Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele Natural

Comments about Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele:

I've been playing guitar for nearly 30 years, mostly country and rockabilly with some blues on the side. Last spring I bought a concert ukulele and fell in love with the sound and ease of play, but I wanted to be able to use the guitar chords that now come naturally to me. The Yamaha Guitalele - a six-string uke with a classical guitar style neck - was the perfect choice. I ordered over the phone, and the instrument arrived at my door safe and sound. I'm planning on replacing the strings with D'Addario Pro Arte, lowering the action a bit and I wish the gig bag featured a little padding and a pouch. Other than that, this really is a wonderful instrument that travels easily and is great fun to play.

Comments about Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele:

Just got a Yamaha sunburst guitarlele, after getting into the ukulele thing lately. And I bought it mostly thinking I could help my classical guitar playing with it- so I was torn between trying this and getting a smaller 1/2 or 3/4 classical, cause I'm getting old and the guitar is wearing me out sooner. So I was wondering if this was too small. And it is a challenge. But the sound is great! I was sitting on my bed tonight messing around with this, and it finally seems to me if I play this lightly, it can't help but make my guitar playing better. Even though it's tuned higher, you can still use the same chord forms, they're just not the same chords- they are the IV chord of whatever form you're using. So unless you're playing with someone else, it's all just relative tuning- only higher- and it makes you think! I was reading my usual classical pieces, and even watching television. The higher sound has a Renaisance air about it, and a natural for Celtic as well- the lower few strings sound a bit like a bohdrun, and I was improvising some lilts on the top. It's like a little lute somehow. The Yahama quality is suberb as you'd expect. Really great workmanship for something this price. I read other reviews concerning the Cordoba model, and they spoke of the Yamaha's slightly wider neck in negative terms, but as for me, I wouldn't want it any more narrow- the strings are already quite close, more so than either a uke or a classical guitar It comes with a gig bag like the others- the ads weren't clear on that, and I wish they'd put a rossette on it. Don't know what the strings are but they seem comparable to my usual Daddario Pro Arte- not nylgut like a lot of ukes, but totally acceptable first set.

Comments about Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele:

I originally purchase this guitar for travel, baritone case and all. I have yet to travel but have found this to be a great practice instrument. You can sit down to play it. It forces you to transpose music. (this is up a 5th, tuned to A). This makes learning the fret board totally new. It has the sound of a ukulele with a classical feel. Or in other words, a classical guitar with a capo on the 5th, and a baritone uku body, giving that high punch resonation. Great For practice and bringing anywhere. Note you need small or nimble hands to do bar chords. It really does best with single note arpeggio, because it sound more classical . When strumming it sounds more uku, but a pick actually works if you use a thick pick and don't dig in. For the money. It is worth it. If you want to bring a instrument anywhere it is great. This is also a kid pleaser. It is small enough for 4-8 yr old to play. My kids have classical guitars and they really grabbed on to the guitalele because of the cuteness and mobility. Even my 12 yr old picked it up and played it. and you know how pre-teens can be. I was lucky to get her off the phone.

Comments about Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele:

A while back, I ran across the Guitalele at a local Guitar Center. It seemed fun to play, and when they went on sale I got one. Decent tone and action; good intonation; stays in tune once the strings stretch; apparently quite durable (had over a year - no damage from misc small bumps). Only downside is that the narrow fretboard places a limit on useful hand size (tho it's nice if your hand is small enough [I have medium-large-sized men's hands - wear a Large glove]). A good value: other companies make similar instruments, but the Guitalele is apparently the cheapest.

But the reason you should buy this instrument is not so much the particular brand, but because it's the cheapest decent example of a particular style of guitar (other brands may be better, but I haven't played them enought to compare). I've been playing guitar for almost 50 years (mostly steel-string acoustics, with pick), and electric bass (fingerpicked) for nearly as long. The Guitalele has transformed my guitar playing. With a large guitar, the instrument is in front of the player; it is embraced like a lover, but can also be a barrier. A ukulele-size guitar can be cradled like a baby, or slung around like a fiddle (or tennis racket). It's great for songwriting: it can be safely and inobtrusively left around the house to be picked up whenever an idea comes along (arrangements can come later); and can easily be played while sitting, standing or walking around without need of a strap. Great for leading singing with small groups. And it can also be very useful in recording or performing with one small addition: with a Kremona pickup, the Guitalele becomes a very expressive, soft string, tight scale, clear-toned (ready for effects) electric guitar. Lots of potential. For example, I used the Guitalele with Kremona pickup and nylgut strings for a song demo video on youtube (search for Ferriss Finds).

Comments about Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele:

i got this guitalele for my birthday and i had wanted it for a few years.it plays well good action youll have to change the strings it was a little sticky when i first took it out but for a hundred dollars its a fine instrument and i would highly recomend it

Comments about Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele:

I confess my review is more to the product itself, the concept of a standard (GCEA) Uke with two extra strings (A and D) on the bottom. The Yamaha instrument is very nice, but is what you'd expect from a sub $100 instrument?.it'll do nicely, but won't become an heirloom. Adding the two extra strings gives us a guitar feel and sound in a Uke size. If you don't like it, no problem, just play the top four strings and life will be the same as always. BUT?the second you study your fingerings (there are Guitalele Chord Charts on line) and play your first truly SIX string chord (C major a good example, play it like always, but index finger on the second fret of your (new 2nd, or D) string, index finger on the third fret of your new A string (so playing a C), you have six strings singing together, C-E-C-G-E-C. Sounds like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! For those of us who have strummed away for years on four strings, its quite the epiphany. Your familiar fingerings will still be there, but (only if you choose) you can incorporate the available notes on your new (low) A and D strings?.gradually at first, as its not what you are used to, then more and more. Sometimes you will add the second (D) string, when easier, but skip the A string, and you're left with a pleasant five string chord. The strings, as others have said, are close together, but you can adapt---and its easier for playing chords, like Dm, that need two adjacent strings on the same fret. I used to cheat on the four fret diminished chords, by using my thumb on the first string! That, alas, won't work anymore, but it will teach me to play my diminished chords properly. Probably not your only Uke?.but a great companion to the one you already have. Catch them while they are on sale!

Comments about Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele:

Like a lot of musicians, I wanted to diversify. And with Yamaha's Guitalele, I've been thoroughly satisfied. It's a six-string hybrid, combining the best of both a guitar and uke. For comparison, it's like putting a capo on the 5th fret of a guitar. The strings that come with the instrument have a very bright and happy tone to them. And for its size, the guitalele is loud. Now, if only Yamaha would make an acoustic-electric version! As is, you won't be disappointed.

Comments about Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele:

Myhusband and I purchased this for our daughter for Christmas. She had been asking for a ukelele. She loves it and has taught herself a lot of things already. Since it's a cross between a ukelele and guitar, she feels like it is something "different" than the regular guitar, yet plays very similiar. She has had no guitar experience either, but this is a great start for whatever route she would possibly take later. Thanks for the great idea, Guitar Center!

Comments about Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele:

This is an excellent,solid and versatile instrument, which has a better sound than many guitars I have tried.
Very easy to play. Even though its tuned differently, if you already guitar you can play this instrument. The chord formations are the same.
Plus just by adjusting where along the body you are strumming, this instrument can sound like anything from a standard ukulele to a classical guitar.
This is the second one I have purchased. Because it's easy on the fingers, and all of the above, I got the new one because it's perfect for a friend who will be learning guitar.
I use mine for everything from blues to rock and roll to classical music.
This guitar/uke is so good I have taken it along and played it as part of stage shows. It's also great to take to parties, easy to carry and fun. And I use it for singing with and playing at home, and to work out song basics before moving on to guitar.
It's just that easy to pick up, carry along, play anywhere and enjoy!

Comments about Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele:

It's great! So far I love the thing, the only problems I have with it are being able to comfortably fit my fingers on three strings in a row on the same fret, but that was to be expected.
In case you are wondering this guitalele does work in standard EADGBe tuning if you wish for it to be so, this was one of my biggest concerns about it and it does work, the strings are a little loose but there is very little buzzing to be had.

Comments about Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele:

As advertised as a "travel" guitar, I had more expectations of something with better intonation. However, this instrument is better used for kids.

Comments about Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele:

I've been playing this Guitalele for couple weeks, and I'm waiting to see if it grows on me. I gave it 5 stars because I feel like it is a sturdy build for the price. It feels like a real instrument. It is not flimsy or toy like. The negative side is that when playing the high strings, the low strings hum. It's so much vibration on a small instrument, i suppose. Perhaps a luthier or guitar tech can help me come up with a solution if I decide it's a keeper. Maybe it's as simple as new strings? My other thought on this Guitalele is that I was hoping for the best of both worlds. The fun and portability of a ukulele mixed with the 6 strings of a guitar, but I'm not sure if it's the best of both or the drawbacks of both. My opinion at this moment is that if you want a ukulele get yourself a ukulele, and if you want a little guitar then get yourself a little guitar. A 1/4 size guitar isn't much bigger, and if it's for a kid then the neck may be proportionately slimmer. I'm having fun experimenting with it though, and waiting to see if it grows on me.

Comments about Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele:

Great instrument to learn to play on, it's like having two instruments in one. You can learn your guitar chords on this and play it like an acoustic guitar and still be able to play the Ukulele cords as well. Plus it is small and easy to carry around. Great action and great tone. Yamaha's are the best! If you haven't played one try one, you will never go back to another brand.

Comments about Yamaha GL1 Mini 6-String Nylon Guitalele:

Easy on their fingers, nice size.