2022 Pepe Romero "Tenor Ukulele - George Steck" SP/MH

Made by the son of the great guitarist of the same name. Known for his phenomenal guitars, Pepe Jr. also builds some very exciting ukulele's - but using traditional guitar methods and structural details, including a modified guitar bracing system internally as well as a "guitar-esque" plantilla, rosette and head design. They all have 17" scale and are tenor size, with 18 frets, African rosewood fingerboard and bridge, CSA rosewood head veneers. They have arched tops and backs and have Spanish heel neck to body joints.

This particular ukulue is part of Pepe's "Baby Grand Project" and features an old piece of Adarondak spruce (taken from an old George Steck piano - read more about this in the "background" section) for the top which has an oil finish covering the original piano varnish. For the back and sides, Pepe has applied an antiquated oil varnish to the mahogany. The neck joins the body at the 12th fret and has a low "drop G" string which will feel more comfortable to guitarists transitioning into ukulele. The instrument comes fitted with Pepe Romero Strings - set UT2. Like his guitars, the ukes have huge volume and extremely quick response. Pepe Jr. lives in San Diego, surfs and loves Hawaii, so he has successfully combined this passion with his guitar making expertise to produce an exceptionally made ukulele.

Orfeo Magazine No. 10 - West Coast Luthiers

The first series of instruments from Pepe's "Baby Grand Project" has come to completion! For this series of instruments, Pepe upcycled an early 1900’s George Steck Baby Grand Piano which needed extensive repair work, and converted it into 11 new instruments. This Piano was made in New York by the Aeolian Co. These instruments are both brand new and antiques at the same time. The 9 ukuleles and 2 mini guitars have the sound of instruments which have been singing for many years. This is because the soundboards come from the piano soundboard which has been making music since the early 1900’s. This makes for new instruments which are not new at all! The tone is old world, mystical and deep with amazing power, sustain and overtones, giving new life to this old piano.

Aesthetically Pepe wanted to honor the previous life of the George Steck piano, so he kept as much original varnish as possible along with all the wear and tear that occurred over the last century. The bodies of the ukuleles are Honduran mahogany and are stained and lightly distressed to look like the old piano. The George Steck logos were re-created by hand on 10 of the instruments using liquid gold leaf and decals. Each of the instruments has a number designated to it ranging from No.1 of 11 to No.11 of 11. Mini Guitar No.1 of 11 has the original piano decal and the following 10 of 11 instruments have replicated logos. There is an oil finish applied over the original piano varnish and on the new neck and body as well. The vintage, worn look honors the beauty of the century old patina that the piano had.