New and unusual Guilele models from Romero Creations

Rakelele

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Lately, Pepe Romero has been building a couple of different Guilele models, one being based on his Tiny Tenor model and the other one of Baritone size with a 20" scale. These were made by himself in his custom line, but they will be released in his more affordable import line from Vietnam ("Romero Creations").

Here is a picture that Pepe posted of the two prototypes:

https://www.facebook.com/170745149690663/photos/a.481972821901226/1748507721914390/?type=3&theater

And here is a demo of the Baritone Guilele, sampled by the folks from HMS:

https://vimeo.com/287243884

In comparison, here are some samples from Pepe's custom instruments.

Baritone Guilele:

https://vimeo.com/244471661

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5r6-0lHzjw

Tiny Tenor Guilele:

https://vimeo.com/276077094

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13ILqsmKsLg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcu8rI-TvqI

Is anyone else as excited about these as I am?

I hope that Romero Creations will be offering different wood options, such as a Spruce top with a Spalted Mango body, or how about a Walnut or Ebony body…?
 
I am definitely as excited as you are!

I would especially like a baritone guilele!
 
Nice pictures, especially of the builds. I found it interesting how he uses a board screwed to the work table to hold the bracing down for gluing.

It must be tough keeping up with so many different models. I guess that's why some become unavailable for so long.
 
I'd be interested in the TT version if it is has a narrower neck than the Koaloha. 46mm would be perfect if you're listening Pepe.

I agree with the different woods thoughts too - all mango would be yummy. :drool:
 
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I wonder if one could find strings to tune them in fifths? They do sound very lovely!

bratsche
 
I wonder if one could find strings to tune them in fifths?
Six strings in fifths? It's hard enough getting four strings in fifths. Let's see: F2 C3 G3 D4 A4 E5
E5 is tough to get on tenor but seems like we recently had a thread on GDAE tenor that claimed it was possible. F2 isn't going to work real well either but might not be impossible.
 
Just wondered aloud, since I've seen/heard some videos on YouTube of regular-sized guitars tuned in fifths. BTW, tuning four strings in fifths isn't hard, it's easy! In my opinion, it's the most natural thing to do. LOL ;-)

bratsche
 
Good to see that there is quite some interest for this type of instruments.

Jim, my own comfort zone for the nut width would be around 48mm, but since Pepe is coming from the world of classical guitars, I'd expect it to be 50-52mm. Also I'd wish for a radius fretboard which makes barre chords a lot easier for me with six strings, but again, with Pepe coming from the classical guitar, I'm pretty sure his fretboards will be flat.

Still, I'm very excited to try one - or maybe both… :rolleyes:
 
my own comfort zone for the nut width would be around 48mm, but since Pepe is coming from the world of classical guitars, I'd expect it to be 50-52mm. Also I'd wish for a radius fretboard which makes barre chords a lot easier for me with six strings, but again, with Pepe coming from the classical guitar, I'm pretty sure his fretboards will be flat.
What he should do is wide neck on the baritone and narrow on the TT. I could deal with 48mm. After spending time with the extremes of the Mini (50mm) and C1M (44.5mm), I asked for something in the middle for my custom Jupiter.

Radius would be nice. It does help on the Jupiter. But flat, narrow, tenor scale I could deal with.
 
I just learned from Pepe that the nut width will be 49mm (on both of these two models, I suppose). To me, this is better than another one with 51mm, like the Kanilea/Islander GL6 or the KoAloha D-VI.

The scale length of the TT guilele is 17", the baritone guilele will have a 21" scale, according to Pepe.

Apparently, they will hit the stores in January.
 
Some more good news: they will have a 20" radius to the fretboard. This is nearly flat, but will hopefully still make barre chords a bit easier.
 
Some more good news: they will have a 20" radius to the fretboard. This is nearly flat, but will hopefully still make barre chords a bit easier.

Rainer I kept looking at those instruments and thought I saw a radius but I dismissed it as the angle of the picture. You have made my day and I will now order one.
 
My guess would be somewhere in the 700-900 range.
My guess too. The 4-string TTs all solids on HMS right now are $539 and $719 so I can't see them being less than that.

Although it would also be cool if they did a solid top/laminate B&S version in the $300 range. Can dream, right?
 
The first of the Romero Creations Tiny Tenor Guileles are now for sale on The Ukulele Site … and I went ahead and ordered one, with a Spruce top and Mahogany back/sides. :eek: I'm just a sucker for unusual designs, and for any crossing between Ukulele and Guitar. And I really like what Pepe Romero has been coming up with. If I like the TT6, I might eventually go for the Baritone Guilele model as well.

So, anybody else here ordering one from this very first batch?
 
Whoa! :eek: I'll be holding off to see what the final specs ended up at and to see if any different woods or cheaper versions come out. But definitely looking forward to your report.
 
The first of the Romero Creations Tiny Tenor Guileles are now for sale on The Ukulele Site … and I went ahead and ordered one, with a Spruce top and Mahogany back/sides. :eek: I'm just a sucker for unusual designs, and for any crossing between Ukulele and Guitar. And I really like what Pepe Romero has been coming up with. If I like the TT6, I might eventually go for the Baritone Guilele model as well.

So, anybody else here ordering one from this very first batch?

Well..........I have gone ahead and ordered the Spruce Mahogany Baritone Guilele.

Brenda where are you.......better hurry up before all the ice cream is gone:p
 
If DUD has ordered; that's good enough for me. Did you call Andrew to order Dave? I swore the Jumbo Baritone being built for me would be my last; Ha! guess I'm wrong again.

Our band director told me to tell my wife I need another instrument.... I told my wife; she wrapped up a plastic Kazoo and said "Here's your new instrument".
 
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