Got one of these 5 years ago. It was my 1st "ukulele". It is very pretty. I grew less satisfied with the sound. Ended up getting the Vorson S-style electric guitalele, which I really like. Hadn't played it for years, pulled it out a few weeks ago. Liked it a little better.
The tone as a solo axe leaves me cold, but as you suggest, it may work in a band setting, layered on top of the mix. Nice appearance. A tricky one to review I'm sure, but the positives you cite suggest this will work for some players. Good review.
Thanks Baz, now there’s some Marmite. So pleased with your reviews, where else would we get to see such instruments talked through. I for one would never probably even take a look at this in a store. However, these reviews give everyone who view a chance to consider, not only different brands, bur entirely different instruments. Have a great week.
Thanks Mike - Marmite indeed - I think I gave it a fair crack - not an instrument for perhaps 75% of people - but.... I can see how some inventive types could add this to a mix in the right place to great effect.
"agricultural tuners“ … 😂 absolutely hilarious! Yeah, I agree: in a full acoustic band or as an additional instrument (sound) in a recording … can be quite useful! I myself used a Merlin seagull (w/ steel-strings) to get that thin, tinny, high frequency for an effekt in a recording/video.
I was about to go past this, thinking it would be a tiny ukulele unplayable above the fifth fret. But this is intriguing. That said, it sounds like a ukulele with something else walking in on it. You’re right; not a parlor or front porch instrument.
Finding the right piece of music and part to play I can totally see how this could add an additional layer to a group sound. Not for solo work no, but yes, intriguing.
It's always great when you bring us something different. I like the look, but I must admit I did not like the sound at all at first. When you played time stamp 7:57. I thought, "Wait, I like the way it sounds now." I know when it comes to music, it's all subjective, but I agree with it adding a unique flavor to the mix. I think it could be a great solo instrument too. It's definitely something I'll keep in the back of my mind if I ever find myself learning to play more than four strings. Will you please tell me what that (7:57) song is? I really enjoyed what I heard. 🙂🎶
Fix the intonation and use a thicker, more rounded-edge pick, and that would probably tone down the harsh sound. Mando's can sound harsh that way, if you're playing with a thin, pointy, git-box pick. I love the wood, BTW.
I’m thinking of getting one… I tune my guitar to B Standard (baritone tuning) and I think getting one of these and putting a capo on the 2nd fret (putting it in B standard and octave up), would have a really good sound together. Especially if I tune my normal acoustic down to B. It’s a pain to play with a capo so high up on a normal acoustic, so I think this could be perfect
Thanks for a review on an interesting instrument! Not my cup of tea, but certainly an interesting instrument that could add some depth to some group compositions!
For 200 bucks, I was debating one of these as an office / travel beater guitar. Something to scratch the itch and noodle on while a think, but won't take up too much space. But honestly, it looks super fun to pink around with. May end up with 2. lol one to keep around the office and one to try and mix into a worship set (I could see it working really well layered with a bass and second traditional acoustic for more lowkey acoustic sets.) Also seams like a fantastic campfire instrument when you know their are going to be other guitars.
I've just recently become aware of these piccolo guitars - as opposed to piccolo ukuleles (and I've got three of the latter). I've watched a few clips and I agree with you...they're probably best used as an underlying layer (or tier) to normal instrumentation - guitars, bass etc - in the same style as you might use a mandolin, octave mandolin, Nashville strung 6 string or a traditional 12 string guitar....just another adjunct to the creative process. I like their sound and for a piccolo, it's quite a bigger sound than one might imagine you'd get from such a smaller instrument. Thanks for the demonstration.
‘Guitar-curious’……😂😊, righto, pulling myself together…….I’m leaning towards Banjolele to keep my mind active. I’ve also been looking at full-banjo too, there are some fair ones for the same price as Banjolele. I do love that rounded lower bout 😯👍
Maybe TY's compression is doing it a disservice but that thing sounds terrible! The intonation's way out & it sounds like you're strumming a set of bed-frame springs. Shame as it's very pretty & I like Ibanezs.
Depends where you play it - as I say in the review in first position it's echoey and the intonation needs dialling. But played up the neck or played picked I think it works quite nicely
Agree completely. I had heard they were untunable for some people, and then the intonation of the fretted notes. Yikes. I want it to be be good because ai want to use it in a mix the way he describes. I don't know of any other steel string instruments like this. something around 400 would be a good budget for me. a company makes pretty cool little 12 strings that might be tuned like a guitalele? might be different. I haven't played one, but they sound great online. it's somewhat of a mandolin tonality for a guitar player, but it's a bit more too. the body is small, but larger than a mandolin, and designed differently.
They definitely need setting up when new. The best sounding example of this specific model I've heard was actually with it tuned up to DGCFAD (i.e. tenth fret of a normal guitar) with very light strings. This thing is too short to sound good in A as the tension will either be too low or require quite heavy strings to give decent tension.
I really like that it's something different. I'm starting to feel like I need a steel string instrument in my life - though to be honest not this one - as you say the tone doesn't really work as a solo instrument. The intonation also sounded problematic. It sounds like I'm down on it, but it's cool to see experimentation.
@@GotAUkulele glad to hear it’s just minor and easily fixable. I guess a beginner probably wouldn’t buy a steel string guitalele as their first ukulele/guitar, so it’s not a big issue.
Have you tried Kala surf series? I'm going for my first ukulele but I'm lost and here in my country there isn't many options 😢 I want a Kala concert ukulele but I don't know which one would be a good choice for a beginner. I've seen surf series, sparkle series, all bamboo, burled meranti, exotic mahogany or the Makala Concert Ukulele Pack. Which one would you recommend?
Thank you so much for your review Baz! I’d been looking forward to hearing what you think of this one 🙂 I have one of these and put a set of 13-56 acoustic guitar strings on it, and right after that lent it to a friend who wanted to take a guitar on a trip to Turky. I got the strings in tune (EADGBE) but didn’t get to play it myself. According to my friend, it works okay (for recreational purposes, since it wasn’t used in any professional performances.) I guess I’ll check out how it works myself when I get it back. As a travel instrument though, it is much much more portable than any guitar, since its size would make a Baby Taylor look huge 😄
Agreed on the size - but it kind of doesn't know what it wants to be. It's a far cry from any guitar, travel or otherwise, and a far cry from a uke. BUT... I think there are ways to use it that will add value to a performance for sure.
Did you have to use nut files to get the 13-56 strings on the piccolo? I just got a medium set of Martins to try on this piccolo in order to tune to EADGBE as well. Thanks, Dan
I purchase one, I exchanged the machine heads for Gotoh Black Minis, cut a new bridge bone saddle and bone nut, bone bridge pins, lowered the action and put on Elixir Phosphor Bronze 10-47 and it sounds amazing... The machine heads are heavier on the headstock giving a richer tone (and don't be fooled changing the machine heads can change the tone and it's more noticeable in smaller instruments) with bone nut, saddle and bridge pins give warmth and the Elixir strings, well they sound great on any guitar, Yes! Sorry to burst your bubble but it's a Piccolo guitar, it has steel strings, cross bracing, a radius on the fretboard and the dot positions on the fretboard are guitar positions... I do agree the neck could be a bit wider by 4mm but all in all... It's a Guitar 🎸🎶🎶🎶
Well that depends what you consider a lot of work, when you have the resources and the knowhow to improve something it's all about the challenge 😁 but it's still a Guitar 🎸🎶🎶🎶
Yeah for sure - but my reviews are watched by a range of people. I used to work as a guitar tech so would have no issue doing what you did - but some people wouldn't know how. So I always review 'as is'
This is timely as I've been UAS'ing for one lately. There's only a limited number of choices for electric guitaleles (of the steel string + magnetic pickup variety) and I have been thinking a magnetic soundhole pickup into one of these could make for a lightweight and affordable option. Could it work?
I think we definitely have some intonation issues here needs a proper setup to really be useful beyond that though as you said could be useful for certain things
Not going to lie I’ve never really seen the value or appeal of the guitalele scene even with your comment about part of something more. I feel the ukulele works best as it is, with guitar an excellent option onwards for progressive playing (after all, one can capo the 5th to get the same register or play in key with ukuleles), and am a massive fan on a tenor guitar for those lush deep resonant accompaniments to fill a mix nicer than a smaller bodied guitalele ever could. Again, subjective. Your views may differ, but for me the scale, tuning and finger spacing don’t allow for it to be more than a curiosity that’s better filled with a tenor guitar or acoustic guitar (not suggesting dreadnaughts, but even a nice laminate parlour) to satisfy the ukulele combo. Just my two pence but thanks for doing these “not a ukulele” style reviews as they really do progress the options available to players and as you say it really comes down to imaginations. I like that. Well done ❤
Yep - fiddly to play for sure! Mind you - I bought one and had two weeks to learn the parts for a show we played and managed to carry it off!! I'd need to re-learn it all again now though!
I'm not sure it has much use. In a band situation why not use a standard small traveller capoed at the fifth fret or even a small bodied parlour. Those would at least have other uses including solo playing. The only use I can see is as a very small traveller.
I agree the intonation is off. It is much to bright. In stead of that smooth guitar sound it sounds like an oil can ukulele made cheep. Some of the small guitars you’ve shown sound much better. It may be the iPhone speakers but it is to tinny sounding for me. Thanks , this was an interesting one! …..DOC
Calling it a piccolo and it’s only a fourth higher is disappointing. A piccolo flute is a whole octave up! I’d call that an alto guitar if I had a choice.
Did you miss the bit of the video where it was tuned with a strobe tuner at the nut? What you are hearing is very skinny steel strings on a high nut over a very short scale
Got one of these 5 years ago. It was my 1st "ukulele". It is very pretty. I grew less satisfied with the sound. Ended up getting the Vorson S-style electric guitalele, which I really like. Hadn't played it for years, pulled it out a few weeks ago. Liked it a little better.
The tone as a solo axe leaves me cold, but as you suggest, it may work in a band setting, layered on top of the mix. Nice appearance. A tricky one to review I'm sure, but the positives you cite suggest this will work for some players. Good review.
Very difficult!
Thanks Baz, now there’s some Marmite. So pleased with your reviews, where else would we get to see such instruments talked through. I for one would never probably even take a look at this in a store. However, these reviews give everyone who view a chance to consider, not only different brands, bur entirely different instruments. Have a great week.
Thanks Mike - Marmite indeed - I think I gave it a fair crack - not an instrument for perhaps 75% of people - but.... I can see how some inventive types could add this to a mix in the right place to great effect.
I had one of these and the intonation was spot on, all the way up the fretboard
Intonation is an incredibly variable thing of course - depends on state of setup when it was shipped. It can easily be adjusted too
"agricultural tuners“ … 😂 absolutely hilarious!
Yeah, I agree: in a full acoustic band or as an additional instrument (sound) in a recording … can be quite useful!
I myself used a Merlin seagull (w/ steel-strings) to get that thin, tinny, high frequency for an effekt in a recording/video.
Yes - exactly that - the Merlin is a great example of something that can add a whole other layer!
like so: ruclips.net/video/H49gC6h1Jvo/видео.html
Yep! Nice!
I was about to go past this, thinking it would be a tiny ukulele unplayable above the fifth fret. But this is intriguing. That said, it sounds like a ukulele with something else walking in on it. You’re right; not a parlor or front porch instrument.
Finding the right piece of music and part to play I can totally see how this could add an additional layer to a group sound. Not for solo work no, but yes, intriguing.
Cheers Baz! Nailed it with the Ukitar suggestion...I think 🤣🤣
Nice one!
It's always great when you bring us something different. I like the look, but I must admit I did not like the sound at all at first. When you played time stamp 7:57. I thought, "Wait, I like the way it sounds now." I know when it comes to music, it's all subjective, but I agree with it adding a unique flavor to the mix. I think it could be a great solo instrument too. It's definitely something I'll keep in the back of my mind if I ever find myself learning to play more than four strings.
Will you please tell me what that (7:57) song is? I really enjoyed what I heard. 🙂🎶
It's just a basic blues turnaround in E
Thank you for the honest review.
My pleasure!
Fix the intonation and use a thicker, more rounded-edge pick, and that would probably tone down the harsh sound. Mando's can sound harsh that way, if you're playing with a thin, pointy, git-box pick. I love the wood, BTW.
I like the look of this, does it have a pickup?, if not can one be fitted?
No but easily fitted
I’m thinking of getting one… I tune my guitar to B Standard (baritone tuning) and I think getting one of these and putting a capo on the 2nd fret (putting it in B standard and octave up), would have a really good sound together. Especially if I tune my normal acoustic down to B. It’s a pain to play with a capo so high up on a normal acoustic, so I think this could be perfect
Thanks for a review on an interesting instrument! Not my cup of tea, but certainly an interesting instrument that could add some depth to some group compositions!
Thanks for watching!
For 200 bucks, I was debating one of these as an office / travel beater guitar. Something to scratch the itch and noodle on while a think, but won't take up too much space.
But honestly, it looks super fun to pink around with. May end up with 2. lol one to keep around the office and one to try and mix into a worship set (I could see it working really well layered with a bass and second traditional acoustic for more lowkey acoustic sets.)
Also seams like a fantastic campfire instrument when you know their are going to be other guitars.
They are fun things. The tone is a bit of an acquired taste though
I've just recently become aware of these piccolo guitars - as opposed to piccolo ukuleles (and I've got three of the latter). I've watched a few clips and I agree with you...they're probably best used as an underlying layer (or tier) to normal instrumentation - guitars, bass etc - in the same style as you might use a mandolin, octave mandolin, Nashville strung 6 string or a traditional 12 string guitar....just another adjunct to the creative process. I like their sound and for a piccolo, it's quite a bigger sound than one might imagine you'd get from such a smaller instrument. Thanks for the demonstration.
Thanks Lynda!
‘Guitar-curious’……😂😊, righto, pulling myself together…….I’m leaning towards Banjolele to keep my mind active. I’ve also been looking at full-banjo too, there are some fair ones for the same price as Banjolele. I do love that rounded lower bout 😯👍
Maybe TY's compression is doing it a disservice but that thing sounds terrible! The intonation's way out & it sounds like you're strumming a set of bed-frame springs. Shame as it's very pretty & I like Ibanezs.
Depends where you play it - as I say in the review in first position it's echoey and the intonation needs dialling. But played up the neck or played picked I think it works quite nicely
Agree completely. I had heard they were untunable for some people, and then the intonation of the fretted notes. Yikes. I want it to be be good because ai want to use it in a mix the way he describes. I don't know of any other steel string instruments like this. something around 400 would be a good budget for me. a company makes pretty cool little 12 strings that might be tuned like a guitalele? might be different. I haven't played one, but they sound great online. it's somewhat of a mandolin tonality for a guitar player, but it's a bit more too. the body is small, but larger than a mandolin, and designed differently.
They definitely need setting up when new. The best sounding example of this specific model I've heard was actually with it tuned up to DGCFAD (i.e. tenth fret of a normal guitar) with very light strings. This thing is too short to sound good in A as the tension will either be too low or require quite heavy strings to give decent tension.
I really like that it's something different. I'm starting to feel like I need a steel string instrument in my life - though to be honest not this one - as you say the tone doesn't really work as a solo instrument. The intonation also sounded problematic.
It sounds like I'm down on it, but it's cool to see experimentation.
Intonation at the nut certainly needs work - but it's a ten minute job (if I could be bothered!). Plays much better up the neck!
@@GotAUkulele glad to hear it’s just minor and easily fixable. I guess a beginner probably wouldn’t buy a steel string guitalele as their first ukulele/guitar, so it’s not a big issue.
Have you tried Kala surf series? I'm going for my first ukulele but I'm lost and here in my country there isn't many options 😢 I want a Kala concert ukulele but I don't know which one would be a good choice for a beginner. I've seen surf series, sparkle series, all bamboo, burled meranti, exotic mahogany or the Makala Concert Ukulele Pack. Which one would you recommend?
These are basically ukes with same construction, only difference is comestic design and finishing (except the all bamboo one)
I couldn't pick between them - all essentially the same uke just different veneer on the outside - depends which you prefer the look of
Thank you so much for your review Baz! I’d been looking forward to hearing what you think of this one 🙂
I have one of these and put a set of 13-56 acoustic guitar strings on it, and right after that lent it to a friend who wanted to take a guitar on a trip to Turky. I got the strings in tune (EADGBE) but didn’t get to play it myself. According to my friend, it works okay (for recreational purposes, since it wasn’t used in any professional performances.) I guess I’ll check out how it works myself when I get it back. As a travel instrument though, it is much much more portable than any guitar, since its size would make a Baby Taylor look huge 😄
Agreed on the size - but it kind of doesn't know what it wants to be. It's a far cry from any guitar, travel or otherwise, and a far cry from a uke. BUT... I think there are ways to use it that will add value to a performance for sure.
Did you have to use nut files to get the 13-56 strings on the piccolo? I just got a medium set of Martins to try on this piccolo in order to tune to EADGBE as well. Thanks, Dan
@@kodiakdjd Hi, I didn’t need to file or do any modification to the nut when I put on the 13-56 set.
I purchase one, I exchanged the machine heads for Gotoh Black Minis, cut a new bridge bone saddle and bone nut, bone bridge pins, lowered the action and put on Elixir Phosphor Bronze 10-47 and it sounds amazing... The machine heads are heavier on the headstock giving a richer tone (and don't be fooled changing the machine heads can change the tone and it's more noticeable in smaller instruments) with bone nut, saddle and bridge pins give warmth and the Elixir strings, well they sound great on any guitar, Yes! Sorry to burst your bubble but it's a Piccolo guitar, it has steel strings, cross bracing, a radius on the fretboard and the dot positions on the fretboard are guitar positions... I do agree the neck could be a bit wider by 4mm but all in all... It's a Guitar 🎸🎶🎶🎶
Lot of work to make it ok though..
Well that depends what you consider a lot of work, when you have the resources and the knowhow to improve something it's all about the challenge 😁 but it's still a Guitar 🎸🎶🎶🎶
Yeah for sure - but my reviews are watched by a range of people. I used to work as a guitar tech so would have no issue doing what you did - but some people wouldn't know how. So I always review 'as is'
This is timely as I've been UAS'ing for one lately. There's only a limited number of choices for electric guitaleles (of the steel string + magnetic pickup variety) and I have been thinking a magnetic soundhole pickup into one of these could make for a lightweight and affordable option. Could it work?
Yes, don't see why not
Interesting! I like your term “guitar-curious” and I’m often tempted to try 6 strings… gotta get my head around my baritone uke first, though! 😅
Go for it!
I actually like it a lot.
Maybe a leather pick might be better.
Reckon the strings would wear a leather pick down in no time at all
I think we definitely have some intonation issues here needs a proper setup to really be useful beyond that though as you said could be useful for certain things
Definitely - like I said in the video!
Not going to lie I’ve never really seen the value or appeal of the guitalele scene even with your comment about part of something more. I feel the ukulele works best as it is, with guitar an excellent option onwards for progressive playing (after all, one can capo the 5th to get the same register or play in key with ukuleles), and am a massive fan on a tenor guitar for those lush deep resonant accompaniments to fill a mix nicer than a smaller bodied guitalele ever could.
Again, subjective. Your views may differ, but for me the scale, tuning and finger spacing don’t allow for it to be more than a curiosity that’s better filled with a tenor guitar or acoustic guitar (not suggesting dreadnaughts, but even a nice laminate parlour) to satisfy the ukulele combo.
Just my two pence but thanks for doing these “not a ukulele” style reviews as they really do progress the options available to players and as you say it really comes down to imaginations. I like that. Well done ❤
Fari enough!
I agree great in a group. I like this one though. Have you ever played a mandolin Barry?
Yes - used to accompany a couple of my old bands songs on stage with a mandolin - not played for some years though
This one in fact! www.gotaukulele.com/2014/02/gretsch-new-yorker-deluxe-mandolin-hang.html
@@GotAUkulele that looks lovely. If I can learn uke chords then mandolin must be straightforward. Just those steel strings though
Yep - fiddly to play for sure! Mind you - I bought one and had two weeks to learn the parts for a show we played and managed to carry it off!! I'd need to re-learn it all again now though!
@@GotAUkulele I am sure it wouldn't be too difficult you are a great musician anyway
I had one of these a couple of years ago and the neck snapped off after a few months.I will wait until I can afford a Tiny Tenor version.
Ouch!
Thats the brownest purpleheart I've ever seen! Probably a good thing...matches the rest of the instrument better this way :)
It can vary - i've seen it this dark before - depends on the light though
This guitar is in A tuning. I wonder if it can be tuned to standard E tuning using 12 or 13 strings?
With the right gauges, I don't see why not. Might need the intonation adjusting
It’s a guitar for mandolin players. Or a great little travel guitar.
Love the look of this one, but I don't think it's sound compares at all to my sweet sounding Baby Taylor. The hunt continues...
Nowhere NEAR a BT!!
Can I tune this to standard E tuning. Want to use as a travel guitar
With different strings, yes
@@GotAUkulele hi! Do you know which strings could be used to tune this into standard E? Thanks :)
When you played the open strings it sounded almost harp-like
I thought that - shimmery - just looses footing in chord strums - better picked!
I'm not sure it has much use. In a band situation why not use a standard small traveller capoed at the fifth fret or even a small bodied parlour. Those would at least have other uses including solo playing. The only use I can see is as a very small traveller.
I think that depends on the inventiveness of the player - couple of comments below already suggesting
That's interesting!
It is rather!
I agree the intonation is off. It is much to bright. In stead of that smooth guitar sound it sounds like an oil can ukulele made cheep. Some of the small guitars you’ve shown sound much better. It may be the iPhone speakers but it is to tinny sounding for me. Thanks , this was an interesting one! …..DOC
Don't think it works as a guitar sound either - but I can see how it could work ina. mix
It's a hard pass for me but interesting indeed! I also like the looks of it. Thanks for showing it off👍👍
Thanks for watching!
Sorry Baz. I thought the comments were too harsh. But it doesn’t sound up to your usual high standards.
My views are very mixed (hence the low score on sound) - but I think played in certain ways I can see the use for it. Just not as a solo instrument
@@GotAUkulele Fair point. I’m also more of a ukulele fan 🙂
Calling it a piccolo and it’s only a fourth higher is disappointing. A piccolo flute is a whole octave up!
I’d call that an alto guitar if I had a choice.
Don't shoot the messenger...
When I am cleaning windows.
You know, i’ve never seen someone comment that before….
For a small child to learn on ….
Yes - good idea
Way too small. Suitable for a child
Way too small for who? It's significantly larger than a soprano ukulele which I play. I'm six foot four...
@@GotAUkulele ...for a guitar
@@Io-Io-Io This is a ukulele channel - any adult that plays a uke could play this - same size as a tenor ukulele
You are completely out of tune fellow
Did you miss the bit of the video where it was tuned with a strobe tuner at the nut? What you are hearing is very skinny steel strings on a high nut over a very short scale