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10 Best Yamaha Guitars 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Yamaha FG830 Solid Top Folk Guitar, Natural

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,260
Scale Length

Most important from
729 reviews

Scale Length
Its slightly shorter scale length makes it easier on the fingers, ideal for both practice and travel.

The Yamaha FG830 Solid Top Folk Guitar is a great choice for right-handed players looking for a quality acoustic guitar. It features a solid Sitka spruce top, which is known for its excellent tonal quality and strength. The back and sides are made of nato wood, which, while not as premium as some other woods, still provides good sound projection.

The rosewood fingerboard and bridge add a touch of elegance and are durable materials that contribute to the sound and feel of the guitar. The diecast tuners are reliable and help maintain tuning stability, an essential feature for any guitarist. Additionally, the guitar comes with an adjustable truss rod, allowing you to make necessary adjustments to the neck to suit your playing style and maintain optimal playability over time.

With a 650mm scale length, this dreadnought-sized guitar is comfortable to play and produces a rich, full sound. It's equipped with phosphor bronze strings, which are known for their bright and balanced tone. The guitar does not have built-in electronics, which means it is purely acoustic and might not be suitable for those looking to plug in for performances. The natural finish is classic and appealing, showcasing the quality of the materials used. At 6.49 pounds, it is relatively lightweight for a dreadnought, making it easier to handle during long practice sessions or gigs.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,260
Scale Length

Most important from
729 reviews

Scale Length
Its slightly shorter scale length makes it easier on the fingers, ideal for both practice and travel.
#2

Yamaha APX600 BL Thin Body Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Black

Rating
8.5
Body Type
Neck Profile
Electronics

Most important from
954 reviews

Body Type
The thin body and tuning function are sweet, especially for beginners.
Neck Profile
The narrow neck requires fingers to bunch up, but it's similar to an electric guitar neck.
Electronics
The built-in tuner is fabulous, making it easy to always be in perfect tune.
Finish
I love the look and sound of this guitar, and I get a lot of compliments on the blue finish.

The Yamaha APX600 BL Thin Body Acoustic-Electric Guitar is designed for players who value comfort and playability. Its thin-line cutaway body design makes it easy to handle and play, especially for those who find larger guitars cumbersome. The 25-inch scale length and narrower string spacing enhance comfort, making it a good fit for beginners and those with smaller hands.

The new scalloped bracing pattern enhances the bass response, adding depth to the sound, while the stage-focused pickup system allows for versatile sound shaping when plugged in, making it suitable for live performances and recording sessions. The guitar's construction features a spruce top and mahogany back and sides, which are known for their resonance and durability.

The rosewood fretboard provides a smooth playing experience, and the black finish gives it a sleek, modern look. However, the fixed bridge system may limit customization options for some players. Additionally, since it requires 2 AA batteries for the electronics, ensuring you have spares on hand is essential. The Yamaha APX600 BL is a solid choice for intermediate players looking for a reliable, comfortable acoustic-electric guitar that performs well both on stage and in practice.

Rating
8.5
Body Type
Neck Profile
Electronics

Most important from
954 reviews

Body Type
The thin body and tuning function are sweet, especially for beginners.
Neck Profile
The narrow neck requires fingers to bunch up, but it's similar to an electric guitar neck.
Electronics
The built-in tuner is fabulous, making it easy to always be in perfect tune.
Finish
I love the look and sound of this guitar, and I get a lot of compliments on the blue finish.
#3

Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar, Natural

Rating
7.9
Finish

Most important from
1253 reviews

Finish
The build quality and finish are surprisingly high for the price, making it ready to play out of the box.

The Yamaha JR1 FG Junior 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar is designed with a smaller body and shorter neck, making it an excellent option for young players or individuals with smaller hands. Its compact size also makes it a practical choice for travelers. The guitar features Yamaha's renowned craftsmanship, a spruce top, and mahogany back, providing an authentic acoustic tone that is suitable for various musical styles like folk, rock, and blues.

The rosewood fretboard and fixed bridge system contribute to its quality and durability. One of the notable features is the inclusion of a gig bag, which is convenient for storage and transport. However, the guitar's body is made of engineered wood, which may not appeal to those looking for higher-end materials. Additionally, the urea saddle material is a cost-effective choice but might not offer the same performance as higher-end materials.

With a scale length of 21.25 inches and light bronze strings, this guitar is easy to play and handle. It may not feature advanced electronics or high-end wood types, but it offers great value for beginners and for those needing a portable guitar.

Rating
7.9
Finish

Most important from
1253 reviews

Finish
The build quality and finish are surprisingly high for the price, making it ready to play out of the box.

Buying Guide for the Best Yamaha Guitars

Choosing the right Yamaha guitar can be a rewarding experience, but it requires some understanding of the key specifications that differentiate one model from another. Yamaha offers a wide range of guitars, from acoustic to electric, catering to various playing styles and skill levels. To find the best fit for you, consider your playing style, the type of music you enjoy, and your level of experience. Here are some key specs to help guide your decision-making process.
Body TypeThe body type of a guitar affects its sound and playability. Yamaha guitars come in various body types such as dreadnought, concert, and jumbo for acoustics, and solid, semi-hollow, and hollow for electrics. Dreadnoughts are known for their bold, loud sound, making them great for strumming and flat-picking. Concert and jumbo bodies offer a more balanced tone, suitable for fingerpicking and softer playing styles. Solid body electrics are versatile and suitable for a wide range of music genres, while semi-hollow and hollow bodies provide a warmer, more resonant sound, ideal for jazz and blues. Choose a body type that matches your playing style and the sound you prefer.
Wood TypeThe type of wood used in a guitar's construction significantly influences its tone. Common woods for Yamaha guitars include spruce, mahogany, rosewood, and maple. Spruce tops are popular for their bright, clear sound and are often used in acoustic guitars. Mahogany offers a warmer, more mellow tone, making it great for blues and rock. Rosewood is known for its rich, complex overtones, while maple provides a bright, articulate sound. Consider the type of music you play and the tonal qualities you prefer when selecting the wood type.
Neck ProfileThe neck profile refers to the shape and thickness of the guitar's neck, which affects comfort and playability. Common neck profiles include C-shape, V-shape, and U-shape. C-shape necks are rounded and comfortable for most players, making them a versatile choice. V-shape necks have a more pronounced ridge, which some players find easier for thumb-over playing styles. U-shape necks are thicker and provide a solid grip, suitable for players with larger hands. Choose a neck profile that feels comfortable in your hand and suits your playing technique.
Scale LengthScale length is the distance between the guitar's nut and the bridge, affecting string tension and playability. Yamaha guitars typically have scale lengths ranging from 24.75 inches to 25.5 inches. Shorter scale lengths (around 24.75 inches) result in lower string tension, making the guitar easier to play and bend notes, which is ideal for blues and rock. Longer scale lengths (around 25.5 inches) provide higher string tension, offering a tighter, more articulate sound, suitable for genres like metal and jazz. Consider your playing style and the feel you prefer when choosing a scale length.
ElectronicsFor electric and electro-acoustic guitars, the type of electronics can greatly influence the sound and versatility. Yamaha guitars may come with single-coil, humbucker, or piezo pickups. Single-coil pickups produce a bright, clear sound, ideal for genres like country and pop. Humbuckers offer a thicker, more powerful tone, reducing noise and feedback, making them great for rock and metal. Piezo pickups are used in electro-acoustic guitars to amplify the natural acoustic sound. Consider the type of music you play and whether you need the guitar to be amplified when choosing the electronics.
FinishThe finish of a guitar not only affects its appearance but also its sound. Common finishes include gloss, satin, and matte. Gloss finishes are shiny and durable, providing a bright, reflective look, but can sometimes dampen the guitar's resonance. Satin finishes offer a smooth, less reflective surface, allowing the wood to resonate more freely, resulting in a warmer tone. Matte finishes are non-reflective and provide a natural look, often preferred for their minimal impact on the guitar's sound. Choose a finish that appeals to your aesthetic preferences and consider how it might affect the guitar's tone.

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