Description
Terry Carter reviews a Kanile'a GL6 Premium guitarlele (round soundhole) on the Uke Like The Pros channel; the D-1 GL6 uses the same body with Kanile'a's D-shaped soundhole.
Terry Carter plays a Kanile'a GL6 Deluxe guitarlele.
Sound demo of a K-1 GL6 Pro, serial 29740, recorded by Kanile'a Sound Studio.
The Kanile'a D-1 GL6 Hawaiian Koa Guitarlele is a Hawaiian-made six-string guitarlele built from solid Hawaiian koa on the top, back and sides, with a single-piece genuine mahogany neck, ebony fretboard, bridge and headplate, Kanile'a's D-shaped soundhole and the Kanile'a Crown headstock, tuned A-D-G-C-E-A. Choose the Core, Pro or Natural Series below; each one ships with a Kanile'a Premium Gig Bag and Kanile'a's lifetime warranty.
Specifications
| SKU | D-1 GL6 + serial number |
|---|---|
| Size | Guitarlele |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Top | Solid Hawaiian Koa |
| Back & Sides | Solid Hawaiian Koa |
| Neck | Single Piece Genuine Mahogany |
| Fretboard, Bridge & Headplate | Ebony |
| Headstock | Kanileʻa Crown |
| Headstock Logo | White Mother-of-Pearl |
| Top & Side Position Markers | White Mother-of-Pearl |
| Soundhole | D-Shaped |
| Tuners | Kanileʻa Chrome Open Geared |
| Tuning | A-D-G-C-E-A |
Series differences
| Core | Pro | Natural | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koa Grade | Deluxe Grade | Premium Grade | Select Grade |
| Finish | UV Gloss body, UV Silk neck | UV Gloss body, UV Silk neck | Single Layer UV Cured Natural (satin) |
| Nut & Saddle | White NuBone | Graphite Infused Black TUSQ | White NuBone |
| Side Sound Port | No | Oval | No |
| Bracing | TRU-R Bracing | TRU-R Bracing | TRU-R Bracing |
| TRU-Reduction Soundboard Etching | No | Yes | No |
| Strings | Worth Fluorocarbon High-G | Worth Fluorocarbon x GHS Phosphor Bronze Low-G Set | Worth Fluorocarbon High-G |
Measurements
| Overall Length | 30.5” |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 20.06” |
| Nut Width | 2.01” |
| Saddle Width | 2.57” |
| Lower Bout Width | 10.25” |
| Upper Bout Width | 7” |
| Body Length | 12” |
| Frets | 21 |
What is included
- The guitarlele for the series and serial number you choose, or a new one built for you when you choose Build to Order
- Kanile'a Premium Gig Bag
WARRANTY - Kanile'a Lifetime Warranty
BUILD TO ORDER - Kanileʻa builds your D-1 GL6 Guitarlele by hand in Hawaiʻi in the series you choose. We have no photos of a finished D-1 GL6 yet, so the examples show earlier K-1 GL6 guitarleles, which share the same body, neck and six strings but have a round soundhole instead of the D-1's D-shaped soundhole. Your koa grain will be different. Build time is usually 6 to 8 weeks, and we confirm it with you after you order.
Common questions
What is the difference between the Core, Pro and Natural D-1 GL6 guitarlele?
All three are solid Hawaiian koa with the same body, neck, D-shaped soundhole and Kanile'a TRU-R Bracing. The Core has Deluxe Grade koa with a UV gloss body and UV silk neck. The Pro uses Premium Grade koa and adds an oval side sound port, TRU-Reduction soundboard etching, a graphite infused black TUSQ nut and saddle, and a Worth fluorocarbon x GHS phosphor bronze string set. The Natural has Select Grade koa with a single-layer UV cured natural (satin) finish.
What is TRU-Reduction soundboard etching?
TRU-Reduction is a Kanileʻa process that uses laser etching to remove wood from selected areas on the inside of the koa soundboard. The lighter, more flexible top vibrates more freely, which gives more projection and sustain without weakening the top. It is one of the Pro Series upgrades; the Core and Natural Series do not have it. All three series share the same Kanileʻa TRU-R Bracing.
How does the D-1 GL6 compare to the K-1 GL6?
They share the same Hawaiian koa, mahogany neck, guitarlele body, Crown headstock and series options. The D-1 GL6 has Kanile'a's D-shaped soundhole, and the K-1 GL6 has a traditional round soundhole.
Is the Kanile'a D-1 GL6 guitarlele solid wood?
Yes. Every Kanile'a D-1 GL6, Core, Pro or Natural, is built from solid Hawaiian koa on the top, back and sides, with a single-piece genuine mahogany neck.
How is the Kanile'a D-1 GL6 guitarlele tuned?
The D-1 GL6 has six strings tuned A-D-G-C-E-A, like a guitar capoed at the fifth fret, so guitar chord shapes work on it. The Core and Natural come with Worth fluorocarbon strings, and the Pro comes with a Worth fluorocarbon x GHS phosphor bronze set.
Where is the Kanile'a D-1 GL6 guitarlele made?
The Kanile'a D-1 GL6 guitarlele is made in Hawaiʻi by Kanileʻa ʻUkulele.
How do I choose the exact guitarlele I get?
Every Kanile'a D-1 GL6 Guitarlele is hand-built from solid koa, so no two have the same grain. When a finished guitarlele is in stock, it is listed under its series and its own serial number with Ships Now, and its photos show that exact guitarlele. Choose Build to Order to have Kanileʻa build a new one for you.
How does Build to Order work?
Pick a series with Build to Order and check out as usual. We place your order with Kanileʻa, who build the guitarlele by hand in Hawaiʻi, and the build usually takes 6 to 8 weeks; we confirm the timing with you after you order. It ships to you with a Kanile'a Premium Gig Bag and Kanile'a's lifetime warranty.
TERRY CARTER MUSIC STORE ADVANTAGE
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📸 NOTE ON PHOTOS
The photos show a representative example of this model. You will receive an instrument that matches the specs and quality shown — it may not be the exact piece pictured. Questions before ordering? We're happy to help.
