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 |

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MEINL 8 INCH DJEMBE PHARAOHS FIBER SKIN HEAD
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MEINL PADJ1LG 12 INCH DJEMBE LARGE PHARAOHS GOAT HEAD
YAMAHA CG 122MC CLASSICAL GUITAR MATTE CEDAR NATURAL
XSONIC XTONE SMART GUITAR AUDIO INTERFACE
FENDER VENICE SOPRANO UKULELE CHERRY
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STAGG US-WHITE SOPRANO UKULELE
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STAGG UT-30 TENOR UKULELE MAHOGANY WITH BAG
TAYLOR 814CE
TAYLOR 512CE V-CLASS
EVANS 20 EMAD RESONANT BLACK
YAMAHA GL1 GUITALELE NATURAL
YAMAHA APX 700II VS
EVANS 10 GENERA G1 COATED TOM HEAD
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EVANS 20 EQ3 RESONANT BLACK
KALA LEARN TO PLAY STARTER SET
KALA MAHOGANY CONCERT UKULELE 