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 |

YAMAHA GC12C GRAND CONCERT CLASSICAL GUITAR NATURAL CEDAR SOLID WOOD
EVANS 10 GENERA G2 CLEAR TOM HEAD
SMT XLR MALE PANELMOUNT
FENDER CLASSIC SHELL 12PK HEAVY
EVANS 22 GENERA G1 COATED
EVANS EC1 COATED 10 INCH
PROTECTION RACKET SUR20 SURDO CASE
FENDER NYLON PICKPACK
PROTECTION RACKET 9112 DJEMBE BAG
FENDER LOCKING TUNERS LEFT HAND
MEINL DJEMBE BAG LARGE BLACK
EVANS 10 GENERA G1 COATED TOM HEAD
GRAPH TECH STRING SAVER ORIGINAL F-OFFSET STYLE BARREL SADDLES
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES GUITAR PICK 5-PACK MEDIUM
YAMAHA TRBX305 BLACK
PROTECTION RACKET 6024EH DELUXE STICK BAG
MOOER PEDAL CONNECTOR Z
SEYMOUR DUNCAN STK-4M CLASSIC STACK PLUS STRAT MIDDLE PICKUP RW/RP BLACK
REMO 14PINSTRIPE COATED
GRETSCH GUITARS STREAMLINER G2655T-P90 BROWNSTONE
EVANS 20 EQ3 RESONANT COATED WHITE
K&M 14051 FOOT REST
EVANS 10 UNO58 1000 COATED TOM HEAD
EVANS 20 EQ3 BATTER CLEAR BASSDRUM HEAD
EVANS EC2 COATED 13 INCH
EVANS 13 ONYX 2-PLY COATED
YAMAHA BB 234 VINTAGE WHITE
MEINL CONGA BAG 11 3/4 BLACK
EVANS 16 ONYX 2-PLY COATED
EVANS EC2S FROSTED 18 IN.
STAGG US-WHITE SOPRANO UKULELE 