Ural 650

Ural 650

The Ural 650 is an electric guitar that was manufactured in the Soviet Union in the 1970s. Only around 25,000 were produced (according to this article from Premier Guitar), so they can be quite hard to find. Most are not very playable, but with a bit of love and work, they can be made to be very playable. The original output jack on the Ural 650 is a multi-pin jack (similar to a MIDI output) that may have been used to allow the control of multiple amps and/or channels with the buttons on the guitar. While it's strange, the Ural 650 is a unique piece of history, and you should try one out if you ever get the chance.

Soviet Era Guitars

Guitars manufactured in the Soviet Union hold a unique place in the history of musical instruments. During the Cold War era, the Soviet Union produced guitars that were often characterized by their robust construction and utilitarian design. Brands like "Tonika," "Formanta," "Ural," and "Jolana" produced electric and acoustic guitars that were accessible to musicians within the Soviet bloc. While these guitars may not have had the same level of craftsmanship or technological innovation as their Western counterparts, they were nonetheless cherished by many musicians for their durability and adaptability. These instruments played a role in shaping the music of the era, from rock and roll to folk, and they remain nostalgic symbols of a bygone musical culture, embodying both the limitations and ingenuity of an isolated industry.

Ural 650