World's lightest machine head, made just for Ukuleles debuts at NAMM 2019

ANAHEIM, Calif., Jan. 22, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Why are Ukuleles so hard to tune? And keep in tune? And why is it so headstock heavy? Well the Ukulele uses nylon strings and with a very short scale. A guitar has a long scale and steel strings. Guitar machine heads use a 14:1 or 16:1 gear ratio and just don't work well on a ukulele. Lots of turning, but not much happening, and they weigh a lot for the little uke. 

For NAMM 2019, Graph Tech Guitar Labs are proud to announce the launch of Ratio Tune-a-lele Machine Heads for the ukulele. The World's lightest machine head with a uke specific 6:1 gear Ratio, which is impossible to achieve with a guitar style, worm and gear design machine head.  

"What a great journey with my team developing Ratio Tune-a-leles. We threw out the rule book and developed Tune-a-leles from scratch… from the ground up…… with a totally new patent-pending gear design. It has the perfect gear ratio for ukes, and a lot lighter than another other tuner on the market, the ukulele becomes very balanced, and not headstock heavy. Plus, it has the looks and ergonomics of the traditional Hawaiian ukulele pegs," states Dave Dunwoodie, Graph Tech's Head Honcho, as he strums a few jazz chords on his favorite uke.

The international patent-pending gear system produces a tuning system that is immediately more intuitive, responsive and efficient than guitar machine heads. With the Ratio Tune-a-leles, every turn of the machine head gives you a predictable and smooth change in pitch across the fretboard.

-The super lightweight design, (5 grams each), lets the ukulele be balanced, and not neck heavy which interferes with playing. However, Tune-a-leles do not compromise on strength, as they have been stress tested to over 50lbs of tension. A uke string produces 6 to 15 lbs of tension.

Come visit Graph Tech at Booth 3520 at the 2019 Winter NAMM and experience the new Ratio Tune-a-leles. They are soon to be available as original equipment on the world's top ukulele brands and upgrades sets through leading distributors around the worlds.

MSRP. $29.95 USD

Benefits and Features:
-Ukulele specific 6:1 gear ratio 
The 6:1 gear ratio is perfect for fast, intuitive ukulele tuning, unattainable with a standard guitar machine head design.
-Worlds lightest machine head (5 grams each as opposed to guitar style machine heads weighing 15 to 25 grams each)
Ukuleles finally feel balanced when you play, not headstock heavy
-Zero Back Drive, Zero Backlash
Once you get the strings to pitch, they stay in pitch. 

Learn more at www.GraphTech.com

About Graph Tech Guitar Labs: Founded in 1983 by President Dave Dunwoodie, Graph Tech Guitar Labs is located in Vancouver, Canada and manufactures more guitar nuts and saddles than any other company in the world. Graph Tech is dedicated to improving tone, performance and the playing experience. Brands they manufacture include TUSQ®, TUSQ XL, Black TUSQ XL, String Saver, ResoMax, GHOST® Modular Pickup Systems, TUSQ Picks, Chops PrePlay, Dry 'n Glide, Ratio Machine heads and more. The world's leading retailers, luthiers, and guitar manufacturers choose Graph Tech, including Taylor, Martin Gibson, Fender, Fender Custom Shop, Godin, Kala, Lanakai, Cort, Keisel, Washburn, Ibanez, Samick, Schecter, Yamaha, and many more. Graph Tech has over 50 patents and trademarks around the world.

SOURCE Graph Tech Guitar Labs