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

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Question asked by: Ray Albretson Subject: Dating Kamaka Sopranos? Question: Hi Frets! Against all my instincts I somehow was hornswoggled into buying *two* soprano Kamaka's at a recent Uke- fest. They are both "gold label" sopranos--and we all now know how confusing is dating from labels-- but I've posted side-by-side pictures of them in hopes you can sweat a little insight into my sadly dried-out thinker. The one on the left has no separate fretboard, a simpler bridge, a narrower heelpiece, and originally had the same cheesy plastic friction tuners as the one on the right. Can you give me an age breakdown on these two ukes in terms of those characteristics? Thanks, buddy! And say hi for me to the old gang down at the Mt. Idy Volunteer Fire Dept & Car Wash. Photos:      Answer: The one on the right is the better uke...made in the 60's and all around better construction. The one on left is good player also but not the quality of the other one. It was made in the 70's..Just a rough estimate of the dates of both, kamaka is tough to tell because they used the labels they had. You can't go wrong with either one. They are Kamakas.....need I say more? chuck...sorry it took so long to answer, the carwas broke down with me in the car and I was in there for about 2 weeks before anyone found me. Thank God there was enough water and the Mexican Restaurant wasn't bad either. As far as I know, we are the only carwash with a Mexican Restaurant. Taco Ta.,..frets - Sunday, June 12, 2005

Question asked by: Leo Subject: Martin Uke Question: Hi from Liverpool UK - I found this uke at a boot sale yesterday and the name made me buy it - can you give me an idea of model - year and value please - thanks in advance - great site - Leo Photos:      Answer: In great shape, it is worth 500+....I have seen them sell for 750 in superb condition. Nice score for a boot sale. I only find boots. If I can help further, pleae write in.....chuck - Sunday, June 12, 2005

Question asked by: Milan Subject: Gretsch Round Blue Uke Question: Chuck, Here's a photo of a Gretsch uke I got in last week. I'm into it for $120 which is a fair price and it sounds pretty good with a new set of Martin Strings. Seeing that it's Memorial Day weekend here in the States and that these were originally made for the fighting troops so that they could have a portable source of music, I thought that I'd let my fellow ukers see what a "mint" one of these with an original gigbag looks like. I do have a question for you though. Do you know how long after WW2 these were made? Thanx again. Photos:      Answer: Thanks for the photo...nice score. I'll give you a ten dollar profit if that is ok with you....They were made in the 30's-50's. Not exactly sure of the date. Thanks again and keep in touch..always nice to hear from you...chuck - Sunday, June 12, 2005

Question asked by: Nancy Subject: Surf A Le Le Question: Recently found a surf a lele at a flea market. How should it be strung? Soprano--baritone? I am learning soprano uke. Can it be strung this way? If so, who sells the longer strings? Thanks, Nancy Answer: A surf a le le can be tuned any way you want. The major problem is the length of the strings. My suggestion is to go to a music store and get the gauges of the strings. They will not have ones long enough, I don't think....good luck if they do. I would then head for the nearist fishing tackle store and buy some nylon fishing line about the same gauge. You will then be able to tune it. IF it sounds like crap, put four hooks on the ends and go fishing. You will also have a nice paddle to get back if the boat sinks. Just joking. Put this question up on market place on this site, those people are sharp and many of the have surf a le les. Somebody will know who makes strings to fit and what is the best tuning. best and thanks for writing in...chuck - Sunday, June 12, 2005

Question asked by: tyler Subject: harold teen uke Question: I recently acquired a yellow harold teen uke. It is in pretty good shape except the tuners could use a changing. I havent been able to find much info. on it. I was just wandering if it was worth anything. I havent the slightest idea what it would be worth. Any info on this instrument would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. Answer: It was made in 3 colors..red, green and yellow. Yellow is the rarest. They have collector value..In good condition and all the decals clear and complete about 500+ on a good day. I would't do anything to the tuners if you plan to sell it. Let the buyer do that. If you want to sell it and reach the largest audience of uke nuts...use the marketplace on this site. Thanks for writing in and I hope I've helped...chuck - Tuesday, June 7, 2005

Question asked by: April Subject: How can you tell? Question: My boyfriend has a uke his father was believed to have picked up in hawaii? How can you tell if it is real? Answer: Touch it...If its got shape and form, its real. If not, it is a figment of your imasgination. Please send me a pic, it would take more time than I have to try to describe the difference between a mainland and an island uke. I need pics...Front and back..You can send them to this site and I will get right back to you.... Thanks for writing in April,...I look forward to seeing the uke....chuck - Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Question asked by: rob mercer Subject: martin type0 Question: On the back of the headstock is a stamp into the wood which reads Oliver Ditson co New York inside on the back is stamped g.F.Martin and co Nazareth Pa. I think ditsons wre a sort of big mail order company or a department store but am utterly unfamiliar with New York. If I can beat my dig camera into sub mission I'll get a pic to you thanks for the response rob Answer: Rob...I tried to email you but it won't go thru..I need a pic...they made so many instruments, and so many variations, that it would take us years to do it verbally. thanks....frets - Monday, May 30, 2005

Question asked by: peter Fletcher Subject: Mystery Uke Question: Last night I found an old baritone uke at a friend of mine's apartment and demanded he give it to me. It's cracked and needs a new nut but I'm going to fix it. However I can't find any info on the company that made it. The at the top of ther head there is a label that reads: PENN-Los Angeles California. Any thoughts? Answer: Peter..I have seen the name Penn before, but don[t hae a clue who made it...any chance for a picture...I might be able to tell if I can see it. Thanks for writing in...frets - Monday, May 30, 2005

Question asked by: Cathy Subject: Camp Uke Question: I have a very old Camp Uke that was given to me when I was a young girl and the 2 old ladies that gave it to me said it was given to them when they were young girls. On the uke its says "Camp Uke" "Patent Pending" It is in need of some minor repairs. Is this worth anything? Answer: cathy...send me a picture...there were many varieties of camp ukes. They all are round like a pingpong paddle . But there are many varieties...some are valuable and some are not. I need a picture to tell. They were made by the lyon and Healy company in about l930. They were made of nissa wood. That's light wood with almost no grain. If you send me a pic, I will tell you instantly what you have. Regardless, it is a nice piece. thanks for writing in...chuck - Sunday, May 29, 2005

Question asked by: Casey Jones Subject: Stella Question: Hello, I recently came across this older Stella ukulele with an unique "four aces" emblem under the logo. Just taking a guess, I would say its 50s era made? No label... Stella is just stamped into the head and it has dark plastic turners. Much newer and I would imagine it would have the harmony painted trim and a plastic fingerboard. I cannot find much information about this model or Stella ukes of this time. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Casey Photos:      Answer: Casey...how nice another first. I have no idea what that is...never saw anything like it. I have a feeling it might even be a home decal job. Dont know how to answer the question about the date. The stamped stella in the headstock is typical of a long time in their history...Could you please send some more pics close up?.it is a hoot. loved seeing it and I'm sure alot of other people will as well....chuck - Sunday, May 29, 2005

Question asked by: Steve Pepper Subject: Banjo Uke Question: Chuck, the Banjo uke owned by Mike Hansen could even be a Dallas Model A (George Formby)uke with the logo missing. It looks identical to my headstock and the frets, hooks and dots are in the same position as mine (pictured) Just a thought Steve Photos:      Answer: Thanks Steve....could that little metal doodad in the headstock have been used to hold the formby metal tag in place..does yours have one....thanks for the pic and the news....chuck - Sunday, May 29, 2005

Question asked by: rob mercer Subject: martin uke Question: I have a style 0 soprano which appears to be a ditson (mail order?) uke it sounds great. It has schaller type pegs . should I replace those with friction tuners or leave it alone. Are there any good gut strings around? Answer: Rob send a pic...I want to know what you mean by mail order ditson...interesting....I'm always for doing as little as possible. If it sounds good the way it is and you are going to keep it as a player, who cares what kind of tuners it has...The only time I would replace them, is when they were broken or would improve the sound....send pics...frets - Sunday, May 29, 2005

Question asked by: old smelly bob Subject: gretsch bridge Question: for david....use the brass grommets from old guitar strings if yer canna find a bead shop.... frets, how many times did yer mums tell yer...do what you can do with whatcher got, 'n if yer don't gots, use sumpin else....... Answer: stinky...you is da man....dats good advice...I'm going to take....I don't know what to do with it, but I'm going to take it. Thanks for the advice...its always good to hear from you....use deodorant....your pal...chuck - Sunday, May 29, 2005

Question asked by: David Subject: Bridge for Gretsch Question: Frets - On the advice of this column, I just bought a Gretsch uke. It was pretty banged up so I had a luthier fix the cracks, strung it up and it sings. The only problem is with the bridge. The slots are blown out and there is great difficulty in getting strings to stay put (even with quadruple knots). Now, I'm trying to locate a replacement bridge for the uke. Is there any collector out there who just has a box full of these and wouldn't mind parting with one? I've cross-posted this on the bulletin board but haven't really gotten much response. thanks - David Answer: Glad it sings...sorry the slots are too big...The pros I know who have that problem and don't want to change bridges, use a small bead on the end of the string. You can get them at any hobby shop. They are usually made of plastic or glass. In the meantime, I will search for a bridge for you and I'm sure that someone on the fleamarket site will come forward. good playing...frets - Friday, May 27, 2005

Question asked by: mike hansen Subject: A Uke in the Sand is Worth Two in the Ocean Question: Couldn't resist. I call this uke the "epitomy of excess" Photos:      Answer: Put a helmet on top of it and we can call it "The Tomb of the Unknown Strummer"...thanks for sharing...frets - Friday, May 27, 2005

Question asked by: mike hansen Subject: Favilla Soprano Question: Chuck, Just found a favilla soprano at an antique atore for $20. I strung iup and it sounds great but there are two problems, one major one minor. There seems to have been some significant cracks, which were at one time fixed. The cracks run from the neck almost down to the bottom on both sides. It seems to be held together pretty well. Should I worry. I had the chance yesturday to trade it for a WH Red Head, but for some reason I don't want to part with the Favilla. The other problem is I need new pegs, but the newer ones don't fit (any advice besides take it to a good luthier - I don't know where one is) Thanks Photos:      Answer: I would have kept the favilla also. Much better instrument. As far as the tuners go, I would go to a decent luthier..Tell me where you live and I will try to find you someone. I would go to the players directory on this site and see who lives near and give them a call...perhaps they know a luthier...as far as the cracks go, if they don't bother you or the sound...the less done the bettr. You can really open a can of worms trying to make reparied cracks better. Let us know how it turns out...nice price, regardless...20 bucks....nice score...frets - Friday, May 27, 2005

Question asked by: Mike Hansen Subject: No-Name BANJO UKE Question: Chuck, Just wondering if you know anything about this banjo Uke. I will send two more pictures. Recently I brought it back stage at a Bob Dylan concert and Bob's lead guitar player enjoyed playing it for a little while. Thanks for the help. Photos:      Answer: Mike....Usually the f-hole back denotes a cheapie uke. In this case it does not. If I were a gambling man, I would say this is some kind of altered ub2 Gibson Banjo uke. If it is, it is not an original back and I have no idea what that little doodad is in the headstock...Everything else checks out..the fret masrkers, the shape of the headstock, the method of attachment of the strings....I would love to hold it in my hand, I would know better. What ever it is, its a nice one. Good playing, perhaps someone out there has the identical uke ( I doubt it) but lets see. thanks again....chuck - Friday, May 27, 2005

Question asked by: Kim Subject: Tombo Ukulet Question: I just purchased a 6 string tombo ukulet for $100 and I was wondering how difficult it would be to replace the nut so that I could string it with only four strings. I'm more interested in being able to play it then I am in keeping it as a collectable and the extra strings make it really hard for me to play. Photos:      Answer: I can be done, but you need a professional luthier to get the string spacing correct etc. They also came in a four string variety, this is the first 6 I have seen...need thing. chuck - Friday, May 27, 2005

Question asked by: Lee Hoemann Subject: puzzling uke Question: Chuck, thanks for taking another look. Here is a much smaller (smile) shot of the whole front. I'll send a long one of the back as well. Also took a shot of the end as you suggested which clearly shows the sides and back are not one piece. They mystery of lives on. Photos:      Answer: Lee...thanks for the kind words. I have looked at all your pictures and I am convinced that it is nost a Kamaka, Kalae, and I am almost positive it is not a Gaspar. I have no idea who made it. It is a quality instrument and seems island made. It may well be a one off by someone who tried their hand at a pineapple. I have a feeling that is what it is. The decal is available still today., It tells us nothing. I hope it plays as good as it looks and hopefully someone out there will know something about it. I have seen thousands of ukes and not another exatly like this. good luck....chuck - Thursday, May 26, 2005

Question asked by: PK Subject: guitar/uke makers Question: Chuck, do you find it interesting that some guitarmakers, who had put down the uke as unimportant, are now turning them out as fast as they can...ah, the power of money! Thanks for your wisdom. -PK Answer: Rappers turn actors......frets - Sunday, May 22, 2005

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