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

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Question asked by: Jim Wells Subject: info on Suzuki Violin uke Question: This was my late Mothers'... was wondering if you could shed any light on it? It has ser. # 5 inside. When made or value maybe? Thanks for any information! Regards, Jim Wells Photos:      Answer: Suzuki ukes have not much value....100 bucks maybe. It is a nice uke but not collected alot......If you are going to try to sell it do it on our site called market place. I'd keep it if I were you....thanks...frets - Thursday, September 15, 2005

Question asked by: Jimbo Subject: Cole Clark Ukes Question: Hi Chuck, Just replying to your question as to my location. I live in Sydney NSW, in the Sutherland shire Regards Jim Answer: thanks...set a table for one more..I'm on my way for dinner....chuck - Thursday, September 15, 2005

Question asked by: jeanette Subject: possibly a Martin 2K? Question: OK... I don't have the means of shooting a picture of this thing yet, BUT after cleaning what I thought was a Martin 2M soprano...the wood is looking for all the world like it's "soul" (closet) mateMartin 018K 'cept... there isn't a lot of flaming (fingering ripples whathaveyou) to the Uke body... but there IS incredible dept and very subtle flarings. Did Martin make Koa body's from not so dramatic koa woods? This style 2 is pre 1930 as the stamp is on the back, and the Hawaiian 018K is 1928). The neck of the uke and guitar match perfectly...so whatever the Uke body is, it is NOT the same as the mahog. neck wood I was going to sell the guitar...then heard a bluesman play it and fell in love with it. The Uke and guitar have been together since 1928... so I guess that I am about to learn how to play it as well as the slide guitar as the thought of splitting them up (after all the time they spent together in my Dad's closet) is unthinkable to me! ~jeanette Answer: jeanette, please send pics I can tell in a heartbeat.....chuck - Thursday, September 15, 2005

Question asked by: Jim Subject: Ka-Lae Question: Chuck, I know you've said earlier that Kamaka made the Ka-Lae's also. Can you elaborate a bit on that as to: same level of quality? Why the different name? (were they made by a black-sheep brother-in- law? Or maybe just by a black sheep himslef? No, I guess then it would be "Ba-Lae...") Anyhow, anything more on this brand? Thanks. Answer: Sorry I overlooked your question....John Lai and Sam Kamaka made ukes together for a short period of time...They were pineapples..look exactly like the 1938 kamaka. Lai also made ukes on his own. They weigh about 30 pounds apiece and are not very good sounding. Hope this helps..sorry it took so long....chuck - Thursday, September 15, 2005

Question asked by: rod water Subject: metal dixie banjo uke Question: looking for history mfg. dates made Answer: A little history. They all sound horrible. Made in the 50's. Interesting to look at, but I have never heard one that sounded like anything...try gut strings..original hawaiian gut strings. they can mute the sound some. Use no strings and it will sound great....thanks for writing in....chuck - Tuesday, September 6, 2005

Question asked by: Stephen B. Subject: Harmony Uke Question: Chuck: Here's the label from the Harmony i submitted a little while ago -- The uke is koa wood, I think, and very high gloss finish, lots of inlay...only identifying labels are this little one on the back of the headstock and the one inside that says "Standard Approved....etc" Photos:      Answer: and the question is??????? or was???? - Tuesday, September 6, 2005

Question asked by: Diesel Subject: Long time, no book Question: Ain't summer in your neck of the woods, but it is here - with a vengeance - and I need some good Summertime reading! Anything on the literary horizon? Answer: nice to hear from you...book still in the works, had to put on back burner as I had another book due first. Will let you know when it happens. Looking for a publisher...know of one.......chuck - Tuesday, September 6, 2005

Question asked by: Jim Hite Subject: Bobby Henshaw Question: A search of uke yak shows it's been a few years since the last Bobby Henshaw question. I bought a Henshaw Baritone, and it sounds great, plays great and looks like it's gonna fall apart any second. Have you made any headway into who he was and who made the ukes with his name on 'em? Answer: nope...chuck - Saturday, August 27, 2005

Question asked by: Michael Hansen Subject: 8 String Ukulele (Island?) Question: Chuck, Just picked this fella up at an antique store for a few clams. It looked interesting and wel made, but there are some major cracks that need to be repaired as well as some structural issues. It looks like an Island made uke (or whatever yu call it). Just wondering if it looks familar. Also do you know anyone I could send it to to fix the cracks and structural problems. I don't know any good luthiers and I'm always on the road. (Note: I will send another picture of the peg head. If these pictures are no help I will try to send others.) Photos:      Answer: The pic I received could be anything. I thoght it was a building at first. I think you may need a little help in getting the pic and then making it the right size. will be glad to help when I can see it. - Saturday, August 27, 2005

Question asked by: wolf poll, montreal.canada Subject: koa ukulele in montreal Question: .......hi....read most of the site & i have one book of jumpin jim's but i still have a question: woul you be able to give me a ball park figure on the worth of my recently acquired uke, an all koa leonardo nunes with "cord"trim in the front rim & around the soundhle--with a very narrow waist- -----professionally resttored--no blemishes--incredible sound.....i want to play it after looking for one for a dozen years------ i came across it in an iniquitous den of hillbillies who called it a little black guitar it was so dirty....but it sprang back with a prismatic orange figured shhen that reverses with 90 deg rotation....the label inside resembles the one shown on your website...(with workmanship .materialsAND tone guaranteed!!).....thanking you with best wish & anticipation ,your sincerely canadian friend,wolf Answer: Wolf. need a pic...nunes made many styles and designs....Could be worth anything. Please send me a picture and I will be glad to help....chuck - Saturday, August 27, 2005

Question asked by: Tom Favilla Subject: Favilla uke with no crest Question: Ok..you made me an offer I can't refuse; re: Brad Bechtel's Favilla uke with no decal. A very few have popped up over the years, Most are from late 1930's to early 1940's, as to why no decal. I just don't have an full answer. The decal was put on as part of the inspection process. why a perfectly good instrument doesb't have a decal " I don't know" but they have the Favilla name pressed into the back of the headstock. Tom Answer: there are two things I can count on in this world. Your help and taxes. Now if I could just get your help with my taxes, all would be ok. as usual, I bow to your wisdom and appreciate your help. We all do. a fan.....chuck - Friday, August 5, 2005

Question asked by: Pono Subject: Paul Summers Uke Question: Chucko- Great forum here, never knew it existed until today. You are doing a lot of good things for the Uke community. Just had a quick question: I am looking at a Paul Summers made Uke from the 30's in good condition. How rare are they and what would you say is a going value on it? Any idea how they sound? Mahalo- Answer: A Paul Summers is a good made uke. I would have to se a pic to tell you what it is worth. He and his brother made dozens of different styles all worth different amounts. Please send me a pic of the full front and I will do the best I can. It rarity depends on your definition of rare. They are not rare in the ukulele world, but they are not common either. Sorry to be so specific....Please send pic....chuck - Tuesday, August 2, 2005

Question asked by: Gordon Wehner Subject: old uke Question: Approximately how much would an 80 year old C.F. Martin uke in good shape be worth? Thanks, Gordon Wehner Answer: gordon..the age has little to do with it. Not as much as which model it is. They made many different models and sizes ..all different in value. Please send a pic of the whole uke front view and I will help....thanks for writing in....chuck - Tuesday, August 2, 2005

Question asked by: Jim De Fazio Subject: Harmony baritones, again... Question: Hey Chuck, again, on the Harmony baritone issue, surely when you said: "Harmony, as well as their comic ukes, made 3 ukes...a mahogany soprano, a mahogany concert with white trim and a mahogany tenor," you didn't mean to imply that Harmony didn't make a baritone, right? As for size, well it does count. And mine's bigger. That is, my Harmony bari is bigger. Bigger for example than my Favilla bari. Not longer, but more girth. Seriously, it has a bigger box. Okay, get your minds outta the gutter. But I speak the truth. The body of my Harmony bari is slightly bigger than my Favilla, giving it a VERY full, bassy sound. But the Favilla still sounds better: sounds more like a uke. Answer: Thanks Jim , The information is always apprciated. keep well....chuck - Tuesday, August 2, 2005

Question asked by: James Subject: Zero fret. Question: Hi Chuck, I am having Gylph ukulele make me a concert and I am going back and forth on zero fret of no zero fret, what is the advantage of zero fret? James Answer: I am not sure. There are some who say the uke stays in tune easier. I never cared either way. I have a KP uke that has a zero fret and it is a marvelous player. I don't know if the zero fret makes a difference. I have also heard that it takes some of the wear and tear off the nut. And we all know how important that is. I know this has not been alot of help, but it is one of those questions that I never bother to think about. I'm from the old school. IF its sounds good and it makes me sound good. Its probably just a good day. chuck - Tuesday, August 2, 2005

Question asked by: WARREN GILES Subject: OSCAR SCHMIDT KOA Question: WHAT'S YOUR OPINION OF THE OSCAR SCHMIDT OU-5 KOA(LAMINATE) CONCERT UKULELE? Answer: There is a lot better stuff out there for the money...reports have not been that good. I think you should pose this questionon the bulletin board on this site and there are people who own them or have owned them who will be more than glad to answer..thanks alot for writing in...chuck - Monday, August 1, 2005

Question asked by: mappee Subject: Martin T1 tenor ukulele Question: OK no-one can pin it down. 12 frets to body. yes. No Made in USA on inside stamp. yes. Decal on peghead. yes. White bridge pins with black dots on them? Maybe early 60's. Most I've seen have black bridge pins. I'm guessing 1950 to 1960 and leaning 60. Will anyone dispute me!!! Oh and Chuck you have my permission to use this quote as it answers the long perplexing question, What's my UKE worth???? reply "It is worth exactly what you played". oo ki nikki tiki yiki om a laka naka leki... then verse 2 Mappee Answer: I'm confused.....thanks for your email, I will spend some time with it and hopefuly its full meaning will reveal itself. Sort of like War and Peace. frets - Monday, August 1, 2005

Question asked by: Wendell Subject: harmony baritone Question: Related to the question about Harmony baritones. I have one. It's normal baritone size and it is the same as a Silvertone baritone. Search the yak on Silvertone and you'll see more discussion. Ken Potts is another lover of this instrument among many. They can be very nice players. Answer: thanks alot...all info graciously received.....chuck - Sunday, July 31, 2005

Question asked by: els. Subject: old ukelele Question: Hello! I've found an old ukelele in a house from someone who died about 30 years ago. So it must be a very old one. We think it's probably more than 50 years old, but we don't know. How can we know it? There's nothing written on it, so I think it's difficult to find out. It's still a very good ukelele, I only had to change the strings. A typical thing is that the things to turn on to tune it (I don't know what it is in English) are made in wood. And they are on the back of the head of the ukelele. They told me in a music store that it must be very old, cause you can't find such things anymore nowadays. Do you think it is possible to find out how old it is?? Thanks, Els Answer: All I need is a couple pics of the uke...lenth total and I will tell you. I will also tell you know, that the type of tuners have nothing to do with the year it was made. There are ukes being made today with wooden push pegs. It is always a good rule not to take a musical instrument to a music store for information., Take it to someone who works on them. There are people who specialize in every area. Just look them up and take the instument to them. They specialize, ...Its their job to know what it is. Music stores sell instruments...all kinds and are not always well versed in each. And thats the way it should be. Send a pic..love to see what you have...chuck....Music stores, please dont write in..I am aware that there are music stores who are well versed in many instruments and that are wonderful places for information. But not all...... - Saturday, July 30, 2005

Question asked by: Brad Bechtel Subject: Favilla uke with no decal? pictures Question: http://homepage.mac.com/wellvis/.Pictures/ FavillaFront.JPG http://homepage.mac.com/wellvis/.Pictures/ FavillaBack.JPG Photos:      Answer: thanks brad....take a look - Friday, July 29, 2005

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