My Romero Creations Spruce/Mahogany Tiny Tenor Guilele (TT6-SM) has arrived a couple of days ago. I won't have time to write an extensive review for a while but wanted to let you know that my first impression is very, very positive. The mirror-like high gloss finish looks extremely well made. I love the small size and the unusual design, it doesn't look and feel like a miniature guitar, but like an instrument of its own. Despite being considerably smaller than my KoAloha Opio G6 Guitalele or the Islander GL6, the sound and volume are similar to them. I think it sounds a bit cleaner and more refined, but perhaps also a little weaker towards the low end (which I was expecting with such a small body).
What I think has turned out really great is the playability of the neck. With a nut width of 48mm and a slight radius to the fretboard, it
makes playing much easier for me than a flat and wide fretboard like the Opio or the Islander. Not too much of a radius, but not entirely flat, not as wide as classical guitar, but not as narrow as on some acoustic guitars, I think this will hit the spot for a lot of people.
It comes with a sturdy hardshell case that fits like a glove. Despite the uke having a tenor scale length, the case has about the length of a concert case. My only criticism would be that the case is kind of bulky. Part of the fun of having such a small instrument is its portability, so the case should be reduced to a minimum as well. I think they could take away about 20 mm off the top of the case and make it a bit more triangle shaped, following the outer lines of the instrument more closely, and it would still offer enough protection for the instrument.
I'd guess that Pepe's custom instruments sound fuller still, but the Romero Creations model is built absolutely flawless (perhaps even cleaner looking than Pepe's own). I am very curious now about the Baritone Guilele model, and would love to hear the thoughts of others how got one of these instruments. How do you like it?
What I think has turned out really great is the playability of the neck. With a nut width of 48mm and a slight radius to the fretboard, it
makes playing much easier for me than a flat and wide fretboard like the Opio or the Islander. Not too much of a radius, but not entirely flat, not as wide as classical guitar, but not as narrow as on some acoustic guitars, I think this will hit the spot for a lot of people.
It comes with a sturdy hardshell case that fits like a glove. Despite the uke having a tenor scale length, the case has about the length of a concert case. My only criticism would be that the case is kind of bulky. Part of the fun of having such a small instrument is its portability, so the case should be reduced to a minimum as well. I think they could take away about 20 mm off the top of the case and make it a bit more triangle shaped, following the outer lines of the instrument more closely, and it would still offer enough protection for the instrument.
I'd guess that Pepe's custom instruments sound fuller still, but the Romero Creations model is built absolutely flawless (perhaps even cleaner looking than Pepe's own). I am very curious now about the Baritone Guilele model, and would love to hear the thoughts of others how got one of these instruments. How do you like it?
