Fantastic review! I love this guitalale! The beautiful thing about it is you can put it anywhere in the house on a stand. I put mine next to tv. Play it while I watch the tv. The only thing I wish it had was built in pickup.

Bought one about 18 months ago for about $90 from Amazon. Still playing in A tuning. The 17" scale makes for a tight fretboard, but it is so fun to play this thing for this 70 year old guitar hack.

This is the most comprhensive, practical treatment of using a Guitalele as a small guitar. It is enough to convince me I should get one. I think this setup sould sound really great for lute music.

I own one of these. It is a fantastic little piccolo guitar that sounds great. It is currently the only nylon string instrument I own, but it makes me want a full size nylon string instrument. Sometimes the nylon string sound is the sweetest tone. Mine is nearly 10 years old and it only gets better with age. I've never had any issues with it. I play mine fairly often in a classroom setting. The kids particularly love when I play Spongebob theme music on it. But ABC songs also abound.

I love mine, had it for about 7 years. Tuned it to E about two years after i got it. It's got a beautiful voice

Thank you, I actually sold mine because I couldn’t get used to the A tuning- especially if I wanted to sing along. Size was perfect to carry on my motorcycle. I’m going to pick up another one and try the carbon strings and tune in E!

The first thing i did was take it to the guitar shop and have them toss on Aquila Red strings, tune it to E, and install straplocks. The GL1 came out of the box good enough for the luthier to say no setup required, just a little oil on the board and the nut. I should have polished the frets, though, that didnt occur to me until just hearing you mention it...and I have the fricken polishing kit. Woops:) 100 bucks. Plays easy, sounds good. Small body is comfy. The price is exactly 1/10th the cost of my middle-range acoustic. When I cant make a stretch on the full sized guitar, I find myself practicing more on the GL1 to make the shape ring out, then transfer the finger memory back up to the big guitar. I think the GL1 is more understood because of guys like you that share a LOT of your thoughtful experience about them, by the way. I saw a video of someone explaining that new technology strings make Guitaleles tune to E, and immediately bought one because....it just makes sense for the quality and the money and the comfort. Nice video, Valentin. Im impressed youre self taught, but something about you suggests that youre likely one of those autodidacts running around being good at a lot of things;)

Just subscribed! I was blown away by how nice the guitalele sounds tuned as a guitar. This channel deserves ALOT more subs!

Excellent video on this instrument, Valentin. You covered all the bases with your thorough treatment of the instrument and its setup.

I recorded my second album using this guitar for 2 of the works . It actually worked really well, I was completely shocked.

String Hint if you want A tuning for these shorties: look for requinto strings. D’Addario and labella both sell requinto sets, I’m sure there are others.

Went into my local store to pick up a GL1 and strings for standard tuning. Since they didn't have any carbon high tension strings, the salesman suggested the EF44 extra high tension strings. You are spot on with your description. They don't sound good. €14 wasted. By the way, I would love the video on the strap button installation.

Superb review..intelligent presentation..no wasted words.Sold! Thank you!

Bro, you did a fantastic job on this analysis. Really detailed and intelligent. Much appreciated.

thank you so much for your in-depth presentation. Loving it!

Thank you for good advice! I have had one of these for many years, with ordinary strings in E tuning. I thought I had to accept the floppy string action, but now I know better. New strings are ordered 👍

I used to own a Luna guitarlele which the factory tuning is already E tuning. Great quality and affordable instrument.

One of the better videos I have watched in a while!

An excellent review and guide to this instrument. Thank you

Thanks Valentin. Very informative video. I bought the yamaha when it came out. Used it as uke. Yesterday, decided to dig it out of closet then saw your video up only 3 days ago. Fate brought me here for guitar tuning. Thanks again.! 🌹

Please more details about nut and saddle mods. Waiting for next video. Thank you!

This was very interesting. I’m planning to buy a guitarlele :) thank you!

Please do a video on your nut and saddle modifications if you haven’t already. Thank you for giving me reason to play my GL1 more! Great video!

Very interesting review, well done! I´ve dwelled a bit on this matter and after testing a lot of high tension and extra high tension options for standard E tuning, I ended up with a solution I liked and have been using on my GL1 for the last 2 years. What I did was using a 7 string nylon guitar set, with the 7th as the 6th, 6th as 5th and so on (and abandoning the 1st string of course). I´ve sanded the nut to fit the new string gauge and this way I can get a satisfying feel and weight on the strings and still keep a reasonable tuning on the whole neck. 7 string nylon guitars are pretty common here in Brazil and I already had one so I could first test with an old set of strings I had. New sets are also cheap and fairly easily to find in any music store around here.

Could you provide a commentary or a separate video on how to install a strap without damaging the guitalele? Thanks and more power to you and your YT channel!

For my guitalele (A tuning) I use Augustine Imperial: medium tension trebles, high tension basses. They tend to sound best, but this obviously depends also on other factors, like the soundwood used for the guitar. In my case it is masacara ebony (not very typical). I played a couple of different guitaleles and finally stuck with an Ortega model. For me A tuning is very useful, since guitalele is one of many guitars I play and sometimes I need a higher register. To have more fun I also sometimes play it through an amp (Boss Katana), which has many effects built in. It sounds great, especially with an octaver, which adds lower frequencies to bottom strings.

i found one in a charity shop for 50£ and i was delighted with it. i must try the strings that you recommend for E tuning just as a bit of a change of tone colour and feel. thanks for the video, your advice, knowledge and your lovely playing. i particularly enjoyed the excerpt from Barrios.

Had no idea you could tune these to E tuning! Thanks, been looking for something for taking on travels and always discounted the guitarlele as I didn't want A tuning

I use Hannabach 890 Guitar Strings 1/8 (Fits Scale 44-48 cm).Good tension, beautiful sound.

Wow, you play so beautifully ❤ I have one but also couldn’t get used to the A tuning. I may try the E tuning Aquila Reds, and maybe I’ll get some fresh inspiration!

You are a great demonstrator and educator ! Thank you so much.. peace

I liked your video very much, in fact didn’t wait to watch it all the way through, but went out and bought one! I play jazz on electric and acoustic guitars, and I play ukulele, so this is fun for me, and very affordable at AUD$149. I now wish to find some suitable strings for guitar tuning. Thank you! ❤

Very nice, thanks for sharing 🤗

Sir, you make playing look effortless.

Thanks, very interesting. I also bought this GL-1 when been in another country and had no guitar. I do not like A-tuning. So I found special set of strings for Guitalele for E-tuning. It was Aquila RED 153C. But anyway sound wasn't bright. So I will try your set of strings. I like GL-1, it's very comfortable to play.

I want one! edit: I just ordered mine in black with the strings you recommended plus a bone saddle and nut. Very exited!

Thank you. You made a great video. I love the Yamaha GL-1. But I prefer playing it in A-Tuning. Sounds really great for the price. 👏🎶✨

AWESOME info

Great sharing. I wish to try out too. Very interesting topic indeed.

Very nice video, my friend. Well done! You covered all the bases and did a great job of explaining things. Also, I am a trained and experienced music instructor. Guitar, ukulele, and bass guitar are the 3 most requested for lessons. I would have no problem with this instrument. As an option for a higher end guitarlele, check out the Ortega. They are excellent.

Super job!. You sold me. My GL1 arrives in two days. I'm having to hunt, though, for the carbon strings, but that's OK. Thanks so much.

Чудовий звук і техніка. Дякую за відео!

Brilliant, informative video! I will definitely be looking to purchase one of these. Just out of interest, what clip on/ soundhole mic are you using please?

Great analysis of the strings timbre. I used to use Galli but they were a little light sounding.

I agree with you, the Yamaha Guitalele is very interesting; a cheap and portable instrument with its own very specific timbre. I just find one main shortcoming: it can be a bit hard to play barre chords up to the 7th fret, but I think this may be solved by tuning the instrument as a standard guitar - using the right strings, of course. Anyway, this is one of the most exhaustive videos about Guitalele on KZfaq! Thank you very much, you definitely deserve many more subscribers ;)

Thank you. It sounds good.

You are really making me want one! I need it like I need a hole in the head but I have to admit....Im falling in love with this little thing ❤

strap button tutorial would be great!

"It sounds not bad." Generous review, brotha.

very interesting for traveling

You play beautifully. ❤

Dear!A few years ago I bought the Gl1 for my girlfriend in Russia who is a singer songwriter.She plays a lot on that instrument bud in the A tuning.The strings I recommended her are D’adario EJ46 hard tension.After 3 years the bridge came of the body.Sombody repaired de guitalele but he used both glue and a screw.Not the right way to do this.For the moment the bridge is holding but now she uses Aquila strings with a lower tension made in Italy.I saw your whole video and I really liked it .I was surprised that you recommend Hard tension strings carbon for this instrument while it is tuned in E.but probably it is possible! I saw a comment to you in Russian,so I supposed you are from Russia .My girlfriend is from Stary Oskol.I’m from Belgium.By the way you play very beautiful on that instrument and with the pickup and the reverb it sounds like a real classical guitar!Thanks for sharing your knowledge ,playing and passion!

Thank you! You saved my money 🙏

What a difference the carbon fibre strings make! This sounds like a far larger and more expensive classical guitar. Thanks for a very informative video.

Awesome video. I was curious what your solution was for E tuning. in the mean time I have tried a set of strings, Aquila 153C red series. I think they're nylon but metal powder infused so that the strings are higher tension at the same thickness. They seem nice in my opinion but i'm just a beginner in the classical guitar world. I will have to try carbon next

Hi, thnaks, really good video!. I have 2 guitaleles and I am looking to amplify them. I want to know what microphone are you using in your video (the one thats kinda hanging from the hole)?

It's a great guitar - I love mine!

Hi Valentin, thanks a lot for the sharing ! You really sounds amazing. I'm curious too about the mike you use on the guitar ? You'll find a piece ( My Favorite Things ) play with the GL1 on my profile ( in standard A) , played when i just bought it some yeras ago, i found it so fun. Thanks again for the strings stories, i need to change them on the GL1 and found no serious advices before yours.

Hi Valentin, Thanks for the video! I am interested to know which microphone you use!

Great video - Subscribed. I have same GL-1. I got Amazon bone classical saddle/nut and installed. Tone is much better. One mod you might like to try is what I did. Have clumsy fat fingers. the string width was too small for me. Amazon standard classical nut width is 52mm wide. GL-1 nut width is 48mm wide. Shaved off 2mm either side of the new bone nut and installed. Now have width string spacings exactly the same as a standard full size classical - but - GL-1 normal string spacing from A to A (E to E), highest to lowest string is 38mm. Now GL-1 with standard classical nut it is 44mm with 2mm on each side between string and fret edge. Which means both outside E strings, or A, are very close to the edge of the frets. 2mm from the edge. Standard GL-1 is 5mm either side. This takes an hour or so to truly get used to playing, but after that you will compensate and not notice it. (May be off on my mm's, not by much, but you get the point. - modded the new nut to be standard classical width for ease of playing) Will try your string suggestion, currently on A to A Aquila Guilele Purple set. Sounds ok.

Thank you!!!

Love me some guitalele ❤

Thanks for the very useful review, I ordered a second-hand GL1 and carbon strings ! Could you share what do you use for amplification ? Only the little mic we see under the hole, or do you also use an overhead ?

Здравствуйте! В рекомендациях попался ваш канал, очень содержательные видео и качественная съемка! Было интересно, спасибо. Пока руки не доходили поменять на своей гиталеле струны для настройки в стандартный строй. По вашему совету попробую карбоновые Дадарио, если найду! Удачи!

Awsome video , I would like to no what mic your using , and is it through a amp . I just bought a ortega guitarlele I have in A tuning for now to have something different than my regular guitar tunings.. 🎸 I just subscribe to you looking forward to watching more on your channel .. thanks from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Спасибо Валентин! Очень хорошее видео и описание. Ямаха очень хороший производитель гитар по доступным ценам. Тем из нас кто играет на классической гитаре надо иметь что-то такое под рукой.

Очень информативно и интеллигентно подан материал, спасибо. Валентин, как вы думаете, на классическую гитару 1/2 (мензура 530 мм) эти Дадарио подойдут?

I got the Fender Sonora and find it is very nice, it’s not a Gretsch or my Yellow Wood but nice sound. Stand your guitar next to you TV sub and tube every day.

I had to lower saddle and the grooves in the nut on mine. The action was ridiculously high for such a short scale length and even without the saddle, it was high enough to where there was no buzzing. I might have to try G tuning at some point, though I hesitate with E as I don't think the deck will be bassy enough for my taste. The low end is something I really appreciate on my classical guitar, as I've used a steel string parlor guitar with a mediocre low end in the past.

Thanks Valentin for the video. I've had a GL1 for several years to play when I'm away from home especially abroad as it fits diagonally in my suitcase in the gig bag - and despite many, many long haul flights even without detuning - it has never been damaged. I've tried various Aquila strings and in general I cannot play classical pieces at the default high tension of A tuning. Instead I use Aquila 96C but with the strings tuned 6 to 1 as G-C-F-A#-D-G. This gives a tension similar to my medium tension on my normal classical guitar. Due to muscle memory I've ended up keeping specific pieces only for the instrument such as Aguado, Carcassi, and Carulli studies, plus some of the guitalelle pieces written by Wolfgang Vedral. Someone with perfect pitch might not be comfortable listening to me.... but nevertheless I find this a very workable solution when I cannot play my normal guitar for several weeks. I would be interested in how to put a strap catch in the base without damaging as currently I have to play by sitting on the edge of my hotel bed and not the normal position. Again, many thanks.

I'd say the easy way is to go the "toss the E string and use the rest" path. Pyramid makes an inexpensive 7 string set that did the job for me well enough that I'm probably not going to bother trying anything else. The set is Pyramid No 344 200 7 String set, which sells for less than $10USD. Discard the high E string and use the rest. You'll have a set with a wound G that works reasonably well. On my instrument, the B string has the worst intonation, which I mitigate with light fingering pressure. It can probably be adjusted, but will need more compensation at the bridge than the stock saddle will allow. The rest of the strings seem pretty decent as is. I had thought of experimenting with flourocarbon strings, but that gets pricey for experimentation with a high probability for dead ends. For what it's worth, if you're in the EU, Thoman sells a copy of the Yamaha that's pretty good and virtually identical, for about 50 Euros. They also conveniently sell that set of Pyramid strings I mention. The E tuned guitelele turns out to be a fun and extremely portable instrument to own, that's also very affordable.

Watching you list the guitar tuning backwards - EBGDAE hurt me more than I think it had any business doing. Eddie, Bye, Good, Dynamite, Ate, Eddie

ADGCEA: A Darn Good Capuccino or Espresso, Always?

I just got a yamaha GL1 guitalele, but I saw the Aquila guitalele strings for low E tuning. Have you tried those and would you still reccomend the ddadario xtc over the aquila ones?

Hello, Valentin. What is the microphone you attached to the guitalele? Thanks in advance.

Dear Valentin, 2nd comment, when you screwed the strap clip into the base of the guitalele, did you also glue a small piece of wood on the inside the strengthen it? Thanks.

What microphone are you using?

Hi Valentin do you have any advice on how to install a strap button for the guitalele?

My current time of the video? Huh? I own a Gl1, natural finish, and like you, really like it. Can you tell me more about the microphone pickup that you are using? Thank you

what kind of tuner is it on your neck? looks like a good optikon for my gypsy jazz guitar aswell

I used hannabach alto strings after getting advice from strings by mail, they were perfect but the wound third snapped quickly. But this was timed to A not E

I just bought one and the daddario strings as well. If i do standard tuning and keep everything else like it is, will it still sound good or should i replace the strings before tuning it on standard tuning?

Hello first thanks for the wonderful video! I have never played a guitar- or in that case any type of string instrument before and really don’t want to sound like an idiot but have a question. I would really like to buy a guialele and tune it as you mentioned in E using those D‘addario carbon strings with high tension. As far ad I know there are 6 strings in a guitalele, right? So if I were to do what you did, would I have to buy 6 packs of those strings? Or are there more than one sting in one pack? Cuz I just looked up the price for a pack of those carbon strings and they cost 19.90€ here in Germany, which seems quite pricy to me if I needed to buy 6 of them. (Maybe it isn‘t pricy at all compared to other strings but I know nothing about instruments…haha) So my question would be: Did I underdstand it right that you would need to buy 6 packs of those strings in order to tune it to E? I‘m sorry if it‘s a dumb question to ask😅

This instrument seems a wrap aorund side, with no block at the bottom, so I could not fit a pin strap button. How did you do so?

👍👍👍

When you play Bach sound very good, and accurate as instrument of baroque time.

Medieval Vibe, you should have links and get a commission. Thanks

Could you put links for the nut, saddle and strings please? Thanks!

A question if you please: Has having the tuner (permanently I presume) in that position at the headstock affected the sound because of the string touching it? Also, what is the deal with the indentation in the saddle at the 3rd string?

So, can I use any guitar strings set?

I have one, and it's beautiful. However, my fingers are too big to play it well. XD Particularly chords.

I'm skeptical about a compensated nut on a nylon string instrument. Reason being, those strings do not change pitch very much when you try to do string bending (like blues). Even a severe bend results only in a very small pitch change. The tiny bend that occurs when you finger the first fret does next to nothing, pitch wise. Now if the distance from the nut to the first fret is actually wrong from the factory, that's a different story.

What’s the little clip on mic?

I can’t find the xtc46ff in my country, does xtc46 okay?

🎶✨LELE✨🎶 👶❤️

Weird question, will it fit in a large regular checked-in baggage on airlines?

I’m so excited to confuse my luthier homie with a job to replace the saddle and nut with bone for a hundred dollar guitarlele next month

Looks like a good instrument for a kid (not a toy: a kid who is learning real guitar).

I think just buying a 1/4 size classical guitar might sound even better.

I found out large instruments are overrated: my acoustic guitar is in the closet, I love my electric, but acoustically, it's Tenor and baritone ukes and guitalele for me.