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

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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: Mike Long Subject: Tiny Tim's Uke Question: Not a question, but.... Love him or don't.... Tiny Tim's uke is up for auction on Ebay. Please search for Tiny Tim and you will find it. It has 4 days left as of this post. I'm a mandolin guy, but I wanted you all to know. It has to be THE most famous uke in history. Answer: Mike...there are lots of tiny tim ukes around. I know of a half dozen. He loved to autograph ukes and they are all known now as tiny tim ukes. I'm not sure if you are asking me if you should buy it...I wouldn't...but then thats just me....chuck - Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Question asked by: George McMillan Subject: Banjolele Question: From the attached (no name) picture, could you compare or suggest playability with it and a new Goldtone? Thank you. Photos:      Answer: No.......wish I could do things like that, I would be betting on the horses...chuck - Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Question asked by: Sky Chaney Subject: Good Natural Finish for Uke? Question: I’m having an all koa tenor uke made for me… and am wondering about what finish to use? I’d like a natural look… not shiney… with the grain left open. What finishes might work for this natural look? Someone told me that an oil finish would dampen the sound. Is that true? Any knowledge or experiences will be appreciated! Answer: I prefer french polish with a matte finish..Oil only open grain seeps in and eventually drys. Don't understand why you would want to do that on an open grained wood. hope this helped....chuck - Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Question asked by: Dan Daugherty Subject: Kamaka uke Question: Hi, Chuck,very entertaining answers! Just wondered if you could give me an idea what my Kamaka soprano pineapple uke might be worth. It's a 1958,brought to the US by Don Drysdale of the Dodgers after his honeymoon at Carl Erskine's request. Carl is a good friend of mine, and we did a trade a few years ago, in which I ended up with the uke. Sounds great, has one closed top crack. Thanks! Dan Answer: Don Drysdale went on a Honeymoon at Carl Erskine's request?????? at least 500 bucks if it is in perfect condition...not much less if the crack is perfectly repaired. thanks for writing in...... chuck - Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Question asked by: Ron Lovelace Subject: Rolando banjo uke Question: I was brought a Rolando banjo uke to repair, and it needs a skin, a bridge, one tuner and tapese tailpiece. Any idea where a person can find these? Thanks Ron Answer: Try a music distributor. A good music store, or a good banjo luthier. They will all know the answer to the question....chuyck - Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Question asked by: Christopher Hedges Subject: Martin Tiples Question: I read the following on your archives this morning: "In the l920's William J. Smith, instrument manufacturer, came to Martin and had 12 Tiples made with the stamp. William J. Smith on the back of the peghead." Yikes! I happen to own a old tiple with "William J. Smith" stamped on the back of the peghead. Could these be one of only 12 that were made by Martin? Would you care to venture a guess on what its value would be? Answer: Martin made others, but you might be lucky. send me a pic of the whole tiple front, back, soundhole (inside if you can get there) and the stamping if inside and outside....I will then venture a guess as to the value. sounds good...chuck - Friday, February 10, 2006

Question asked by: James J Subject: Tenors in G tuning with a 'My Dog Has Fleas' voicing? Question: Hello Chuck, In Jumpin' Jim's DVD with Lyle Ritz, Moving Beyond the Basics, Mr. Belof mentions that he and Lyle are playing tenors in a G tuning, but still maintaining a 'My Dog Has Fleas' voicing. So my question to you is; What strings, and what gauge of strings, are they using, please? Cheers and thanks, someclown in Canada Answer: Hello....I tune all soprano strings in both. I know there are strings made for different tunings, but one step on the scale is not enough to make a big difference to me. adf#b...or gcea......use both. I'm, not fussy, If it sounds like its In tune, I play it. have a good time and remember we have a spot on the menu to your left that says E-tuner. Perhaps this will make life easier for you.....best and thanks for writing. another clown in Mt Idy...chuck - Tuesday, February 7, 2006

Question asked by: Martin Dunlop Subject: Electronic Tuners Question: Hi Chuck, Martin here - recent MUK member . I've got a tuning question I use an electonic tuner for the open strings, but then when fretting I find that the note can be up to 20 cents sharp up the neck in some places - this isn't a consitent varaince either so each string won't be 20 cents out on say the 8th fret and some fret positions are on pitch. I've changed the strings and played them in but still to my untrained ear there is a problem. Any advice? Answer: Martin........You could have asked me this question in Greek. I understand nothing about what you have written. However, if you will go over to the bulletin board side and ask the uketechno nutz over there, you will find people who can answer your question. Thanks for writing in. Always ready to help.....chuck - Monday, February 6, 2006

Question asked by: Dave G Subject: Wailua reonator uke with fiberglass body Question: Mr. Fayne, Don't know if you're tracking current resonator builders, but thought you might find this of interest. I took a flyer on s Wailua concert ( wailua-instruments.com ) with a fiberglass body. I like it. It's not nearly as heavy as a National metal body, or for that matter, nearly as expensive. I've never had the chance to try out a Beltona, so I can't hazard a comparison. One interesting feature is a small port on the bass side upper bout. It opens up the sound a bit (the difference is quite noticable when you cover the port and strum). Best regards Photos:      Answer: Mr Fayne......??????? Thanks.....The only people who ever call me Mr. Fayne are the police when I get stopped for a ticket. Thanks for the info and the pictures. I'm always glad to get new news and so are the rest of the yakkers. keep us posted. chuck - Monday, February 6, 2006

Question asked by: Mike Puccio Subject: paul F. Summers uke value Question: I recently inherited a Paul F. Summers ukulele, same as the one on the left seen here http://www.hekilicollection.com/pa ges/2/page2.html? refresh=1116441949723 . Only difference is that it does not have the brass plaque at the top (and no mark where one might have been). It does have the inside label and the Tabu stamp on the back of the headstock. The tuning pegs are replacements, but I still have the original black (ebony?) ones. There was an approximate 3-4 inch crack on the back, which has been professionally repaired by a local luthier (can barely tell even when area is pointed out). Bridge has also been professionally replaced. Luthier claimed instrument is in overall excellent shape. No dents, nicks, and finish is very nice. Figuring of koa is comparable to image in link above. OHSC is in very good shape also, with exception of handle, which the leather covering has dry rotted off. Question is what is a ukulele of this vintage worth? any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Photos:      Answer: Its worth alot and that is just an estimate. I would guess that I have only seen a handfull of abalone trimmed summers ukes in my life. I would expect this uke to sell for 1000 or more. Thanks for sending in the pic....Its a real beauty....chuck - Monday, February 6, 2006

Question asked by: shayn davis Subject: johnny marvin ukulele Question: I am interested in finding the value of my ukulele...1930's johnny marvin professional tenor with the airplane shaped bridge..The condition is very good..Can you help? Answer: 400-500 in great shape. I have one that is in crappy shape and I wouldn't sell it for that. thanks for yakkin with us chuck - Monday, February 6, 2006

Question asked by: Charles R. Malec Subject: Baritone Ukes Question: Hi Chuck, I was wondering if you could suggest some good baritone ukes in the $150.00 to $500.00 range. Thanks, Charlie Answer: Search the web for a favilla. You will eventually come up with one and they are good players. Vega is also a good name to look for. good hunting.....chuck - Monday, February 6, 2006

Question asked by: Paul Bergquist Subject: Kamaka Question: Hi Chuck, in the lingo of talk radio long time listener, first time caller. I've checked out the Uke Yak several times in my quest for the perfect uke. I never heard a discouraging word from you regarding Kamakas so that has been my focus. That and the sheer eye appeal. I acquired the "rare vintage 60's" (ebay discription) Kamaka on ebay (jpeg attached) but was a bit apprehensive that only myself and one other enthusiast were bidding. This looked like a fine example of the Kamaka soprano to me. My question is if this Uke is as advertised and was priced at the high end or am I missing something more obvious to the experts. Appreciate anything you can discern from photo as to vintage. Probably better asked before pulling the bid trigger but ... Photos:      Answer: I did not see the uke on uke yak and have no idea what you paid for it. It is as advertised as far as being a 60's Kamaka and from the looks of it in the case , it is a beautiful example. I assume you have it and are playing it. The sound should answer all the questions I can't. I can tell you what I see but I can't hear it. Your right, you have never heard a bad word about Kamaka and you probably won't. I would expect this uke to be a wonderful sounding uke. You bought from one of their premier periods. I think this time you got away with pulling the trigger first. Let me know how it sounds and enjoy. It is really a remarkable piece. thanks for writing in....chuck - Sunday, January 29, 2006

Question asked by: Tony Haines Subject: Regal Uke or Tenor? Question: I have owned this Uke or whatever it is all my life. I would love to know what it is? The logo is rare. Any ideas? Thanks! Photos:      Answer: Tony...It is a Regal uke for sure. I cannot tell you the size without measuring and a full picture. I will then tell you what you have....all I need is overall length...thanks...chuck I'm curious why the logois rare. I have seen thousands of regal ukes and not one without that logo...... - Saturday, January 28, 2006

Question asked by: Russell Golobic Subject: FLUKElectric Question: Hi Chuck! I have been looking into buying a ukulele with a pickup. Can you tell me if you have had any experience with the FLUKElectric? Or has anyone you know played one? Any reviews you can provide would be great. Of course we know you are above towing the company line :) Thanks! -- Russ Answer: Russel, I have no first hand information on the electric fluke...I will ask your question here and someone out there will answer. I would also put this, if I were you, on the bulletin board. They have all the experience and will give you more feedback than you ever needed. Very useful....tghanks for writing in...chuck - Friday, January 27, 2006

Question asked by: Bob Subject: Made in Philadelphia Question: Chuck, I recently aquired this Uke but I can't find anything about it or it's maker. Do you know anything about it? The label say's "American Made - Silver Bell - H & S - Philadelphia. I have more photos if you need them. Thanks for your time. Photos:      Answer: Bob...I have no information in my files. I can tell you one thing from your picture, it is very crude. I will do some more digging and see what I come up with. H&S doesn't ring a bell....chuck - Friday, January 27, 2006

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