Yamaha GL1 Guitar-Uke Natural W/Gigbag

The Yamaha GL1 Guitalele (Guitar-Ukulele) in Natural with Gigbag is a unique and very popular crossover instrument. It's essentially a compact, 6-string nylon-string guitar that's tuned like a ukulele, specifically a guitar tuned up to A (A-D-G-C-E-A), which is the same as a ukulele with a capo on the 5th fret. This makes it an excellent choice for guitarists looking to easily transition to the ukulele world or for ukulele players who want more string versatility.

Here's a detailed breakdown of its features:

Core Concept & Tuning:

• Hybrid Instrument (Guitalele): It combines the small size of a baritone or tenor ukulele with the six strings and playability of a classical (nylon-string) guitar.

• Tuning: The standard tuning is A-D-G-C-E-A (from low to high, like the first five frets of a standard guitar in E standard tuning). This is equivalent to a ukulele with a capo on the 5th fret. This means guitar chords can be played with familiar fingerings, but they will sound a 4th higher (e.g., a G chord shape will sound like a C, a C chord shape like an F, etc.). This makes it incredibly accessible for guitarists.

• Scale Length: It has a short scale length, typically around 17 inches (433 mm), which is comparable to a tenor ukulele.

Construction & Materials:

• Body Shape: Traditional classical guitar shape, but scaled down significantly.

• Top (Soundboard): Spruce. Spruce is a classic tonewood for guitar tops, known for its bright, clear, and resonant qualities. For an instrument in this price range, it will be laminated spruce, which offers durability and stability.

• Back & Sides: Meranti. Meranti is a type of hardwood from Southeast Asia, tonally similar to mahogany. It contributes to a warm and balanced sound. For the GL1, it's typically laminated meranti.

• Neck Material: Nato. Nato (Eastern Mahogany) is a common and stable wood used for guitar necks, known for its durability and tonal warmth.

• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood. A durable and commonly used wood for fingerboards on classical guitars, providing a smooth playing surface.

• Bridge Material: Rosewood.

• Finish: Matte (Natural). A thin, natural matte finish allows the woods to resonate freely and gives it an understated, classic look.

• Nut & Saddle: Urea. A durable synthetic material that performs well for an instrument in this category.

• Tuners: Chromatic geared tuners, providing stable and precise tuning.

• Strings: Comes factory-strung with custom-made nylon strings, specifically designed for the guitalele's unique tuning and tension requirements.

Dimensions (Approximate):

• Overall Length: Approx. 27.5 inches (700 mm)

• Body Length: Approx. 13.5 inches (340 mm)

• Body Width: Approx. 9 inches (229 mm) at upper bout, 10.5 inches (267 mm) at lower bout

• Body Depth: Approx. 2.75 inches (70 mm)

• Nut Width: Approx. 1.88 inches (48 mm), which is narrower than a full-size classical guitar but wider than a ukulele, offering a familiar feel for guitarists.

Included Accessory:

• Gig Bag: The Yamaha GL1 typically comes as an outfit that includes a basic padded gig bag. This provides convenient and light protection for the instrument, making it easy to transport.

Overall Impression:

The Yamaha GL1 Guitalele is a fantastic and highly recommended instrument for:

• Guitarists who want to play ukulele: It's incredibly easy to pick up, as guitar chords fingerings translate directly (just remember the pitch shift). You can play all your guitar repertoire immediately.

• Ukulele players who want more strings/range: If you love the ukulele but crave the extended range and chord possibilities of 6 strings, the guitalele is a natural fit.

• Travelers: Its compact size makes it highly portable, much easier to carry than a full-size guitar, yet it still offers a full 6-string experience.

• Casual players and hobbyists: It's a fun, unique, and reliable instrument for strumming, fingerpicking, and experimenting with different sounds.

• Beginners: While the narrower string spacing and slightly different tuning might be a tiny adjustment, it's a very approachable instrument for learning fundamental guitar or ukulele concepts.

It offers a bright, clear tone with decent volume for its size and is known for Yamaha's consistent quality and playability. It's truly a miniature guitar with a ukulele heart.