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 (145 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: 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: Douglas Gaither Subject: Colored Strings for TV Pal Question: Hey Chuck, Last fall you recommended I hook up with Duane Heilman for a repair to my 1920s Echo Uke. He did a great job! Thanks for the recommendation.... I purchased a TV Pal Uke on eBay just because I wanted one. It came with colored strings that I think may have been original. The uke sounds a little thin, would new strings perk this puppy up or is it just destined to be thin? And what about the colored strings? I'm not really concerned about the collectability of it. I just wanted a plastic uke. Oh and one last thing, the top is deformed right in front of the bridge due to continual strain. Can I just heat it up and kinda bend it back out? Answer: Glad duane could help..don't strain..you could pop a blood vessle in your eye. put on new strings and see how you like it..you can always put old ones back on. hope i helped....frets - Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Question asked by: Rush McAllister Subject: de Nunes Uke Question: Frets A lady has a uke w/ the label in it which says: "M. NUNES & SONS inventor of the UKULELE and Taro Patch Fiddles in Honolulu in 1879 Manufactures of String Instruments GUARANTEED Kapiolani Build'g Alakea St.Honolulu, T.H." Any idea where this info puts it in the Nunes family saga? Rush Answer: teens-20's....good instrument frets - Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Question asked by: Emma Subject: Martin Style 1M & Gretsch Question: Hi Frets! I've been reading your Yuke Yak for a few years and finally have something to write to you about. Last x-mas my husband bought me a Gretsch, no cracks or repairs, minor wear from playing. This x-mas he bought me a Martin Style 1, markings on back of headstock & inside, wooden friction pegs, rosewood binding, ebony nut & bridge, bar frets, no cracks no repairs, minor wear from playing. I took both of them to McCabe's for a once-over and they were impressed. I have looked in Jim Beloff's book and there is not much info on these two ukes...can you give pass on some insights regarding their age and info on their value, as they were purchased on e-bay, (of course to me they are priceless because of the sentiment involved). p.s. I tried to attach a picture - hope it came out! Photos:      Answer: They are both classy instruments. They style 1 martin is my favorite martin soprano. They are boomers. Gretch 30's .....300 dollars and the martin is 20=30...just a guess...have to hold them....400 easy....nice presents..keep writing in and if I can help more, let me know...chuck - Friday, December 10, 2004

Question asked by: Norman Subject: Open Tuning Question: Howdy, I am a 57 year old beginner. I want to learn the bar chord method of playing, but I understand that you have to use an "open" method of tuning. Where can I learn about bar chords and open tuning? Answer: You can invent it yourself or ask this question on the bulletin board on this site. They know. I don't use an open tuning for anything...So I am not really good to ask....Let me know...I''m intrested. chuck - Friday, December 10, 2004

Question asked by: KOinLB Subject: Lymana Ukukeles ? Question: Hi Frets, Can you tell me what you know about Ukuleles built in Honolulu by Lymana Ashikawa. The only ones I've seen are played by Bill Tapia. How do they compair to Ko'olau? Thanks ! Answer: Fabulous instruments. Cant compare them to Ko'olau because I have never played one. Ukes are hard to compare because its how you feel about them that counts. I wish I could be of more help...frets - Friday, December 10, 2004

Question asked by: Bill Stewart Subject: Mando-lele? Question: Hello Chuck...here's one you don't get every day. I have an F-style Mandolin, and after playing the uke for a while, just looking at all those close packed wire strings makes my fingers ache!, I don't want to sell or trade the mando because I made it. If I make a new nut and get a small violin tailpiece, what scale is it in "uke" terms, its 14.25" from nut to bridge and about 18" from nut to top of endpice. Should I get tenor strings? Has anybody else ever tried this? A big archtop uke, or a bad mistake? I don't play the thing as a mandolin, what do you think? Answer: definitly play it as a uke. You will adjust for the scale length and have a strange sounding uke. I like the sound. I play my mando like a taropatch and it sounds great...frets - Friday, December 10, 2004

Question asked by: glenn fukunaga Subject: wood magic ukuleles Question: Can you tell me or direct me to more info on this company? Are they still in business and if so, how do I contact them? Thanks, Glenn Answer: Never heard of them, but they had the right idea..ukes out of wood...novel....fayne - Friday, December 10, 2004

Question asked by: Keoki Subject: Happy Holidays Question: Chuck,Just want to wish you and yours a happy holiday. My head elf gave me this lovely K10A for X-mas. Answer: heoki...thanks and the same to you....You head elf has good taste.,......health to you and yours...frets - Friday, December 10, 2004

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