Yamaha FG-800 vs Fender CD-60S | Is one the better choice?

Product(s) Reviewed

Two entry-level acoustic guitars around $200:

• Yamaha FG-800
• Fender CD-60S (the “S” = solid spruce top)

The video frames these as a holiday/first-guitar “sweet spot” category.

---

Key Features (Shared by Both)

Unique points mentioned that apply to both:

• Dreadnought body shape
  • Good for strumming
  • Supports a variety of playing styles
• Solid top + scalloped bracing
  • Both emphasize scalloped bracing
  • Described as a major upgrade that lets the top move more for a louder / robust / resonant sound
• Laminate back and sides (layered/plywood-style)
  • Presented as more durable/stronger and more stable against humidity/temperature swings than solid wood at this price
  • Tradeoff: laminate is typically less resonant than all-solid guitars
• No electronics / no cutaway on the base models discussed
• Die-cast tuners
• Review positioning: “step-up” style value for the price due to solid top + scalloped bracing

---

Major Differences Called Out

1) Top Material Meaning (Important Fender Detail)

Fender CD-60S vs Fender CD-60 (non-S):

• CD-60S = solid spruce top
• CD-60 (no “S”) = does not have the solid spruce top

The video strongly warns shoppers not to confuse the models.

---

2) Sound Character

• Yamaha FG-800
  • Described as more modern, darker
  • Brighter/more articulate
  • Fuller low end / more robust overall impression
• Fender CD-60S
  • Described as more vintage/old-school
  • More sparkly / articulate in comparison
  • Even though they still agree it sounds great, the tone is framed more as “vintage tone”

---

3) Neck Feel (Big Deciding Factor)

Yamaha FG-800 neck:

• Gloss neck finish (described as potentially “stickier”)
• Thinner carve
• Shorter scale length
• Rounder radius (relative to Fender, per the discussion)
• Positioned as beginner-comfort oriented:
  • Less tension (shorter scale) → easier fretting/chord shapes
  • Rounder radius → easier chord formation

Fender CD-60S neck:

• Satin neck finish (described as feeling better/nicer on acoustic)
• Neck shape described as more “modern C”
• Longer scale and flatter radius
  • Slightly more string tension
  • Different feel

Net takeaway from the feel section:

• Choose Fender if you like the satin neck feel and want a bold strumming vibe with time-tested comfort.
• Choose Yamaha if you want easier beginner feel thanks to shorter scale + rounder radius + thinner neck, especially to reduce the pain of the early break-in/callus stage.

---

4) Beginner Targeting / Break-In Considerations

Both are positioned as good first guitars, with the video suggesting:

• Fender neck geometry appeals to beginner comfort
  • Less tension feel
  • Easier chord forming
• Yamaha also offers comfort benefits
  • Particularly for players concerned about the break-in period

---

5) Acoustic “Upgrade Value”

The video uses “step up guitar” logic:

• Both meet the step-up criteria at this price due to solid top + scalloped bracing
• Advice: spending a little more can deliver more value than going much cheaper

---

Pros (As Stated/Implied in the Video)

• Better-than-budget construction for the ~$200 range (solid top + scalloped bracing)
• Laminated back/sides stability
  • Less worry about humidity swings
  • More durable than solid back at this price
• Good beginner suitability
  • Neck dimensions/geometry discussed
  • Reduced tension compared to some alternatives
• Both guitars are described as playable and comfortable with “no discomfort” for long-term use
• Optional electronics/cutaway availability exists on higher model variants (not on the base models reviewed)

---

Cons (As Stated/Implied in the Video)

• Laminate back/sides tradeoff
  • Less resonance than all-solid instruments
• No electronics / no cutaway on the reviewed base versions
  • Would require upgrading to an acoustic-electric model if you need to plug in
• Neck finish preference matters
  • Yamaha’s gloss can feel “stickier” vs Fender’s satin
• (Indirect) Early acoustic learning isn’t shortcut-able
  • Comfort may help, but doesn’t eliminate the break-in process entirely

---

Comparisons with Other Variants (Within the Brand Lineup)

• Other body sizes mentioned:
  • Yamaha FS-800: smaller folk/concert version (smaller than dreadnought)
  • Fender CC version: smaller version of the CD-60S concept
  • A possible parlor version was also noted
• Acoustic-electric options:
  • Yamaha FGX-800 (acoustic electric with cutaway mentioned)
  • The video suggests it’s often worth choosing a factory-built acoustic-electric rather than installing a pickup later:
    • Price logic: the difference to go to acoustic-electric is less than buying and installing an aftermarket pickup (often ~$200+, per the speaker’s estimate)

---

User Experience / On-Video Play Impressions

• They demonstrate that the sound differs even with broadly similar specs:
  • Yamaha: more robust/full low end impression
  • Fender: more articulate/sparkly impression
• Final decision emphasis:
  • Neck feel
  • How you expect to handle the early learning/break-in stage
  • Whether you’ll strum a lot versus more nuanced articulation

---

Verdict / Recommendation (Based on the Video)

• Both are strong choices at the ~$200 level because they share key “step-up” ingredients: solid top + scalloped bracing
• Choose Yamaha FG-800 if you prioritize:
  • Beginner-friendly feel (shorter scale, rounder radius, thinner neck)
  • A modern/darker/robust sound
• Choose Fender CD-60S if you prefer:
  • Satin neck feel
  • A more vintage/clear/sparkly character, while still aiming at beginners
• If you need to plug in, the video recommends choosing an acoustic-electric factory model rather than doing it aftermarket.

No numerical ratings/scores were provided.

---

Speakers’ Unique Contributions

• Chris (host / Cooper’s co-speaker)

  • Emphasized spec/feature importance (solid vs laminate, scalloped bracing, stability, beginner value)
  • Focused on key decision factors: neck feel and sound differences
  • Highlighted the Fender solid-top distinction (CD-60S vs non-S)

• Cooper (co-host)

  • Focused more on comparative feel and setup-like details
  • Covered neck finish feel (satin vs gloss), scale length, radius, and fret-spacing feel
  • Highlighted which guitar feels better for beginner comfort
  • Provided the “modern vs vintage” tonal descriptions and feel comparisons