Lori wrote:
How does the Yamaha GL-1 compare to the D-VI and the Mele?
Hi Lori! I would say that I really love the Yamaha Guitalele. To me it's the same version as the D-VI but cheaper both in term of price and in general.
Ok. So for the shape of the instrument, the Yamaha is almost the same shape as the D-VI. The Yamaha is quite a traditional tenor uke shape. The D-VI is just a little bit bigger but really not much. So I would say , it's almost the same thing.
The main difference for me is the neck of the D-Vi compare to the Yamaha!! The D-VI has simply an amazing neck!!!! Very slim and a litlle bit wider than Yamaha. But it,s amazing how comfortable it is!!! And I'm somone who has small hands.
I would say the neck is vey comparable to the Mele. It's actually the same shape.....but the D-VI plays better and is more confortable even if the both have almost the same shape and thickness.
The Yamaha on the other hand has a thicker neck but less wide. And what is makes is that you have less space for fingerpicking since the strings are closer. And the wthicker neck is notas pleasant to play.
Well for sure that if you don't own a D-VI you will find the Yamaha to be nice but once you have a D-VI to compare you clearly see how much easier and more confortable is the D-VI neck.
The other problem with the Yamaha neck is that it,s qute heavy!!! Since it has a slotted headstock, the balance of the instrument tend to go o the neck....which is quite annyoing.
As for the rest of the contruction, the Yamaha is a very well built instrument.
As for the sound now. Ok the first thing you have to understand is that the Yamaha is mass produce product that cost very cheap. So from my exprience since I own 3, you can get one that sounds very nice and get one that sounds so so. So just be aware of that.
The action can be different too. I do get one that the action is very low and because of that the 5 first fret sound very soft and quite tricky to play.
But if you get one that the action is properly set up, you can make this instrument sing. You will have to experiment with a lot fo strings combo to find what you like.
And since I'm a freak of strings....well I ty all kind of combo to get what I really like and what can make the instrument sing. It's really up to you to find the tone you want it to be. What I like may not be what you like....so treble and bass strings combo is really a question of taste....and the instrument will react differently too.
But you can get a very clean sound form the Yamaha.
In conclusion, the Yamaha athis price is amazingly a good instrument but again, you have to try several one to pick the one that sound the best because like I said, you can get one that sounds and play very so so.
Since i know a few guys at my local music stores, I always have the chance to make them bring a few from the backstore so I can try a few ones before I pick the one I like.
Thanks.