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

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Question asked by: Allan Subject: Kapalai uke Question: Do you have any info regarding Kapalai ukes made by Takemori of Kaneohe? I found one at a pawn shop and was curious about the value. All I have been able to find out is that the original maker has passed and they are not made anymore. Also, it was manufactured sometime between 1950- 1970's. It's not made of koa, but not sure what it is....wood has a yellowish tone to it. The back is not flat, but noticeably convex curved, more so than any uke I have seen(of course it may be common, but i am not that experienced). I believe it is a tenor..didn't get a chance to count the frets. No splits in the wood; varnish rubbed off a little on one side. Thanks for any help. Answer: Alan, can you send me a pic....name not familiar but the pic might tell the story.....thanks...chuck - Friday, December 2, 2005

Question asked by: Colin McCubbin Subject: Martin 1_T with violin pegs Question: I have a Martin uke which with it's 17" scale and 12 frets to the body I understand to be a 1_T. However it has violin pegs, and everything I read says that the Tenor only came with patent pegs. Could this be a very early one, or did they indeed use violin pegs on the 'T'.. Aloha, Colin McC Answer: Colin...I have seen tenors with violin pegs. IF it has no trace of metal washer marks where the tuners are, it is probably original...rare, but original..chucki - Sunday, November 20, 2005

Question asked by: Vinny Subject: Gibson uke year and value?? Question: Hello Frets, I've got an old Gibson Uke and was wondering if you know what approximate year it's from and what's the worth of it. It's in very good shape (no cracks)and has the original aligator case. It has the numbers 108637 stamped on the back of the headstock as well. Inside the soundhole it has "TU-1" printed. I've been told it's a tenor model. Any info would be great. Photos:      Answer: Vinny...its a 1950 style one tenor ukulele. It it worth about 700 on a good day. Thats just an estimate. I have seen them go for more and less, but that will give you something to go on. They are great players. I still have my original gibson tenor and love it...best...chuck - Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Question asked by: Eric Hall Subject: sammo ukulele Question: Hi! I just purchased this ukulele on Ebay. I have gathered through some online searching that is is a Sammo ukulele made by Masons in Chicago. First of all, is this correct? The only markings are a black triangle inlaid on the headstock. How old do you think this uke is? It also had an assortment of pegs, and I was curious if you knew the maker of the decorative one pictured? Thanks so much, I've enjoyed your insights on this list. ERIC Photos:      Answer: It is a very nice example of a ukulele not made by the Masons. But, by the Samuel Osborn music company of Chicago. One of ther pegs is a washburn peg..looks like an M.......Its a very nice one and my guess it was made in the 30's.....thanks for writing in.....chuck - Sunday, November 13, 2005

Question asked by: train888 Subject: Standard vs, Pineapple Question: Frets- I'm a new player and I wanted to know what are the playing and sound differences between a pinapple (flea) shaped Uke vs. a standard? Thanks! Kas Answer: Not enough difference to discuss. If anything the pineapple shape is a little deeper, what ever that means.....It does make a difference in the older ukes. The Pineapple Kamaka of the 20's is a much louder that the standard shape of the same years...thanks for writing in...chuck - Sunday, November 13, 2005

Question asked by: Linda Subject: d tuning with c book Question: I have a beautiful 1927 uke, tuned in D according to the book it came with. I've been learning the fingering for D tuning, then bought a bunch of books from Jim Beloff, but they are all for C tuning. Nothing sounds right. Do I have to learn new fingering or change the chords written in the book? Answer: You have to do nothing. Go to the e-tuner on this site and it will give you the g tuning. The chords will all be the same, played the same and fingered the same. The only difference is that it will be one step lover....Just play and have a good time....chuck - Sunday, November 13, 2005

Question asked by: Dean Morris Subject: Gretsch Ukulele Question: Hi, It is possible to date a Gretsch ukulele from the mark on the headstock. Any information about dating this piece would be greatly appreciated. peace, Dean Photos:      Answer: Dont know the exact date...guess 20-30's..it is an older one with the stamp on the back of the peg head. thanks for writing in....chuck - Sunday, November 13, 2005

Question asked by: john Subject: regal uke Question: hello- i just picked up a vintage regal tenor ukulele at the thrift store, and i'm in need of a little help dating it. the body is made of solid mahogany with a beautiful "curly-maple like figure" on the back and sides. the white/black/white rosette around the sound hole is not painted or a decal, but is inlaid. the neck is mahogany, with a center strip of some other wood(maybe maple?), and has what looks to me a brazillian rosewood fingerboard with 4 pearl dots. the fingerboard ends in a point. the peghead has the regal decal, and has friction pegs with white bakelite(?) knobs. there is no binding anywhere, except the sound hole, and it has a bridge that looks like stained maple. it's finished in a brown sunburst- dark mahogany in the center, darkening to black at the edges. overall, it's in pretty nice shape, with the kind of scratches you would expect on an old instrument. it's missing the nut, and the fret right where the neck joins the body. it also has a crack right below the waist on the treble side that is about 1 inch long, and starts at the edge. it came with it's original canvas end- opening case, which is rough but useable. i'm a professional guitarist and mandolinist, so i have a pretty good idea about vintage instruments, and i'm guessing that it's from the 20's or 30's. what do you think? thanks, john rosett Answer: John..I agree its from the 20's - 30's. But, regal made so many varieties, that I would have to see a pic of the whole uke. They made a cross over instrument that is a tenor guitar and baritone sort of instrument. Pleease send me a pic and I will do the best I can. Sounds nice. good description but I would still like to see a pic....thanks for writing in...chuck - Monday, November 7, 2005

Question asked by: Tom A. Subject: Johnny Martin/Favilla Question: Hi Chuck, I just picked up a Johnny Martin tenor made bt Favilla. I paid $460.00. They had another one with an airplane bridge for $510.00. I understand they are 50- 70 years old. Do you have any idea how much they sold for new? It plays nicely. Answer: Do you mean Johnny Marvin not Martin?....If so they were made by Harmony. I would love to see a pic and I can tell you what you have....chuck - Monday, November 7, 2005

Question asked by: Ginny Subject: tiple Question: How long has the tiple been around? When was it's heyday? What particular type of music was it made to play? Was it so prolific that 'no-names' were made? My friend has one that just has a white label inside saying, "made in Hawaii."Is it still being made? Answer: The Tiple is a South American instrument brought to this country by William Smith in the 20's and he convinced Martin to get rid of some odd sized guitar bodies by building this instrument. It really had its heyday in the Jazz era as a back up rhythm instrument. Its prounced Tiplay in South America and any way you want here. There were many companies that made them, Martin , Regal, Weyman, A few hawaiian makers to name a few. They almost always have neck problems because of the tension put on the bridge by 10 strings., I love the sound of them and have one I still play. Thanks for writing in.......chuck - Wednesday, November 2, 2005

Question asked by: Mike Subject: baritone ukes Question: Frets - maybe this is an unfair question, but I will ask you anyway. Of these makes of baritone ukes, which do you feel produces the best sound quality; and which do you feel is the best overall buy? Martin baritone uke, LoPrinzi baritone uke, Favilla baritone uke, or Bushman baritone uke. Thanks. Answer: Personal opinion. Best sound Martin, best buy Favilla.......chuck - Wednesday, November 2, 2005

Question asked by: Steve Subject: Swagerty info update Question: Chuck Keith asked about the neck on his singing treholipee. I have checked muine and although it is obviously made out of a rectangle of timber the back of the neck has been rounded to make it easier to play. I also have a Polk alay le (Is that how to spell it?) and that is just a rectangle in cross section and hasn't been rounded off. Steve Harrogate uk Answer: Steve...thanks for the update. I know Kieth will appreciate it as we do...chuck - Sunday, October 30, 2005

Question asked by: Bob Rahle Subject: Uke Identification Question: Chuck, Here is the pic of the headstock. Again, these tuners are not original. I've been informed that they are banjo tuners from the 20'-30's. That should cover the Uke pics. Let me know if you need anything else. Thanks, Bob Rahle Photos:      Answer: Bob, it appears to be hawaiian made because the heel cap is part of the back and not separate. A hawaiian give-a-way. It could have been made by a dozen different makers, maybe more. It has no one identifying mark that would tell me exactly who made it. The interesting thing is that it is not koa. There were less ukes made of mahogany , but I don't know the names of all of them. Its nice..I wish I could tell you the name of the maker, but I can't. I can tell you it was made around the 30's due to the shape of the body. Thats about all. It definitly is not Lyon and Healy, although it could have been made for them and they crried it in their stores. best...chuck - Sunday, October 30, 2005

Question asked by: Myles Subject: Unknown vintage soprano Question: Hey Chuck, I'm planning on returning this uke to playing condition however it has a couple of issues... The first is that a few of the frets have lifted from the surface of the neck, so they are now of uneven height. Can these be pushed back into the neck by a luthier, or should they be replaced? The other problem is the tuning pegs are non-original pegs which are too tapered for thier respective holes. Do you know where I can purchase a new or original set for a uke of this age? BTW, have you found out any info on a probable maker for this uke? Any information would be greatly appreciated and thanks for running such a great site. Cheers Myles Answer: Myles...go to the uke yak answers and you will find your name and question. I have answered what it is. I would take it to a luthier for all the work. Its too good a uke to try yourself. The frets are easy and the pegs and not very difficult either. Take my word, unless you are a qualified luthier, don't mess with this uke....chuck - Saturday, October 29, 2005

Question asked by: tikidog Subject: Hollywood Ukes Question: Chuck you mention several models of the Hollywood ukes, what would they be from top to bottom? Thanks,TD Answer: I don't remember from heart, but you will find most of them pictured in Jim Beloff's book, the Ukulele, a visual history. The bottom of the line is all mahogany and the top of the line is stunning. Kinda looks like a style 5 martin with an ivory bridge. The others are varying types of trim, like all ukes. I will see if I can find a list for you...best.....chuck - Saturday, October 29, 2005

Question asked by: Jack C Clark Subject: 1920 Sears Ukulele Question: Where could I find information on ths ukulele I recently purchased from my 96 year old neighbor. He bought it from Sears in 1920. The label inside is completely faded. All you can see at the bottom is the Sears name. Any infor would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jack C Clark Photos:      Answer: Jack, it looks like a regal headstock, but harmony also made ukes for sears. I don't know where you would go except to find an old sears catalog and see if you can find some mention of a ukulele. hope you find it and please let us know...chuck - Friday, October 28, 2005

Question asked by: Bob Subject: ebay uke Question: Hey there, Chuck. Here's an interesting uke on ebay - I was wondering if you had seen one these in your travels. Looks like a fun project uke but price seems high. Item number is 5624971401. Thanks Chuck, Bob Answer: Bob..;I finally found the uke after all the relistings. I have no idea what it is but it does nothing for me. I think anything overe 100 bucks would be expensive and it seems like 300 is not going to get it. pass......chuck - Friday, October 28, 2005

Question asked by: Mark Aicher Subject: Plz date Harmony Ukes Question: Hi Chuck! Well I read the entire column and only saw one of my ukes in pics but no dating info. I have three of these style ukes... the first was purchased on Ebay from an 84 year old supposedly had it as a child....paper label it smells old inside and the nut saddle slot is deeper than the other ones I purchased...to be continued with more pics Mark Photos:      Answer: Mark, you know as much as I do about these ukes...harmonies....millions of them made for everyone and their uncle. these are early and probably for a department store. let me know what else I can tell you. There are harmony experts who will be able to tell more than I can.....best....chuck - Friday, October 28, 2005

Question asked by: Michael Aratani Subject: unknown uke Question: Restored this unmarked beautiful inlayed mahagony soprano. Any idea of origin,maker and worth? Photos:      Answer: If it says mele, I guess thats what it is. nice job. I'm not sure about those tuners. have seen them before and they are not common...best....chuck - Friday, October 28, 2005

Question asked by: Darrell Urbien Subject: Lili'u Tenor History? Question: Can anyone provide me with a little background about the Lili'u Tenor 6 string (and other multi- stringed tenor ukes)? When did they originate, and with what maker? Are they considered descendents of the taro-patch? Or something completely different? (Xposted to the Bulletin Board for a perhaps slightly different perspective) Thanks Answer: The ukulele and its variations can be traced primarily to Portugal. In Portugal there are instruments with any number of strings. The Lili"u , although thought to have been made by Kamaka first, I'm not sure that is true. But they sure made it the best. They also gave rise to the popularity of the 8 string tenor. There are also 5 string ukuleles, just one string doubled. It is done primarily for a larger sound. All cultures have multi- stringed instruments, so it becomes hard to trace the exact lineage. I have a 7 string guitar that was made in 1776. I really like the sound of the multi stringed instruments. I hope this has helped, however the water gets muddy when talking about instruments. There were so many crossovers. best...chuck - Thursday, October 27, 2005

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