Thank you for this very informative and well produced review. I'm looking at both of these instruments trying to decide which way to jump. I like the Yamaha and have played one but I like the idea of the wider neck on the Gretsch.
The yamaha has about the same 48mm width at the nut, so I just changed the head nut to have more space between the strings… Much better! I also lowered the action a bit at the bottom nut... I like to tune it in G, and I found that the Aquila Sugar extra 157C strings are great for that! Edit: the aquila 96c guitalele set are great in G# or A, and the strings are thiner, makes it easier to play...
@@SynthLife-sd6gb I took one from a guitar, so I can't give you a brand... About 41mm between the two "E" strings is good! The strings must have the right tension, otherwise there's a risk of slipping out of the neck...
Thank you for the demo & review, they sound nice in their own way. Re squeaking - I am pretty annoyed at that on my new Flight Sakura. Was wondering if changing strings might help?
Wonderfully said & played. Really nice video, starting with the musical comparison before reviewing the build. I was looking into different types for me to give my newborn cousin. I have been playing my Yamaha for years (in A to A tuning), and you’re right about the durability. I also actually like how small the neck is, especially for my tiny hands haha. And even though I record & gig with my other guitars significantly more, my Yamaha is my go-to when I’m composing-just because it’s small and easy to just pick up and start fiddling. I’d like to know, in your own words, how would you characterize their different tones? In any case, thanks so much for this rare comparison.
what pickup did you put in the yamaha? i have both too i’d also recommend both the yamaha has actually nicer and much louder and clearer highs and general pretty overtones surprisingly as it is not solid wood but the gretsch while lacking overtones and highs has a mysterious warmth that it hard to describe and much more bass and more general sustain to the bass and mid notes which is important for the general harmonic feeling. gretsch is more comfortable on the fingerboard but the yamaha neck is more flat and comfortable since the gretsch has a bit too heavy and deep neck, and the gretsch top could also be thinner i think they made it too thick which dulls the sound a bit . i still love both of them! too bad there is no one model that combines the best of both…
Not sure about the actual gauges, but I may use a dGBE tenor uke set (from Aquila or GHS) for strings 1,2,3,4. Then I use a classical guitar D string for the fifth string, tuned up to A. For the low E, I use a classical guitar A string, tuned up a fifth. Does it make sense?
@@pabrizzer the old one was painted over at one time….a stupid move that I corrected by sanding it…that GL-1 is extremely solidly built. Seems it is virtually indestructible. Will be interesting to see if the Gretsch is as durable.
Great video. Has a quality lost in the mainstream. Your a person that just be awesome to share a conversation randomly on a park bench. Cheers!
Thank you for this very informative and well produced review. I'm looking at both of these instruments trying to decide which way to jump. I like the Yamaha and have played one but I like the idea of the wider neck on the Gretsch.
The yamaha has about the same 48mm width at the nut, so I just changed the head nut to have more space between the strings… Much better! I also lowered the action a bit at the bottom nut... I like to tune it in G, and I found that the Aquila Sugar extra 157C strings are great for that!
Edit: the aquila 96c guitalele set are great in G# or A, and the strings are thiner, makes it easier to play...
Thank you for the idea, can you tell which head nut width you used? Or maybe name/brand as well? 🙂 Thank you in advance.
@@SynthLife-sd6gb I took one from a guitar, so I can't give you a brand... About 41mm between the two "E" strings is good! The strings must have the right tension, otherwise there's a risk of slipping out of the neck...
The yamaha resonance is striking. The tuning you used is very nice.
Thank you for the demo & review, they sound nice in their own way. Re squeaking - I am pretty annoyed at that on my new Flight Sakura. Was wondering if changing strings might help?
Sometimes it gets less squeaky when the strings have been used a little.
1:28 tuning, E to E “reentrant”
Wonderfully said & played. Really nice video, starting with the musical comparison before reviewing the build.
I was looking into different types for me to give my newborn cousin. I have been playing my Yamaha for years (in A to A tuning), and you’re right about the durability. I also actually like how small the neck is, especially for my tiny hands haha. And even though I record & gig with my other guitars significantly more, my Yamaha is my go-to when I’m composing-just because it’s small and easy to just pick up and start fiddling.
I’d like to know, in your own words, how would you characterize their different tones? In any case, thanks so much for this rare comparison.
Great review, thank you!
your play beautifully
So Helpful thank you! Your so talented! Woot! I want to get a little guitar that sounds good!
what pickup did you put in the yamaha?
i have both too i’d also recommend both the yamaha has actually nicer and much louder and clearer highs and general pretty overtones surprisingly as it is not solid wood but the gretsch while lacking overtones and highs has a mysterious warmth that it hard to describe and much more bass and more general sustain to the bass and mid notes which is important for the general harmonic feeling. gretsch is more comfortable on the fingerboard but the yamaha neck is more flat and comfortable since the gretsch has a bit too heavy and deep neck, and the gretsch top could also be thinner i think they made it too thick which dulls the sound a bit . i still love both of them!
too bad there is no one model that combines the best of both…
Yessss! The pickup is a cheap AXL piezo
Anyone ever told you, you look like Tim Pierce...
Great video
I’ll have to google him now
what string gauges do you use for your tuning doc?
Not sure about the actual gauges, but I may use a dGBE tenor uke set (from Aquila or GHS) for strings 1,2,3,4. Then I use a classical guitar D string for the fifth string, tuned up to A. For the low E, I use a classical guitar A string, tuned up a fifth. Does it make sense?
@@drbekken thanks doc - i hope to give it a try at restring time - i sure like the sound you get - did you sand down the top of your guitalele?
@@pabrizzer the old one was painted over at one time….a stupid move that I corrected by sanding it…that GL-1 is extremely solidly built. Seems it is virtually indestructible. Will be interesting to see if the Gretsch is as durable.
if you play the yamaha only for a few seconds without ever shutting up this is hardly a comparison
Your intelligent reflection is highly appreciated.