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

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Question asked by: Tom from AZ Subject: Uke Question: HI Chuck, I just found your site and I like it a lot. Have put it in my favorites. I included pics of my uke which I bought used in a pawn shop in Washington DC in May of 1965. I broke the neck from the body (don't ask) in 72 or 73 and carried it from house to house ever since. Just had it fixed and it plays very well. Sounds quite good. Do you have any info on it or a value. It is a Kingston but no numbers. The wood is thicker than current ukes and sturdier. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Photos:                          Answer: Tom from AZ Chuck from Oz...Ican't find any reference to a Kingston uke selling recently. I don't think its a very expensive uke and I hope someone on this site will know...thanks....we will wait on me legion of experts....chuck - Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Question asked by: Bob Subject: Uke values Question: The Koa Pineapple Uke has no ID at all and the bigger uke says Lyon & Healy American Conservatory 5050. Any information on these ukes and values would be appreciated. Thanks Photos:                          Answer: The Lyon and Healy is made of Nissa wood. I have not seen many of them. The Pineapple uke is Kamaka..Hard to tell the date from just those pictures. My guess would be 60's...Both worth about 300, perhaps a bit more to the right collector. The Kamaka is a fine player. Thanks for writing in...chuck - Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Question asked by: dustin Subject: vintage Martin Uke. Question: I have a 40's Martin c&f ukulele. I don't really have means of keeping It, so I was wondering what ukes from that era run? Thanks Dustin Answer: Please send picture. Martin made dozens of models all different prices..thanks...chuck - Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Question asked by: roberta pearce Subject: Possible Dallas C uke? Question: Hi Chuck Here is the full length front & back, further to my other images sent the other day. I thought it may look like a Dallas C? CHeers Roberta Photos:          Answer: Roberta...it may look like a Dallas uke, however I have no idea what a Dallas c uke is. sorry...hope a viewer out there will tell me. Thanks...chuck - Friday, October 28, 2011

Question asked by: Mike Subject: No Name Vintage Uke Question: Hi Chuck, Just acquire. No markings, labels, etc. It's a soprano, but without markings, labels, etc. Any info you care share would be great. Time period made and where by whom, value (Everything seems straight and tight. No cracks/splits/warps) Except for the missing bridge and strings hoping to have her singing soon. Thanks for your time, Mike Photos:                          Answer: Mike...can you send ma a pic of the area where the back joins the neck and a side vies of the neck/fingerboard....thanks...will do my best....chuck - Monday, October 17, 2011

Question asked by: Luis Subject: Madeira instruments Question: Dear Chuck, I'm looking for old Madeira instruments! Do you know any for sale or anybody that has one? I'm from Madeira and my father had about 10 of them and then everything was sold by the family when he died. I'm feeling nostalgic and want to buy a few for my self. Thank you in advance! Luis Answer: Luis....I wish I did. The come up very infrequently. Because of the interest in Dias, Santo and Nunes, when one comes up it goes as fast. I would put your wants on the bulletin board on this site. Let me know how you do and good luck...chuck - Monday, October 3, 2011

Question asked by: Peerapat Subject: Vintage noname Question: Hello Chuck. Can you please tell me anything about this Koa ukulele? This is missing label. Thanks for your assistance. P. Photos:                          Answer: Without a label it is just a Hawaiian made ukulele. It could have been made by a dozen makers. I wish I could help, but I can't. Good luck....chuck - Monday, October 3, 2011

Question asked by: Tom A. Subject: PCC Ukes Question: Hi Chuck, I asked on bulletin board but no answer yet. Are you familiar with the Ukes the were used at the Polynesian Culture Center's Uke lessons? They had either "PCC" or "Ploynesian Culture Center" on the headpiece. Do you know who made them? Are they available in the used market? Answer: Tom...Not familiar with them. I would contact the Bishop Museum in Hawaii and ask them the question. If anyone would know it would be them....let me know what you find out....chuck - Monday, October 3, 2011

Question asked by: Shawn Subject: Custom Martin Tenor Question: Aloha Chuck...I hope all is going well. I just thought I'd share these photos of a super cool custom Martin tenor I recently purchased. Enjoy. -Shawn Photos:                          Answer: Unfortunately my Birthday just passed, but I wouldn't be upset if the uke is just late....thanks chuck - Monday, October 3, 2011

Question asked by: Louis Subject: Royal Hawaiian Ukulele Question: Hello. I have a vintage Royal Hawaiian ukulele that I would like to see. I believe it's from the 1920's. I picked it up at a local flea market. I'm not sure of its value. Where would you recommend the best place to sell it? Any information would be greatly appreciated. I have included some photos for your review. Thanks Photos:                          Answer: Louis...What can I say. I have only seen one other that beautiful. My guess is that it would go for 1000+ and the best place to sell it is on the marketplace on this site. Only uke nuts read it and it has a vast audience. I'll follow its progress. What a find...At a flea market...Don't expect that to happen each time you go. It's a once in a lifetime find. Good score...chuck - Monday, October 3, 2011

Question asked by: Rich Jenne Subject: value and age Question: My parents gave me this uke in the '40's. as you can see, it has a crack in the deck, and a piece gone from the bridge. Just wondering if it has any value, and it's age. Thanks Rich Photos:                      Answer: Tom old friend.....Help !!!!! chuck - Monday, October 3, 2011

Question asked by: Mike Sullivan Subject: New (Old) Ukulele Questions Question: Hello Chuck! My wife plays guitar, but had a hankering to play the ukulele. We found this one in an antique shop for what seemed to be a reasonable price. Says Beltone, but I'm thinking they did not make it. Looks like solid (one piece) wood front and back. Would you have any thoughts as to maker and age? Thanks and best regards! - Kathy & Mike Photos:                  Answer: A modern made Beltone, but looks good. How is the sound?...Thats the most important consideration. Hope its a good one...chuck - Monday, October 3, 2011

Question asked by: Cass Subject: Supertone Style 451 Ukulele Question: I bought this vintage uke at a thrift store for 10 bucks. The neck is in excellent condition and the wood seems superior. Any knowledge you could shed on this find? Thanks. -Cass Photos:              Answer: Some were sold in Sears and Roebuck. How does it sound? Stick strings on it a strum away. Anything for 10 bucks is great. chuck...Bridge looks crooked may have to be reset...take it to a luthier and find out. - Monday, October 3, 2011

Question asked by: Susan Taylor Subject: 1970's Kamaka Uke Question: Hi! I am so confused! This was bought in Hawaii by my parents for me in the 70's. I took lessons for a month and it has been stored since and I just found it again after my parents passing. What is a ballpark value for it? I was dog cussed on craigslist for asking 500 or best offer! Thanks! Photos:                  Answer: Standard entry level Kamaka UKulele. Who cares what the people on Craigs list said. Stick it on our Marketplace on this Site where it will be appreciated. It is worth about 350+.500 May have scared some people, but It is Kamaka...a 100 year old factory that still makes quality instruments. Its a fine uke and deserves to be played. Good luck chuc - Monday, October 3, 2011

Question asked by: Bob Irwin Subject: year of Martin Uke Question: Hello. Can you help me with year of mfg. I guess it is newer than 1962 because it says Made in USA inside. Any other info would be helpful. The case has an emblem inside that says, COAST Los Angeles. Thanks. Bob Picked it up at a yardsale this weekend Photos:                          Answer: Nice pickup...no chance for an exact year. Martin ,except for the first few, did not number them...You know what I know. thanks for the question...Chuck P.S. style one...... - Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Question asked by: Steven Cook Subject: Fancy Hanalei Banjuke Question: Hello Chuck, We recently acquired this beautiful Banjo Uke, very fancy and hard to find any information on. Would you please send me a value and some history on this little gem? Thank you Steve Photos:                          Answer: Steven...your right, it's a beauty. 30's-40's...I wouldn't sell it if I had it. Its quite rare. You can ask what you want and it should go for 500 +...chuck - Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Question asked by: chris curlett Subject: ukulele help Question: Hi Chuck, I have a ukulele that I need some help with. It’s a Luna 650 manufactured by Luna Music Co. Tokyo Japan. If I’m counting right it has 12 frets. I would like to get an idea of the year it was made, quality and a rough idea of the value. You have a great web site and thanks for any assistance. Chris Answer: Chris...The name Luna has been used many times. If it is the one I think it is, made in the 50's...quality ...not bad...value 250...thanks for the kind words. chuck If you send a picture, Ill give it a look.... - Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Question asked by: Tad Long Subject: Question asked by: Ted Briggs-Comstock Question: Chuck, some information in reference to Ted's question re: Subject: JCTL Handel banjo uke "Question: I'm fixing this up for a friend, who would like any info on it that you might have, including, of course, an approximate value. It's a real plain- Jane, but seems to be in fairly good condition. I think it will be playable with strings and a bridge." What Ted's got here is one of the excellent, lightly constructed 8" pot ukes made by George Houghton & Sons in the UK. They manufactured these in the late 20's through 39, and again in the late 40s. They offered this exact ukulele under various names for different companies: Their own brand was "Melody", but they also built "Handel", "Fitzroy", and "Carnival", as well as a metal-clad pot model called the "Marvel" and a smaller 7" uke known as "Melody, Jr." I love these ukes; they're got a nice tone ring under the vellum as you can see. They sound great and are easy to play. Resale for this model - which is pretty readily available - over the course of the last two years has been between $125 and $315 USD, depending on condition, with a couple of pristine examples fetching more than $350. However, if the resonator is indeed missing as it appears here, the value's going to go way, way down. Hope this is helpful! John Answer: Tad..Thanks for the info...always appreciated...keep it up.....chuck - Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Question asked by: Allen Hopkins Subject: Viohl ukulele Question: Chuck -- I was responding to Mr. Craigmeiere's inquiry of Aug. 18. He submitted pics of a Viohl ukulele, and you wondered if it was Hawaiian made. I found a reference to Viohl as a NY City manufacturer, so pretty sure the instrument was US made. Answer: Allen...I tried to find the answer where I wondered if it was Hawaiian Made. If this is the one where I said it was worth 100 dollars.....It was made in u.s. - Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Question asked by: jessie parks Subject: gretsch vintage ukulee Question: was left a very old mahgany ukulele in box can you tell me abont it history its gretsch 6930 stantard in box 1930s they say Answer: please send a picture.... - Tuesday, September 20, 2011

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