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 |

MEINL MSTBB1 BONGO BAG
STAGG US-RED SOPRANO UKULELE
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES 50PLA05 PLANET LOCK
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES PWGR01 GUITAR REST
TAMA IRON COBRA HP600 DARK SHADOW LIMITED EDITION SINGLE BASS DRUM PEDAL
GÖLDO EL50L 50K MIDDLE-STOP POT
FENDER '51 NOCASTER PICKUP
PROTECTION RACKET BOD18 BODHRAN CASE
MEINL MDAB DARBUKA BAG
K&M 17541 ACOUSTIC GUITAR STAND BLACK
YAMAHA YFL 894WH CUSTOM GRENADILLA WOODEN FLUTE B FOOTJOINT
TAMA HP900RN
STAGG GCA-SA SEMI ACOUSTIC JAZZ GUITAR CASE
FENDER TREAD-LIGHT WAH PEDAL
DUNLOP DB01B DIMEBAG CRY BABY FROM HELL WAH PEDAL
K&M 10012 MUSIC STAND BAG
BOSS DM2W DELAY WAZA CRAFT
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES 25SS02DX SUEDE GUITAR STRAP HONEY
STUDIO49 PKS2 ALTO MALLET
MEINL SONIC ENERGY SOLFEGGIO CRYSTAL SINGING BOWL 10" B4/963 Hz
MEINL MSTCJB CAJON BAG
PROTECTION RACKET 9025 SEAT COVER
GEWA JUMBO JAZZ FLAT TOP GUITAR CASE ECONOMY
EVANS 12 GENERA G2 COATED TOM HEAD
MOOER GREEN MILE OVERDRIVE
YAMAHA BB 234 RASPERRY RED
VIC FIRTH 3AN AMERICAN CLASSIC NYLON TIP
EVANS 20 EQ3 RESONANT COATED WHITE
EVANS 10 UNO58 1000 COATED TOM HEAD
ORANGE ROCKER 32 GUITAR TUBE COMBO
EVANS 22 RETRO SCREEN BLACK
STAGG US-NIGHT SOPRAN UKULELE BLACK 