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 |

GIBRALTAR 9608-2T DRUM THRONE WITH SADDLE SEAT EXTRA DURABLE
TAMA DYNA-SYNC SINGLE PEDAL
K&M 14330 ALTO SAX STAND JAZZ BLACK
YAMAHA CSF 1M VINTAGE NATURAL
VOX VX50GTV ELECTRIC GUITAR COMBO
K&M 16295 WALL MOUNT FOR ELECTRIC GUITAR
DUNLOP CBM535AR CRYBABY Q MINI AUTO RETURN WAH
ORANGE BASS BUTLER BI-AMP BASS PREAMP PEDAL
YAMAHA HS1200D
YAMAHA DFP 9500C
GRETSCH CM1-E825 SDCB CATALINA MAPLE DRUMSET CHERRY BURST
MOOER GREEN MILE OVERDRIVE
MEINL SPECIAL ENGRAVED SINGING BOWLS 600G
GIBRALTAR 9608SFT SOFTY THRONE
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES SATRIANI PICK SET BLACK 10-PACK
ORANGE ROCKER 15 LIMITED EDITION TUBE COMBO
STAGG PHB-100 PICK HOLDER VARIOUS COLOURS
M-AUDIO M-TRACK DUO USB AUDIO INTERFACE
MXR M81 BASS PREAMP
PROTECTION RACKET SUR16 SURDO CASE
STAGG TIM122BBK DRUMKIT
YAMAHA STAGE CUSTOM BIRCH SBP0F5 HONEY AMBER
MEINL SONIC ENERGY SOLFEGGIO CRYSTAL SINGING BOWL 10" G#4/Re/417 Hz
STAGG SCL70 CLASSICAL GUITAR WITH SPRUCE TOP NATURAL SATIN
TAMA IRON COBRA 600 DUO GLIDE DOUBLE BASS DRUM PEDAL
STAGG WIS-A40 FLUTE AND CLARINET STAND
FENDER DELUXE MOLDED BASS CASE
KEELEY MAGNETIC ECHO DELAY MODULATED TAPE DELAY
DUNLOP 95Q CRYBABY
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES THUMBPICKS MEDIUM 5 PACK
STAGG US-NAT SOPRANO UKULELE 