Yamaha FG850 All-Mahogany Natural Acoustic Guitar, (Used)

The Yamaha FG850 All-Mahogany Acoustic Guitar in Natural combines traditional dreadnought styling with a beautifully warm, rich acoustic tone and the excellent craftsmanship for which Yamaha's FG Series is renowned.

Featuring a solid mahogany top with mahogany back and sides, the FG850 delivers a distinctive woody character, strong midrange presence and a smooth, balanced response that sets it apart from conventional spruce-topped acoustic guitars.

Part of Yamaha's highly regarded FG800 Series, the FG850 builds upon decades of acoustic guitar development, offering impressive projection, responsive dynamics and comfortable playability.

Its traditional Western dreadnought body provides a full-bodied acoustic sound with plenty of depth, making it an excellent choice for strumming, fingerstyle playing, singer-songwriter performances and acoustic rhythm guitar.

Yamaha's specially developed scalloped bracing allows the solid mahogany soundboard to resonate more freely, helping enhance projection, low-frequency response and overall tonal richness.

The guitar features a comfortable nato neck, rosewood fingerboard, 650mm scale length and traditional die-cast tuning machines, providing dependable performance for musicians of different experience levels.

Finished in elegant Natural Gloss, the FG850 showcases the beautiful grain and distinctive colour of its mahogany construction. Decorative mahogany and cream binding, an attractive soundhole rosette and tortoiseshell-style pickguard complete its understated vintage-inspired appearance.

This particular Yamaha FG850 is presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition, weighs 4.58 lbs (approximately 2.08kg) and is supplied without a hardcase or gigbag.

For musicians seeking an acoustic guitar with warm, mellow tones, excellent projection and traditional Yamaha quality, the FG850 is a fantastic choice.

At A Glance

Detail	Information
Brand	Yamaha
Model	FG850
Series	FG800
Finish	Natural Gloss
Body Style	Traditional Western Dreadnought
Top	Solid Mahogany
Back & Sides	Mahogany
Weight	4.58 lbs / 2.08kg
Condition	Very Good – Pre-Owned
Case	No Case Included

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Very Good Condition

This Yamaha FG850 All-Mahogany Acoustic Guitar is presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition, indicating some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership.

The guitar features its attractive Natural Gloss finish, traditional dreadnought body and distinctive mahogany construction.

The warm colour of the mahogany is complemented by decorative body binding, a traditional soundhole rosette and tortoiseshell-style pickguard.

Please study the accompanying product photographs carefully for a closer assessment of its individual cosmetic condition, including the body finish, neck, fingerboard, frets and hardware.

Weight – 4.58 lbs

This particular Yamaha FG850 weighs 4.58 lbs (approximately 2.08kg).

Its manageable weight makes it a practical instrument for home playing, rehearsals, songwriting and acoustic performances.

No Case Included

This Yamaha FG850 is supplied without a hardcase or gigbag.

A suitable dreadnought acoustic guitar case or gigbag is recommended for protection during transportation and storage.

What's Included

• Yamaha FG850 All-Mahogany Natural Acoustic Guitar

Not Included: Hardcase or gigbag.

Service & Setup

The Yamaha FG850 features an adjustable truss rod, allowing neck relief to be adjusted appropriately. As with any acoustic guitar, string action, nut clearance, saddle height and overall playability should be assessed together to achieve a comfortable setup. Regular string changes, fingerboard care and appropriate humidity control help preserve the guitar's condition and acoustic response. As with all acoustic guitars, setup can naturally change due to variations in humidity, temperature and other environmental conditions, potentially affecting neck relief, string action and overall playability.

Key Features

• Yamaha FG850: Premium all-mahogany styling within the popular FG800 Series.

• Traditional Western Dreadnought Body: Full, resonant acoustic sound with excellent projection.

• Solid Mahogany Top: Warm, woody character with rich midrange frequencies.

• Mahogany Back & Sides: Complement the guitar's mellow and balanced tonal response.

• Yamaha Scalloped Bracing: Designed to enhance resonance and projection.

• Natural Gloss Finish: Highlights the attractive mahogany grain.

• Nato Neck: Comfortable and dependable construction.

• Rosewood Fingerboard: Traditional feel and appearance.

• 650mm Scale Length: Familiar acoustic guitar string tension and articulation.

• 43mm Nut Width: Comfortable for chord playing and fingerstyle techniques.

• 20 Frets: Practical range for rhythm and melodic acoustic playing.

• Rosewood Bridge: Traditional acoustic guitar appointment.

• Die-Cast Chrome Tuners: Reliable tuning adjustment.

• Mahogany & Cream Binding: Attractive decorative detailing.

• Abalone-Style Soundhole Inlay: Elegant traditional appearance.

• Tortoiseshell-Style Pickguard: Complements the natural finish.

• Purely Acoustic Design: No battery or onboard electronics required.

• Very Good Pre-Owned Condition: An attractive alternative to buying new.

• 4.58 lb Weight: Comfortable for regular playing.

Why You'll Love It

The Yamaha FG850 is a particularly appealing acoustic guitar for musicians who appreciate warm, rounded tones and natural acoustic character.

Unlike many traditional dreadnought guitars that use spruce soundboards, the FG850 features a solid mahogany top, giving it a distinctive response with pronounced midrange warmth and smooth treble frequencies.

This makes it especially attractive for singer-songwriters, acoustic rhythm guitarists and players who enjoy a more intimate, woody sound.

Its traditional dreadnought body ensures that the guitar still offers plenty of acoustic volume and projection, making it suitable for both individual playing and accompanying vocals.

The scalloped bracing contributes to the guitar's responsiveness, helping the solid mahogany top produce an open, resonant sound.

The FG850 also offers the dependable construction associated with Yamaha, making it a practical instrument for regular use.

Combined with the beautiful Natural Gloss finish, it provides an excellent balance of tone, appearance and value.

Detailed Features & Benefits

Traditional Western Dreadnought Body

The FG850 features Yamaha's Traditional Western body shape, closely related to the classic dreadnought design. Its full-sized construction provides strong acoustic projection, excellent low-frequency depth and a substantial sound that works particularly well for strumming and accompanying vocals. The familiar body proportions also make it a versatile instrument for a wide range of acoustic styles.

Solid Mahogany Soundboard

The solid mahogany top is the defining feature of the FG850. Mahogany soundboards are known for their warm, woody tonal character, prominent midrange and relatively smooth high-frequency response. Compared with many spruce-topped guitars, mahogany-top instruments often produce a more focused, rounded sound that complements fingerstyle playing, blues and singer-songwriter arrangements.

Mahogany Back & Sides

The mahogany back and sides complement the solid top, helping create the guitar's distinctive tonal identity. Their construction contributes to the FG850's balanced acoustic response and warm character. Although the model is described as all-mahogany, the back and sides are not specified by Yamaha as solid wood; the solid top is the principal tonewood feature.

Yamaha Scalloped Bracing

The FG850 uses Yamaha's developed scalloped-bracing pattern, designed to allow the soundboard to vibrate efficiently while maintaining structural strength. By carefully shaping the internal braces, Yamaha aims to increase acoustic projection and enhance low-frequency response. This design helps the guitar deliver impressive volume and a lively playing feel.

Elegant Natural Gloss Finish

The Natural Gloss finish showcases the beautiful reddish-brown colouring and grain of the mahogany body. Combined with the mahogany and cream binding, soundhole decoration and tortoiseshell-style pickguard, it gives the FG850 a timeless acoustic guitar appearance. The warm colour of the wood reinforces the instrument's traditional character.

Comfortable Nato Neck

The FG850 features a nato neck with a matt finish designed for comfortable playing. Its familiar dimensions make it suitable for open chords, barre chords and melodic acoustic techniques. The neck's construction provides a practical combination of strength and everyday playability.

Rosewood Fingerboard

The rosewood fingerboard provides a traditional playing surface with a smooth feel and attractive dark appearance. Its 400mm radius offers a comfortable playing experience for chord-based music and fingerstyle arrangements. The 20-fret layout provides a useful range for conventional acoustic guitar playing.

Traditional 650mm Scale Length

The FG850 features a 650mm scale length, approximately 25 9/16 inches. This provides familiar acoustic guitar string tension and clear note articulation, particularly effective for strumming and flatpicking. The scale length also contributes to the guitar's responsive projection and traditional dreadnought feel.

Rosewood Bridge & Traditional Hardware

The FG850 features a rosewood bridge, urea nut and saddle, and die-cast chrome tuning machines. These components provide a straightforward and dependable acoustic guitar specification, making string changes and routine maintenance convenient. The traditional appointments complement the guitar's understated appearance.

Excellent for Singer-Songwriters

The FG850's warm midrange and smooth high frequencies make it particularly attractive for accompanying vocals. Its tonal character provides fullness without excessive brightness, allowing acoustic chords to support a vocal performance naturally. This makes the instrument a strong choice for songwriting, home recording and solo acoustic performances.

Versatile for Fingerstyle & Blues

The solid mahogany top provides excellent note definition and a focused response, making it particularly appealing for fingerstyle guitar. Blues players may also appreciate the guitar's woody character, strong midrange and expressive attack. From delicate picking to more assertive acoustic rhythms, the FG850 offers an enjoyable playing experience.

Who Is It For?

Singer-Songwriters: Warm acoustic accompaniment with excellent projection.

Acoustic Blues Guitarists: Woody midrange and expressive response.

Fingerstyle Players: Clear note separation and balanced tonal character.

Rhythm Guitarists: Full-bodied dreadnought sound for strumming.

Home Recording Musicians: A distinctive mahogany acoustic character.

Developing Guitarists: Quality Yamaha construction with straightforward specifications.

Players Seeking an All-Mahogany Acoustic: An attractive alternative to conventional spruce-topped guitars.

Playing Styles & Applications

The Yamaha FG850 is well suited to folk, acoustic blues, country, singer-songwriter music, pop, indie, acoustic rock and fingerstyle playing.

Its warm, focused midrange works particularly well for acoustic chord accompaniment.

The dreadnought body provides enough projection for energetic strumming, while the solid mahogany top responds well to more delicate fingerstyle techniques.

For recording, the guitar's tonal character can provide a useful contrast to brighter spruce-topped acoustics.

How It Compares

Yamaha FG850 vs Yamaha FG800

The Yamaha FG800 features a solid spruce top with nato or okoume back and sides, offering a more traditional acoustic tonal balance with a bright, clear response.

The FG850 instead uses a solid mahogany top and mahogany back and sides, delivering a warmer, more midrange-focused sound.

Both feature Yamaha's Traditional Western dreadnought body and scalloped-bracing design.

Yamaha FG850 vs Yamaha FG830

The FG830 combines a solid spruce top with rosewood back and sides, providing a rich acoustic sound with strong overtones and depth.

The FG850 offers a different tonal character, focusing on the woody warmth and balanced response of mahogany.

Players seeking a traditional, harmonically rich spruce-and-rosewood sound may prefer the FG830, while those who appreciate smooth mids and a warmer voice may particularly enjoy the FG850.

Yamaha FG850 vs Yamaha FS850

Both guitars feature the same all-mahogany construction philosophy.

The FG850 uses Yamaha's larger Traditional Western dreadnought body, while the FS850 features a smaller Concert-style body.

The FG850 is particularly appealing for stronger projection and full-bodied strumming, while the FS850 may suit players who prefer a more compact acoustic instrument.

Yamaha FG Series Heritage

Yamaha introduced its first FG acoustic guitars in 1966, establishing a reputation for dependable construction, practical playability and excellent value.

The early FG180 became particularly well regarded, helping establish Yamaha as an important name in acoustic guitar manufacturing.

Over the following decades, Yamaha continued developing the FG Series, introducing improvements to materials, construction and acoustic performance.

The modern FG800 Series builds upon that heritage through features including carefully designed scalloped bracing and a selection of tonewood combinations.

The FG850 represents the all-mahogany option within the range, offering its own distinctive sound and appearance.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Steel-String Acoustic Guitar
Brand	Yamaha
Model	FG850
Series	FG800
Finish	Natural
Body Finish	Gloss
Body Shape	Traditional Western Dreadnought
Top Material	Solid Mahogany
Back Material	Mahogany
Side Material	Mahogany
Bracing	Scalloped
Body Binding	Mahogany & Cream
Soundhole Inlay	Abalone with Black & White
Pickguard	Tortoise Pattern
Neck Material	Nato
Neck Finish	Matt
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	400mm / 15.75"
Number of Frets	20
Scale Length	650mm / 25 9/16"
Nut Width	43mm / 1 11/16"
Nut Material	Urea
Bridge Material	Rosewood
Saddle Material	Urea
Tuning Machines	Die-Cast Chrome TM29T
Original Bridge Pins	Black ABS with White Dots
Body Length	505mm
Body Width	412mm
Body Depth	100–118mm
Overall Length	1038mm
Number of Strings	6
Electronics	None
Weight	4.58 lbs / Approx. 2.08kg
Condition	Very Good – Pre-Owned
Case	Not Included

Construction and hardware details reflect Yamaha's published FG850 factory specifications. Individual component originality has not been independently established.

Power Requirements

The Yamaha FG850 is a purely acoustic guitar without factory-installed electronics.

It does not require a battery or external power supply.

For amplified use, a suitable external microphone or aftermarket acoustic pickup system would be required.

Fair Deal Music Expert Verdict

The Yamaha FG850 All-Mahogany Acoustic Guitar in Natural is an excellent choice for musicians seeking a warm, expressive acoustic sound with the dependable construction associated with Yamaha.

Its solid mahogany top and mahogany back and sides provide a distinctive woody character, with rich midrange frequencies and a smooth, balanced response.

The traditional dreadnought body offers excellent acoustic projection, while the scalloped bracing helps the guitar respond dynamically to different playing techniques.

Its elegant Natural Gloss finish and attractive mahogany grain give the instrument a timeless appearance.

This particular example is presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition, weighs 4.58 lbs and is supplied without a case.

Best Suited For: Folk, blues, singer-songwriters, fingerstyle guitarists and acoustic rhythm players.

Customers Usually Upgrade From: Entry-level Yamaha F310 guitars, basic laminate acoustics and beginner dreadnought instruments.

Most Commonly Paired With: Acoustic guitar accessories, capos, clip-on tuners, suitable dreadnought cases and recording microphones.

Our Tip: Try the FG850 with a lighter pick or fingerstyle technique to appreciate its natural warmth and midrange character. Its solid mahogany top responds particularly well to controlled, expressive playing.

Showroom Advice: The FG850 is especially appealing if you find conventional spruce-topped acoustics too bright. Its warmer tonal balance makes it a worthwhile alternative for singer-songwriters and acoustic blues players.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying a pre-owned Yamaha FG850 from Fair Deal Music offers an opportunity to own a well-specified acoustic guitar at an attractive alternative to purchasing new.

Our experienced team understands the importance of accurate condition descriptions, detailed specifications and transparent information about included accessories.

This particular guitar is presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition, weighs 4.58 lbs and is supplied without a hardcase or gigbag.

Warranty, Returns & Delivery

This is a pre-owned acoustic guitar, with its condition and confirmed accessories detailed above.

Applicable warranty and returns arrangements are governed by Fair Deal Music's current terms, with available UK delivery and showroom collection options provided at checkout.

As no case is included, a suitable protective case or gigbag is recommended for future transportation and storage.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Based in Birmingham, Fair Deal Music specialises in new, used, vintage and collectable guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects pedals, keyboards and professional audio equipment.

Our experienced team of musicians provides knowledgeable advice and personal service, helping customers find instruments suited to their playing styles and requirements.

Customers benefit from competitive pricing, UK delivery options, our Birmingham showroom and part-exchange services.

Part Exchange – Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges a wide range of musical equipment, including Yamaha acoustic guitars, electric guitars, basses, amplifiers and effects pedals.

Your existing equipment could help towards the cost of this Yamaha FG850.

Frequently Asked Questions

What condition is this Yamaha FG850 in?

It is presented in Very Good Pre-Owned Condition, indicating some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership.

Does the guitar come with a case?

No. A hardcase or gigbag is not included.

How much does it weigh?

This example weighs 4.58 lbs, approximately 2.08kg.

What finish does it have?

Natural Gloss.

Is the Yamaha FG850 an all-mahogany guitar?

Yes. It features a solid mahogany top with mahogany back and sides.

Is the guitar all-solid wood?

No. Yamaha specifies a solid mahogany top, but does not describe the back and sides as solid mahogany.

What is the body shape?

A Traditional Western dreadnought.

What is special about a mahogany top?

Mahogany tops are known for warm, woody tones and a prominent midrange response.

Does the guitar have scalloped bracing?

Yes. Yamaha's scalloped bracing is designed to enhance resonance and projection.

What is the neck made from?

Nato.

What is the fingerboard made from?

Rosewood.

How many frets does it have?

20.  

What is the scale length?

650mm, approximately 25 9/16 inches.

What is the nut width?

43mm.

Does it have a pickup?

No. The FG850 is a purely acoustic model without factory-installed electronics.

Can it be amplified?

Yes, with a suitable external microphone or aftermarket pickup system.

Does it require a battery?

No.

Is the FG850 suitable for fingerstyle?

Yes. Its warm response and clear midrange make it suitable for fingerstyle playing.

Is it good for strumming?

Yes. Its dreadnought body provides plenty of acoustic projection.

Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes. Its straightforward design and comfortable neck make it suitable for developing guitarists as well as experienced players.

How does it compare with the FG800?

The FG850 has a solid mahogany top, while the FG800 uses solid spruce, giving each guitar a different tonal character.

Is it suitable for recording?

Yes. Its warm mahogany voice provides an attractive sound for acoustic recordings.

Can I part-exchange another guitar towards this Yamaha?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers selected guitars and other musical equipment for part exchange.