried that a guitar with HPL back and sides could hang with an all solid wood guitar. Bad weather and the Pandemic slowed delivery down to four days via Fedex, but it is what it is. The first half hour of playing I was really wondering if I was going to like it. It took a little time to get used to that booming bottom end. But once I did, I learned to modulate it where necessary. And it plays so much smoother than my Epiphone. I am looking forward to playing with a friend who has a D-28 this summer to just compare them. Listen, I know this a made in Mexico Martin. And purists might turn their nose up. But play one and see, if like me, you think this is an amazing guitar at this price point. Heck. Now I don't know why I should keep the Epiphone. Call me a believer. The only thing i would ask Martin to do is add a nice white or black binding on this to protect the top and add a liitle flair. Heading to the Martin Website to get me a sticker for the mancave and a nice Martin ballcap. Love it.Blair

I had played this Martin D-41 some 25 years ago and was just amazed at the tonal quality and punch this artful guitar produced. Not to mention it was the most beautiful acoustic I'd ever seen. I have played several different brands and models since and nothing quite reached the level of that D-41. I longed for that guitar all those 25 years until last year. Went to my local Guitar Center and they were out of them. I ordered one and a week later it arrived. Took it out of the box and and a crowd of guitar techs gathered over her. Breathtaking look about this guitar. I was sent into a private room and played for 45 minutes just amazed at what she sounded like. The setup was very close to what I'd preferred and will never regret the expenditure for a long time dream guitar. Named her Deena!Tim

I just got my martin d16 gt from guitar center. It's used. I looked up the serial number and it was built in 2000. I was surprised that it was a 22 year old guitar. It's in remarkably good shape for something that close to being an antique.

To be fair, it looks used. There are pick scratches all over the front. A few dings…but that's because the previous owner played it…because it's an out standing instrument. The sound is phenomenal and it plays great. It still looks great even with the cosmetic imperfections.

There is very little fret wear. That was surprising considering it's age. Maybe it's been crowned? Hard to say.

It was a little boxy sounding when I took it out of the box, but it loosened up fast. I could literally hear it opening up as I played it on the first day (I played it a LOT that day).

Phenomenal guitar. Worth every penny, maybe more. Highly suggestRobert Kuhn

Very nice guitar … However , There are no tuning instructions or string height instructions . And you may find the the standard "E" tuning is to high . And will stress the neck joint . Which is why many of Older Martin Guitars require a Neck Reset . And is why the Martin players . Most often recommend "D" tuning . CMNchris

This is my third Martin although mine is slightly different in that it is a 000-28 EC Eric Clapton version. In 1972 I bought my first one, a D-35, then acquired a D35-12.later. I played the D-35 exclusively for many years professionally along the way acquiring a beautiful custom hand built guitar, Bertoncini, but I always wanted a smaller body that I thought would be better for finger picking and wow does the 000-28 meet that! I have become so addicted to it I play it almost exclusively. Not only is it wonderful for finger picking it is wonderful for flat picking too. The action is set perfectly. I love the feel of the smaller body size, it cradles into your arms perfectly. The neck on mine has a slight "V" shape which is terrific with a slightly wider nut which really enhances the finger picking style greatly. It's no wonder it is Clapton's favorite acoustic. The 000-28 predates the Dreadnoughts and was and is more the Martin "Classic" and for a good reason, it is a very well balanced guitar tone-wise not overly boomy which can interfere with the bass if you're playing in a band and the tone is dead accurate all the way up the neck so an E played open is in tune with an E played up the neck. So many guitar makers miss that by a mile. I love this thing so much my only regret is the poor D-35 sits in the case too much! The 000-28 has a signature tone to it that you can not mistake for a Taylor or something else – this is a true classic. Now something else I want to add about a Martin and their service. After I bought the D-35 years ago the neck moved just slightly and after 30 years of playing the plastic binding began to separate. When the wind knocked it over on its stand on a break I finally sent it back again for repairs. It came back in PRISTINE condition! The tone was not hurt in the least by the necessity of refinishing it and it plays beautifully – all no cost to me! Martin is fantastic. The 35 is wonderful but I love the 000-28 – my Go To!Rick

Back in 2008, I bought my dream guitar, a Martin HD-28. In the last 12 years it has been my baby. However, I only play for myself at home. Lately, I had been reconsidering it's large size and loud volume, and I started trying some smaller guitars. I decided to sell my dreadnaught, and used the proceeds to buy this 000-28 that was redesigned in 2018. Let me say that it is amazing. While the HD-28 had a beautiful deep bass-like response, this 000-28 is more shimmering and a chiming sound. It is extremely comfortable, and the fretboard seems a bit wider than my HD-28, which makes it very comfortable. I was concerned about how the aging toner would look, but it turns out looking very warm and buttery, and the top color will definitely age more on its own. I was also worried that it wouldn't be good for strumming, due to the shorter scale length. But this guitar sounds just as good strumming as well as finger picking. I've never tried an OM-28, but I can say that this 000-28 is also a great chord strumming guitar. This is a very intimate and lovely guitar, and I don't know if it will ever leave my house. If I were playing gigs or in a band, I would probably prefer a dread size, but this is perfect for my personal use at home. Also, the scalloped bracing seems to have been a massive improvement. I imagine this is very close to the Clapton model now, in terms of sound.Chachi

Excellent entry level guitar, the action is as nice as my 600 dollar Martin. Tone is great, you can't go wrong with this guitar for the money, plays nice, good sound.goaltender0bop

My first guitar, it was a great purchase. I completely broke the head off on accident and glued it back on and it worked better then ever.Carson Ranells

I loved the sound, sustain and warmth of this guitar off the shelf. Sounds great acoustically or direct through a board or through my Marshall amp. This is my go to acoustic over my Martin. I had some trouble finding the right strings when it came time to replace the ones that came on it from the factory. I recommend D'Addario EJ40 Silk & Steel Folk Guitar Strings 11-47. They keep the warmth of the original sound and have a great feel. I tried others like Martin Phosphor Bronze and they were too brassy/tinny on this guitar.k8thnote

Really nice guitar, aside from the price. Considering price, this is a great value. This small body Guitar fits Even my tall daughter and tall son, and I notice that friends who come over choose this guitar over others to just sit down and play with or without amp. Sounds really nice along with the piano also. Lowered action (string clearance to frets) using enclosed Allen wrench (1/8 turn) to suit my daughter but my son did not mind as delivered action.littlehorseranch

I took this off of a local guitar store wall display, fell in love and purchased on the spot. Now, I do own more expensive guitars, but that doesn't mean lower cost guitars are lower quality. This Is a Well Built Guitar. The tone is rich. Tuning with the built in tuner is pretty darn accurate, Great playability and beautiful Finish. The D'addario EXP strings are a perfect match. There is a buzzing of the third string around the 2nd fret and 4th string open. I have had the action tonal balance adjusted and has gotten better, but not completely eliminated which has caused me to approach playing this guitar a little differently. My first guitar was a Yamaha and I have come back to them after playing approx. 40 years now. I would highly recommend this guitar.billr920

This is my 2nd of PR 150, I bought a sunburst one in the store. Only thing I noticed is the neck on the natural one is a bit thicker but its barely noticeable. I tried all the comparable ones in the range and this one just has it, full rich clean tone. It was flawless right out of the box, took 3 days to get to me, free shipping. The factory action is a touch high for my liking but can be set up to play perfect. I didn't find any fret buzz or issues, I just like low action. I plan to have this one set up as well, very worth the extra money. Stays in tune well, sounds incredible. These are very versatile guitars and do sound better with use and age. Best quality strings make a big difference on these. 80/20's really make it sing and sound like a Martin but with a bit of depth and warmth. Phosphors, it sounds more mellow and like Gibson. Obviously its not either one but you can still get very good quality enjoyable tone from these. I use it for older style county/bluegrass and it does great for that but also blues and oldies. They respond great to the player, pick attack, light and harder strumming and lead. Only thing I don't like is the finish on the back of the neck but that's personal preference. I've gotten used to it and hardly even notice, I'm used to standard Fender teles and strats that have a matte finish. Overall I think this is probably the best acoustic in the price range.Andy

Sounds great and for the price acceptable, ( Right around $200). I am just relearning after a serious hand injury and the taper of the neck is perfect. Just wide enough for comfort at all frets but not to wide for stretches. No buzzing,good action. The whole thing is laminated which is to be expected in this price range but has a limited lifetime warranty, plus I bought the extended warranty for accidental damage for $38 , which I never do but felt it was a good choice for this. It might have minor issues in the future. The sound is rich and full bodied. The tuners are not the smoothest and it doesn't seem to stray in tune. Guitar Center dressed the frets which were really sharp. Good for me to relearn and practice with but probably not sturdy enough for regular gigging. Although I am rough on things. Great entry level instrument I think for new players. I couldn't afford $500 or more so this fit the pocketbook.Christopher

Don't let the term "beginner guitar" steer you away. I've been playing for over 40 years and have never enjoyed owning and playing a guitar as much as I have this one. I bought it with the sunburst finish, as I have never owned one like that, and this is what initially caught my eye. I came home inspired one day to find my trusty old acoustic Fender had a lifting bridge, so I needed a replacement. Having heard an ad about a recent GC sale, I popped on over to see if I could try out several different models, before I found myself settling on this one. I had never really heard of the brand before, but when I went home to research it and found who the company was owned by and what bands used Epiphone. I lucked out with an amazing deal at GC, fitting my budget for a quick replacement. And I am so glad I did. This guitar has inspired me to play for hours on end, and I honestly have hardly put it down since I bought it in March. I chose to protect it with an Epiphone Case (the eDread) and not only play it every day, but like to look over at how nice it looks in the room, in or out of the case. It has rekindled my old passion for playing, and I am looking forward to replacing my vintage electric with an Epiphone, as well. Through research, I have found that the "PR" series was eventually replaced by the "DR" series, so the Truss Bar cover has the latter initials on it. I have also found that this is virtually the same guitar as the DR-100. After weeks of playing, the guitar stays in tune very well. I often play along with videos and have even taken some new virtual lessons and haven't had to tune up again for a couple of weeks. For the price, particularly during a sale season, you really can't go wrong with this as your first, second, or even third guitar. Love it.Tony G

Great sounding and playing guitar, I replaced the synthetic saddle for bone, original was to tapered on the high E new saddle took care of that. Buy the epiphone or roadrunner jumbo case, nothing else fits, make sure if the guitar comes straight from the factory you use a humidifier in your case for at least 6 months. Especially in colorado. Then if you leave it out without a humidifier that you dont have forcrd Heat or air conditioning vents close to the guitar. This guitar has great projection.Kenny

After purchasing this guitar from American Musical Supply, I was really nervous awaiting its arrival because this was actually my first time purchasing an instrument online. I’m used to going inside music shops and trying out different gear and playing guitars before I buy them so I know that what I’m taking home with me already feels comfortable and right in my hands. This guitar in particular, however, is not a style that is normally kept stocked in the stores for customers to test drive before they purchase. Similar models are available in stores near me but I think anyone who has ever wanted this particular model from Epiphone knows that they have heard and felt the beautiful sound that projects from this big guitar and I am here to tell you that my “leap of faith” online purchase was nothing more than a huge win in my book! This guitar looks, sounds and plays just as I expected it would with much more to offer once it’s actually in your hands! I’m personally a country/blues guy so this guitar definitely fits right up that alley in my opinion. It feels so solid in your hands and the tone is just plain awesome! The Jumbo body allows the sounds inside the guitar to reverberate through your body as it’s pressed against you before making its way through the sound hole where it flourishes into that awesome deep, thick sound. From the factory the guitar is set up beautifully and very playable right out of the box. Quality parts, quality wood and quality electronics as expected from Epiphone and very well executed in this model. Definitely worth every penny for the undecided guitarist but hey, don’t take just my word for it! Pick up this awesome guitar from Epiphone through these good folks here at American Musical and set yourself up with one of their payment plans if that interests you! It’s an awesome way to be able to get the gear you need and the gear you’ve been wanting without breaking the bank right on the spot! Excellent Job by Epiphone once again and an excellent job by American Musical for supplying it at an awesome price and providing sweet payment options for your customers and future consumers!Billy

I once owned a Gibson J15, that I bought from Guitar Center, and I loved it, but I always wanted a J200, I just could never afford one. Well, I ended up having to sell my J15 to pay rent one month, and I ended up having some extra money from it, and thought why not give the Epi a try? It's closer to the Guitar I always wanted anyways. I was blown away. It has all the high end stylings of a Gibson J200, maybe even more if you consider the built in tuner and cutaway features for about 3000$ less. Well, unfortunately I only owned it for about a week before my car broke down and I had to return my Epi to pay for the repairs. I've regretted it ever since. I would have rather donated blood 50 times than have returned that guitar. (Fortunately I just got my tax return and repurchased it, and it seems like it sounds even better than before). As I was saying, it stacks up against s Gibson guitar nicely, the shadow preamp isn't as nice as any LR Baggs system but it will certainly give you lots of usable sounds. I think this is the best guitar in the 500$ price range and I'm disappointed in Guitar Center for not carrying it in store. I'm a firm believer in the fact that having a guitar you like, you like the looks of, you like the feel of, will make you a better guitarist, and that's what this beautiful, fat boy jumbo acoustic has done for me. I actually like mine so much I decided to put some money into it for upgrades, and I haven't been disappointed. I stuck some Grover Keystone tuners on it in gold of course ( had them on my Epi Les Paul before and thought would look cool so I just swapped them), some Martin ebony bridge pins, and some D'Addario EXPs and this thing sounds unreal now. So, if you're reading this because you're unsure as to whether you should buy this guitar or not, yes, you should absolutely buy this guitar and never look back.Anonymous

Having relatively recently started learning guitar on an electric stratocaster-style guitar this was a great transition to the acoustic segment. The thinner body makes it much more comfortable to play than say a dreadnought and the neck is comfortable to transition too, yet the guitar doesn't seem to sacrifice as much sound as you'd expect from a thinner guitar. The finish of the guitar is that of a more expensive guitar for example the rosewood finger board. On arrival I actually thought the guitar looked better than the pictures on the website suggest but do note that because of the finish it is prone to showing finger marks which would need cleaning time to time. I would highly recommend this guitar.Richard P.

After suffering a permanent back injury I could no longer play my elictric guitar as it was too heavy or my acoustic electric guitar because it felt like it was twice it's normal size because I could no longer find a comfortable position for myself to play it. I bought a keyboard thinking that I could still play music. Afterv two weeks of playing around with the keyboard I gave up pllaying. Then I saw on the internet one night an advertisement for a 3/4 size Yamaha acoustic electric guitar guitar with a slimline bosy which looked like a nice guitar so I checked out males and females playing it and sounded very nice so I bought one. Man am I'm so glad I did. I got the sunburst like this one on sale. I was excited as l took it out of the box and went straight to my mancave and started playing it. It was perfecty in tune and for a guitar of this size it's got such a beautiful tone playing ACOUSTIC. So I plugged it in and it's as good as it sounded on YouTube. As an 67 yesr old man who started playing guitar when I was 16 years old, this is a beauty. I recommend this guitar to beginners, anyone with small hands and even people who want a good guitar to take with them without taking up much space in your car. Yep, it's a beaty.Deano

At 73, I've had some kind of inexpensive guitar or other since high school, occasionally playing some 3 or 4 chord folk, cowboy, or campfire tunes. My guitar since about 2000 has been an Ibanez PF10 NT. It sounded pretty good to me over the years. Then a few of my older grand kids (about 9 through 16 years old) took up ukuleles and guitars and quickly got pretty darned good. So I decided I'd start playing more and do some jamming with them. Just strolling through Guitar Center one afternoon, I notice this little Martin hanging out with the less expensive guitars. I had been out of the loop as to what Martin had been up to for years. I'd lusted for one since I can remember. I pick it up and see that it's only $499, got to be a mistake. Back in my day, the Martins I knew of cost thousands. Anyway, I strum it and almost swoon it sounds so pretty. I sit and play it for a while and figure I still can't really spend 500 on a guitar. Well, about 3 days later I bought one and have only put it down to sleep and eat ever since. (Slight exaggeration.) The dreadnought junior 10 is fun and easy to play, and it sounds great. So I'm using it to learn to play the neck and do more finger picking and trying to keep myself from buying another Martin. If one this little gem is so good, how great are the one's for say $1800?Mark TM

Fantastic guitar with a better sound than I expected from a downsized dreadnought. Because of it’s smaller size, I find it’s easier to pick up and start strumming away, even though I have a Maton dreadnought as well. Could be the novelty factor but I am enjoying the Martin sound. Would recommend this guitar to anyone.Leo S.

I recently bought my first Martin guitar, a 2019 0-18 which is retail at $2500. Absolutely love the guitar and cant put it down. I work half my time in another state where I cant take my 0-18 so I bought Dreadnought Jr as a jam guitar for my apartment there. Have to say this guitar is almost as fun to play. At 20% of the cost you still get an all-wood, hand made Martin. Its not US made of course but still a quality guitar. I have as much fun playing this as my 0-18. They are both about the same size and fun to play. If you are a serious beginner or a seasoned pro, this will fit the bill as a good jam guitar with the great Martin tone and playability.reg3181

Overall: So, I have owned this guitar for several months now. It is without a doubt a very good sounding guitar, it's up there with my Gibson's and Martins. Strumming or finger picking it just sounds amazing. I did not love the string spacing, so I replaced the nut with a bit wider spacing for my style of playing. The whole point about me taking the plunge on this guitar was that it was all solid woods, ebony fingerboard and bridge, and one of Yamahas absolute best acoustics available. I have no regrets buying this guitar at all. My friends are amazed at the beauty and sound of this very well-built guitar. The electronics do a good job plugged into the PA for playing live, and it will amaze you how good it sounds unplugged all by itself. I never thought I would buy anything but Martin or Gibson's…. this changed my mind completely. if you're thinking about one of these just buy one!! My honest opinion is the price will go up on these as the solid woods and craftsmanship are stunning.Michael

I’ve had my A3M for three years now. I still look at mahogany wood grain in awe. This guitar has a nice rounded tone that can compete with Taylor and Martin guitars made from mahogany. Plugged into an acoustic amp sounds even better. I notice the price point has increased $100 (not sure of due to inflation) which shows that it is a respected instrument. I spent months spinning around for a acoustic guitar and I was truly pleased with the Yamaha A3M. I think it can keep up with Martin and Taylor on stage as a reliable gig machine.bryan nuñez

Love the J-45 but also have historically owned Rosewood guitars so this combination was a perfect fit for me. It's got a big full sound, good lows, nice highs. The onboard pickup is better than I expected and when played through an acoustic amp, the low end and fullness of the sound was insanely good. The guitar has a beautiful finish and some nice added touches above the standard J-45. You can't go wrong with a J-45 regardless but if you want something a little different from the standard in terms of sound and looks, I would take a serious look at this one. I couldn't be happier with this one.Randall K

I really wanted an electric J-45. The G 45 seemed to fit the bill. I've owned many Gibsons since the 70's, including a '63 J45 adjustable bridge and a '64 L5 CES. But they've gotten so expensive that new ones are basically out of my reach. I know Gibson fit, finish and quality and I have to say this guitar falls a little short, even at a grand. I own several acoustic electrics that I use as gigging workhorses. I ran across 3 major issues with the G45 Studio. The G string tuning key responded poorly and required nearly 1/2 a turn in either direction to change string pitch. The offset bridge for high E and B strings raised a flag for me since all my other acoustic electrics have a straight bridge. I could not get the guitar to be reasonably tuned no matter how many cents I tried to compensate either way. If I played an E it would be in, then a D, the D would be noticeably out. I am very experienced in compromised tuning, but it was irreconcilable with this guitar. Lastly, the sound. When I plugged the guitar in to the P.A. there was barely any sound coming out. My other acoustics are consistent in volume when plugged in. I loosened the strings, lifted the bridge and found small pieces of wood left that had pinched and left dents in the pickup wire compromising the contact of pressure of the bridge downward. So the sound was uneven,even after I blew out the wood chips. I would consider buying the guitar again if I could test play it through an amplifier before purchasing, but I won't pay full price for a demonstrator model that has already been played by numerous people and the guitar stores I have visited had no new ones out of the box. The included case makes this a steal. But with the quality control for this model you take a chance. I played the guitar for approximately 30 hours before returning.Rikenrocker

Really awesome guitar for beginners. The action was a bit high for me but it was easily adjustable. Been using this guitar to play in Central Park and it has great resonance and sound. Definitely a great quality acoustic guitar for someone starting out and doesn't want to break the bank. And the guys at Sam Ash were super helpful helping me pick it out!HUNTER

I'm a beggining player, and so I went into the store not knowing anything about guitars. I was instantly helped by an employee, and was drawn to this guitar. It is great quality and sounds wonderful. The kit is really useful and saved me some money. Defiently would recommend this guitar to beginner and novice players alike, and will defiently be coming back to this store!Christian

A very good starter pack. Through time, the the strap and soft guitar case will be upgraded to a strap of personal choice and a hard case for better protection during transport, but, they are fine for now. The guitar itself is of very good quality and could easily last a lifetime with proper care. The tuner is a necessary piece of equipment and the extra set of strings is a welcome idea. I believe this purchase represents the higher-end of an entry-level guitar package. One note about Guitar Center. We took the guitar to Guitar Center for tuning, fully expecting to pay a fee. Overall, the feeling of the store is that of the old style family owned business. It was refreshing. The staff won't steer you toward the "slower" moving stock like big-box stores are now doing. The kids were "blown-away" with the comprehensive array of instruments and of the staff encouraging them to "give it a whirl" even though they knew a sale wouldn't be made that day. We weren't charged for the tuning and we left with the staff encouraging us to "come back anytime". We plan to… In just an hour or so, Guitar Center established themselves as the retailer of choice for any further purchases of instruments or repairs. I believe we made a good choice selecting the Yamaha Starter Pack and with Guitar Center handling the transaction.Stan

I had a cheap 12 string guitar for about almost two years. I had been playing corridos during this time. However, I had played guitar for several years. Mainly rock and other stuff. Well, after I got it, I could play all the solos I couldn't really play clean. I guess the other guitar really was bad, or this one is great. Funny thing, I had a really good player tell me to not buy this model but the more expensive one. Well, I'm glad I decided to go with this one. This guitar sounds great and it's extremely easy to play. The guitar stays in tune fairly well for a 12 string guitar. The action is low. I haven't tried it the electronics aside from the tuner which works fairly well compared to my snark. I do have a Taylor and Martin guitar, and the tone on this guitar is pretty clean.Juan

This Guitar plays like a dream, sounds great no matter if it is plugged in or not, stays in tune and looks great. This is a great price for a guitar of this quality, but thanks to another dealers daily deal and Guitar Center's price matching, it was even better. I was able to get this out of layaway for $240 less. I am very happy with this guitar. I have not played in a band for a while, but getting back into practice and plan to start back with some solo acoustic gigs. Having this awesome new guitar is surely an inspiration to help me want to practice more.Kip

Cost is cheap hence your not going to get a quality built instrument in return. The company cheapens out on everything: Wood, pickups, tuners, wires, knobs etc. Save your money and just buy a made in USA Gibson which will 10 lifetimes longer than this throw away junk. Not worth it!ENGlishJELLo

Awesome it contains everything that I needed for my guitar Only 1 issue How do you tune it? Some advice or buying a book to help in that area would be good I looked it up on google.Reviewed by Absolute Music custo

I am really enjoying the guitar. I have only had it for one day and it's found its place in our home. Great guitar for begginer to intermediate players.Pattyb

I purchase this guitar last week Monday and it arrived on Friday. This was an upgrade from my Yamaha FG800 and I must say that as much as I have loved my FG800 the FG830 just blows it away.

I have owned a Martin, Fender, Taylor and Teton. Of all my guitars I have fallen hard for the Yamaha Brand. The FG830 is very easy to play and sounds great right out of the box. The action is lower than the FG800 and the sound is amazing.

My recommendation to a new player or seasoned player is Buy this amazing guitar!Todd Ladwig

I was familiar with the Yamaha FG730 and its' favorable reviews as an excellent value solid top guitar. I also tried out an FG730 at a local retailer and found it to be comfortable to play, with a decent and full acoustic tone. I would have purchased the FG730 had I not read about the newly released FG830 … similar in design to the FG730 with the added enhancement of scalloped bracing. I decided to order an FG830, based on what I believed would be an improved tone versus the FG 730 (enhanced bass). My instincts were good. The tone and playability of this guitar exceeded my expectations, and I find myself picking this guitar quite often to play and practice, in spite of having several Martin and Taylor guitars on hand in their cases. The Yamaha doesn't sound or play as well as those other higher end acoustics, but I am pleasantly satisfied overall. This is an excellent beginner's guitar, and not so bad as a backup guitar in a crunch.karby55

I honestly don't have a lot of negative things to say about this guitar. It's sound is beautiful, it's perfect for jamming and relaxing, and so on. It does need tuning regularly, but so does every instrument. I don't feel the need to dock stars for a natural thing.J

I bought this guitar as an impulse buy. The natural, flame top really caught my eye. Strummed a few chords and bought it on the spot. The smaller, concert style body has a slightly thinner, trebly tone, which I really like. It's very comfortable to play, neck feels great. I record with it often and am very happy with the tone. It has a built in tuner, which is a nice addition. The built in pickup is ok, but I prefer to mic it up when I record with it. Mi only complaint is the tuning machines are kind of junky. They aren't very smooth. But when you finally get it tuned, it stays. Overall, I really like it. Like I said, it was an impulse buy. I have 12 other Electrics, acoustics, and basses, and this little acoustic is one of my favorites!Mike

Looks and sounds beautiful. First acoustic I've ever bought that came playable right out of the box. Too many at this price point have such a high bridge there's about half an inch between the string and the 15th and onward frets. Not this one. Would recommend to everyone, beginner or experienced.Joseph