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 AJ6 AMERICAN JAZZ
BACH TB501 Bb TENOR TROMBONE
MEINL MSTCJB CAJON BAG
YAMAHA LACQUER POLISH MMLPOLISH02
YAMAHA FLUTE CLEANING ROD PLASTIC
TAMA TW100 TENSION WATCH
KLOTZ M1 MIC CABLE 1M XLR-XLR
MEINL MCPTS PERCUSSION TABLE
PEARL EXPORT EXX705C STUDIO DRUM SET ARCTIC SPARKLE
YAMAHA TRBX304 BLACK
EVANS 10 ONYX 2-PLY COATED
ELECTRO HARMONIX SILENCER NOISE GATE
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES PICK
IK MULTIMEDIA IRIG PRE HD
SQUIER AFFINITY SERIES PRECISION BASS PJ PACK 3-COLOR SUNBURST
ELECTRO HARMONIX BASS MONO SYNTH
YAMAHA CSAT 940BP
VIC FIRTH VKB1 FELT BEATER
MEINL MCCH CHIMES HOLDER
ROLAND CB-B49D 49-KEY KEYBOARD BAG
FENDER PURE VINTAGE 65 STRATOCASTER PICKUPS
DADDARIO ECG23 CHROMES
IBANEZ GSR180-BS
EVANS EC1 COATED 12 INCH
DADDARIO J1010 4/4M PRELUDE CELLO STRING SET
PEARL RS525SC/C ROADSHOW DRUMSET JET BLACK
PEARL PPS37 L-ARM ROD
DADDARIO WOODWINDS RICO RVCASE04 REED CASE
ROLAND PSB7-230EU POWER ADAPTOR
PAISTE 16 PST 5 N ROCK CRASH
ART TUBE MP MIC PREAMP
YAMAHA APX 700II-12 BL
YAMAHA YTR 8345G CUSTOM Bb TRUMPET GOLD BRASS BELL
FENDER 68 CUSTOM DELUXE REVERB 230V
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES INJECTED MOLDED BRIDGE PINS WITH END PIN SET IVORY WITH EBONY DOT
YAMAHA DBR15 POWERED SPEAKER
GIBRALTAR SC-BDKR/L BASS DRUM ROD 4PCS
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES PWCT15 NS SOUNDHOLE TUNER
EVANS 10 UNO58 1000 COATED TOM HEAD
ERNIE BALL FINGER PICK
K&M 15281 PEG ADAPTER BLACK
DADDARIO ECG26 CHROMES
MEINL CAJON BLANKET
STAGG US-WHITE SOPRANO UKULELE 