Yamaha GL1 Guitalele
- 6 nylon strings tuned A/D/G/C/E/A
- 17 inch scale, sized like a baritone ukulele
- Pitched up a 4th from guitar, plays like a standard tuned guitar
- Spruce top, meranti body and back
- Rosewood fretboard, nato neck, fixed bridge
- 3.2 pounds, 27.95 x 9.06 x 3.15 inches
- 1 year Yamaha warranty through authorized US retailers
Last refreshed Sep 7, 2026 · Based on the Amazon listing and published specifications, not hands-on testing.
A tiny nylon string guitar that lets guitar players use familiar shapes on a travel sized body. Its tuning is higher than a guitar, so songs played from guitar shapes come out in a higher key.
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ASIN: B000RVYMWEModel: GL1Category: Classical & Nylon-String Guitars
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Overview
Yamaha built its guitalele as a hybrid, a nylon string guitar shrunk to the size of a baritone ukulele. Its strings follow guitar intervals raised a fourth, so guitar chord shapes carry over directly.
Guitar players get a carry-anywhere instrument without learning new fingerings, because the tuning follows guitar intervals. Ukulele players face the opposite situation, since their chord charts will not map onto it. No electronics appear in the listing, so it is an acoustic instrument only.
Who it's for
Guitar players who want something small for the couch or a trip will feel at ease with it. Ukulele players and anyone needing to plug into an amp should look elsewhere.
Pros and cons
- Guitar chord shapes carry over unchanged
- Small body travels easily
- Nylon strings are gentle on fingertips
- Spruce top with rosewood fretboard
- Higher pitch than a standard guitar
- Ukulele chord charts do not apply
- Electronics for amplification not listed
- Listing names both a bag and case
Performance notes
Sound comes from a spruce top over a meranti body, driven by nylon strings, which gives a soft attack and a small voice. The short scale lowers string tension at pitch, making fretting light but limiting low end. Intonation depends on the fixed bridge, so the setup at purchase matters.
Specifications
| Brand | Yamaha |
|---|---|
| Model | GL1 |
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Instrument Size | Tenor |
| Scale Length | 17 inches |
| Item weight | 3.2 pounds |
| Item Weight | 3.2 pounds |
| Item Dimensions | 27.9 × 9.1 × 3.1 inches |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 27.9 × 9.1 × 3.1 inches |
| Item dimensions | 27.9 × 9.1 × 3.1 inches |
| Hand Orientation | Right |
| Construction & materials | |
| Top Material Type | Spruce Wood |
| Back Material Type | Meranti |
| Body Material Type | Meranti |
| Neck Material Type | Nato Wood |
| Fretboard Material Type | Rosewood |
| String Material Type | Nylon |
| Color | Natural |
| Material Type | Meranti Wood |
| Included components | |
| Unit Count | 1 |
| Included Components | With Bag; With Case |
| Number Of Packs | 1 |
| Warranty & support | |
| Warranty Description | 1 year |
| Other details | |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | S |
| Guitar Bridge System | Fixed |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Instrument | ukulele\nguitar |
| Operation Mode | Manual |
| Asin | B000RVYMWE |
| Best Sellers Rank | #3,961 In Musical Instruments (See Top 100 In Musical Instruments) #18 In Ukuleles (Musical Instruments) #317 In General Musical Instrument Accessories |
| Customer Reviews | {'ratings_count': '3,365', 'stars': '4.4'} |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00700987276145, 04960693122198 |
| Manufacturer | Yamaha PAC |
| Manufacturer Part Number | gl1 |
| Model Name | GL1 |
| Model Number | GL1 |
| Set Name | Natural |
| Tuning | A/D/G/C/E/A |
| Upc | 700987276145 600599648586 700987276152 086792894829 |
Frequently asked questions
Can I put steel strings on the Yamaha GL1?
The GL1 is listed with nylon strings. Nothing in the listing supports steel strings, so restring it with nylon.
Is the Yamaha GL1 a ukulele or a guitar?
It is a mini nylon string guitar sized like a baritone ukulele. It plays like a standard tuned guitar pitched up a 4th, at A/D/G/C/E/A.
Can the Yamaha GL1 plug into an amp?
No electronics or output jack are listed, so treat it as an acoustic instrument.
Is the Yamaha GL1 made for left-handed players?
The listing gives right hand orientation.
Does the Yamaha GL1 come with a bag or a case?
The listing says with bag and with case without clarifying which, so confirm with the seller.