They're Back! The Rick Turner Compass Rose Ukelele

Rick Turner Compass Rose Ukulele’s are back!   Hand made, with the utmost attention to detail, the Compass Rose Ukes with their “Nod to California lutherie”  are a convergence of classic tone, merged with modern lines and West Coast style. Based loosely on the Howe Orme body/shape, the Compass Rose is a modern classic.  

https://heartbreakerguitars.com/collections/compass-rose-ukes

R. Turner:  "I wanted to build a Uke that was respectful to the traditional Uke Playing community, but at the same time creating something that would be an easy transition for the 6 string guitar player.  In other words, if you could play a guitar, then you could strum a Uke and still have a lot of fun!” 

 The Compass Rose simply “oozes” cool with the high performance tone woods and unique features.  The cantilevered fingerboard elevates the Rosewood board above the body  providing clearance between the soundboard and the bottom of the fretboard.   This reduces any dampening of vibration for the top, generating enduring sustain and resonance.  The neck is smooth and comfortable.  The optional Soundport (located on the upper shoulder of the Uke) offers a self monitoring option to provide a  bit more volume and clarity.  The larger fretwire gives you that high fret clarity normally experienced on electric guitars.  The result is a greater clarity, especially in the higher registers.  The necks are stiff with Carbon Graphite reinforcement giving you greater responsiveness. 

 We once asked Rick why he chose to build Ukulele’s being as busy as he was with his Model 1 and Renaissance Guitars.  His response:  “They’re just fun”!  Easy to play, and  life of any party."  Rick was never afraid to experiment with new concepts and once he built his first Uke, sometime around 2007, they were an instant hit.  

Rick built his Ukes with the same quality standards as his guitars.  Master Grade wood, quality components, and as always… hand made.  They are not the cheapest Ukes you can buy, but they are of the highest quality standards and will “last a lifetime” when properly cared for.  

Mr Turner sadly passed in 2022 unexpectedly.   Although Rick only had a small crew of builders, many of them had a hand in the construction of the Compass Rose Ukuleles.  The excitement around the instruments never went away.  In fact, more and more queries from the public were coming into the Turner shop asking about the status of the Ukes and whether or not they’d ever be built again.  This got the juices flowing of the Luthiers that were still at the Turner shop.  

Fast forward to 2025 and a decision was made to begin building Compass Rose Ukulele’s once again.   They built about a half dozen and got them out to a couple of their trusted dealers.  "Heartbreaker Guitars jumped at the chance!"  Brendan Smyth (Owner Heartbreaker Guitars) :  I loved those little babies!  I learned to play the Uke on a Compass Rose.  Rick just sent me one.  He told me how to play the basics right over the phone, and before you know it, I was playing “Tiny Bubbles” like a pro. LOL!” 

(A fantastic demonstration from Peghead Nation)

For more information about Compass Rose Ukulele’s, contact Heartbreaker Guitars in Las Vegas. 

 Rick was right… these things are just plain fun!

https://heartbreakerguitars.com/collections/compass-rose-ukes