The scenic route type
What if “traditional” isn’t really your style?
You don’t have to flip something classic on its head to modernize it. Take a ukulele for example. It’s an instrument with instantly recognizable sound—crisp highs, warm mid-range tone, and a pleasant, mellow volume.
Of course, most people naturally think of the beach or a sunny meadow when they hear one.
And while you may envision live concerts instead, you’re probably not going to completely shred on a ukulele, although we’re SURE those videos exist somewhere.
But traditional ukuleles can use a little bit of that edge in their look to cultivate a specific style, so we entertained some ideas.
How would a reverse headstock with inline tuners work on a ukulele?
Could the position dots be used differently to add a subtle jolt of personality? A few tweaks and wow … things were looking sharp.
Our family business
We’re based in the small town of Gutenstetten, Germany. At Ortega Guitars, our family-owned business operates around the idea that classics are classics but there’s always room for fresh creativity.
Specifications:
| Neck & Headstock | Reversed headstock, 4 in line RUHZ-SBK, RUHZ-SFG: Okoume neck & headstock veneer, satin finish RUHZ-MM: Mahogany headstock |
| Body top | RUHZ-SBK, RUHZ-SFG: Okoume top, satin open pore RUHZ-MM: Mahogany |
| Back & sides | RUHZ-SBK, RUHZ-SFG: Okoume top, satin open pore RUHZ-MM: Mahogany |
| Body binding | Black ABS top, bottom & fretboard binding (RUHZ-SBK fretboard only) |
| Scale (mm/inch) | 376mm (14,8″) |
| Fretboard | Tecwood fretboard & bridge |
| Number of frets | 18 |
| Nut width (mm/inch) | 35 mm (1,38″) |
| Machine heads | Die cast tuning machines, black w/ black buttons |
| Tuning | G-C-E-A |
| Strings | Ortega Guitars UWNY-4-CC Strings |

HOHNER DIATONIC HARMONICA MARINE BAND 1896 G-MAJOR
K&M 16220 GUITAR WALL MOUNT WOODEN CORK
KORG LP-380UWHITE DIGITAL PIANO WITH STAND
ROYAL BY D'ADDARIO BB CLARINET REEDS 1.5 (3 PACK)
K&M 210/6 MIC.STAND GRAY
DADDARIO WOODWINDS RICO ROYAL ASAX 3,5
BOSS PH3 INFINITE PHASER
YAMAHA ARIUS YDP-165 DIGITAL PIANO WHITE
KORG LP 180 BLACK DIGITAL PIANO WITH STAND
ERNIE BALL 12 STRING EARTHWOOD PHOSPHOR BRONZE ACOUSTIC
HOHNER BRAVO III 120 RED SILENT KEY
DADDARIO ECG23 CHROMES
YAMAHA YFL 894WH CUSTOM GRENADILLA WOODEN FLUTE B FOOTJOINT
PEARL FLUTE 505 E QUANTZ
YAMAHA MOUTHPIECE BRUSH (S)
REMO FALAM PATCH SLAM
LP FUTURELIGHT II CONGA STAND
YAMAHA TRBX 174EW TBL
STAGG SOPRANO UKULELE US-TIKIOH
DADDARIO EJ39
ERNIE BALL EARTHWOOD PHOSPHOR BRONZE ACOUSTIC 13-56
BOSS DS1 DISTORTION
KLOTZ ASMM0150 STEREO-CABLE 1,5m.
ROLAND CB-B88 88-KEY KEYBOARD BAG
HOHNER BLUES HARP C-MAJOR
YAMAHA YX135 XYLOPHONE 3 1/2 OCTAVES F1-C5
YAMAHA FP 9C FOOT PEDAL
K&M MIGHTY BRIGHT 2-LED USB LIGHT SILVER
MEINL NINOSET100 BOTANY SHAKER
TAYLOR 414CE V-CLASS
MEINL DJEMBE AFRICAN LARGE WITH BAG
KLOTZ ATCM0200 TWINCABLE 2M
CASIO AP-550 CELVIANO DIGITAL PIANO, BLACK
KLOTZ USB 3.1 CABLE PLUG A - PLUG C BLACK 1M
GÖLDO SPRING FOR HUMBUCKERS 31MM
MEINL SONIC ENERGY THERAPIE SERIES SINGING BOWL SET 1000/1400/2200
KLOTZ JOE BONAMASSA GUITAR STRAIGHT 6M
STAGG US-WHITE SOPRANO UKULELE 