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 (144 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: Sue Kirsch Subject: uke-a-lin Question: A violin-harp-guitar was found in my grandmother's attic. On it it has Hawaiin Art Regulated U.S. Patent Off. Manufactured and distributed exclusively by Hawaiin Art Violin Company, Jersey City, NJ. The price was $35.00. I have done very little research on this and someone suggested it was a uke- a-lin. I also saw on a past inquiry to you that you responded to a violin uke from around the 1950's that never gained much popularity. Do you have any information on this instrument? Is it what you described or is it a uke-a-lin? Any historical and monetary information you have on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Sue Answer: Sue..my best advise would be for you to do a search of my answers about the ukelin and violin uke and you will have all the answers you need. They are fun to look at but I'm not sure anyone has ever lasted long enough to tune them and find out what they sound like. They always pop up in great condition and that's because after you spend about 2 years tuning it ...it seems to cause one to lose interest...So, it remains mint and in the original box in the back of some closet. Thanks for writing in....frets - Sunday, January 23, 2005

Question asked by: Al Weisman Subject: Inexpensive Beginner Uke Question: What is a decent uke for a beginner with a good ear. Is it a waste of time to go for one of those online $35. dollar ukes, just to start out and see if I like it and then move on to a better instrument? Answer: The fluke or the flea. Go to our online store and look at it. Its about the best you will ever do for a good, not wallet breaking uke. I'm glad you have a good ear. I have an uncle with bad ears and he is tough to be around. frets - Sunday, January 23, 2005

Question asked by: Rush McAllister Subject: koa wood uke repairs Question: Question asked by: Rush McAllister Subject: Koa wood repairs Question: Dear Frets, What is the best way to fix the tops & backs of koa wood ukes? Do you recommend X-bracing if the top or bottom is off? Rush Answer: A luthier is the best way. A proctologist if your bottom is off....frets - Wednesday, October 13, 2004 Frets, Don't get personal- My problem is too many luthiers (3 I've worked with) who all propose different ways to repair the cracks. I'm not sure which way is best. That's the question. Rush McAllister Answer: Rush...I think x bracing is a little dramatic for a ukulele. Make it a little to heavy. I'm all for cleating if the cracks are open and there is a chance of them opening more. Remember, the less you do to a uke the better it sounds. The fact that it is lightweight and the body cavity is pretty open is what gives it it's great sound. Do as little as possible. If you can squeeze the cracks together and do nothing, do that. If the crack is long or open...cleat...best I can do....My best for a 2005....frets - Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Question asked by: Brian Lees (Canada) Subject: Season Greetings Question: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Chuck !! Answer: same to ya from the elves and me...frets - Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Question asked by: CooperBeagle Subject: Dating Martin SO Question: Chuck, thanks for the great work you do, I've learned so much from you. So perhaps the current SO Martins will develop great sound over time. When did Martin start making the SO and the H-SO? How old is a SO with a serial number 3000? I found one, (serial number 3009), and it's sounding pretty nice already! Thanks a bunch! Answer: I don't think any of us have that much time. I have no idea when they started making them, I'm only interestd when they stop. best of the new year...frets - Thursday, December 23, 2004

Question asked by: Bob Edwards Subject: old kamaka uke Question: Hi Chuck. i was wondering if you or someone there can tell me how to date and learn of the value of an old Kamaka Pinapple Uke my father gave me. Breifly; It has rope inlay, i believe Koa, white tunning keys and the label inside says; Patent Jan 3, 1928 No. 74,178, and has a seal sticker under the strings between the sound hole and bridge. Can you help me? Thanks, Bob Ogden, Utah USA Answer: 750+ depending on the condition. Thats in perfect condition. add 200 for a hard case and start playing....you have one of the very best. frets - Thursday, December 23, 2004

Question asked by: bob rainey Subject: holiday Question: you have a bloody good holiday... that's an order..... old smelly Answer: you stink...but your fun and a good friend....I wish you and yours a healthy and happy 2005....hear from you after first...frets - Thursday, December 23, 2004

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