According to the old adage, “Good things comes in threes”, and that’s certainly true of the new Romero Creations ‘Ekolu Tiny Tenor.
If you’ve ever thought four strings is just too many, this is the uke for you! In all seriousness, though, the ‘Ekolu is actually a very cool concept that was co-designed by famed luthier Pepe Romero Jr and Hawaiian virtuoso Daniel Ho.
“I originally got the idea in Mongolia, where I was recording Between the Sky & Prairie,” Daniel explains. “They have a three-stringed instrument called a doshpuluur and it blended beautifully with the ukulele. Realising how liberating and functional three strings are, I thought, ‘Why not a three-string ukulele?’ ‘Ekolu is the Hawaiian word for ‘three’.”
The ‘Ekolu is based on the Tiny Tenor, the model that started it all for Romero Creations 10 years ago: a tenor-scale uke built to the length of a concert, which maximises portability without compromising on sound.
The top, back and sides are made from all-solid, highly sustainable phoenix wood, with an ebony fingerboard, bridge and tuners. A Limited Edition 10th Anniversary mother-of-pearl logo adorns the 12th fret.
“I’ve discovered the concept to be both enabling for beginners (most evident when playing the Bb chord with two fingers) and equally empowering for advanced players, who play voicings all over the fretboard in twelve keys,” Daniel says. “It also has the same musical range as an ukulele with a high G string.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m itching to give one a go! Check out the video below and find out more at https://www.romerocreations.com/ekolu-tiny-tenor
