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

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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: Evelyn in Texas Subject: Age and Value #3 Question: Can you tell me anything about this ukulele? Age? Value? Only markings are Ukulele o Hawaii made by Leonard Nunes, Los Angeles, CA. Thank you for your assistance. #3 of 5 Photos:                      Answer: Dear Evelyn in Texas, its Chuck in Australia, ...if you in the neighbourhood, drop in for some kangaroo cutlets. Now the ukulele, Leonardo Nunes son of Manuel Nunes, one of the first three greatest original ukulele makers in Hawaii. Leo moved to Los Angeles in the l940's (approx). years vary... and began making quality instruments. The one you have is high on the scale. I don't know the number off hand, but the inlay and the pin bridge are not common on the lower models. In my days of collecting, yours would have been one I would have gone after with a vengeance. The value today, would be if someone did not have it in their collection. If I were selling it, I would not take less than 750 and hope for more. It's very collectible. thanks for writing in....chuck - Monday, September 5, 2011

Question asked by: Evelyn in Texas Subject: Age and Value #2 Question: Please tell me about this ukulele. Age? Value? It belongs to my dad who can no longer play. Thanks! #2 of 5 Photos:                      Answer: Made by the applause guitar company ....the uke looks exactly like the guitar. Moulded back and odd sound holes. Some are amplified and some are not. Never found them to be great players and oddly enough not very expensive. They appear on the auction sites for 250-400 now and then..let me know how yours sounds...chuck - Monday, September 5, 2011

Question asked by: Evelyn in Texas Subject: Age and Value Question: Can you please tell me anything about this ukulele? Age? Value? My dad was in a band in CA for years and collected several ukuleles. Due to his health, he can no longer play. This is 1 of 5. Thanks for your assistance. Photos:                  Answer: It is a 1920's style one Martin ukulele. Of the range of Martin ukes, it is my all time favorite. It has the original push pins and seems in good condition. I rate them very high and therefore would not take less than 800 up for it. great uke, worth playing...chuck - Monday, September 5, 2011

Question asked by: Chuck Sullivan Subject: Martin tenor ukulele Question: Hi, Chuck. I'm looking at a Martin 14 fret tenor. The seller says it's from the "1930 to 1950" period, but I think the 14 fret models didn't start util either the late '50s or the '60s. I bought mine in 1952, and it's a 12 fret model. I know Martin production records are scarce on ukes, but can you enlighten me? Answer: Chuck send pics, chuck - Monday, September 5, 2011

Question asked by: larry crabb Subject: value of a Robert Pearson Question: My wife got this from her father when he died. He was in the navy and said it came from seattle. It looks like the modle that you talked about about a month ago. You stated it was from England in the 1920s. Any idea what the value of this would be Answer: Larry, please send pics, chuck - Monday, September 5, 2011

Question asked by: Allen Hopkins Subject: Viohl ukulele Question: Viohl appears to be a NY City manufacturer from the late 19th and early 20th century. They made guitars etc. under the "Empire State" brand label. I think it's pretty likely the ukulele was US-made. Answer: allen, please send pics, chuck - Monday, September 5, 2011

Question asked by: larry Subject: value Question: My wife has had this Robert Pearson for a number of years from her dad. Do you have a rough guess on a value. Photos:              Answer: Larry, about 250 dollars. They are good players..Play it a lot...chuck - Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Question asked by: Ted Briggs-Comstock 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. Photos:              Answer: I can tell you its English, but not much else. How does it sound...chuck - Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Question asked by: jeff mercer Subject: Heather McKeans uke Question: Hi Chuck, how are you ? I haven't written in a while, but can help John Chandler re; his question about Heather McKean's uke.. John, her uke is a 'Michigan', not a 'Chicago'..Regal-made late 30's thru 40's. I played with the Slim Dusty Show for 8 years, which usually involved backing the McKean Sisters for a short set. Heather had retired her uke by that time, but she still has it ! I've played it several times..as an instrument, it's nothing particularly special, but it was incredible to even hold the ukulele used on all those classic recordings & radio broadcasts ! We don't really have an equivalent of a Country Music Hall of Fame Museum in Oz yet, but that little uke would most certainly belong ! Hope this helps, John, & thanks as always Chuck. Cheers, Jeff. Answer: Nice to hear from you. Long time...Thanks for the clear-up...keep in touch...chuck - Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Question asked by: Kevin Subject: Favilla Neck Joint Question: Further to Bob's question, I just did the same job on a Favilla and it is a dovetail joint. Pull the 15th fret and drill through,the pocket is just below, it's about 2 inches deep, old fashioned glue, steams out easy. Answer: Thanks...Kevin...always appreciated. - Thursday, August 18, 2011

Question asked by: Charlie Pace Subject: Soprano Uke (circa 1920's) I.D. Question: Wanting to know history/maker/dating of friend's mother's childhood soprano. Given family history, probably 1920's or before. Also, is the oval on the headstock potentially a covered logo? Thanks Photos:                          Answer: Charlie...my guess is Regal, Chicago 1920's...The multi colored decoration is typically Regal. The area where decal seems to be could be anything...thanks...chuck - Thursday, August 18, 2011

Question asked by: Darrell47 Subject: Vintage Soprano Ukulele ID Question: Chuck - I recently got this ukulele at an estate sale and I can't identify it. It appears to be all mahogany to me, but very nicely grained wood. There are no labels, stamps, numbers or any other type of markings on it. One of the most distinctive features of the instrument is the black and white binding on the front, back, sides, soundhole, fretboard and front of the peghead. I haven't strung it up yet, but by tapping on the front and back, I believe it will have a very nice tone. The original hard case also in excellent condition came with it. I'd appreciate any help with an ID and rough value. I had thought of selling it, but if it is a nice instrument I will keep it and learn to play it. Thanks! Photos:                          Answer: It is all mahogany and flamed mahogany at that. Nicely made, seems to be again a Chicago uke from the 20-30...hard to tell. Regal, probably not Harmony, I would string it up and see how it plays. It's definitely not a piece of garbage. My guess is that it will play very well. thanks..its interesting, if I have any more thoughts, I will write...chuck - Thursday, August 18, 2011

Question asked by: Orville Craigmeire Subject: l, Viohl's hawaiian ukulele Question: Any idea of the value, if any? Photos:          Answer: Orvile..please send me clearer pictures of the front and especially where the neck attached to the body on the back...I'm not sure it was made in Hawaii. Can tell more when you send the pics...chuck - Thursday, August 18, 2011

Question asked by: John Chandler Subject: uke origin Question: Can you tell me anything about a 'Chicago' brand ukulele. It was sold in the 1940's in Australia and was played by Heather Mckean of the sister singing and yodelling act of the 1940's - The McKean Sisters. Answer: Will check and get back to you..I'm here in Australia, so I should be able to find out something. interesting......chuck - Thursday, August 18, 2011

Question asked by: Jeff Subject: Please indentify Question: This ukulele has been in a case hanging our family for as long as I can remember. Can you please identify and appraise. Thank you very much. Your site is a treasure. Photos:                          Answer: Jeff...I seem to be getting a lot of this ilk uke today. It again seems like Chicago 1920 30....wood seems to be either mahogany or pine...hard to tell. How does it sound?. Hard to value without more info...will keep looking for clues. thanks for writing in and for the nice words. chuck - Thursday, August 18, 2011

Question asked by: CASS Subject: Supertone Style 451 Ukulele Question: I tried asking you a couple times, but no reply. I think it should be easy to classify, I'd just like a quick analysis before i begin reparations as to not damage its true character and value (if there is any. Photos:              Answer: Mainly a department store uke made in the 40-50. I wouldn't put a lot of money into it. I doesn't seem like it would take a lot to fix it up. Let me know how it comes out. chuck - Thursday, August 18, 2011

Question asked by: John Cook Subject: Martin Baritone Ukulele Question: Hey Chuck! I recently was given this Uke by my grandmother and after searching online, I'm unable to date it / find a value / learning anything at all. I'm extremely interested in selling it, but unfortunately I'm unable to do so if I know nothing about it. She said she thinks it may be from the 1960s. That's all I know! Any input would be extremely helpful! Thanks so much again! John Cook Photos:                          Answer: John....Made in USA stamp dates it in the 60's maybe later. Unfortunately the Baritone is a hard uke to sell. I would try around the 600 range and see if you get any nibbles. Try our Marketplace on this site...All the lookers are uke nutz. thanks...chuck - Thursday, August 18, 2011

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