Introduction to the Yamaha GL1 Guitalele
The Yamaha GL1 is a unique instrument known as a "guitalele" – a hybrid between an acoustic guitar and ukulele. This fun little axe combines elements of both instruments, blending the warm, mellow tone of a ‘ukulele with the playability and versatility of a guitar.
The GL1 stands out as one of the best and most popular options in the guitalele market. It’s praised by musicians for its high-quality construction, great sound, and excellent value.
At its core, the Yamaha GL1 is a compact, 6-string nylon-string guitar with a scale length of just 17 inches. This shorter scale gives it a very portable, travel-friendly body size, similar to a baritone ukulele. But it has a wider fretboard allowing for guitar-style chording. The GL1 produces a rich, articulate sound with good note separation thanks to its solid spruce top and meranti back/sides.
The guitalele fills a unique niche, appealing to a wide range of players from beginners to professionals. The GL1 delivers on all fronts as an affordable, quality instrument ideal for travel, practice, or just having fun with a different musical experience.
Guitalele Overview & Specs
The Yamaha GL1 Guitalele has dimensions of 36" x 8" x 3", making it a very compact and portable instrument. Despite its small size, it’s constructed using quality materials including a spruce top, meranti back and sides, and a nato neck.
The 17" scale length helps give it a size closer to a baritone ukulele rather than a full-size guitar. This makes the GL1 extremely easy to transport and ideal for travel. It comes in two color options – a natural gloss finish showing off the wood grain, or an all-black finish for a more understated look.
Yamaha includes a padded gig bag with the purchase of the GL1, providing protection during storage and transportation. The bag has a shoulder strap, making it easy to take the guitalele anywhere without hassle. Overall, the diminutive form factor combined with the included gig bag makes this one of the most portable guitar-like instruments on the market.
Sound & Playability
The Yamaha GL1 Guitalele has a warm, mellow, and articulate tone thanks to its nylon strings and compact body size. The nylon strings have a more focused midrange response compared to steel strings, with a smooth treble and rounded bass. This gives the GL1 a very pleasant and balanced acoustic voice.
While it doesn’t have the same powerful bass resonance as a full size dreadnought, the small body helps accentuate the midrange frequencies where melodies live. Notes ring out clearly with good separation. Chords also have nice chord, especially for fingerstyle playing.
The short 17" scale length makes the GL1 incredibly easy and comfortable to play. The reduced string tension is very beginner-friendly, reducing finger strain. Stretches are also minimized, allowing smaller hands to easily reach all the frets.
Despite the small size, the GL1 comes tuned to standard E guitar tuning right out of the box. This allows you to play it just like a regular 6-string guitar using the same chord shapes and scale patterns. However, the shorter scale length does mean the frets are more closely spaced, so chord voicings will be slightly more compact.
Overall, the GL1 captures the warm, nylon string tone of a classical guitar in a much more portable and accessible package. The playability makes it a great option for everyone from beginners to experienced players looking to mix up their sound.
Ideal Use Cases
The Yamaha GL1 is a great option for beginners who want to learn guitar on a smaller, easier instrument. Its compact size and low string tension make it very accessible for kids or those with small hands. The affordable price point also makes it a nice "starter guitar" for learning the fundamentals before moving up to a full-size model.
Experienced guitarists can also find the GL1 to be a fun alternative axe for mixing things up. While it doesn’t have the full resonance of a dreadnought, its unique tone is different enough to make familiar tunes sound fresh and new. The GL1 is particularly well-suited for fingerstyle playing, allowing chord melodies and arpeggios to ring clearly.
The extreme portability of the GL1 also makes it perfect for travel and playing on the go. Its diminutive size takes up little space in a suitcase or backpack, while the included gig bag provides protection. Whether you’re going camping, on a road trip, or flying to a faraway destination, the GL1 is an ideal musical companion. Its compact form factor and mellow nylon strings are ideal for playing quietly in hotel rooms or around the campfire.
Overall, the GL1 is a versatile instrument suited for beginners, travelers, and experienced players looking to add some variety to their musical toolkit. Its unique hybrid voice that blends guitar and ukulele tones works well for fingerstyle and other mellow genres.
Pros & Cons
The Yamaha GL1 Guitalele has several advantages that make it a compelling choice:
-
Portability: The compact size, similar to a baritone ukulele, makes the GL1 extremely portable and travel-friendly. It can easily fit into tight spaces like airplane overhead compartments. The included gig bag further enhances its transportability.
-
Playability: The short 17" scale length and low string tension reduce hand fatigue and make it very easy and comfortable to play, even for guitarists with small hands or children. This makes it a great choice for beginners.
-
Unique tone: The nylon strings and small body produce a warm, mellow tone that blends elements of classical guitars and baritone ukuleles. It’s different than both in an appealing way.
-
Value: At an affordable price point, especially including the gig bag, the GL1 provides fantastic bang for your buck.
However, there are some limitations:
-
Limited projection: Due to the small body size, the GL1 doesn’t project volume and resonance like a full-size guitar. It works better for personal practice than live performance.
-
No electronics: There is no built-in pickup or preamp, so you cannot amplify the GL1 directly. You’d need to mic it for amplification.
Accessories & Variations
The Yamaha GL1 comes in a natural gloss finish, but they also offer a vintage-inspired tobacco sunburst version with the same great specs and playability. This gives you a couple aesthetic options to match your style.
In addition to the guitar itself, there are some useful accessories that can enhance the experience:
- Guitar strap – makes playing standing up more comfortable by taking the weight off your hands
- Capo – allows you to easily change keys and play alternate tunings
- Clip-on tuner – ensures you stay perfectly in tune while playing
- Extra sets of strings – good to have extras when the included strings eventually wear out
Guitalele scale lengths can vary a bit between different brands and models. For comparison, the Yamaha GL1 has a 17" scale while the Cordoba Guilele has an even more compact 15.75" scale length. The GL1 provides a nice balance of playability and portability.
Who Is the GL1 Best For?
The Yamaha GL1 Guitalele is an excellent option for several types of musicians:
Beginners Looking for an Easy "First Guitar"
With its short 17" scale length and low string tension, the GL1 is incredibly beginner-friendly. The compact size makes it easy to hold and comfortable to play, even for those with smaller hands. Beginners will find the GL1’s playability allows them to focus on learning chords and songs rather than struggling with finger stretches. The mellow nylon strings are also gentler on young fingers just starting out on guitar. For any new player looking for their first instrument, the GL1 is a top choice.
Travelers Needing a Portable Instrument
Frequent travelers will love having the GL1 along for the ride. Weighing under 2 lbs, it’s effortless to pack in a suitcase or backpack. The included gig bag provides protection during transit. Its diminutive dimensions mean you can play the GL1 in tight spaces like planes, trains, or tents. For globetrotting musicians who want to jam on the go, the portable GL1 is a perfect travel companion.
Those Wanting a Budget Classical Guitar
While it doesn’t replicate the full resonance of a classical guitar, the GL1 mimics some of that vibe at a fraction of the price and size. For guitarists curious about the nylon string sound but not wanting to invest hundreds in a full-size classical, the GL1 is an affordable way to explore that genre. It works well for playing classical pieces in a casual setting or practicing techniques like fingerpicking. Overall, it’s a cost-effective nylon string option.
Conclusion
The Yamaha GL1 Guitalele is an excellent option for those looking for a versatile, portable, and affordable nylon string instrument. Its compact size makes it perfect for travel, while its easy playability is ideal for beginners. The warm, mellow tone from the nylon strings and small body provide a unique sound that straddles the line between classical guitar and baritone ukulele.
While it may lack the full projection of a dreadnought acoustic, the GL1’s strengths lie in its accessibility, comfort, and hybrid voice. It excels as both a starter instrument for new players and a lightweight travel companion for road trippers. The included gig bag further enhances its portability and protects the guitalele when on the go.
For anyone intrigued by the fun fusion of guitar and uke, the Yamaha GL1 is a great way to explore the possibilities of the guitalele. Its quality construction, versatile sound, and budget-friendly price make it a smart choice. Whether you’re a new musician or experienced guitarist looking to add some variety to your repertoire, the GL1 is worth considering. So grab a GL1 and embrace the portable party power of the guitalele!