![]() To Yamaha’s credit, they’ve managed to design the GL1 in such a way that it has a very pleasant timbre, with good sustaining qualities, making it ideal for chordal playing. We’ve now covered the action and tuners, but most important of all, what does it sound like? And could such a small instrument be capable of producing a decent sound? GL1 Guitalele Guitar Piano 1st string (A) 1st string (E) fretted at the 5th fret 1st A above middle C 2nd string (E) 1st open string (E) 1st E above middle C 3rd string (C) 2nd string (B) fretted at the 1st fret Middle C 4th string (G) 3rd open string (G) 1st G below middle C 5th string (D) 4th open string (D) 1st D above middle C 6th string (A) 5th open string (A) 2nd A below middle C (c) Fret Expert How Does The Yamaha GL1 Sound? Tuning the GL1 guitalele to itself (by fretting at given intervals along the fingerboard):Īnd finally, here’s how to tune the GL1 Guitalele to a guitar or piano: In the following diagrams, I’ve detailed the GL1 guitalele’s fingerboard and tuning layout: If you want to go down this route, La Bella sell a set of strings suitable for ¼ size guitars ( Fractional FG114) which are supposed to offer a decent amount of tension on the shorter scale instrument. You may also need to re-slot the nut on a couple of strings to accommodate the heavier gauges. Some players have managed to find suitable string combinations to tune down to standard guitar tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E), but in my opinion, this defeats the object of buying a guitalele, which has its own unique sound due to the higher tuning configuration. This tuning is also associated with the requinto, a type of short scale guitar. How to Tune the Yamaha GL1 Guitaleleīecause of its short scale, the GL1 should ideally be tuned to A-D-G-C-E-A, which is akin to a guitar capoed on the 5 th fret (or a fourth above a standard guitar). In this case, the intonation isn’t really adversely affected by the action, but in many lower-end instruments, it renders them largely unplayable beyond the first three frets.Īt the end of this article I give step by step instructions on how to do simply DIY saddle adjustment if you’re interested in reducing the saddle height of the GL1. It always frustrates me that a simple design feature like manufacturing a shallower nut and saddle are often overlooked. The intonation for a lower-priced instrument is surprisingly good, so you won’t find yourself going badly out of tune the higher up the fingerboard you go.įor me, though, the action could be a little lower, which will make it a bit more playable beyond the fifth fret. Too often, poor quality tuners or machine heads let down an otherwise decent instrument, rendering it unusable for sustained periods of time. The GL1 tuners, although functional in appearance, seem to be very solid and don’t feel either too loose or too tight.Īs expected from a long-established company like Yamaha, this often-overlooked aspect of instrument construction is taken seriously here, so you’re unlikely to find your guitalele going out of tune on a regular basis, except during the bedding-in period of installing a new set of strings. Obviously, with the natural wood model, this is not going to be an issue. It would be remiss of me not to mention that I have read about some issues with paint chipping or flaking off on the painted models, but wouldn’t like to be overly critical in this respect without experiencing this fault myself. My model I’m reviewing here is the standard ‘natural’ wood finish, but if you’re looking for something a little more eye catching, it does come in three alternative finishes Black, Persimmon Brown and Tobacco Brown Sunburst. To my way of thinking, Yamaha could have pushed the boat out a little and included a simple rosette design around the soundhole to set the instrument off a little more, but if aesthetics don’t figure highly on your list of priorities, it’s not exactly going to be a deal breaker. If you want a thing of beauty, this won’t exactly rock your world, but saying that, it isn’t unattractive either, just lacking in a few ornamental touches you might find on a more expensive instrument. The construction is impressively well made for a relatively lower-priced instrument, although you could describe the appearance as somewhat plain. Physically, the GL1 is about the size of a standard tenor ukulele, albeit with a wider fingerboard and neck to accommodate the two additional lower strings. Yamaha GL1 Guitalele Spec First Impressions & Appearance. ![]() Simple Saddle Adjustment for the Yamaha GL1.Fixing a Strap (And Buttons) to Your Yamaha GL1 Guitalele.Capo and Tuner Recommendations for the Yamaha GL1.What’s the Best Hard Case for the Yamaha GL1?.Best Strings for the Yamaha GL1 Guitalele. ![]() ![]()
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