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 |

VIC FIRTH F1 WOOD TIP
THOMASTIK-INFELD DOUBLE BASS STRINGS 196 DOMINANT 3/4
DADDARIO WOODWINDS RICO M-7 METALITE TENOR SAX MOUTHPIECE
KLOTZ KIK 6M INSTRUMENT CABLE BLACK
LEVANTE LV-HR5155 F/Eb JUNIOR HORN
EVANS 13 GENERA G1 COATED TOM HEAD
ORANGE PPC108 MICRO TERROR CAB
TONEPROS T1ZB TAILPIECE BLACK
MEINL WOODCRAFT CAJON ESPRESSO BURST
EVANS 13 ONYX 2-PLY COATED
YAMAHA DXR10 MKII ACTIVE LOUDSPEAKER
YAMAHA B2E PW UPRIGHT PIANO POLISHED WALNUT 113CM
VIC FIRTH 2B AMERICAN CLASSIC WOOD TIP
PROTECTION RACKET CAJ3 CAJON BAG
YAMAHA CSAT 942BP
TONEPROS TP6RC TUNE-O-MATIC BRIDGE ROLLER SADDLES CHROME
PEARL S1030 SNARE DRUM STAND
YAMAHA STAGE CUSTOM BIRCH 2F5 CLASSIC WHITE
VOX MV 50 AC AMP HEAD FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR
PROTECTION RACKET 9114 DJEMBE BAG
ROLAND PDS-20 SAMPLE PAD STAND
ADAMS PERCUSSION XS2HA35 3.5 OCTAVES SOLIST SERIES XYLOPHONE
YAMAHA HS5 ACTIVE STUDIO MONITOR BLACK
YAMAHA U1 PM
STAGG DOUBLE BRACED PROFESSIONAL DRUM THRONE, HEAVY
SHURE WBH54T HEADWORN VOCAL MICROPHONE TRANSPARENT
PEARL FLUTE 525 RE QUANTZ
ERNIE BALL FINGER PICK
ART HEADAMP4 AMPLIFIER
STAGG US30 SOPRANO UKULELE MAHOGANY WITH BAG 