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

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page

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: 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: Tom Subject: Martin Soprano Uke Question: Here is pic of my Martin Soprano. Is it Style 1 or 2? The back of the peg keys are black - all other soprano pics I have seen they are white? Photos:      Answer: The color of the keys has nothing to do with the style. They used both. It appears to be a style one. If it has 4 dots on the fingerboard it is a 1 ....if it has 3 it is a style 0. To be a style 2 it would have to have white binding all around the top. I can see clearly that this is not a two..... Hope I have helped....chuck - Monday, October 24, 2005

Question asked by: Brand Subject: Baritone sereal number Question: Hello Chuck, I own an Arthur Godfrey Deluxe solo Lute, and I was wondering if the sereal number on it would indicate the year it was made? I have a friend who used to work for the Vega company and he may have even worked on this very uke (depending on when it was made).By the way he did tell me that the individual parts for these ukes were shipped in and then assembled by Vega. Answer: I understand that the parts from vega is true. I think Vega may still have the numbering system although I don't think it has anything to do with the year of the instrument. Let me know what you find out....chuck - Monday, October 24, 2005

Question asked by: Bullfrog Willard Subject: Jerry's Mystery uke Question: Chuck; in answer to Jerry's "Mystery Uke," the mystery is solved. It's a Harmony soprano and I've got one just like it. It doesn't say Harmony on it anywhere. The only marking mine has is a little gold sticker that says "Genuine Mahogany." You can tell it's a Harmony by the location of the 12th fret. Answer: Thanks....froggie....all info greatly accepted....chuck - Monday, October 24, 2005

Question asked by: Keith Subject: Swagerty info Question: Chuckles, is it just me, or is the neck of the "singing treholipe" supposed to be rounded? Mine is square, like a piece of lumber...makes it hard to play! Answer: I am not familiar with the shape of the neck. However there are collectors of thos instruments out there and I'm sure someone will write with the answer. thanks for writing in...chuck - Monday, October 24, 2005

Question asked by: Tom Subject: Martin Uke Question: I think I have a Martin Soprano (21") and a Style 2 - butend of handle has numbers 19 G and 6579 seemingly heat stamped in - and I have not seen that before in my research. Am I correct in my assumptions and any idea of value because I want to sell it. Images attached. Photos:      Answer: Tom..the numbers mean nothing, they were not added by Martin. The pic does nothing to help me. I need a pic of the whole front of the ukulele and then I can help you. If itis 21 in , it is a soprano...The rest I can tell from a pic...thanks for writing in...chuck - Friday, October 21, 2005

Question asked by: Wendy Subject: Godfrey Uke Question: I found a Solo Lute SN7682 by Arthur Godfrey in my closet. This specific one seems to have an input jack for a 1/4" insrument cord. Did he make ones with this? or did someone probably add it? How much does the price go down if it's not part of the original design. Answer: Its not original and I'm not sure it will hurt the price. It will to an ardent Godfrey collector, but to someone who would like to have a good playing amplified instrument, it will not. thanks for writing in... - Friday, October 21, 2005

Question asked by: Jerry Subject: Mystery Ukulele Question: Chuck, do you have any idea what company made this ukulele? It looks to me like a Martin imitation, and there are no labels or stamps or decals on it at all to help identification. Perhaps a Harmony? Photos:      Answer: There are zillions of possibilities...I don't need the pic of the case ...it just takes up space. I need a pic of the full front as close as you get. Then I may be able to help you. Thanks and resend the pic..no case.....chuck - Friday, October 21, 2005

Question asked by: Lawrence Quan Subject: uke for camping? Question: An interesting topic came up on the bulletin board about waterproof ukes. What would you suggest for a durable camping uke, able to stand up to heat and humidity, preferably in tenor size? Could something be safely applied to the wooden parts of a fluke to make it more durable without creating problems? Thanks for the help. Answer: wrong question for me Jews don't camp. We have it brought in..like deli....Purchase a plastic uke of the 50's and try that. NOt a big investment. What would you be doing playing your uke under water? I shudder to think. I shudder to think of camping. There is no place to plug the heating blanket and the T/V. set. best........chuck - Friday, October 21, 2005

Question asked by: Dottie Hodges Subject: Maxitone banjo Question: I have a maxitone banjo that I got from a great uncle years ago and I am trying to find out info on this I am attaching a picture in hopes that you may be able to tell me anything about this banjo. it also says Grover on it Answer: Dottie, what evr you attached you picture with, fell off...send another pic..good banjo uke. Grover is the name( usually the tuners) ....try again...I'll wait..chuck - Friday, October 21, 2005

Question asked by: Bill Subject: old washburn parts Question: Chuck, I recently picked up an old Washburn uke that is perfect except it's missing three of the four bridge pegs. It could be from the 20's or 30's and I haven't found any parts places yet that carry these tiny grooved pegs. Also I can't tell if mine is a tenor, soprano, or concert style. Overall length is 24 1/2 inches. Bound front and back. Stamped on back of peg head 10384 PAT. APLD. FOR 5350. Inside is the Lyon & Healy, MAKERS, Chicago U.S.A. stamp and inside on the neck block is stamped in ink is the number 3462. I hope this is enough info. Can you help? Thanks, Bill Photos:      Answer: Its a tenor sort of. Its lyon and healy's tenor. a little small but a great instrument. You are going to have to find someone who can make you the pins. They are very hard to find because everyone needs some. Lyon and Healey were the only ones to use these small pegs. I would have them made out of whale ivory....Good luck. Nice instrument, near the top of the line.......chuck - Friday, October 21, 2005

Question asked by: Valerie Subject: help with buying a uke! Question: Help! I have to make a quickie decision on a uke that I'm trying to purchase from an EBAY dealer. It will be a gift for my husband's birthday. He is a musician and is kind of picky. This is a gold label Kamaka from the 1960's. Dealer says its a real nice piece that sounds great. 300 bucks - what do you think? Photos:      Answer: I think its too much money...to much wear...YOu can do better....chuck - Friday, October 21, 2005

Question asked by: DON FLICK Subject: Plastic 5K Question: In reply to Darrel's question: I haven't been able to identify the maker of this uke. There are no clues to the maker anyplace on the instrument. I have been collecting guitars, banjos, mandolins, and ukes for about 30 years and this is the first one like it I have seen. My theory is that it could have been left behind during a 1960's rash of extraterestial abductions that are rumored to have originated from a small mysterious planet who's culture was heavily impacted by the wayward signals of the Arthur Godfrey Show. This is only a theory of course. Answer: Thanks Don. You'll feel better soon...chuck - Friday, October 21, 2005

Question asked by: Bob Rahle Subject: Uke Identification Question: Wondered if you can help. I recently picked up this, all mahogany Soprano Uke with rope binding and rope inlay down the middle of the neck. There are no markings on it. I think it may be a 1920'-30's Lyon & Healy. Attached are two pics. Can you help me identify this instrument? Thanks, Bob Photos:      Answer: No. Its not a lyon and Healy...Only one pic came thru. Please send pic of whole uke full frontal and I'll try...chuck - Friday, October 21, 2005

Question asked by: old smelly bob Subject: my latest, tiki-dog Question: go here, scroll dowwwwwwwn http://www.catfish1952.com/freakshow2.html don't post this, it's already up on BB... thawcher might rock on with this... the baggs hex pickups letcher get *exact* intonation... i actually did 'shred' uke with this, sounds like cats fighting at a goat rodeo....you *must* have goat rodeos, don't you?????? yer only living freunde duhh-dog Answer: Your nuts........now are they???? pal chuck - Friday, October 21, 2005

Question asked by: Michael Subject: Kamaka age Question: What do you think the age of this repaired and restored Kamaka is? Has the white label. the more modern locking tuners. Have more pictures if needed....thank you very much. Photos:      Answer: 1970's 80's....thanks - Friday, October 21, 2005

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page