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 EMAD BATTER CLEAR
YAMAHA YFL-372GL FLUTE WITH GOLD LIP PLATE
HOHNER MARINE BAND 1896 B-HARMONIC MINOR
PROTECTION RACKET 3012 SNARE CASE
PROTECTION RACKET 1822 BASS DRUM CASE
MEINL NINO19R ABS BONGOS
DADDARIO ECG25 CHROMES
KLOTZ AY10200 INSERT-CABLE 2M
ROLAND KS-13 KEYBOARD STAND
D'ADDARIO PW-XPNDPB-01 XPND PEDALBOARD TELESCOPICALLY EXPANDING
STAGG PROFESSIONAL 14 X 14 FLOOR TOM BAG
PROTECTION RACKET 2017R FLOOR TOM CASE
HARDCASE 22"BASSDRUM CASE
YAMAHA CL945LB CLAMP
EVANS 14 HAZY 300 SNARE SIDE
VIC FIRTH 55A WOOD TIP
FENDER '65 DELUXE REVERB
PROTECTION RACKET 3012CS SNARE CASE
MEINL NINO950 CAJON
MEINL PADJ1MF 10 INCH DJEMBE PHARAOHS FIBER SKIN HEAD
YAMAHA AVANTGRAND N-3X
MEINL NINOSET012 RHYTM ASSORTIMENT
MEINL HE100 DARBUKA ALUMINIUM
REMO AMBASSADOR 14 COATED
YAMAHA DTX10K-M BF ELECTRONIC DRUM KIT MESH HEADS BLACK FOREST
YAMAHA TRANSACOUSTIC SILENT PIANO YUS1 TA3 PE GLOSSY BLACK
STAGG BASIC SERIES HARDSHELL CASE FOR LES PAUL-STYLE ELECTRIC GUITAR
PROTECTION RACKET 9113 DJEMBE BAG
ROLAND TD-17KVX V-DRUM KIT
MEINL SH1BK SHEKERE
GIBRALTAR 5 IN. CHROME PORT HOLE RING
STAGG US-NAT SOPRANO UKULELE 