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 |

STAGG CTUC9 CLIP-ON TUNER
K&M 17590 EL.GUITAR STAND
GIBRALTAR SC-4244 DRUM KEY
GRETSCH G5655T ELECTROMATIC CENTER BLOCK JR WITH BIGSBY IL CASINO GOLD
EVANS EC2 COATED 10 INCH
STAGG CTUC5BK CLIP-ON TUNER
HOLTON FRENCH HORN FOR CHILDREN HR650F
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES 25LK02 KISS STRAP
YAMAHA YTR 9445NYS CUSTOM NEW YORK C TRUMPET SILVER PLATED
EVANS 16 GENERA G2 COATED TOM HEAD
AHEAD STICK TIP TIP
IBANEZ GRX70QA-TRB GIO TRANSPARENT RED SUNBURST
KORG LP-380UWHITE DIGITAL PIANO WITH STAND
TASCAM DR-07X STEREO HANDHELD AUDIO RECORDER
KORG LP-380-U ROSEWOOD DIGITAL PIANO WITH STAND
STAGG US60S SOPRAN UKULELE 