Yamaha GL1 Guitalele

The Yamaha GL1 Guitalele is a unique and versatile instrument, combining the playability of a guitar with the compact size and high pitch of a ukulele. In this video review, we'll take a closer look at the GL1's features, sound, and build quality, giving you all the information you need to decide if it's the right instrument for you.
/ paulmansellukulele
/ abbie.the.goldberg
/ kdmusic
/ bongoboyuk
0:00 - Intro
0:38 - Unboxing
1:53 - What is it?
5:39 - How does it sound?
7:50 - Initial thoughts
9:02 - Specs
10:43 - Sound range
11:45 - More specs & thoughts
21:00 - Final thoughts
23:03 - Song
24:44 - Outro
______________
Be sure to Like, Subscribe, and ring the bell to keep up with all of our future videos - and why not leave a comment below telling us what videos you'd like to see from us, whether it's a review, something fun, or a song for our Ukulele Band to play!
www.anarchyintheukulele.com
/ anarchyintheukulele
/ anarchyintheukuleletv
______________
Note: While we are not sponsored or affiliated with any brands or websites, we occasionally use 'affiliate links' when linking to products on external sites. Through such services, any purchases placed as a result of using our link, may earn us a commission on sales, but as we are not tied to any brand/website we are able to be completely unbiased. Our affiliate links do not cost you anything, but will help support us in continuing with the content we create for you.
#anarchyintheukulele
#therewillbeanarchy #guitalele

[@jimcollinsworth]

I have a Cordoba mini, bought for backpacking but is now my main guitar due to it's ease of playing. I'm 67 and hands have gotten much weaker and painful. A small guitar lets me play still.

[@PaulMansellukulele]

yeah the Cordoba's are really nice. glad you are continuing to play !!

[@dgksk8er911]

I've had one of these for yrs. Absolutely love it!

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

It's certainly interesting - we're bought another brand since, and it's NOT good - review coming soon

[@drbekken]

I put on a dGBE tenor ukulele string set for strings one to four, then take a D string from a regular classical guitar and tune it up a fifth to A for the fifth string. For the sixth string, I take an A string and tune it up a fifth to E…no trouble, due to the short scale. In that way, you get E to E guitar tuning, but with strings 4,5,6 one octave up. I absolutely love it.

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Ooo nice set up!

[@lindasmith6668]

What a great presentation. I love it. I just purchased one before I saw you. You're a great guitarist. Thanks 😊

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Thanks! :D Hope you get on well with it!

[@jamesdelarre5901]

I have had one of these years, I think it’s great, solid and can handle two enthusiastic young boys, has been backpacked to Everest base camp. But it’s definitely a small guitar

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Look at you, going to base camp! ;)

[@judih.8754]

I like the sound and Paul plays it beautifully.

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

He's not too shabby, on occasion! ;)

[@paul_mitchener_ukulele]

I was lucky enough to find a second-hand Kanile’a guitalele and to spend all my music savings on it (though a bargain, it still wasn’t cheap!) It’s an interesting instrument - playing it feels like a cross between guitar and ukulele (and I can’t really play guitar). I can find chords easily enough by looking up guitar chords and transposing, or using ukulele knowledge and estimating the fingering of the base two strings or just playing the top four strings. I don’t have the hang of fingerpicking it at all yet. The advantages for me are the unique sound, and the fact that it has a much shorter scale length than guitar - I’m really a ukulele player and the guitar scale length is difficult for me. My Kanile’a has much wider string spacing than the Yamaha - about as wide as a classical guitar. Another cool thing it it’s playing something unusual but that can be a serious instrument - which is part of the ukulele appeal to me in the first place! I really like it. In terms of sound, it doesn’t sound like a guitar or a ukulele to me, but somewhere in between. Maybe a bit like a much fuller ukulele, and being a Kanile’a it’s beautifully resonant. I still play ukulele much more and I’m much better with it (I’d say I’m an intermediate player on uke) - but I dabble on the guitalele (and yes, I’m rubbish, but it’s fun!) There is a teach yourself aspect to the guitalele, due to lack of direct resources, as you mentioned, so I slowly experiment, extrapolate from guitar and ukulele stuff, and work things out. Hopefully that ramble was interesting. That Yamaha is an absolute bargain - and I would say it’s well worth the price for anyone who wants to experiment. Thanks for the review!

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the rambling, we love it!

[@toni2606]

Best in depth look at this instrument I've found. I just received mine today and have no real experience with guitar or ukulele but want to change that! I want to adjust tuning down 1/2 step, I think I'll like that. Finger picking is what appeals most to me. Enjoyed your humor and the nice singing & playing at the end. Subscribed. 🙂🎶

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Thanks Toni, it's a good instrument to start on. We're glad you enjoyed the whole video, thanks for subscribing!

[@luc5798]

Yes, G# is also the tuning I prefer with the 17" guitalele! 🙂

[@stevenmay2863]

I am a ukulele player and I am just now learning to play one of these. They have been around for at least 10 years (I have seen 10 year old videos of people playing these). I think the best way to approach it is that it is a guitar with a capo on the 5th fret. With that in mind, I look at guitar music. There is also something called a piccolo guitar which is basically the same with metal strings. Ibanez makes one of these.

[@deeman524]

YES! Daniel Ho and Herb Ohta Jr play Guitalele---ukulele duets as a career

[@ajlmirrormist]

Had one since 2012... Love it! great for noodling while sitting on the settee with the TV on.... the binding is painted on btw...and the price has pretty much stayed the same over the years.... think of it as a mini classical guitar.. I play the guita bit but not the lele :) love some of the tunes you guys played

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Thanks for sharing!

[@composerscloud5570]

Great review, very extensive! I just have a question: what were the pieces being played in the video? They sounded classical but I can't quite tell. I've been looking for more guitar repertoire but struggle to find ones I like. All the song snippets I heard here were stunning!

[@PaulMansellukulele]

Many thanks. The pieces are 'Romance' by Gerard Montreuil', Etude in E Minor by Francisco Tarrega, Inside the Banjo by Gerald Schwertberger and Mi Favorita (anon).

[@composerscloud5570]

@@PaulMansellukulele Awesome, thank you very much!

[@patrickcoyle796]

After putting DAddirrIo EJ50 strings , tunes e turning like a classical guitar ,the best way to keep playing like EADGBE tuning ,great sound !

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Thanks for sharing!

[@nextworldaction8828]

Might I just recommend you move the camera a little closer next time? It'd be nice to really be able to see with the fingers were doing.

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

We've upgraded since this video, so now have close ups!

[@luc5798]

I really like the Yamaha GL1. Fun to play and perfect to carry anywhere! 😎 The 48mm neck is perfect, but what is not perfect is the head nut. 38mm between the two "E" strings maybe for kids... I replaced it. 41mm is much better and is not a problem with the width of the neck. I like it in G# with Aquila 96c strings, or with Savarez high tension Alliance Cangiga Premium strings (even in high tension the trebles of these carbon strings are pretty thin) Sometimes some fingerings are a bit difficult. For example A shape in the middle or bottom of the neck, sometimes it is necessary to trick: avoid a string, or try a different fingering... But it's fun to play!

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Thanks for watching and for your take on it Luc.

[@luc5798]

​@@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV Oh and also, the first thing to do is to install a strap button. And as a strap a shoe lace will do very well! 🙃

[@luc5798]

@@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV I just made a new bone saddle for it, and I think that the sound has improved! (Action: 6th string 12th fret: a little more than 3mm, 1st string 12th fret about 2mm)

[@JonHancockUK]

I think that Samantha Muir has arranged and written some pieces for guitalele. Seem to recall that she plays a Romero Creations model.

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Thanks for letting us know! We'll check them out

[@tonyshaw13]

there is guitalele music out there, you just have to find it, also you can find guitalele chord charts out there as well

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

We'll keep an eye out for it! :D

[@ukeanflute]

I wanted to try a guitalele and I eventually bought a Kmise (20inch scale length). The narrow string spacing is frustrating (48mm at the nut), but at least the baritone scale allows for exploring E-e tuning (buy children's guitar strings). If you use guitar tuning for a while, you have lots more KZbin tutorials, guitar courses etc available (lots of free stuff). No need to buy the ULTP course or book. Aquila has two e-e guitalele sets for the tenor scale guitalele, one for normal guitar tuning, the other for an octave higher. They obviously also have the normal A-a guitalele strings (and many people seem to love them tuned down to G-g). I haven't tried any of the Aquila sets myself yet, but I might buy them when I need new strings.

[@audreygiamlayhoon]

They also have an E to E guilele set

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Thanks Audrey!

[@gothiquin]

Nice review. Guitar player, buying one as a travel guitar. The real question is, what do you restring it with? I like D'addario strings. Can you use guitar strings?

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Thanks! You can get strings specifically made for guitalele, so we'd suggest getting some of those. However, we can't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to use guitar strings cut down!

[@luc5798]

Just one thing: better put thin strings on it! Aquila 96c guitalele strings are good to tune it in G# or A... Carbone strings are good too. Just avoid the biggest nylon strings!

[@di8859]

I watched a review which recommends the Hannabach 653059 Series 890 Duel 44-48cm Strings for 1/8 Children Classic Guitar.

[@ZooxMaze]

I've been playing this baby for eleven years, now. Simply, left my regular acoustics in their appropriate lairs (unintentionally) and just morphed onto the G-1 like a kid with a new puppy !! It's so cuddly and snuggly and actually... well, it kicks butt, too. But this all depends on the way you approach it and how you evolve from there. It's a combination of love, fun and taking a trip... all at the same time ;)

[@bjwzwart]

Have one tuned in D with Aquila strings playing Elliott smith songs on a Lele

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Ooo nice!

[@juliaredifer2904]

Just purchased this brand guitalele, didn't know anything about the instrument. Have been playing the Ukulele, Guitalele takes a bit of getting use to with the chording using the additional two stings. Did make the mistake of trying to tune it like a guitar and broke a string. But did tune the correct way A D G C E A afterward. Has a Good sound, did have to make slight adjustment to the tuner tension.

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Thanks for watching. Its a great little instrument!

[@frederickbanjoman9482]

I have had a GL! for ages, but now wish to use it out in the group and find I cnt fit a strap button? The side seems one pc wrap around rather than two pieces meeting on a block at the bottom. Any advice appreciated, I dont fancy sound hole grip

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Yeah that's a pain! There's hole-less strap buttons you can buy, alternatively you could contact your local guitar centre and see what they suggest

[@ZooxMaze]

No prob !! Simply, drill a hole and screw one in. One of the first things I did - doesn't effect the sound at all, acoustically - and you have your choice of all sorts of guitar straps to choose from. Or, it's also fun to make your own ;)

[@frederickbanjoman9482]

@@ZooxMaze Yammah say dont do it as they confirm no block inside. They recommend fitting a block (unlikely on a cheap instrument) . In the end I bought a double hook soundhole strap

[@ZooxMaze]

@@frederickbanjoman9482 I had it done by a professional guitar repair craftsman - no problem, whatsoever. Maybe he added a block for stability, although I don't recall him mentioning that. He did, however, thoroughly investigate about 10 different spots on the inside of the body, in order to find the best sound response for adding a round, stick-'em-to-it pick-up. The pick-up wasn't expensive, but it's worked like a charm. Meanwhile, the strap peg IS now the plug-in jack. Since then, I have played and played and played that thing and thrashed it about like nobody's business - it's got real SWAG worked into the 'finish' now - believe me !! And, STILL it keeps on pluckin' ! @%*

[@frederickbanjoman9482]

@@ZooxMaze Thank You. After 6 years focusing on uke group (continues, with occasional GL1 used in group),the 6 string has encouraged my return to guitar. I have now also joined a guitar jam group and dusted off my guitar collection. Rock On!

[@VINALDADDY]

You can get e tuning string for Guitalele.

[@EvLoutonian]

Anybody know what is the standard string gauge on these? I need to replace the low string on mine

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

We believe they're standard acoustic guitar gauge (so just as variable). We'd suggest going on the lighter side to avoid any unnecessary strain.

[@Danny-qq5nr]

£54 on Amazon in Sunburst 17 November 23

[@lizmilner4999]

I have a very high voice (my friends say that I can sing notes only dogs can hear) and when I want to sing with guitar accompaniment, I'm forever putting the capo on the 5 to the 8th fret which sounds awful on my guitar. Would a guitalele be the answer to my prayers?

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

It would definitely be closer to your singing register, but it might be worth going to a music shop and trying out different choices with a capo - some guitars do sound dreadful capo'd, but others sound beautiful! If all else fails, you could always go down the baritone ukulele road (which is tuned the same as the top 4 strings of a guitar)

[@seansnyder2855]

You can slap on high tension strings and tune it E Standard. Bit sloppy and the intonation starts getting rough around the 10th fret but in this configuration the GL1 is the greatest guitar to learn on.

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

We might have to give this a try Sean!

[@luc5798]

In E it is not as good... And yes, the strings are too sloppy... The lowest I tune it is in G, with high tension carbone strings (high tension nylon are too fat for this instrument...)

[@geoguitar1950]

Loved the song. What is it pls?

[@PaulMansellukulele]

thanks - the first piece is called Lagrima (by Tarrega), and the song at the end is called 'A life that's good' and is taken from the program Nashville. Cheers

[@JH-tk6ge]

Thanks! Great video! I was going to buy this for my 4 year old son and camping, but maybe just get an oud, small classical guitar, or a uke. Hard choice!

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

We’d definitely say get a uke!

[@kevcroft2815]

I got uke babe

[@sarahrichards4484]

I Got Uke Babe!

[@BaritoneUkeBeast4Life]

I unfortunately bought this monstrosity of an instrument from Amazon and it arrived today. 30 minutes later and I already have made up my mind to return it tomorrow. I love the concept and lots of KZbinrs can play it beautifully such as you guys here, but my strings are really off or something since I can’t tune this Guitalele at all. The strings are either so loose i find it unplayable after tuning the strings down, or I tune it up instead and the strings feel so taught I am afraid that they will snap after being only halfway to the correct note. Also the finish on mine is very gritty and rough on the bottom of the body and the side on the curve where you rest it on your leg. I am so disappointed in Yamaha for this hot mess. I will look for the premium Hawaiian brand Guitalele’s in the future if and when I can afford one.

[@georgevillanueva6926]

I went to guitar center and they tried tuning it standard e to e 😂n I asked a few if they knew what they were talking about n sure enough 😅I had to tell them n also I got it with crap strings and the store don’t sell Guitelele tuners or strings

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Oh dear oh dear oh dear! We need justice for the Guitalele!

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

these are worth EVERY PENNY! tune it at A/5th fret you blokes!

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

It ain't a ding dang Martin (But it is a marvelous instrument!) Break a string, buy a NEW Ibanez guitalele! These little guitalele HOLD there tune out of the box very well for something that only costs $100 USD (NO! I DO NOT "shill" for Yamaha, nor anyone else!) Look at my username!

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

We'll give it a try!

[@richardlombardi7199]

Lol I thought I was watching Rob and the Captain for a second 😢

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Don’t cry we love the Anderton’s boys!

[@Danny-qq5nr]

Marichai use a guitalele Elbronx band

[@sammydaboul6781]

I bought it for my son as a first guitar so he can actually start practicing he's 4.

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Great idea! How's he doing?

[@sammydaboul6781]

@@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV He's doing right it's not too big and he can start learning. I think it's a very nice instrument. The quality is also what you can expect from Yamaha

[@PeterMossUkulele]

GCSE tuning Paul? - lol 😊😛

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

We can't take him anywhere! xD

[@PeterMossUkulele]

lol @@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV

[@PeterMossUkulele]

That said on a recent interview, I promoted you from Anarchy to Academy.

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

@@PeterMossUkulele Amazing! That's our educational side of the company sorted! Welcome, to Academy In The Ukulele!

[@janbell3115]

I got Uke babe.

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Thanks for entering Jan! Join us on 31st March, live at 8pm GMT to see if you've won!

[@AmazonGen11]

Made in Indonesia? Where is Indonesia?

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Indonesia is in Southeast Asia, just north of Australia :)

[@JH-tk6ge]

Haha, seriously? It's the largest Muslim country if I recall correctly.

[@stevenmay2863]

I Got Uke Babe

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Good luck Steven!

[@RjBenjamin353]

I bought one for 16 pounds 3 ounces.

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

That's a heavy one!

[@finnmcool2]

What it is is an alto guitar.

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

We don't understand this word Paul? Guitar?! 🤣

[@deeman524]

65 pounds?, I bought mine here in the US for 126 dollars

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Prices definitely fluctuate from country to country, and shop to shop. Best thing to do is shop around and see if anywhere will price-match!

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

Half of the stuff on my channel has been done using that guitalele! C'mon, stop bashing my instrument for views. SNOBS!

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

Aga! The more you play around with it, the more you fall in love! Yes, I agree it needs little fingers. But, it ain't a child's toy! (Again, I am NOT supported nor advertising Yamaha! I am an honest NOBODY!)

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

We're not bashing *every* GL1 - as we're sure (or we hope) there's some nice ones out there, it's just that ours wasn't one of them! Out of curiosity, have you made any adjustments to yours? or was it good straight out of the box?

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

out of the box Hell, if I break a string, it is almost cheaper to get a new GL1, lol

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Great to hear you got a good one out of the box! You're luckier than us

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

put capo on 5 dumb knobs!

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

I'm sad.

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Why would we want to capo it at 5? Is that something you're meant to do on a guitalele? Why don't they just make them like that? Should we take this up with Yamaha? We prefer to play them exactly how they are, straight out of the box - like how anyone else would - and if it didn't come with instructions...and a capo, saying "Ensure to put this capo on the 5th fret to hear how this instrument should REALLY sound!" then we're not going to do it. It should, like any other guitalele/ukulele/guitar/lute/harp sound good without needing to capo. But beside that - please don't be sad - it's not you that we dislike, it's the instrument!

[@vincecarnevale4406]

Could be my imagination but these instruments sound like they have loose strings.

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

I wouldn’t say loose strings just lower the toon on the bottom two maybe?

[@johnmurney6313]

I Got Uke Babe

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Good luck John! Make sure you're subscribed and join us live on 31st March when we draw the winner!

[@hazelpurls]

I Got Uke Babe

[@AnarchyInTheUkuleleTV]

Good luck Hazel! Join us on 31st March, live at 8pm GMT to see if you've won! Make sure you're subscribed too!