Yamaha GL Series GL1 TBS Guitalele, Tobacco Sunburst
4.4 | 3,261 ratings
Price: 129.99
Last update: 02-18-2026
About this item
- A unique mini 6-string nylon guitar that is sized like a baritone ukulele (17" scale) and plays like a guitar
- The guitalele's tuning is pitched up to "A" (or up to a 4th) at A/D/G/C/E/A.
- Nylon Strings
- Comes with a soft case bag
Product information
Materials & Care
| Material Type | Nylon |
|---|---|
| Top Material Type | Spruce Wood |
| Body Material Type | Meranti |
| Back Material Type | Meranti |
| Neck Material Type | Rosewood |
| Fretboard Material Type | Rosewood |
| String Material Type | Nylon |
Features & Specs
| Operation Mode | Manual |
|---|---|
| Hand Orientation | Right |
| Guitar Bridge System | Fixed |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
Measurements
| Instrument Size | Mini-sized guitar 17" scale length |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 17.0 |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 27.95"L x 9.06"W x 3.15"H |
| Item Dimensions | 27.95 x 9.06 x 3.15 inches |
| Item Weight | 2.65 Pounds |
Warranty & Support
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Yamaha GL Series GL1 TBS Guitalele, Tobacco Sunburst
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Item details
| Brand Name | Yamaha |
|---|---|
| UPC | 086792972251 |
| Instrument | Guitalele |
| Model Name | Yamaha GL1 Guitalele |
| Manufacturer | Yamaha PAC |
| Model Number | GL1TBS |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 04957812526807 |
| Included Components | with bag |
| Item Weight | 2.65 Pounds |
| Warranty Description | 1 year manufacturer warranty yamaha corporation of america (yamaha) is proud of the experience and craftsmanship that goes into every product we represent. Yamaha sells its products through a network of authorized yamaha retailers. Only these authorized retailers are equipped with sales and service support materials and training that are not readily available to non-authorized retailers. The yamaha limited warranty applies only to products that have been purchased from an authorized yamaha retailer in the fifty united states (including the district of columbia) and used in this area. For more information, please review the yamaha limited warranty for this product on our website. |
| Best Sellers Rank |
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| ASIN | B00AC0OBYE |
| Customer Reviews | 4.44.4 out of 5 stars(3,256) 4.4 out of 5 stars |
Additional details
| Color | Tobacco Sunburst |
|---|
Top reviews from the United States
- JonA quality instrument from Yamaha69 year old guitar hack here. Played electric, and some acoustic guitar in three bands way back in the 1970's. Played acoustic at a wedding. My neighbor bought a Yamaha GL-1 "guitalele" A few years ago, and told me recently that he loves it! A GL-1 is basically a very compact 6 string classical guitar, but, instead of being tuned Eadgbe, it is tuned 5 frets up on each string, so the low and high e's become a's. This means that all the chord shapes I know on a regular guitar can be played in the same positions, but the name of the chord will be different. Example, an e major chord shape on a guitar, will really be an a major on the Yamaha. If I am just playing by myself for myself, there is no problem. If I was to play along with a regular guitar, we would have to work out what key to play in. Also, if I sing and play, then depending on what key I play in, I would have to sing in higher notes.
This thing came quicky to me in Hawaii, and it is in perfect condition! Since it had nylon/classical type strings, it is going to take much longer for the strings to settle down and stop sretching. Way longer than my steel stringers. So, don't write a review after a few days complaining about this. All classical style nylon string guitars do this! Pick it up,tune it, play it, and keep tuning it. The tuners on mine seem just fine. It is a total blast for me to play. It sounds great, especially for the small body size. It has very good volume and sustain too. A bit stingy on the fret markers, both on the fingerboard and side of the neck. If you have big fingers, some chording might be a bit crowded. It doesn't have a truss rod. But, many classical guitars and many other guitaleles don't have them either. I have yet to read a review, or watch a video review, where the owner had a neck warp. In short, I should have bought one of these long ago.
Update after more than a year now. I still love this little 6 stringer! I have been selling some of my amps and ukes etc. I had considered selling my Yamaha, but cannot do it! It is just such a great insrument. Mine is still perfect. Drawbacks? Few. The 17" scale is a bit tight for me. One string started unravelling after not too much playing. I was able to buy the one string and replaced it. I read a review somewhere where the writer returned his due to various flaws. Looking at mine it's hard to believe. I think Yamaha should make an option of the GL-1 that would come with an under saddle pickup with tuner and volume/tone controls. Great price, great instrument, great FUN!!
2/28/2025 update:
Just wanted to say my estimation of this instrument has gone up if anything. I am taking super good care of it. It us holding up great. I had one of the wound strings start to unravel early and replaced it. Zero problems. After break in it holds tune as good or better than my other string instruments. That alone is saying a lot. The climate here in the Puna District on the big island plays he'll with stringed instruments. Most go sharp sitting overnight, and flat sitting during the day. This little guy is built very well. I wish it had come with an active pickup with tuned and equalizer, but it's still a keeper! - Sean SnyderBest Guitar EverThis is THE starter guitar. Can be tuned to E-Standard with high tension strings (I love D'addario xtc46ff).
Every school across the country should have a set of these in their music room. Anyone who hates the bulk of a full size guitar, the early pain of metal strings, or the poor quality of cheap guitars, this is the answer.
The finish is not perfect, but the intonation is great. The lack of a truss rod means the neck is a tad thick for its size, however, this (thick neck) is an advantage for adult hands and reduces the neck dive you'd see in small guitars like this.
If you are having trouble with tuning, ensure the saddle is in the properly centered as it's held down by the strings in its slot and not actually attached to the guitar which allows you to upgrade or modify it in the future if you see fit. The strings are tied on, but the bridge will be fine with ball-ends, at least in E-Standard; they may leave indents, but I never lost confidence in the structure. The tuning machines take a light touch but are certainly functional and precise.
The gig bag is a gig bag, I don't typically use it. - Mona LisaBeautiful, well-made instrumentWell-made, great quality, great sound. Bought this for a 6 year old to start guitar lessons. Initial tuning is taking a while for the factory strings to settle, but I may replace them soon anyway. It is very fun to play, as a guitar player who is not accustomed to ukelele.
- Ashley Perkinsplayed for many years just for fun, and this thing is so much fun and ...Was hunting for something small and nylon strung that wasn't going to be a toy, or break the bank either. Prefer the guitalele/guilele fretboard and neck as opposed to the travel guitars (e.g. Cordoba Mini series--too wide and thin), and the sound is really appealing, projects well. I was lucky enough to try different styles out in local stores before settling on a guitalele. I'm a beginner/intermediate player, played for many years just for fun, and this thing is so much fun and great to just pick up and tool around with at home (and at work when I'm lucky enough to find time).
No problems with the A tuning, sounds pretty cool to play songs in a different key or play uke songs with extra bass, and tuning down to E is no problem--strings do feel looser, some describe it as "floppy," but was not major and still easily playable. Fret board spacing is small and so works best with smaller hands, which luckily I have. Very cool to finally be able to play a larger fret spread (can barely reach 4 frets apart on a standard scale neck).
I got this "open box, like new" and fulfilled by amazon (not warehouse though, was a marketplace seller) for $79 total, and it came 100% new in packaging--only the outer shipping box appeared to have been opened before, so I was pleasantly surprised. Cosmetically, there are some issues, especially at the end of the fret board that hangs over the sound hole--edge needs to be sanded badly, but it's not anything that can't wait for a string change. Also, there is one sharp fret that I will need to file, the bottom 3rd fret hangs out past the edge of the fret board. Otherwise, holds tune well with original strings and is a blast to play. For the price, it's a great small guitar/guitalele. - Rebecca HernandezLove the sizeThis is fantastic, the smaller size makes it easy to take with you, my grandson loved this! Five string guitar, compact size. Perfect for practicing and learning.