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

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Question asked by: Mark J. Hulme Subject: Leonardo Nunes - Birkel Question: Hi - I inherited a koa uke with the following paper label " "Ukelele O Hawaii made by Leonardo Nunes especially and exclusively for Geo. J. Birkel Co. 446-448 S. Broadway Los Angeles. Cal. Copyright 1917 by L. Nunes". No Headstock decal, flat top & carved back. I have given it a once over with Lemon Oil, but some of the aged schmutz wont come clea. Any idea of value or suggestions for restoration? Thanks. Photos:      Answer: 350+ and dont do any more. Its only worth that if you leave it original If you try to get the dirt completely off, you might get into the finish...a no no...thanks for writing in...frets - Sunday, February 20, 2005

Question asked by: Gabe Subject: Martin Uke Question: Chuck I wasn't sure if you received this or not. Still trying to figure out this computer thing. I was wondering if you had any info on this uke I received from my grandfather. I know it is any early Martin, but that is about it. I would like to have some work done on it, but not ruin the originality of it. Let me know your thoughts on it. Thanks. Photos:      Answer: It is a style O martin uke. What kind of work and for what reason????....If it doesn't need anything don't do it. frets - Sunday, February 20, 2005

Question asked by: sean Subject: uke id help Question: hi chuck, can you help me id this uke? i bought it from a man who said he bought it in 1954 and it was already old then. it has no label, appears to be koa wood, arched back soprano, 17 frets (12 to body)rope binding with black thin purfling inside it on the soundboard, rope rosette with black on either side and light wood or gold inner and outer ring 1/8th inch separate from rope rosette inside and one outside. the rope binding looks like ebony and lighter wood and there is a butt joint piece or either rosewood or ebony 1/4" at top and 1/8" at back. i was told that it was a hawaiian made instrument. if you have any clue, i would appreciate your thoughts. also, i can take more pictures if that would be helpful. mahalo & aloha sean Photos:      Answer: Sean...Mainland made probably Regal..Made to look hawaiian but it is not. NIce uke...The headstock is typical Regal and Not Island. Best...frets - Sunday, February 20, 2005

Question asked by: soybean Subject: Tahitian Question: Chuck, as you say, the Tahitian/ Maori "ukes" are really more of a percussion instrument. Is it possible they are not ukes at all but simply called ukes by the Tahitian tourist industry to dupe the uneducated traveller? Let's get a petition signed and start legal proceedings against these imposters! Something must be done! (tongue firmly planted in cheek.) Answer: Great Idea...everyone needs a cause...Nice to hear from you Dan...keep them comin" frets - Sunday, February 20, 2005

Question asked by: Stan Subject: Antique Uke Question: Hi Chuck, I bought this on ebay (buy it now $49.95 I think I had a great buy).there is no label but it is beautifully made and sounds incredible. it measures 20 1/2 inches and has a centre rope binding down the middle of the back which is rounded. I believe it is very early 20th century. Have you any idea of the maker and the value Photos:      Answer: Great buy...No idea who made it...Looks like regal again. Hard to tell, many were made that look just like that. Sort of a Martin copy. Great score...start playing...frets..... - Sunday, February 20, 2005

Question asked by: Andy Subject: roy smeck concert uke Question: Hi Chuck, Just wanted to know if $300 is a bit much to ask for a Roy Smeck concert uke. The uke in question looks exactly like the one pictured under the logo on the FleaMarket Music website (minus the extreme scratches). The local shop that is selling it typically prices it's stuff kind of high. Thanks Answer: Its an ok price, not great. Good instrument and good player...best and thanks for writing in...frets - Sunday, February 20, 2005

Question asked by: adam bastien Subject: i just got my uke... Question: I just got my own uke to play and i bought it for 30$ original price 60$... the first day i got it i tryed tightening the top string and it broke... i put a small guitar string on it and i was wondering if that were ok? i also wanted to know if i should slowly let the string stretch or just look for a better string? Answer: Get a set of really good strings. It will make a great difference. bests to ya...frets - Sunday, February 20, 2005

Question asked by: Jennifer Grimes Subject: Gibson Uke 1? Question: I was wondering if I might bother to ask you if you are familiar with something called a Gibson UKE 1? My grandmother gave me this ukelele in the original case (albeit it needs a little loving care down on the place where the strings hook in) and I'm just wondering what the story is? I wanted to put it in a shadow box (it was my great-grandmother's) and I'd like to have a notecard with some "story" to put in there. Thanks if you can help me! Photos:      Answer: made in the l950's-60's late model Gibson style 1 uke...Pur a pic of your Grandmother in a Shadow Box and Hang the uke on the wall next to it. Play the uke...Don't put it in a box. It was meant to be played, its not a picture. Enjoy...frts - Sunday, February 20, 2005

Question asked by: Tom B. Subject: Unidentified Koa Uke Question: Dear Frets: I purchased this uke from an antique dealer who was selling it as a wall- hanger. After replacing one missing tuner and stringing it up, I was delighted to hear one of the loudest soprano ukes I've ever played. Can you shed any light on who made it and/or whether it's a real Hawaiian instrument? There's no marking other than the Aloha shield at the top. Thanks! Photos:      Answer: It is definitly a hawaiian uke and a nice one at that. It could be anybody. It is a fairly common uke. But a very nice one. nice score....frets - Wednesday, February 2, 2005

Question asked by: John Gudmundson Subject: Nunes Cloud Inlay Question: Best of the Season to you Chuck. I have an old Manuel Nunes soprano with the cloud or moustache inlay. Other than the fact that this feature would indicate that the Ukulele is a relatively early model, is there any more details that you could share with us about the cloud feature. Thanks for Sharing! John G Answer: Hey John...best to you too....That cloud arrangement came from the original portugese instruments. They can be seen on instruments dating back a couple hundred years. It sort of ended with ther use of the little doodad at the bottom of the early style three Martins. Its a nice thing. An early nunes with the cloud often guarantees that the uke was made by manuel himself..So many of the manuel nunes ukes were made by workers and not of the same quality...not even close. best of the new year....frets - Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Question asked by: David H Subject: Tuners Question: I have a Kumalae Model 5 purchased AT the PPI in 1915, a 1960's Martin Baritone and a 1960's Kamaka Pineapple (plain, no paint). The tuners on the Kumalae or the wooden pegs and they work fine and I'm not going to change them but the screws in the other two are very sharp and scratch everything they come in contact with. Would I be spoiling the "antique" value to change to other tuners - the Schallers that Kamaka now uses for instance? Thanks a lot. Photos:      Answer: Change the screws or have them filed down. Dont change the tuners because the screws scratch ....best...frets - Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Question asked by: Rod Mann Subject: Your Book Question: Hello Chuck, Not knowing your e-mail address, I thought I'd contact you here. How do I get my number for your book? Pay for it? What does it cost? I have enjoyed, and appreciated Uke-Yak from the beginning. Thank you for all the fun and info. Rod Answer: My book is about to go to print. Please email me and I will put you on the list. cfayne@swiftdsl.com.au.............Its taking longer than I thought as all books do. Working on too many things at the same time. Bad work ethic. Thanks for asking....look forward to hearing from you....frets If anyone else is interested in my uke book, please write and let me know. It going to be a lot of fun.....chuck - Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Question asked by: Tom B. Subject: Old Koa Uke Question: Chuck, welcome back! We all were going through Uke-Yak withdrawal. Here's a picture of a koa uke with no identifying marks and no "Tabu" stamp. It has violin-style tuners (one of them is a replacement) and a very nicely arched back. This has to be one of the loudest ukes I've ever owned! Have you any idea who made it, or whether it's Hawaiian or mainland? Also, do all early Hawaiian ukes have the "Tabu" stamp? --- Thanks! Photos:      Answer: definitly hawaiian....could be kumalae but not sure. all hawaiian early ukes did not have the tabu stamp..most didn't,....nice looking....frets - Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Question asked by: Herb Nicholas Subject: Giannini Baritone Question: We have aBaritone Giannini Uke in mint condition probably 30 to 40 years old. It has a gig bag and a pitch pipe that look like new. Can you suggest a price range for selling and how I might find a market? Answer: Herb..put it on the Marketplace on this site. see menu at left......It should bring about 300 bucks if it is in great condition...thanks for asking...frets - Sunday, January 23, 2005

Question asked by: Stocky Subject: sanding & refinishing Question: Hate to bother folks with redundant questions...I couldn't find decent advice. I'm new to all this...I own a martin 0-18 tenor guitar and ended up getting hooked on ukes doin' research on the tenor. Go figer? So I have a Gretsch on the way, and a regal and a regal at home I'd like to clean up. It's tite...no damage...just dings. The bridge is off but I do have it. Ebony nut. Just nice basic piece. So I sand the bridge bottom and uke surface where it will be reglued, and now I'd like to do the whole darn thing over... but will taking off the thin original finish skrew it up at all? What grate sandppr or emery? whatg type of surface sealer? This ain't an expensive piece...I just want to pretty it up. The box is light, tite and I'm guessing will put out a decent sound for $30. Hey, if this is a stupid request, please just delete me. Love your site... a lot. Regards, Stocky Answer: Stocky...its not a stupid question...but heres a stupid answer. I know as much about the grit of sandpaper as I do about Pediatrics. I dont think you should worry alot, it doesn't sound like major reconstruction..I would ask you questions of a furniture refinisher. They could answer it in 2 words and a couple of purchased vowels. If you ever need any more expert opinions, I am always up..Never sleep...I'm pretty nasty without coffee. best to ya.,.thanks for the kind words about the site. frets - Sunday, January 23, 2005

Question asked by: bob rainey Subject: get his christmas albums Question: a friend sent two albums for xmas. absolute (accent on lute!) stunner! what's inside is a musical history you can hear! with pix and words to read while listening... http://home.earthlink.net/~minermusic/ this site will answer questions i never asked...and you will *love* the sounds...gay-rone-teed..(don't make me pick up my Cajun box...) old smelly strikes again luvyaman Answer: Stinky...always nice to hear from you. I can smell you from here....Your too hard on yourself..its not that bad. Thanks for the info, I'm sure I speak for all the people who will go buy the works. Its always nice to hear about new stuff...frets - Sunday, January 23, 2005

Question asked by: Lex Subject: Please help date a Favilla and ID a plain Jane Question: Hey Mister Ukulele Man! I recently "acquired" (as my wife shakes her head in amused disbelief..."What? Another ukulele???") an old Favilla Soprano and what appears to be an unmarked Harmony Soprano. Could you tell me when you think the Favilla was made? It has no inside label or markings other than the "Favilla" decal on the headstock (it sure sounds sweet though!). And could you identify and date the other ukulele? It also has no label or markings (other than the "Made of Genuine Mahogany" sticker on the back of the headstock). The fretboard on it appears to be a thin piece of rosewood. I've attached a collage photo of the two ukes to help with the task. Thanks a bunch! -Lex Photos:      Answer: Lex....my best guess 1950's....The favilla is a good find....good uke....don't know about the other one. Would have to have it in my hand to tell. thanks for writing in and if my wife shook her head everytime I brought in a new uke, her head would be in Lompoc. Good luck.....frets - Sunday, January 23, 2005

Question asked by: CHRIS SIRCELLO Subject: GIBSON RECORDING KING Question: HI CHUCK, I THOUGHT GIBSON MADE THESE FOR MONTGOMERY WARD BUT I'VE BEEN TOLD REGAL AND SOME OTHER COMPANIES MADE RCORDING KINGS AS WELL. THIS HAS AN ARCHED BACK AND NO SIGN OF "GIBSON ANYWHERE. WHAT DO YOU THINK? CHRIS Photos:      Answer: Dont know who made it, but it wasn't gibson. They did not make for Montgomery Ward to my knowledge. Keep strummmin" frets....looks like a decent uke up close. - Sunday, January 23, 2005

Question asked by: Amy Subject: Ukulele repair in NYC Question: Hi Chuck, I have a broken plastic ukulele. I don't really know anything about ukuleles, but one music store owner who saw it intact said it was worth $500- $1000. Its an Isalander, designed by Maccaferri. Do you think it's worth that much? Regardless it's a beloved instrument of my grandads and I want to get it repaired. Can you recommend a repair shop in NYC? Answer: Call John Bernunzio at Bernnzio Vintage Instruments and ask about repair. And send me the name of the music store owner. I have never heard of a Plastic uke worth from 500-1000...ever. He has been sniffing the glue at his refinishing table. Tell him to alter his medication, its either too much or too little but it definitly is not right. An islander uke in fine condition is worth about 150.00 and thats with a native hawaiian to go with it. Say hello to John for me...by the way..he is in Rochester..Thanks for writing in....Plastic? Fretslic - Sunday, January 23, 2005

Question asked by: Mippi Subject: Ukulele on sale Question: Happy New Year! I was wondering if you would know the manufacturer of this ukulele. I saw it on Ebay. I have always loved the Kumalae look, but I am not sure who made this. What would be a reasonable bid for this ukulele? Thank you very much for your time! Photos:      Answer: 250.00 Its a nice uke mainland made probably by regal...best...frets - Sunday, January 23, 2005

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