Uke Yak Fans, Chuck "Frets" Fayne has been the resident expert for "Uke Yak" since 1998. Since that time he has answered almost 6,000 questions related to vintage ukuleles. Over many years, Chuck assembled his own world-class collection of vintage Hawaiian and Mainland ukes, including some amazing one-of-a-kind pieces. It was Chuck’s collection that made up the majority of the ukes in my book, "The Ukulele-A Visual History." Although Chuck has retired from the Uke Yak, his extensive knowledge and unique sense of humor live on in this searchable archive. Enjoy! Search the Uke Yak. Jumpin’ Jim 2015
Flea Market Music Uke Yak (11 of 296) (Chuck "Frets" Fayne has answered the following 5919 questions.)

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Question asked by: D.D. Subject: American conservatory Question: I was wondering if the American conservatory Banjo Uke number 530 is worth anything. And how do you tell how old it is. Thanks. Answer: DD please send picture as there were many varieties of American Conservatory Banjo Ukes. thanks...chuck - Sunday, February 19, 2012

Question asked by: Rich Kaul Subject: Salesman Sample Kumalae? Question: Hi, I recently acquired this uke, it does appear when comparing to a Kumalae Style O I have to be similar, but not exact, seems more of a concert shape, has no rosette at all, no bevelling of the headstock, and the back is not European guitar style but more Chicago style. I was wondering what your opinion might be. It is Koa, looks to be original finish which looks similar to my Kumalaes, has friction tuners that look Koa as well. Any info or help would be highly appreciated. Thank you. Richard Kaul Photos:          Answer: Rich..It is none of the above. It is not a Kumalae, not a salesmans sample and not a concert shape. It is, in my opinion, a bad attempt at a homemade ukulele. It is amazingly crude and not Koa. It looks to be cheap Mahogany. And those are the good points. Sorry I don't have better news..Keep writing in...chuck - Sunday, February 19, 2012

Question asked by: Phil MacBride Subject: Harmony Vita Roy Smeck Question: Been unused in the family as long as I can remember. I am 76. Want to know what it is worth as it time to sell it. Thanks Phil Photos:          Answer: Phil. It seems to be in very nice shape and the case is a bonus. I would put it on the marketplace in this site. The market is not super strong but the uke is quite desirable. I have seen them sell for 500-600. Thanks for writing in...chuck - Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Question asked by: Bill Hanlon Subject: ROYAL HAWAIIAN Question: Hi Chuck! I have another old uke I'm curious about. The inside green and white paper label says "It's A Royal Hawaiian Ukulele" "Genuine Koa" "Made In Hawaii" The label shows an outrigger full of happy campers! I'm also curious about the heel cap, which is long and thin. I have not seen another like it. Any ideas as to age? Pegs are wooden. I found this in its original case, which had a brochure from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel inside. Cheers, Bill Hanlon Photos:                          Answer: Bill...early royal Hawaiian perhaps teens to 20'a. Little is known about the manufacturer. The case and the brochure are a bonus. How else can I help...chuck - Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Question asked by: john mcneill Subject: BANJO UKES Question: Hi Chuck,greetings from this side of the pond.as you can see by the pictures, I have 2 ukes.the unstrung one is marked Richter Mfg co,Chicago Illinois,the second is a signed Keech serial no gx604.Iam interested to know the history and approx value, dollars would be fine! cheers from U.K. JOHN Answer: John...both good instruments. I need pics to really help. If you sent pics they did not come thru...Please try again...chuck - Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Question asked by: David Weisenthal Subject: My Uncle's Uke 30's? 40's? Question: This is my Uncle Matt's uke. He died in the mid to late 1940's. It's concert size but has only 12 frets. Fretboard ends at the body. No identifying letters, numbers, or marks inside or out. He was a merchant marine so he might have bought it anywhere. Has a very nice sound - the back of the body is slightly convex. I'd never sell it - don't expect it's worth much anyway - but I'd love to know more about it if possible. I know I haven't given you much to go on here. Thanks much. - David Photos:                          Answer: David...hard to tell but If I had a gun at my head ( pretty drastic for a uke identification) I would say regal. Herringbone trim is unusual but headstock is very similar...hope I've helped, Thanks for writing in....chuck - Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Question asked by: Steve Subject: DeVekey Question: Chuck I know how much these DVekey ukes cost me individually and have an idea of individual prices but how much would they be worth as a collection? The 2 3 and 4 are in reasonable condition the style 1 is a bit bashed about but still plays well. Best Steve Photos:      Answer: Steve. I may be off by a mile, but I think a mad collector would be willing to part with 3000. Fabulous to see them all together. Let me know what you think of my guess. chuck - Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Question asked by: old smelly bob Subject: yer annual xmas harassment Question: dear Reprobate, another year in da dirt...re-Joyce or Jane, or whoever ;-) i haven't been up to much, other than the occasional stirring of the pot. hope you are in fine fettle. we all really appreciate your failing mind, and misguided opinions, but no one else can do it as good as you... (genuine compliment intended) luvyaman, stay well.... Hizzdogness Answer: Well my odorous friend. Its always nice to hear from you. You bring me joy each year. But enough of these cheap emails, next year grace my palm with some spending. I wish you and yours the very best of health and happiness in the New year. Dont wait a year to take the piss out of me. Your pal...chuck - Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Question asked by: Jim Tranquada Subject: Bill Hanlon's Kumalae Question: Chuck: Bill's Kumalae likely was made sometime between 1911 and 1915, given the lack of reference to PPIE. Jonah's shop was listed in the Honolulu city directories at 1719 Liliha from 1911 to 1922. Answer: Jim...thanks so much as usual. Earliest one I have seen in a long time. Glad your around to fill in my ageing gaps. Best for the new year....chuck - Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Question asked by: Bill Hanlon Subject: Kumalae label Question: Hi Chuck! I have not been able to find any info on this Kumalae ukulele that only has a paper label inside the sound hole. I'm wondering if it predates the P.P.I.E. gold award Kumalae ukuleles ? The label reads as follows..... TEL. 2384 JONAH KUMALAE MANUFACTURER OF CALABASHES, UKULELES, ETC. PATCHING A SPECIALITY 1719 LILIHA ST. HONOLULU, HAWAII The ukulele is about 20 inches long and the tuning pegs are an odd shape short and stubby. Maybe they were replaced at one time? The original strings are gut. Any idea on the date? Unfortunately it is missing its bridge. Cheers and Merry Christmas, Bill Hanlon Photos:                          Answer: Bill...well well...A ukulele I have never seen before. It is the earliest Kumalae I have ever seen. Still trying to figure out the wood. I have never seen a Kumalae not made of Koa. I don't think yours is Koa. Tuners not original, as old as that it probably had push tuners. It certainly pre-dates the 1915 gold award ukes. The award, by the way, was not given for the ukulele. It just looked good on the headstock of the Kumalae. Im intrigued can you send some more pictures. Congrats, You have a winner. Anybody out there know about Bills uke. If you do please write in. John King if you are reading this..what think you....best and thanks...chuck - Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Question asked by: John Bracey Subject: Wurlitzer Uke value Question: What do you estimate to be the value of this Wurlitzer Uke made by CF Martin. It belongs to my neighbor (since 1960) and has the original carrybag. It has not been refinished and there are no flaws. Photos:                  Answer: John....700 dollars, a nice uke thanks for writing in. - Saturday, December 10, 2011

Question asked by: John Subject: Ukulele Question: What's it worth. Has original finish and no flaws. carry bag is original and has names and writings on it. Photos:                      Answer: - Saturday, December 10, 2011

Question asked by: Al Anderson Subject: Tom from AZ's Kingston uke Question: Hi Tom and Chuck! I have the same old Kingston baritone uke, right down to the plastic bridge/saddle and zero fret. My girlfriend paid $125 for it about 6 years ago, and it has been worth it. Especially since I put a set of SouthCoast's linear strings on it and have tuned it to CGEA - low C. It is fun to play in that tuning with all that room for the fingers! And it sounds really nice. Answer: Thanks...help always appreciated...chuck - Saturday, December 10, 2011

Question asked by: Fred Fox Subject: Year of Martin Tenor Question: I have a Martin tenor which I think was made in the 50s or 60s. I was hoping you could narrow down for me. There are 14 frets to the body. Thanks, fred Photos:              Answer: Fred...hard to tell from the pics...50-70...nice instrument...thanks...chuck - Saturday, December 10, 2011

Question asked by: lori Subject: nunes uke? Question: Hi, I was wondering a couple things. First, what can you tell me about this ukulele, and second, in its condition, how would I sell it, and for how much. Due to have 5th child soon and needing the money. Thank you. Photos:              Answer: Ion....it has condition issues,I cannot tell how bad. It was made by Leonardo Nunes ..son of Manual ...Made in Los Angeles. In that condition about 300 dollars...5 kids...perhaps you should keep the uke and play it more...thanks...chuck - Saturday, December 10, 2011

Question asked by: James Edwards Subject: Is this a Nunes? Question: Hey Chuck! Can you ID this uke for me? It's been in my parents' house all my life, and I understand that it belonged to my grandmother who bought it sometime in the '30s, I believe. thanks! Photos:                      Answer: It is not a nunes. It is not Hawaiian made. The back and heel cap are not one. I have no idea who made it. It looks like so many ukes of the time..It has a Regal headstock but not the regal trim..Wish I could nail it, but I can't...chuck - Saturday, December 10, 2011

Question asked by: Steve Subject: Dalles C uke banjo Question: Chuck here's a pic of my humble collection of Dallas ukes. The Dallas C is in the middle surrounded by the a on the left and the B on the right of it. The D is on the extreme left and the E on the extreme right. Not a brilliant photo but just shows roughly what they look like. These are the Formby signature uke sold from the forties, although how they got the metal at theta time is anyone's guess. It may be that Dallas also produced ukes called "C" in a different style but this is what the form by versions were. The ABC were fairly plain but the D had Birdseye maple resonator and the E in Walnit. The E was also made gold plated. mine is Chrome.. Photos:      Answer: Best collection of Dallas ukes. So nice to see them diplayed. Thank you so much for sending in the picture, I will download it and keep for my file. I don't suppose you would give them to me. Just a thought..best and continued gret hunting... - Saturday, December 10, 2011

Question asked by: Tim Gillespie Subject: Paul Summers Guitar Question: Aloha Chuck, I am interested determining the name of the Maker of this Paul F. Summers Guitar (photos attached). I have a PF Summers uke, made by Sam Chang, but don't think Sam did this guitar. (These photos were sent to me, so I do not have the benefit of "hands on", at present). Thank You, Tim G. Photos:                  Answer: Tom..I wish I knew. There has always been speculation as to who made the Summers Bros ukes...Were they only distributors or did they make some themselves. It has the classic summers bridge and the wood is beautiful. I have no idea, as crazy as it sounds there has always been a question as to the possibility that Martin had something to do with them..Mike Longworth had thoughts bout the headstock. Regardless, it is a lovely guitar and I wish I could be more specific....chuck - Saturday, December 10, 2011

Question asked by: Uke Inheritance Subject: Old Uke (repair or replace) Question: Hi Chuck, I got this ukulele after my folks passed away. My kids played with it some, no a string is broke and a tuning peg is broke (ugh). In searching for replacement pegs, I realized from your notes that this is likely from the 1920's. So, my question is this. I can't find wood pegs online. Should I modify it for newer friction pegs, or try to sell it to a collector "as is" and buy a newer model with the money? Is it easy to find a buyer who is not just a bargain hunter? Thanks for your help! Photos:                      Answer: It looks to be Hawaiian made and I would be tempted to find a peg or have one made, and fix it up. I doubt if you would get a lot of money for its and it seems perfectly fine. It won't cost much to get a peg and fix up..let me know how it comes out...chuck - Saturday, December 10, 2011

Question asked by: David Falkenberg Subject: Age and value of my Gretsch 6930 Standard Question: Hello Chuck, I recently acquired this ukulele and would like to sell it, but before I do, I'd like to know if you could tell me it's vintage and approximate worth. Thanks David Falkenberg Photos:                  Answer: David...age 1940-50 value 300 on a very good day. thanks for writing in...chuck - Tuesday, December 6, 2011

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