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 |

EVANS 22 RETRO SCREEN BLACK
ORANGE ROCKER 32 GUITAR TUBE COMBO
EVANS EC2S FROSTED 8 IN.
EVANS 18 GENERA G2 COATED TOM HEAD
PROTECTION RACKET BOD18 BODHRAN CASE
GEWA MALLET PARADE DRUM MARCHING
DUNLOP CRYBABY 535Q MULTI-WAH
IBANEZ GSA60WNF WALNUT FLAT
EVANS 24 EQ3 BATTER CLEAR KICK HEAD
YAMAHA CG-192S CLASSICAL GUITAR NATURAL SPRUCE SOLID WOOD
REMO 14POWERSTROKE 4 COATED WITH DOT
ELECTRO HARMONIX GUITAR MONO SYNTH
BLACKSTAR TONE:LINK BLUETOOTH AUDIO RECEIVER
EVANS 20 EMAD2 CLEAR BATTER HEAD
ZOOM F8NPRO MULTITRACK FIELD RECORDER
FENDER LINK I/O AUDIO RECORDING INTERFACE
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YAMAHA CSF 1M VINTAGE NATURAL
EVANS 20 EQ4 BATTER CLEAR
MEINL MTB TIMBALE BAG
PROTECTION RACKET SUR22 SURDO CASE
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YAMAHA CG 122MS CLASSICAL GUITAR NATURAL MATTE SPRUCE
MXR M81 BASS PREAMP
GIBRALTAR 4706 SNARE STAND GI802.402
MEINL SONIC ENERGY THUNDER DRUM, SMALL
FENDER LOST HIGHWAY PHASER
TAMA HP900RN
YAMAHA SBS1455CLW STAGE CUSTOM BIRCH SNARE CLASSIC WHITE
ELECTRO HARMONIX HOLY GRAIL NANO
EVANS EC2S FROSTED 18 IN.
WITTNER METRONOME BLACK 845161
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GRAPH TECH TUSQ LQ 1720 ACOUSTIC GUITAR NUT FLAT SLOTTED
DUNLOP DD95FW CRY BABY DAREDEVIL FUZZ WAH
STAGG UC-30 CONCERT UKE MAHOGANY WITH BAG 