Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $104
Standard/Professional
$100
$601+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Yamaha GL1". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Combining the best of both worlds, the Yamaha GL1 is a delightful hybrid instrument that offers the familiar playability of a guitar with the portability of a ukulele. Tuned like a traditional guitar but pitched up a fourth to A, D, G, C, E, A, this mini 6-string guitalele is perfect for guitarists who crave a fresh, bright sound without straying from their comfort zone. Ideal for both adults and kids, the GL1 fits snugly in its included gig bag, making it a fantastic travel companion for road trips, jam sessions, or spontaneous street performances.
The GL1's unique tuning and nylon strings deliver a warm, resonant tone that stands out without overwhelming. Its compact 17" scale length and 27.5" total length make it a wonderful choice for younger musicians or those with smaller hands. Crafted with Yamaha's renowned attention to quality, the GL1 features a spruce top for clear, articulate highs and mids, complemented by meranti back and sides for added warmth. The nato neck and sonokeling fingerboard ensure a smooth playing experience, while the modified classical style bridge and tuners provide reliable intonation.
Whether you're a beginner looking to explore the world of string instruments or an experienced player seeking a unique addition to your collection, the Yamaha GL1 offers endless possibilities for creativity and expression.
Key Features:
- Top: Spruce
- Back and Sides: Meranti
- Neck: Nato
- Fingerboard and Bridge: Sonokeling
- Compact 17" scale length
- Includes gig bag for easy transport
- Nylon strings for a mellow, warm tone
Product specs
| Available since | July 2000 |
| Cutaway | No |
| Top | Spruce |
| Back and Sides | Meranti |
| Pickup System | No |
| Fretboard | Meranti |
| Nut width in mm | 47,50 mm |
| Scale | 433 mm |
| Colour | Natural |
| Gig Bag included | Yes |
| Case | No |
| tuning | A, D, G, C, E, A |
| scale-length | 433 mm |
FAQs
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What is the Yamaha GL1 Guitalele's tuning?
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The Yamaha GL1 Guitalele is tuned to A, D, G, C, E, A, which is a fourth higher than standard guitar tuning.
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Is the Yamaha GL1 suitable for travel?
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Yes, the Yamaha GL1 is a compact and lightweight instrument, making it ideal for travel and portable practice sessions.
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Does the Yamaha GL1 come with a gig bag?
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Yes, the Yamaha GL1 includes a gig bag for easy transportation and protection.
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What materials are used in the construction of the Yamaha GL1?
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The Yamaha GL1 features a spruce top and meranti back and sides, providing a warm and resonant tone.
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What type of strings should I use for the Yamaha GL1?
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Yamaha recommends using light tension classical guitar strings for the GL1 to maintain optimal playability and sound quality.
Videos
Yamaha Music Australia
Yamaha GL1 Guitalele
Yamaha GL1 Guitalele
Yamaha Music Australia
Yamaha GL1 Guitalele
Yamaha Music London
Yamaha GL1 Guitar Overview
Yamaha Global
Yamaha Guitalele GL1: Educational Review
Sound Tuition
Serious Yamaha Guitalele GL1 Review
EytschPi42
Yamaha GL-1 Guitarlele Review One Week Later-Would I Buy It Again?
Greg Michael
The Yamaha GL1 Guitalele - Review & Demonstration
Darren Lock Music
Revisiting an Old Friend: The Yamaha GL1 Guitalele
michaelwomackmusic
Reviews
PROS
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Extremely portable due to its small size and light weight
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Offers a unique, resonant tone with natural reverb
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Well-constructed with good quality, durable materials
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Easy transition for guitar players due to similar chord shapes
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Fun and engaging to play, suitable for both adults and children
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Cost-effective; great value for its price
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Versatile tuning allows for creative musical exploration
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Perfect as a practice or travel guitar
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Comes with a reasonable gig bag for added convenience
CONS
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Some units have noticeable cosmetic flaws and unfinished spots
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Requires frequent tuning due to nylon strings
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Limited projection and volume compared to full-sized guitars
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Tight scale can be challenging for players with larger hands
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Quality control issues with rough finishes and subpar fretwork on some units
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha GL1.
User experience
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Owners note the Yamaha GL1 feels more like a toy due to rough frets and inconsistent finish on the fingerboard, affecting playability.
Source -
Owners report a preference for the Yamaha GL1 when seeking a portable instrument with the versatility to switch between guitar and ukulele tunings easily.
Source -
Users report that standard guitar strings in EADGBE tuning result in reduced volume and floppy tension; high tension strings are advised for better performance.
Source
Use cases and applications
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The Yamaha GL1 is favored for its portability and ease of travel, making it an ideal companion for spontaneous playing opportunities.
Source -
The Yamaha GL1 can be effectively tuned to standard guitar tuning using specific string sets for a more guitar-like presence.
Source -
Learning on the GL1 in ADGCEA tuning helps with muscle memory for guitar chord shapes, as they remain identical despite different pitch names.
Source
Comparisons
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While both the Yamaha GL1 and Flight GUT350 are similarly priced, some owners find the Flight offers superior tone when directly compared.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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D'Addario strings are recommended to achieve a classical "Lute" sound, enhancing the Yamaha GL1's tonal quality.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Aquila 153C strings are recommended for EADGBE tuning, enhancing sound quality and tension, though they come at a higher cost.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 18 Ratings
193
Best Travel Guitar
Throw a new set of strings on and file down the bridge a few millimeters. This thing is a blast to play.
390
Artist usage
Add artist
John Mayer's guitar tech (Rene Martinez) gives a tour rig rundown to Premier Guitar in this youtube video. At 10:14 Rene when running through John's guitars says "..he [John] does this little guy up here too, this little Guitalele. He'll play that on a song, and its ready to go." This video is from 8 Sept 2010 when John was on a solo tour.
Nick Mira uses the Yamaha Guitalele at the start of the video when making the melody for the first beat. A small guitar, around the size of a Suprano or Concert ukulele, while still having 6 strings and a mid bass and high treble sound.
He recorded it on his phone first, then imported it to his MacBook into FlStudio to pitch correct it.
Playing Yamaha GL1 at 6:35. She say that she owns the black color version and played it on her album "Windswept Adan".
In a rehearsal video by Проект Ne2Da, Ivan "Noize MC" Alekseev is seen using a Yamaha GL1 while preparing for a broadcast of the show "Вечерний Ургант" in December 2020.
Album Usage
The Yamaha GL1 has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Yamaha GL1, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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