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 (110 of 296) (Chuck "Frets" Fayne has answered the following 5919 questions.)

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page

Question asked by: Lee Gordon Subject: Banjo uke Question: Hi Chuck, I would appreciate some info on this uke. How much it's worth? History? Who made it? Whatever you know would be good. Love you Uke-Yak! Lee x Photos:      Answer: Lee , unfortunatly not a rare instrument. It could have been made by 50 companies. Stock banjo uke...value 150.00....chuck - Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Question asked by: Bernie Klepper Subject: Uke Question: I have my fathers Martin uke and I can't match it to any Martin. On the back where the tuning pegs are, is stamped Martin, it's just legible. In the sound box is with the name and address. I don't have the Uke avaiible now, I am nothome.It also has 18 frets to the sound box. Answer: Bernie need pic to tell you..With a pic I can tell you i a second...chuck - Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Question asked by: Russ Morin Subject: Mysterious Man in Plaid Skirt Question: Yet another photo. Enjoy. Russ Photos:      Answer: don't have a clue....put up pic of label i hope that someone does...chuck - Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Question asked by: Scott Subject: tonk brothers sterling banjo uke Question: I am wondering about this very nice banjo uke. It has a label That has T.B.Co and below that is has sterling. can you tell me anything about this uke, when made, by who, etc. Thanks for any info Photos:      Answer: Scott, regardless of the label, it is one of thousands of banjo ukes made that look exactly like this one..They were mass produced on the thousands. They were distributed by most companies. Does not mean they can't be good, they usually are as long as you don't put metal strings on them.....thanks..chuck - Sunday, April 16, 2006

Question asked by: Rachel Powell Subject: us zone uke Question: I have this ukulele and know nothing about it. No name. It just says made in Germany us zone. I figure it is from WW11. I have been searching endlessly. Can you help? I have been learning to play on this and am thinking that maybe I should put this away and take care of it if it is worth anything. I am getting a new one (being shipped already) and my children want to have this one. Probably not a good idea, huh? Photos:      Answer: Thanks for the lovely picture. If I stand about 2 miles away, I can just make out that is could be a ukulele. Perhaps if you could send me a pic of the ukulele instead of the label, I would be able to tell you what you have. As of now, I know only one thing....THE PIC IS TOO BIG. ....Will be glad to help....send pic...chuck - Sunday, March 12, 2006

Question asked by: Elizabeth Hitt Subject: 1920s Martin Ukulele Question: Hello ! I have a Martin Ukulele I'm interested in selling; what would be the best place to find interested parties? It's a style 1-K Koa from 1918-1922 and in really amazing shape. I have lots of pictures. Any suggestions would be appreciated ! Thanks ! LizHitt Photos:      Answer: Liz...place it on the Marketplace on this site. You will find it on the black menu to the left. Its the best place to sell it because only people interested in Ukuleles read that site. Best of luck. You will sell it for sure.....chuck - Sunday, March 12, 2006

Question asked by: william thompson Subject: What year(s) Kamaka Question: It has the KK head marking and the gold label inside. The bottom of the fingerboard is { shaped similar to Martin and Favilla sopranos. The other Ks I have seen have been without a symetrical ending over the sound board. Any idea of the production years? It is straight grain honey coloured koa. Answer: A guess????1960's see ya....chuck - Sunday, March 12, 2006

Question asked by: nancy maslen Subject: Cheerleader Ukulele Question: I'm a senior who is learning to play the ukulele. I just received my 86 yr. old aunt's ukulele. It was a gift to her when she was in high school in the 30's. It has the name "Cheerleader" on the top and a picture of a male cheerleader in red stripped coat on the bottom. It's in good condition. Do you have any idea of it's value? I'm not going to restring it or do any repairs until I find out it's worth... Thanks for the help or as we say in Hawaii, Mahalo! Aloha, Nancy Maslen Answer: Nancy..depends on condition and if all the decals are there. If it is in wonderful condition....about 350....If you want to send a pic, I will get closer.....thanks..chuck - Sunday, March 12, 2006

Question asked by: Jim Pooley Subject: de Vekey uke Question: Hi, I have a de Vekey No. 4 in it's case,and have had many conflicting reports on the number of these models made, can you confirm? Regards, Jim. Answer: If my memory serves me well and I can't remember if it does or not. I think 4 was all they made. If you will send me a pic, I will tell you for sure. They were really wonderful ukes for British Ukes. I had them all at one time and they all were great players....hope I have helped...chuck - Sunday, March 12, 2006

Question asked by: michael Subject: jake shimabukuro vid Question: Hi chuck Hope all is well and that things are going well in preparation for the Mt. Idy "Potatoes that look like Politicians Festival" . This is not a question but a cool link to share of a video of Jake Shimabukuro doing an AMAZING version of " While My Guitar Gently Weeps " and , in Strawberry Fields in Central Park, no less. It almost makes me wanna give up uke playing! (although it also inspired me to drag out every uke i own and try some of it!)This guy is mandatory viewing for every person who ever criticized us for buying another " toy" . http://www.collegehumor.com/tags/ha ll+of+fame/159572/ Answer: Thaks..if anyone is able to get this site to come up, please let me know. I can't...I would love to see Jake and hear the music, but can't get in. Thanks for the tip. This years festival, is Politicians who have less brains than Potatoes...Oh so many to choose from....thanks again....chuck - Sunday, March 12, 2006

Question asked by: nancy maslen Subject: Cheerleader Uku Question: Hi Chuck, I just started ukulele lessons and my 86yr old aunt sent me a Cheerleader Ukulele. I went to get it stringed and the music store told me I may have an antique and recommended that I should not touch it. It is is pretty good condition, with only some of the painted picture on the front chipped. Do you know the value of it? Aloha, Nancy Answer: You will find my other answer in the column. However, please dont' take anything ever again to your music except your muffler, if it falls off. They know nothing about musical instruments. Why would you not touch an antique musical instrument? If they had a brain in their heads they would know that in most of the symphony orchestras of today, most of the instruments, are by definition, antiques. I think that would be good advise if you found King Tut"s drinking glass. Perhaps you wouldn't want to put it in the dishwasher, but this is a ukulele,.....They are real bozo's.......chuck - Sunday, March 12, 2006

Question asked by: David R Subject: Dating a Gretsch Soprano Question: Chuck, without additional pictures (I don't have any) can you give me any idea about the age of the uke? thanks. Answer: Great question. Additional pictures suggests that you have at least one. It came as a surprise that you have none. Without a picture I am lost. Gretsch made many different kinds of ukes. I dated a French Soprano once, but that is another story. Hope you send the additional picturs, which you will have, if you ever find the first one.....chuck - Sunday, March 12, 2006

Question asked by: Robert Uyeyama Subject: Tombo Ukulet Electric Question: Just acquired a Tombo Ukulet (pictured, Japanese solid body electric from 60s I think) and having it repaired to make it playable. The jack on it is obviously not 1/4" but neither is it 1/8", it's a little large, so it's probably metric. I am thinking of replacing this to a standard size (1/8" or mini, since 1/4" plug is longer than the body is wide). Question1: is there any value to this instrument that is affected by modifying the jack to a different size? (with any required hole adjustments) Question2: I'd like to tune this to a B-F#-D- A, but it's so tight it might be affecting the neck-- is there no way to solve this other than simply tuning it lower? Photos:      Answer: I have no idea. I stay away from anything mechanical, I am alergic. Please ask this question on the bulletin board on this site. I am sure there are people who can help. I had a Tombo Ukulet and they are pretty neat. I always liked mine. best...chuck - Sunday, March 12, 2006

Question asked by: Martin Wyatt Subject: JMG Question: Hi ...just a follow on to my question in about June 2003(who said we were slow in Qld)...There is currentlt a JMG uke on ebay at the moment, item 7392912513, that shows the same model as I have, except mine is pristine/mint/untouched/unrestored and has a handmade wooden case. When I wake up again do you reckon it is best to sell on ebay or on flea marketplace . Regards...Martin Answer: Martin...definitly on the marketplace. The only people who read it are uke nuts...nobody will know about an australian uke except people who specialize in ukes...let me know what happens....chuck - Sunday, February 26, 2006

Question asked by: Andrew Subject: ukulele strings Question: I have a concert ukulele and I would like to chang the "G" to the lower "G" as a tenor uke. Does the classacial guitar "G" string .40 do the job? If I make the grove bigger can I go back to the .25 higher "G"? Thanks Answer: Andrew, this is again a question that should be asked on our bulletin board. Those people are experts in this kind of question. I am not...Thanks for coming to the site....chuck...look at black menu at left for link to bulletin board...chuck - Sunday, February 26, 2006

Question asked by: Beth Collins Subject: appraisal Question: Grandpa lived in HA for 40+ years played, collected ukes & gave me a 6 string concert uke with "lt.color,dk neck and inlay, 4 white dots on face, 3 white dots on side." Inside is a label: Samual Kamaka, Luthier, (then in blue ink) September 1967. No. Liliu`VI 200. S.Kamaka. In good shape with case. Value? Answer: Beth...depends on condition, ..I would love to see a picture of the uke and then I can give an evaluation. nice uke...play it...chuck - Sunday, February 26, 2006

Question asked by: David R Subject: Dating a Gretsch Soprano Question: I came across this uke and am wondering how old it might be and whether it is likely to be a solid player. Also, any idea about its value? thanks - David Photos:      Answer: David...Its a good name and a good uke. It is a solid player. I need clearer pictures to give you an answer about the value. Pleae send them...chuck - Sunday, February 26, 2006

Question asked by: john hall Subject: Wailua Uke Question: Can you tell me anything about Wailua ukes? Quality. Where they are made? Thanks, john Answer: First time I have heard the name.. I have no idea. Can you post this on bulletin board and see what you get. I am hoping some yakkers out there will know...thanks again..chuck - Sunday, February 26, 2006

Question asked by: Bob Graves Subject: baritone uke Question: Hi Chuck- I bought a Favilla B-2 Baritone uke, #130161, with the Favilla crest and Herk Favilla's signature on the inside label. Can you tell me when it was made and where I can get a bridge and nut for it? Also the fingerboard inlays were removed- are there replacements? Bob Graves Answer: Bob, I am posting this as I know Tom Favilla will read it and be able to answer the question....nice uke, deserves to have whats missing. chuck - Sunday, February 26, 2006

Question asked by: Joe Marchbanks Subject: Simona Music Co. Uke Question: I have a Uke that looks to be made of Maple. It's 21" Long, 11 Frets, Up Bout 4 1/8" X 1 3/4" Thick, Lower is 5 3/4" X 2 3/8" Thick. Sticker=Genuine Hawaiian Ukulele Made by Simona Music Co. Honolula Los Angeles. Any Clues on the Maker? A source for wooden pegs? Thanks, Joe Photos:      Answer: John...sounds like an interesting uke. I am not familiar with the name but I would love to see a pic of the full front and back...please send it to me...chuck - Sunday, February 26, 2006

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page