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

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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: 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: old smelly bob Subject: mayes uke Question: how does one string that thing? with the neck in that position, one can only bar with the thumb...and there are none of your progeny, (frets). also too, are the tuners extra optional additional attractions?the answer to the above is below...never show a fool a half-built house, he'll say the doors ain't hung and the roof ain't on....for real, that is stunner wood, and if i hit the lottery i'm gonna get me one....btw, i hope yer as bellicose as ever...may yer dog eat the taxman....osb---an invert dyslexic sob Answer: Thanks Stinkey......Always nice to hear from you...Glad people are looking at the uke. Its going to be stunning. I hope John sends me pics of it when it is done. We'd all like to see it. How are you and whats new. Its always nice to hear from old friends. Stay smelly...your friend...close-pin nosed...frets - Sunday, May 22, 2005

Question asked by: Lee Hoemann Subject: picture 2 Question: Picture 2 Photos:      Answer: Lee thank you for the 245 pictures. I have looked closely at this uke and I don't think it is either Kamaka, Kalae, or Louis Gaspar...It is definitly not Kamaka and the Gaspars I have seen have no trim. If it is as Kalae, take a look at the butt of the uke and see if the sides and bottom are all one piece. That is sometimes as tip off that it is a Kalae. I don't think it is that either...Looks too late for Kalae. Its got me stumped at this point, perhaps John King will read this and offer a suggestion...I will ask around and see what I can find.....send a smaller pic of the whole uke and one of the bottom....best....chuck - Sunday, May 22, 2005

Question asked by: don Subject: The FAVILLA? on 05/21 Question: I would suspect this to be a rare old (1928-1934) 'green/white' label , except the location of the crown is not near the top of the headstock,where i believe it should be. Thanks. Answer: I felt the same way. Its almost like a hat worn at a rackish angle. But, I can't think of another ukulele with a crown at the top...It will be interesting to see what Tom has to say about it. Thanks for your input..always appreciated....frets - Sunday, May 22, 2005

Question asked by: jack Subject: i'm a kid Question: hey, what is the best uke to start with. I have just started. thanks Answer: Hey Jack..I'm a kid too...Well not rally, I'm just old and immature...It depends on what you want to spend. Take a look at the on-line-store on this site and you will find a uke called the flea...It might be just what are looking for. If it is not, write back and I will give you some other suggetions....Keep strummin...we were all kids at one time...good time to start...chuck - Sunday, May 22, 2005

Question asked by: Carl-vB Subject: Your tip to Mozo about Doane method Question: Hi, Chuck. Re: your recemt suggestion to Mozo, "...if you can ever get the j chalmers doan course for the ukulele, pick it up...He must have been great." Chalmers Doane's main two books for classroom ukulele teaching are still available for only $8 and $9 at www.ukulele.org . Everything Doane produced was in A-D-F#-B tuning with low A, and there is a lot of emphasis on music reading (no tab). Thought Mozo and others should know this before buying these excellent books, which I cut my teeth on. Finally, Doane is still going strong in retirement - see www.chalmersdoane.com . He continues to receive many honours, but the days of 50,000 school children following his uke program (in the 1970s and 80s) are long gone. Thanks, best wishes. Answer: Hey Carl, nice to hear from you...Rumor has it you will be down in Australia in the near future but only in sydney. Well, Arch and I may just have to drive up so you can buy us coffee. Thanks for the Doan update and info...Its always nice to hear from you....Our best to you and yours...frets - Sunday, May 22, 2005

Question asked by: Joe Cooper Subject: Mahalo U/LTD1 Soprano Uke Question: Hi Chuck, Greetings again. I'm afraid I had to give up on the Mahalo. Taking advantage of a business trip back to London this week, I took it back to the shop where I bought it. They tweaked the bridge, but it still sounded pretty sharp so they eventually gave me my money back. This leaves me in the sorry state of being ukeless. Can you suggest a decent beginner's instrument? I tried a Martin but it was a bit expensive (USD 600) and I tried a pineapple Flea which sounded nice and had no intonation problems, but I was really looking for something more traditional looking and made of wood. I have heard that the Bushman Jenny is a nice instrument and not too expensive. What do you think? All the best, Joe PS Did you get the airline tickets? Answer: Not familiar with Bushman Jenny, however I know a beautiful woman in Baltimore named Jenny. But I digress. I am not familiar with the bushman uke although reports are favorable. If you have the time, search the net for a used Favilla uke in good condition and see if you can pick it up. It's a great uke and affordable. let me know if I can help in your search...put your wants up on the bulletin board and the market-place on this site. Best...Chuck - Sunday, May 22, 2005

Question asked by: chuck fayne Subject: John Mayes uke Question: no question just a suggestion Answer: Attn....Attn...You just jump over to marketplace and see the uke By John Mayes...What a stunner. If it looks that good unfinished, I can't imagine what its going to look like finished. I'd love to own it, but another time...It is one of the most stunning combinations of wood I have seen...Take a peek.....I always like to let you know what's good, I talk about what's bad so often...For those of you who care, It's the hurricane, monsoon season in Mt. Idy..The wind blew so hard, it blew all the snow off the mountains. This weekend is the annual "Nut Cracking and Fiddlers contest" The only problem is that few people feel like fiddling after cracking their nuts....That is not just an opinion, its a fact....Best from the Mt's of Idy.....frets..... - Saturday, May 21, 2005

Question asked by: joe Subject: favilla uke Question: Chuck, Here's another picture of the uke in question. Thanks, Joe Photos:      Answer: Joe...consensus of opinion is that it is a Favilla. Tom..Please take a look at the pic and let us know for sure. Sure looks like one to me...I base that on the fact that I have never known any other uke that has that crown anywhere on the uke...best...chuck - Saturday, May 21, 2005

Question asked by: william thompson Subject: where are Question: Melody and Harmony Creations.com aka Pulelehua Ukulele aka Ajenol Ortiz Sr or Jr. Answer: I have no idea...sorry...william...I will try to find out what or where they are...frets - Thursday, May 19, 2005

Question asked by: JRick Subject: Domingo Uke Question: Hi Chuck: Here is a "Domingo's Hawaiian Uke" that has a solid rosewood top, back and sides. The neck is either maple or cedar. The tuners are unlike any I have seen. It has been expertly resored by Dave Means. Do you know anything about this make? Any guess as to its value? Photos:      Answer: I wish I did have information....I have seen them before and still don't know who makes them or a value. Sure looks nice...frets - Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Question asked by: santosha Subject: kumalae ukes Question: Howdy Chuck...long time no? hope you are doing well. could you please describe the differences between a kumalae style 3,4 and 5? never could tell any difference from the pictures i've seen...thanks Answer: three has trim around top four has trim around top back five has the added trim up the center and the sides of the fingerboard and sometimes a violin shaped headstock. You have to remember, Kumalae made so many styles it is hard to give them a number. My numbering system is not exact. There are variations of variations. I don't think I have seen them all yet. Thanks for writing in...see ya down the fretboard of life...frets - Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Question asked by: melvern Subject: help find a luthier in my area Question: Hey Chuck, can you help me find a luthier in new england who would be able to install a saddle pick up in my tenor uke? thanks mel Answer: Melvern You will find on the menu at the left of this page a section called player directory. You will find a huge United Kingdom member list and club list. I think that would be the place to start. I live in Melbourne Australia and unfortunatly am not that familiar with British Luthiers. All the ones I did know have left because of the weather. Rug-up..I hear its going to be Cold... Its 97 degrees in Mt Idy....But thats in the kitchen....best...frets - Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Question asked by: Bill Subject: Martin 3K Question: Hi, Chuck! Hope all is well. Thanks so much for answering all these questions! I just bought a beautifully grained Martin 3K. I was very excited, but when I received it I noticed surface roughness that makes me think it has been refinished. How much will that decrease the value, and should I have it refinished again if I think it can be done better? If you think it should be done again, who should do it? Should I ask Martin if they will, or go to a fabulous luthier of your recommendation? Thanks so much! Answer: My personal call on this uke would be to do as little as possible. I would get the finest steel wool I could find and with a little wax test a spot and see if it will smooth down. It should withoug damaging the finish at all. I would guess it was messed with, because Martin would not let a uke out that had a rough finish. Less is better. frets - Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Question asked by: Annie Subject: history of 1915 Tabu Uke Question: Hi Frets - Rush McAllister gave me your name because I am looking for history on a 1915 Tabu Ukelele made in Hawaii. I have had the ukelele for probably 20 years(bought it an auction for next to nothing) and just recently decided to have it restrung and to learn how to play it. The man took one look at it and knew I had something special. I had no idea. I would love to know the history of Tabu ukleles around 1915 - the people who would have made it, the people who may have played them - anything about the culture. Annie Answer: annie...tabu is not the brand of a uke. It is a warning label invented by the hawaiians to remind mainland companies not to claim they were making hawaiian instsruments. There were quite a few companies who used the stamp and I would need pics of the uke to tell you who made it. Each company also made many styles and the differences in style constitute a difference in price. Also there is the condition factor. Please send me detailed pictures. Please look over the uke carefully for any signs of a makers mark. I will be glad to help you...The uke was made probably around 1920....chuck - Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Question asked by: Dasher Subject: Olympian Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck: Do you have any knowledge of the Olympian Ukulele made by Cole and Dunas, Chicago? Thanks. (I don't have a pic, I haven't even seen it yet.) Answer: Never heard of it...Its fascinating that the longer I am in the busines the more strange names crop up...In the early days, I knew everything..Now....I hear of more stuff I've never heard of. Ususally it is a company that had a larger firm make the ukes for them..AS Ususal, I will hunt back through my catalogues and enlist the help of the uke yakkers out there and maybe we can figure it out....thanks for writing..sorry I don't have the answer now...frets - Sunday, May 15, 2005

Question asked by: Joe Subject: favilla uke with decal Question: Hey Chuck, A friend has what I believe to be a favilla, but wanted to know the approximate date it was made. It looks very similar to my favilla, but lacks the gold stamped logo. Instead it has a decal, with just enough left to clearly see the crown. The decal is located in the area bordered by the tuners. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Joe Answer: Joe, can you send a pic of the uke and the decal. Its possible that the crown is not a favilly. Many companies used the crown on the headstock...thanks....chuck - Sunday, May 15, 2005

Question asked by: Lee Baucum Subject: Rare Knutsen Question: How would one go about placing a price on an extremely rare Knutsen Harp Taro-Patch? Taro- Patch is what Gregg Miner calls these strange beasts. It has four courses of paired strings, tuned like a uke. Gregg has a picture of mine on his web site. Let me know if you need the url or do a search for "Knutsen Harp Taro Patch". Thanks Answer: Lee, I wouldn't price it because its one of those things that the price is whatever you ask. Where are you going to get another? We have no track record on Knutsen Harp Taropatches.....Ask away, somebody will buy it....chuck - Sunday, May 15, 2005

Question asked by: Mozo Subject: Doane J Chalmers' Northern Ukulele Question: G'Day Chuck!...Hope U R fit & stroppy, again...Always a dedicated reader of your profoundly knowledgeable Yak...No pic today, but I think U have made previous reference to this highly specialised triangular model...My question is...Is it Soprano or Tenor?...It Arrived with low G tuning...Since I can can only play regular GCEA tuning, I changed G string & like, WOW!...Am pretty sure, U may have one in your collection...What do U think?...Crisp as a Granny Smith & unusual guitarlike sustain...That's my impression...Can't put it down...D'you think I am forming a vicious habit? ...Stay Well!...Moze Answer: Forming??? your already formed....The uke, as I remember it, is a concert scale length. I like them alot....I think the design is wonderful...J Chalmers Doane, used this uke as a teaching tool...It is in many schools in Canada and I even found them here in australia. They have a great sound and if you can ever get the j chalmers doan course for the ukulele, pick it up...He must have been great. Mozo...Always nice to hear from you...Take me to dinner...your pal...chuck - Saturday, May 14, 2005

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