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

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Question asked by: Tom Subject: no brace Question: Houdy Chuck, This is the front view of my ebay banjo uke that I'm trying to figure out who made it and when. Thanks a lot, Tom Photos:      Answer: It is one of the million like it. It is a cut above the other cheapies, but its anyones guess who made it. They sound pretty good and are solid as a rock. Wish I could help you more...My guess is the 30-50's for the year made - Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Question asked by: David Richard Subject: Austin Luthier Question: Hi Chuck - Can you recommend a luthier in Austin, Texas to repair and set-up a recently purchased gretsch with a crack on the front? Answer: David, go to the player directory on this site and you will find alot of members from austin...Call around. Off hand and on hand, I don't know of one..perhaps one of the yakkers will be kind enough to write in...thanks for using the yak...frets - Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Question asked by: ukeJohn Subject: crestline ukes Question: My brother inlaw Has a Crestline Baritone Uke with with no markings other than the name and logo on the headstock. Do you have any info on this line of ukes? TKS. Answer: Not a clue...If I could see a pic maybe It would ring as bell. But the name doesn't. The name Quasimoto rings a bell, but thats another story....from High atop Mt Idy..head bell ringer...chucko - Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Question asked by: Fred Valentin Subject: 6 string 70s kamaka's worth Question: Chuck, I know this is hard to answer, but your personal opinion please. What do you think is a fair price to pay for a 70's 6 string tenor uke with the non- open back tuners? No cracks, dings or gouges. Looks to be in fair/good condition with some neck wear. Bridge and nut looks solid. Thanks Chuck. Answer: nice instrument...just a guess in this market.....400-600 on a good day. If it has a case, so much the better. keep in touch...frets - Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Question asked by: Chuck Harris Subject: Indentity Question: I have a Gibson Ukulele, with hard case and it plays very nice. good tone and sound. Any idea of it's value? Photos:      Answer: Need more to go on that the sound hole. a pic of the whole uke would be nice. I think the sound hole alone would be worth 75 dollars to someone who needs a sound hole....send pic..will help...frets - Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Question asked by: Jim D'Ville Subject: Is this a Lange banjo uke? Question: Trying to identify banjo uke, year, make, etc. Has what I think are brass inlays on fingerboard and peghead. Thanks. Photos:      Answer: Jim...If I remember correctly, it is a Lange Banner Blue banjo uke. It does have brass inlays on the fingerboard. Nice instrument. They were made in many grades. You will find them in the Tsumura banjo book. Thanks for writing in...frets There is more to the name of the uke, I just can't remember right now. When I do , I will add it to this answer. best - Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Question asked by: Shirley Rayne Subject: Singing Treholipee Question: Please give me some information about the Singing Treholipee. What is the history of this instrument? Do they have any financial worth? Thank you Answer: Shirley...go to opening page of uke yak and go to the search and type in treholipee. You will have more information than you ever wanted. thanks for writing in..If you don't find what you want...it doesn't exist....and be sure to write me again...frets - Monday, April 11, 2005

Question asked by: Dennis Magui1 Subject: Harmony Baritone Friction Tuners Question: I recently purchased a mid- 50's/early 60's Harmony baritone ukulele with friction tuners, one of which does not hold the string taut. Could you instruct me as how to adjust the friction tuners? Photos:      Answer: tighten the little screw in the tuner.....hope this does the trick, if not, write for more ideas...frets - Sunday, April 10, 2005

Question asked by: Todd Andersen Subject: LeoLani Uke Question: I saw a LeoLani koa-ply uke at the Honolulu flea market. Ive since seen one on the internet for over $2@0.00. The also have Zebrawood models. Comments? Answer: I hope the weather was nice for the flea market. It always is over thre......don't know the maker but will post this and see what the yakkers out there say.....will look around and see what I find...frets - Sunday, April 10, 2005

Question asked by: BRANDON CASSADY Subject: MANUEL NUNES Question: I HAVE PURCHASED A MANUEL NUNES UKE. IT WAS MADE AROUND 1917 FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MUSIC IN LOS ANGELES. I BELIEVE IT IS A SOPRANO SIZE WITH ROPE BINDING. THERE IS ONE SMALL PLACE ON THE ROPE BINDING THAT NEEDS REPAIRING. CAN YOU GIVE ME AN IDEA WAHT THIS MIGHT BE WORTH? Answer: Please send pictu4e...Nunes made different models, I need to see a picture and then I can tell you exactly...thanks for writing...frets - Sunday, April 10, 2005

Question asked by: Carl-vB Subject: Somebody else's question about triangle ukes Question: Chuck, this is somebody else's question, asked and answered on the Bulletin Board, about certain triangle ukuleles - see Wiley's post 4/10/2005. Just thought you'd be interested in the pictures I posted at http://www.sasktelwebsite.net/vonb ae/carl/temp/destiny.html . Cheers, Carl. Answer: Thanks Carl as usual..how are you...best from all at FMM...frets - Sunday, April 10, 2005

Question asked by: grouch Subject: what style Martin? Question: Chuck, there are no stamps, labels, or any sort of marking inside the uke..the only ID on it is the "CFMartin&Co-EST.1833" on the front of the head..incidentally, the back is two pieces, with a thin strip of wood covering the joint, from the neck-block to the heel..what I really was asking (in all that rambling) was if the 4 position markers meant it was a style 1, instead of a style 0..sorry to confuse things..I confuse myself a lot of times..lol..thanks---Vern Answer: Sounds to me like the back was replaced. Martin was very maticulous about marking. Nothing went out without stamps..I have seen a 3k with no markings and it was a replaced back. Suspicious, the two piece.Send e a picture of the back,,,best frets - Sunday, April 10, 2005

Question asked by: bluesboyroy Subject: 1928 Weymann Banjola Question: Dear Chuck, I wrote to you about this instrument quite a while back. I didn't want to sell at that time because I was playing it. Well the breeze has changed and I'm not playing it anymore. I put it up on eBay so someone else can enjoy it. Item# 7313860654 Sorry for being so long in writing in. Retirement ended abruptly and I'm enjoying my work. Do you have a pill? I must be sick. Roy Photos:      Answer: Thanks.,..I hope you get what you want...frets - Sunday, April 10, 2005

Question asked by: Milan Subject: Daddy Long Legs Question: Chuck, If you were standing in Texas and Arizona at the same time you might pull a muscle. Answer: Never...I'm too worried about my eyesight...frets.....but to each his own....must go get my glasses fit at the Mt Idy "so you want to see" shop/ - Sunday, April 10, 2005

Question asked by: mark Subject: stamp on headstock Question: Chuck, I have a Martin style o with both the decal and the stamp on the back of the headstock,have you seen this on other martin ukes? Love the Yak! Answer: I love the alpaca. I have seen with both. I don't claim to know why, but I have seen it before. I guess they couldn't make up their mind. Its like standing in texas and arizona at the same time. I hope I have helped you, I can't imagine I have. Thanks for the kind words..keep tuned in...you just might be be the winner of the all expense paid vacation to Mt Idy Day...being held in Deluth this year. thanks for writing in...frts - Saturday, April 9, 2005

Question asked by: grouch Subject: What style is my Martin tenor? Question: Chuck--the question from JC Whitelaw about his Martin prompts me to ask about "Enrico"..I bought him new in 1958..12 frets to the body..18 in all..1 round white in- laid marker at the 5th fret, 2 at the 7th, and 1 at the 10th..three small ones on the edge..top and back binding are dark brown plastic (?) with some lighter threads that are the same color as the wood..the top has a very narrow white line around the edge, none on the back..the sound hole has a narrow white-black-white rosette..rosewood finger-board and bridge..saddle is an off-white, nut is black..Martin decal on the front of the head..nothing inside the body..no "Made in USA" stamp..I don't have a pic, (and wouldn't know how to upload it), but I hope this rambling description will be enough for you to answer my question..mahalo nui, and all the best!..Vernon Ickes Answer: dear grouch..I feel like I am writing my x-wife a letter. I need to know what you mean by nothing on the inside. no cf martin??????let me know and I will answer your question. So far it sounds like the early version of the Martin tenor.....Nothing out of the ordinary except for the nothing inside.....frets - Saturday, April 9, 2005

Question asked by: Stephen B Subject: SS Stewart Uke Question: Thanks Chuck -- here's the headstock of the S S Stewart Uke -- Think it is a Martin? Any hints on the serial numbers on Stewarts? Photos:      Answer: Not a Martin for sure. I just know....No hints on the serial numbers, hope someone out there does.....frets - Saturday, April 9, 2005

Question asked by: Mick Subject: Newcastle Ukers? Question: G'day Chuck I am hoping that you may know of any fellow uke players that live in the beautiful Newcastle and Hunter Valley Region of NSW. If so could you pass on my email address so we could meet and jam? Answer: Mick...I don't off the top of my bald head. However, I will look around. Anyone out there know.....frets - Friday, April 8, 2005

Question asked by: LEE GANNON Subject: VEGA SOLO LUTE Question: CHUCK ..... I'VE GOT A VEGA SOLO LUTE (AND CASE) WHICH IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I ACTUALLY TRADED A KAMAKA BARITONE (ALSO IN EXCELLENT CONDITION) ON EBAY FOR IT A FEW YEARS AGO. THEY WERE GOING FOR ABOUT $700 AT THE TIME. IS THERE ANY OTHER POTENTIAL MARKET FOR IT AND IN YOUR OPINION WHAT SHOULD I ASK FOR IT? ARTHRITIS IS NOW PROHIBITING ME FROM PLAYING IT. Photos:      Answer: Lee...700 is a little steep for this uke. put it on this site on Marketplace. You will find it on the the black menu at the left and good luck...I assume you are talking about the long scale rthur Godfrey Vega. Please let me know if this is not the case. Thanks for writing in...chuck p.s send me a pic of the headstock and the overall length of the uke...thanks again - Thursday, April 7, 2005

Question asked by: Kenneth G. Bailey Subject: Singers Ukulele Manufactoring Co. Question: Aloha Mr.Fayne, I've attached a pic of a circa 1917 Hawaiian built Soprano 'uke made by the Singers Co. Perspective wise, I tried my best to portray the humongous arched back, but my digital skills are truly suspect. Anyway I am hoping you or one of your many knowledgable readers would elaborate on the historical or construction significance of the arched back. I've seen my fair share of arched backs, particularly in my younger days, but this sweetheart is off the chart. Photos:      Answer: Thats an odd-ball..could we see a pic of the whole front and back....Love to ..Have no idea what that is about...frets - Thursday, April 7, 2005

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