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

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Question asked by: grouch Subject: Question: thanks Chuck!..there was a question that got side- tracked..there are 4 position markers on the fret-board, and side dots too..is he a Style 1? thanks again!..all the best, Grouch Answer: It is the only style they made in a tenor...thats not true..they made others but the majority were this style which is the same trim as the style soprano..the others are custom made.....very hard to get. Its a great instrument...play well....thanks for writing in..chuck - Tuesday, May 3, 2005

Question asked by: Ray Albrektson Subject: Kamaka original tuners, or others? Question: Hi Frets! I have a somewhat battered Kamaka soprano with three out of four tuners like the ones in the pictures. They seem unbelievably cheesy! Should I insist on purity and track down similar ones, or go with the new Schaller tuners that seem to be on lots of Kamakas, or even go to geared guitar-type tuners? What would you do in my place? Thanks buddy, and say hi to all my pals in Mt. Idy. --Ray Photos:      Answer: Ray....when the gang in Mt Idy found out you remembered them, they had a parade in your honor and this day will forever be RAY-DAY.....They are Cheesy tuners. I would go to Kamaka on line and order a set of tuners from them..It will cost a couple bucks, but the instrument is worth it. Thats what I would do.. Got to run...its Ray-Day bake bean bake off an wind breaking festival. I'm last years winner. Got to hold up my end...so to speak.......best to ya...frets - Tuesday, May 3, 2005

Question asked by: John DeSilva Subject: Harmony Johnny Marvin Question: Dear Chuck, I picked up this Harmony Jonny Marvin this morning from the original owners son. I paid strong for it because it sounded amazing, better than the 1953 Martin I once owned. Realized when I got it home that it has a neck crack repair(a very pro job to a hairline but obvious crack). Any idea of its value and can you tell me what people mean by an Airplane bridge. Thanks, John Photos:      Answer: John there is a variation of the Johnny Marvin uke that has an upside down airplane shaped bridge. They came in two varieties the mahogany and the Koa ( prince of Wales) Yours with the cracked neck would be worth about 250...The cracked neck affects its value to a collector. Thanks for writing in...frets - Monday, May 2, 2005

Question asked by: david wells Subject: ukulele set up numbers Question: Hi Chuck, Im a luthier who has recently been building ukes. I am having trouble finding any info on what the string height and nut height on various ukes should be. Any ideas? Is there any standard in the uke world that i'm not aware of? Answer: David...stick your question on the bulletin board and someone will answer your question. I know if varies with the size and style of the uke, but it is more the question for a luthier than for me. I have never built a uke...I measured as few of the ukes I have and found out that they are all different...like people....different on the face, the same on the back..Thanks for writing in, I'm sure you will find the help you need....chuck - Monday, May 2, 2005

Question asked by: grouch Subject: more pics of enrico Question: here is one of three pictures taken of the uke..two more pics in the next two post Photos:      Answer: grouch... Older Martin 12 fret Tenor. Great instrument, and I have forgotten what the question was. Was there one. I will be glad to answer , now that I have seen the pics...write in..please....frets - Monday, May 2, 2005

Question asked by: Todd Subject: Zebrawood Uke Question: I wrote previously about a Leolani Koa uke I purchased in Honolulu. Ive since found them on the web at www.goodstuffhawaii.com, as well as Leolani Zebrawood, one of which is a "longneck soprano". Bushman also offers Zebrawood ukes. I think that they're laminate. Appreciate Comments re: Zebrawood and also "longneck soprano's" Answer: Thanks Todd....Hope some of the yakkers will write in with questions or visit the site...thanks again for the info...frets - Monday, May 2, 2005

Question asked by: Fred Valentin Subject: Tuner gears for an openback early 70's 8 string Kamaka Liliu Question: Chuck, Can you or any of the readers direct me to a source(s) of original gears for an early 70's Kamaka 8 string tenor uke. I called Kamaka Hawaii the other day and the best they could do was an offer to replace the tuning assemblies with new ones that they are currently using on their procuction 8 string tenor ukes. I like the look of the chrome open backs that were the standard at the time. The person I got the uke from told me that the gear that is currently on it right now was a replacement that was put on by a previous owner. It works but it sits higher than the others on the adjacent tuners and may be a bit off, as I can see substantial wear on the brass gears of this replacement. malama pono chuck Answer: I wish I could help, but I don't know where to get them..I would put your wants on the masrketplace and see what they come up with..look to left on black menu and you will see market place...its where I do all my shopping....frets - Monday, May 2, 2005

Question asked by: Tiki Joe Subject: Favilla Question: Stupid question time. Is the correct pronunciation of Favilla - Fa-VIL-la or Fa-VEE-ya or something else. Thank you, Joe Answer: Of the three choices, I believe "Something Else" is the correct pronunciation. I pronounce it Fa-vee-ya..many say Fa-Vil-La....I think Tom will see this and write in...Its his last name and I think his version will be correct. Tom, are you reading this...best tso you tiki and Tom, always a please to hear from you....best...frets - Saturday, April 30, 2005

Question asked by: Michael Hansen Subject: Californian Uke???? Question: Chuck, Just purchased a Californian Baritone Uke. Do you know anything about this brand. Sorry, but I can not send a picture at this time. thanks Answer: Never heard of it. But why would I, I only lived in Los Angeles for 60 years. Knowing the uke world, it was made by an obscure factory in Macon Georgia...let me know if you find anything and I will let you know......frets - Saturday, April 30, 2005

Question asked by: Lee Subject: Louis A. Gaspar Question: Chuck, Do you know anything about this man. I have a pineapple uke that I sent to Kamaka in Hawaii for repair of a crack. Beautiful little uke with monkey pod and koa. They called it a Kamaka on the phone but also at one point said they believe it was built by Louis Gaspar - brother in law I believe. I got the uke from a woman in Hawaii whose Aunt bought it - probaby early forties. Apparently she - the Aunt played regularly around the Islands. Answer: Gaspar has nothing to do with Kamaka at all. He was a violin maker as was his son. They made a pineapple uke and a mandolin, both of which I owned at one time. I have seen very few of their works, but they are interesting. If you look at the where the sides come around to meet the neck you will see a couple of small pin holes and the same on the back. These are violin maker tricks to secure the top. Nice to hear about it...long time..good uke...frets - Saturday, April 30, 2005

Question asked by: old smelly bob Subject: yer book printing Question: if you have access to a big mac, you might want to use a prog called Preflight....it checks yer signatures and photo types etc. so you don't forget something that will bite you big time, later. 'printing ain't cheap when you do it twice' the detail work is what you don't see at first...be sure to have some friends who can *spell* prof-read ;-) the critter a few times to correct sentence structure and 'flow'. do not rush, as you have only 37 seconds left to print the book and solve all the worlds' problems........ ol' smelly Answer: thanks pungent...OK so I dont proofread everhthing......I'm not perfect...maybe. thanks for the info, I dont have a mac but others do and I'm sure they would be interested. frets - Saturday, April 30, 2005

Question asked by: frankabr. Subject: Miami Uke Question: After carefully getting glue off of the name, It became clear that the name of uke was "Miami" It appears to be a very high quality uke. Can you tell me anything about it. Thanks, F.A. Answer: Made by a company named Stadalmar...you might fint the name on the uke if you search. Miami Hughes, was their tester and I'm not sure if he ever existed or not. You see his name inside the ukes as approved by Miami Hughes. Made me feel more comfortable. Good company, up there with the best. They distributed Weissenborn Guitars at one time. I have had Weissenborns with the name stadalmar on the inside. I think I have mispelled Stadalmar...perhaps Stadalmair...not sure...but you get the idea...thanks for writing in.....frets - Saturday, April 30, 2005

Question asked by: Rod (Ukeman) Subject: Your Book Question: Hi Chuck, How is the publishing of your new book coming? Waiting with great expectations! Mahalo, Rod Answer: taking longer than I tought but still in the works.....Its a more complicated process than I thought. I have written other things, but not published them myself..different world. Lots of respect for the publisher...thanks for asking and I'll let you all know when it arrives...frets - Friday, April 29, 2005

Question asked by: Kenneth G. Bailey Subject: Virtually No Class Question: Aloha Chuck, Here's a bit of shameless self promotion for the www.hekilicollection.com website. I'm getting ready to post some new uke photos and thought I'd send you a pic to entice your readers. The question is.... What would you call the unusual grain on the 3K at the right of the pic? There is a fair amount of curl in the Koa, but more important to me is how you would describe the ribbon effect running cross wise and vertically. It's about 3/8" wide and occurs on both the top and bottom. I'm hoping you and your readers might have some input as to this condition. Mahalo. Photos:      Answer: Its nothing more than an odd cut of the wood. I have see this in many ukes However this is pretty dramatic. Love it...Looking forward to your next posting. Keep writing in Kenny...best chuck... - Friday, April 29, 2005

Question asked by: Paul Overton Subject: Encore Uke Question: Greetings Chuck! I just scored this little Encore Uke from Ebay and couldn't be more delighted with it. My question is: Did Gretsch make ukes for encore? This little baby looks remarkably like a Gretsch. Gigantic headstock, thin neck near headstock, plucky sound. If it looks like a Gretsch, smells like a Gretsch, and tastes like a Gretsch, is it? Thanks! Photos:      Answer: YES.,....have not seen one in a long time...thanks frets - Friday, April 29, 2005

Question asked by: Bill Ruxton Subject: Harmony earliest plastic fingerboards Question: Chuck, Do you (or anyone else here) know when Harmony started using plastic fingerboards on ukes? I think I heard somewhere it was around 1955, but someone on eBay had one he claimed is from 1941 with the original receipt from his father. I don't doubt the receipt, but I suspect it's a different uke. It looked to me like an ordinary, next-to-their- cheapest 60s model 125 1/2. I was recently surprised to learn from a very reliable source that Harmony WAS using Bakelite banjo resonators as early as 1938, so it might be real. Any thoughts? Bill Answer: Bill....few people know less about a plastic fingerboard than me. The first I knew about them was the roy smeck harmony cheapie around l950.....I'll scout around and see what I can find. Yakkers?????anyone know????frets - Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Question asked by: Frank. Subject: Looks Just Like Martin K2 Question: Just purchased Ebay item 7315436602 and received it. It looks just like a Martin K2 I once owned, down to the tuners. It apparently once had a label. Do you know who might have made it? Thanks, Frank Answer: Frank...I saw that uke...I think you got a great buy, the case alone is worth more than that. However, I can almost guarantee you that it is not a martin. I have had those before and the binding up the fingerboard would have to be special order. Martin never had a label and rarely if ever let an instrument out of the factory without a martin stamp...It looks like it, but it is not...thanks for writing in ....frts - Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Question asked by: Linda Subject: Roy Smeck Concert UKE Question: have this instrument but wanted to sell it. Copuld you tell ,e the value of it? Photos:      Answer: Unfortunatly, you have put it on marketplace at an unrealistic price. I hope you get it, but its worth quite a bit less. Its market value these days is about 350-400. Thanks for writing in. Best...frets - Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Question asked by: Rush McAllister Subject: Mt Idy Question: Where is this mountain and why are you always talking about it? Rush McAllister Answer: Its where my band of merry-men hold fort. I always talk about it because its where I go for peace and quiet....If You'd like to visit...let me know...I'll give you directions.....frets - Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Question asked by: A. Wright Subject: Re: bass uke? Question: Have you ever seen a bass uke? Check out this pic http://www.largesound.com/ashborya rticle/concept/ukulele/ Answer: If anyone is interested in seeing this, use the login as http://www.largesound......this will get you into see the bass ukulele. I've seen other bass ukes but conventional ukes that were tried in bass size. Never worked. I'm sure this works and sounds nothing like a ukulele. Thanks for writing in...I'm sure some of the yakkers will have something to say...frets - Sunday, April 24, 2005

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