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 |

YAMAHA YFL 874W CUSTOM GRENADILLA WOODEN FLUTE
PROTECTION RACKET CAJ3 CAJON BAG
KLOTZ ATCJ0600 TWINCABLE 2JACK/2RCA 6m.
EVANS 18 EQ3 BATTER CLEAR BASSDRUM HEAD
VIC FIRTH 1A AMERICAN CLASSIC WOOD TIP
EVANS 22 GENERA G1 COATED
PEARL RS585C/C ROADSHOW DRUMSET WINE RED
DADDARIO EPN120 PURE NICKEL
YAMAHA TRBX305 BLACK
REMO 14DIPLOMAT COATED
HOHNER MARINE BAND 1896 C-NATURAL MINOR
REMO 14EMPEROR COATED
EVANS 12 ONYX 2-PLY COATED
EVANS 26 EQ3 RESONANT BLACK
BOSS ML2 METAL CORE
DADDARIO EJ11 80/20 BRONZE
YAMAHA B3E PE UPRIGHT PIANO POLISHED EBONY 121CM
EVANS 22 EMAD RESONANT BLACK
DADDARIO PRELUDE J810 3/4M VIOLIN SET MEDIUM
MEINL THBS HEADLINER BONGO STAND
STAGG UT-30 TENOR UKULELE MAHOGANY WITH BAG 