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 (112 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: 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: Albert Subject: mid 19th century Ukulele/machete Question: Hello Chuck, I found an very old machete by O.J.Nunes , the seller wants 1800$ as starting bid, is it worth such a high price?Is it a good investment, or should I better buy for a old Martin Uke? Photos:      Answer: by a Martin. This is not a uke and it is more a museum piece than a players instrument. I would not invest in it but then again, I didn't buy Martha Stewart Stock when she want to the slammer. bummer....chuck - Friday, January 27, 2006

Question asked by: Tom Favilla Subject: Poul Lang's Favilla Uke Question: Hi Chuck, A very interesting ukulele.Construction was common to the pre 1900's to mid 1920's, however the blue and silver crest dates it as about 1930 give or take 5 years. So the uke was probably one of the last of that era of construction. I have not commonly seen that particular finish before but anything is possible where ny grandfather was involved. The stenciled design around the soundhole is also not one I have seen before. I had the opportunity to talk with Poul about his very interesting ukulele..a real find. Tom Answer: Thanks tom.......always good to hear from you and the horses mouth....and I mean that in the nicest way. We couldn't do it without you...chuck - Monday, January 23, 2006

Question asked by: MichaelW Subject: Tsunami Relief Uke Question: picture of winner, Stan P. Answer: Thanks so much for the pics....Ken is a fine maker and a great soul.....chuck - Monday, January 23, 2006

Question asked by: MichaelW Subject: Tsunami Relief Uke Question: picture of Ken Potts Uke, won by Stan P. Photos:      Answer: - Monday, January 23, 2006

Question asked by: MichaelW Subject: Tsunami Relief Uke Question: picture of Ken Potts Uke, won by Stan P. Photos:      Answer: great uke and marvelous gesture by Ken...thanks for sharing....chuck - Monday, January 23, 2006

Question asked by: Bill Childers Subject: Martin 2K neck relief Question: I would ask your advise on a ukulele. Although I have played guitar for (too) many years, this is my first ukulele, and I have nothing to compare it with up here in Juneau, Alaska. It is a 1925-30 Martin 2K I had shipped-- on approval--from a vintage instruments shop in PA. It is in Excellent+ shape (and priced accordingly!), sounds wonderful, but I have a question about the neck-angle. The neck is straight, but the angle is such that the action is noticably higher at the 12 fret. The entire neck tilts forward some; it is not loose. It is playable, and I wonder if this is normal for a non-truss rod 80 year old wood box? Since there is no relief in the neck, as in a truss-rod guitar, do they build them this way? Regards, Bill -- Photos:      Answer: Nice looking uke...No it shouldn't be that way. I would contact the seller and see if you can get some help getting the neck reset. If it was not noted in the sale report, I would question it. Martin would not let a uke go out that way. Let us know how it comes out. It is not impossible to fix...chuck - Monday, January 23, 2006

Question asked by: michael L. Subject: cole clark Question: Hi Chuck, I just wanted to ask you about your experience with the Cole Clark uke. I am getting a couple sent my way by Brad. We were talking about the differences of the Rosewood body, which I have never heard used as uke body, and how it looks better than the Blackwood in the pictures. He did say it was hard and that he prefered the Blackwood. He also said the tung oil finish was better for sound but the nitro-cellulose finish was the best or "least" limiting of gloss finishes. He said he willsend me one of each (rosewood nad blackwood) to try (here in Hawaii) and I can send the one I dont want back. Nice. I said sure; make me 2 ukes with dark ebony fretboard, nitro finish and simple binding. btw, he says no binding is best for sound (loudness). He also offered to make one with a maple neck. Chuck, which body wood did you try or did you try both? Should I stay away from the rosewood body? And do you like the idea of a maple neck? Iwould appreciate some advise soon since he is starting right away. Mahalo nui loa! Aloha, Answer: I would opt for the blackwood body and the maple neck and no binding. I have played all the models and they are wonderful. Please let us know what you decided and how it plays....chuck - Monday, January 23, 2006

Question asked by: brad weirich Subject: ss stewart banjo uke collegian 10 Question: I have a ss stewart banjo uke collegian 10, lighy colored wood (maple?). I can not find any reference to this model. Any ideas? Value? thanks, Brad Answer: Brad. one of the thousands of ukes made using that name. It seems only natural that would be a name since they were sold to college kids in the 20's or 30's. I have my doubts that s s stewart made it but its more likely that they had it made for them and they distributed it. send a pic if you can....love to see it and can do a better job...chuck - Monday, January 23, 2006

Question asked by: michael L. Subject: mostly responding Question: Sure Chuck, I'll say hi to KP for you.. my pleasure. I am getting a concert long neck, simple ebony binding top and back, all koa, hond. mahog. neck, dark ebony fretboard, gotoh mini's, and a sound hole rosette.... Re my earlier question about market value, I am looking for a very nice Martin soprano. Thanks to people like me I guess,who recently caught the uke bug and have to have as great a player as they can afford, good Martin ukes go for close to top or over market (?) value pretty quick. I appreciate your value guidelines; they help alot! I guess the trick for those who dont have plenty bucks to spare is getting one that will at least keep its value. Answer: congrats on the KP you will love it. As far as the martin goes, keep looking. But be prepared to spend 500 on a good example. You should, if you can afford it, buy the best example and it should have a good case. best of luck...post your wants on the marketplace on this site, they people are all straight shooters and will be glad to help...chuck - Monday, January 23, 2006

Question asked by: michael L. Subject: today's market Question: Hi Frets, Please answer this one. In your opinion will the prices for vintage ukes move up down or not in the future? At close to market price are they a good investment? In particular, say a 40's-50's Martin in great condition that will be a player too. mahalo Answer: I wish I knew that answer. The best answer I can give you is ...class always goes up. You will not lose buying the best you can find. Overpay for perfect, the market will find you...chuck - Monday, January 23, 2006

Question asked by: Bill Rich Subject: Dad's Uke Question: My dad has this really nice Uke that we know very little about. It's at least 50 years old and has be refinished once, but looks beautiful. There are no marking on the instrument except a sticker inside that has a picture of a lighthouse. and it says "Established 1834. Bruno Means Security. Musical Instruments" Do you have any info on this Uke? and what it's possible value is? Thanks! Bill Answer: Bill..the label says it all. It is a Bruno made around the l920's 30's. Bruno and company were around for many years and made all sorts of instruments. They even manufacturd with Martin and Co at one point in their career but never ukes with them...There isn't much ore to tell you except to play it. best.....chuck - Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Question asked by: david f jaffe Subject: Joey Bishop's uke Question: Chuck, I just picked up a Martin Style 0, forties era, I'm told, in a custom hardwood case embossed with "Joey." Dean Sapp, a bluegrass musician/dealer in Northeast, Maryland sold it to me by consignment. The owner's daughter, from 'New York,' sold it along with a number of his other instrumnts. The story passed to me is that the deceased owner used to pal around with Bishop and his circle. I have not been able to find any references to Joey Bishop playing a uke on-line. I'd love to know if this is really his instrument. I can send photos. Any thoughts? David Jaffe Answer: David...I have no knowledge about Joey Bishop playing uke. I will scout around and see what I come up with. - Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Question asked by: Poul Lange Subject: Blond Favilla soprano Question: Hi Chuck I just won an auction for this Favilla soprano. I have never seen a blond Favilla. Do you have any idea of age or what kind of wood it might be? The wood is very nicely grained. The shield on the headstock is blue and yellow. The instrument looks like it's never been played ... Any idea of value? Looking forward to your answer Photos:      Answer: Poul...I will put this up and Perhaps Tom Favilla ( hey tom help us)..will fill in the gaps..beautiful uke. I have seen blond ones but not like that...thanks for writing in...chuck - Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Question asked by: Judy States Subject: Uke age Question: Hi Chuck, I have a ukulele that I was told is a antiqueand am trying to find some info on it It's wood with wod jpegs to tighten the four strings. In between the jpegs there is written Mauna Moa or Loa. I really think the capital M extends down and its Loa, but not sure. The capital M is unique. Its fancy with curvy lines and at the bottom part of the M are lines coming out from it like tree branches. That is the only writing on it.There is a circle around all of the writing with some sort of trees going up out of it. Thanks Judy States Answer: Many of the Mauna Loa's were made by Lyon and Healy. It is difficult to tell without seeing a pic. Its a decent uke. Not very valuable but not often seen. Thanks for sharing and if you can send a pic it would help....chuck - Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Question asked by: CLIVE HUGHES Subject: sam chang Question: HI CHUCK, I HAVE JUST BOUGHT A SAM CHANG LONG SCALE CONCERT UKE. ANY INFO ON THEM, FIRST ONE I HAVE SEEN. CLIVE. Answer: Clive, I have only the information you have. Its bigger. Sam Chang made concerts and was one of the only early makers who did make that size. Its a ice find and worth some money...Again, I would like to see a pic just for me...thanks....chuck - Wednesday, January 18, 2006

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