Yamaha GL Series GL1 TBS Guitalele, Tobacco Sunburst Guitalele Tobacco Sunburst

TLDR Review: Yamaha GL1 Guitalele

Published: September 27th, 2024

Score

The Yamaha GL Series GL1 TBS Guitalele receives a moderate score, praised for its portability and sound quality, making it a hit among casual players who enjoy its fun and unique style. However, some users report issues with string durability, tuning stability, and craftsmanship inconsistencies, which may affect long-term satisfaction. Overall, this instrument offers good value for those seeking a compact, enjoyable playing experience without the commitment of a full-sized guitar.

7.4/10
Overall

Pros

  • Versatile and compact guitalele design combines guitar and ukulele features.
  • Tobacco Sunburst finish adds a stylish look to the instrument.
  • Lightweight and portable, making it ideal for travel and casual play.
  • Smooth playability with nylon strings, especially good for beginners.
  • Spruce top and meranti back and sides offer a pleasant, warm tone.
  • Includes a gig bag for easy transport.
  • Chrome sidounted tuners provide stable tuning.
  • Suitable for a wide range of music styles due to its hybrid nature.

Cons

  • Some users may find it too small compared to a standard guitar.
  • Limited projection and volume due to the smaller body size.
  • Not suitable for professional performances requiring louder sound.

Bottom Line

The Yamaha GL Series GL1 TBS Guitalele is a fantastic choice for musicians seeking a portable, hybrid instrument that merges the best of both guitar and ukulele worlds. Its stylish Tobacco Sunburst finish, combined with easy playability and included gig bag, makes it perfect for travel and casual playing. However, if you're looking for an instrument with greater volume and projection for professional performances, this might not be the best option.

Lowest at any Popular Retailer
$109.99 at Amazon

Most Mentioned Phrases

Across all of the customer and expert reviews for this product
18%
"fun to play"
14%
"cramped fingerboard"
14%
"great build quality"
14%
"sounds great"
14%
"great for travel"
14%
"wide neck"
18%
"not for everyone"
18%
"needs frequent tuning"
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More Answers

If you're still curious about the Yamaha GL1 Guitalele, here are some other answers you might find interesting:

The sound quality of the Yamaha GL1 Guitalele is pretty impressive for its size. It's got a nice blend of the rich tones you get from a classical guitar and the bright, lively sound of a ukulele. This unique mix comes from its special tuning and construction. It's tuned A/D/G/C/E/A, kinda like a guitar with a capo on the fifth fret. So, it has a higher pitch than a standard guitar but still has six strings, making it pretty easy for guitar players who want something more portable.

Based on our research, the Yamaha GL1 is often described as having a warm, balanced sound with clear highs and nice resonant lows. That's pretty good considering its small size. The manufacturer lists it as a baritone, but many people see it more as a tenor because of its 17-inch scale length.

Folks seem to love the GL1's versatility. You can use it for all kinds of music, from simple strumming to more complex fingerpicking. The nylon strings give it a mellow tone, making it great for classical, folk, and even pop music. Despite its small size, it’s surprisingly loud and works well in small group settings.

So, if you're after something unique that combines elements of both a guitar and a ukulele, the Yamaha GL1 Guitalele offers great sound quality and is a lot of fun to play. It's a solid choice whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned player looking for something portable yet powerful.

Read More

The Yamaha GL1 Guitalele is a cool mix of a guitar and a ukulele.

It’s got the size of a baritone ukulele but with six strings like a guitar. According to the manufacturer, it's about 28.5 inches (72.5 cm) long and has a scale length of around 17 inches (43.2 cm).

The body depth is about 2.75 inches (7 cm). It only weighs around 2 pounds (0.9 kg), so it's pretty light and easy to carry around.

Hope this helps!

Read More

The Yamaha GL1 Guitalele is an interesting mix between a classical guitar and a ukulele. Because it's smaller and has nylon strings, it's pretty good for beginners, especially if you're younger or have smaller hands. It's also a nice pick for more experienced players who want something easy to travel with.

One important thing to know is the tuning. The GL1 is tuned to ADGCEA, which is like having a capo on the 5th fret of a regular guitar. So, it's pitched a bit higher. According to the manufacturer's product description, this tuning is what works best for the instrument. If you try to tune it down to the usual EADGBE of a standard guitar, our research shows the strings might get too loose, making it hard to keep in tune and changing the sound and feel.

The sound you get from the GL1 is warm and rich, thanks to the nylon strings, which are also easier on your fingers. We've found that many find it simpler to learn on the GL1 compared to a regular guitar because the strings are softer and the neck is shorter and more narrow. This makes switching chords and finger placements easier.

Overall, the Yamaha GL1 gives a unique mix of guitar and ukulele vibes. It's a good option for beginners because of its comfortable size, easier playability, and nice sound.

Whether you're just starting out or need a portable instrument, the GL1 is a pretty solid choice based on our research and the manufacturer's suggestions.

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