Overview
The little guitar with a big sound.
Unique mini guitar sized like a baritone ukulele, plays in tune like a guitar pitched up to “A” (or up a 4th).
Features
Yamaha's range of mini guitars offer the same legendary performance and value in a smaller package.
- Suitable for players of all ages and playing levels.
- Soft comfortable feel from nylon strings can be tuned to standard E or higher A tuning.
- The preferred choice as a travel or practise guitar by the more experienced player.
Tonewoods – are used throughout the construction to produce an impressive voice that belies its small size. Famed for its warm and balanced sound with even and clear response from both the highs and the lows – important for developing good technique right from the start.
Neck - expertly scaled down and contorted for easy accurate playing and comfort ideal for both little and... not so little fingers. Even and accurate fret positioning – means that it sounds in tune as you play further down the neck. It's also important to be in tune when learning as a group. Yamaha Gl1 fret board Durable lacquer finish – protects from humidity keeping the adjustment stable and maintaining its cute good looks for years to come. Yamaha Gl1 lacquer finish
Specs
Color/Finish
Control Interface
- Strings Scale 433 mm (17")
Design/Architecture Detail
- Body Depth 70-70 mm (2 13/16"-2 13/16")
- Finger Board Width (Nut/Body) 48 mm (1 7/8")
Material
- Top Spruce
- Back Meranti
- Side/Rib Meranti
- Neck Nato
- Finger Board Sonokeling
- Bridge Sonokeling
Accessories
CITES Information
| Covered by CITES | Yes |
| CITES Scientific Name of Wood or Woods Used | Dalbergia latifolia(Indonesia) |
| CITES Country or Countries of Wood Origin | Indonesia |
Questions & Answers
Question: I'm just starting out in music and want to learn to play guitar - but I need something compact as I'll be travelling regularly. Is the GL1 a good starting point?
Answer
We've designed the GL1 to be an ideal small guitar for home or travelling use and it's great for beginners. Its body is almost as small as a ukulele's but as it's strung as a guitar (with 6 strings), chord shapes and patterns are the same as you'd play on a regular guitar. Because of its shorter fret length, the GL1 is tuned up 5 semitones (so playing an 'E' chord shape from a regular guitar on the GL1 becomes an 'A' chord in pitch).
Alternatively, for a travel guitar with greater dynamics and a lot more options, try our APX T2 Travel Guitar. The APX Series is our range of high quality electro-acoustic guitars. Most models have a full-length fret board and all have a relatively shallow body. The pickup system is superb on all (with better tone and control with each model up). The APX T2 is the travel version of our APX500III guitar and inherits its great tone and playability - but in a much smaller body (though still significantly larger than the GL1). Unlike the GL1, the APXT2 isn't up-tuned (and so an 'E' chord really will be an 'E' chord).
Question: Is this a good guitar for a very young child around four years old? Will their fingers struggle to play the strings?
Answer
The GL1 Guitalele is an excellent choice for a four year old (and great fun for older guitarists as well). It has the same 6 string standard relative tuning as a full size guitar (albeit tuned a little higher on account of its small size) which makes it ideal for learning standard guitar chord shapes and patterns.
The GL1 is nylon-strung (like a classical guitar) which, arguably, makes the strings slightly easier to press compared to steel-strung acoustic guitars. There will always be a learning curve (at any age, on any size of guitar) but that won't be a barrier to learning and enjoying.
We highly recommend it!
Question: Does the GL1 have a solid or laminate top?
Answer
Thank you for the question. We use a laminate top for the GL1 - this allows us to price it as affordably as possible. Nevertheless, the GL1 features an incredibly sweet tone and is very playable.
