YAMAHA F310 Acoustic Guitar

The Yamaha F310 is widely considered the “gold standard” for entry-level acoustic guitars. It is a full-size dreadnought (Traditional Western) guitar known for its remarkable balance between affordability, durability, and playability.

The F310 isn’t just cheap; it’s designed to lower the “barrier to entry” for new players. Two specific design choices make it easier to play than most other budget acoustics:

• Slightly Shorter Scale Length: At $634\text{ mm}$ (compared to the standard $650\text{ mm}$), the strings are under less tension. This makes them softer and easier to press down, which is a massive help for beginners building finger strength.

• Shallower Body Depth: The body is slightly thinner ($96\text{–}116\text{ mm}$) than a standard heavy-duty dreadnought. This makes it less bulky to hold, especially for younger players or those with smaller frames.

Sound & Build Quality

• Tone: The spruce top provides a bright, “sweet” sound that projects well. While it uses laminated wood (which doesn’t “open up” or improve with age like a solid-top guitar), it is extremely stable and resistant to humidity and temperature changes.

• Hardware: It features covered chrome tuners. While not as high-end as the die-cast tuners on the FG series, they are significantly more stable than the “open-gear” tuners found on most generic budget guitars.

• Sustainable Materials: Yamaha uses “Locally Sourced Tonewood” for the back, sides, and neck to minimize waste and support sustainable procurement.

Things to Consider

While the F310 is excellent, there are a few trade-offs at this price point:

• The “Action”: Like most factory-built guitars, the “action” (the height of the strings from the fretboard) can sometimes be a bit high out of the box. A quick “setup” by a local guitar tech can make it play like a much more expensive instrument.

• No Electronics: This is a purely acoustic guitar. It does not have a pickup or a tuner built-in, so you cannot plug it into an amplifier without buying a separate magnetic or piezo pickup.

• Laminated Top: If you have a slightly higher budget, the Yamaha FG800 is the next step up. It features a Solid Spruce Top, which offers a richer, more resonant sound that actually improves the more you play it.

Pro Tip: When buying an F310, check the bridge (where the strings attach to the body). While rare, budget acoustics can sometimes suffer from “bridge lift” over several years of use. Ensure there is no gap between the wood of the bridge and the guitar top.

Who is this for?

• The Student: Who needs a reliable, durable guitar for lessons or school.

• The “Couch” Player: An experienced player looking for a “beater” guitar that sounds good but they don’t have to worry about scratching.

• The Studio Recordist, Session Player, Live Stage Player.