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 (146 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: 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: Nina Chambers Subject: ukes--which one? Question: Hi, Chuck--I would like to buy a uke but don't know which kind or which brand. How are tenor, & baritones tuned & played. The baritone sounds like there might be crossover from guitar playing. Is there much music as in compilation books? Can you adapt a soprano book? The chord stays the same, just the fingering changes? Oh, my. So much to choose from. THanks for your comments. Nina in Seattle Answer: Nina, before I try to answer all your qustions, may I make a couple suggestions. First go to a music store that has ukuleles. Try them out. Fingering is the same on all..tuning is the same just different octaves at times. Next go to the menu at our left on this site, and bumble around. go to the bulletin board, on line store, marketplace....ask questions on the bulletin board. they love it. Its what keeps them alive..They are all great people and ready to help...you need some...after all that, write me back and I will direct you...Frets - Friday, November 26, 2004

Question asked by: David Subject: 1928 pineapple ukelele Question: Hi Chuck! I have a 1928 pineapple ukelele. It is in pretty good condition but has a stress crack on one side. I was wondering if you might know how much this is worth? Thank you, David. Answer: NEED PICTURE....they made zillions and many styles...if I can see it I can answer your question......I'm just a shutter away..ansol frets - Friday, November 26, 2004

Question asked by: Larry Thomas Subject: Martin Guitar Tenor Uke Question: Hi, I saw this on ebay and was wondering what the value is and what would be a good deal on this? Is it rare. Thanks, Larry Photos:      Answer: It is a tenor guitar...a 15 t from the pic. no , it is not rare. A good deal would be 1000....It is not a ukulele...write more if you need more..frets - Friday, November 26, 2004

Question asked by: Holland Mcgraw Subject: what is my uke worth and do you know how old it is. Question: Hi I received this uke from my grandpa a long time ago. My grandma told me grandpa bought it around the 50's. My dad says he bought it in the 30's. Can you tell me about it and how much it's worth? I was also wondering if I could send it back to Kamaka to get refinished? Thanks -Holland Photos:      Answer: its from the 50's or 60's...if it doesn't need refinishing , don't do it. Refinishing it if it doesn't need it, decreases the value. Its worth about 350.00 if it is a soprano and it appears to be. Hope I have helped.....Were getting ready for Thanksgiving in Mt Idy...thats where we let the turkeys eat all they can, argue with each other and get sick...sort of like humans.....Happy holidays...frets - Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Question asked by: robert wheeler - founder Subject: uke sales Question: Chucko - this ain't a question, even though I click on "question" to send this to you. It ain't about uke sales, 'cause not only don't I know anything about uke sales, I don't give much attention to ukes others buy. What it is about is a soft cover edition of Mike Longworth's Book, "Martin Guitars, a History". In that edition are production figures for Martin ukes, that wasn't in earlier editions. If you pump those numbers into one of today's modern software graph producing software products, you get a graph that will stagger your, imagination, especially when the count goes to about 3. A peak in 1924. A foot hill in the 50’s. And then it Petered out, fortunately figures for Back Packer, SO, and SOSO ukes aren’t in Mike’s book. If I did a search I could likely find one of my copies and tell you the edition and page number, but as I put them were they will be safe, because Mike autographed them and made snide comments about my ukulele addiction, and I can't find them right now, but those in uke land should search and find out things for themselves. What is this "asking" the experts tell us about the ukulele community, especially when it gets down to around 3. Warm regards, founder Answer: Thanks robert. as usual....you should all buy the longworth book..I have worn out 3 already. Robert, the best of the holiday seasons from all of us at Mt Idy Turkey Farm and and Muffler shop. You must come visit some day. The elfs want to meet you.....Miss ya pal.....frets - Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Question asked by: Tony Allen Subject: Banjulele Question: I'm looking for help identifying this instrument. There is no maker's mark on it that I can see. I think it was bought in the 1920's. The distance from the nut to the 12th fret is 7" I can provide a side view photo, which shows that the back is slightly arched, and raised about 1/8" above the sides, leaving a narrow opening all around. The photo shows the original as well, which looks original. Thanks in advance! Tony in Saskatoon, Sask. Canada Photos:      Answer: your right it is from the 20's..it could be anyone's...there were millions of them made without a makers signature. Its very hard to i d under the best of circumstances, but i'd have to have it in my hands and then no guarantee...looks great though..hope it plays well....frets - Monday, November 22, 2004

Question asked by: FRETS FAYNE Subject: QUESTION 3000 Question: WHY DO I DO THIS COLUMN??????? Answer: 3000........ THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT, MOST INTERSTING QUESTIONS AND PLEASE LOOK FOR MY BOOK WHICH IS FINALLY WITHIN DAYS OF BEING PRINTED. IT IS CALLED " I HAVE A BROWN UKULELE, WHAT IS IT WORTH" THE BEST OF UKE YAK AND OTHER STUFF....IT WILL BE LIMITED TO 500 COPIES SO IF YOU HAVE A LUCKY NUMBER AND WANT ONE, WRITE ME AT MY EMAIL OR JIM AT FLEAMARKETMUSIC.COM. EACH COPY WILL BE SIGNED AND NUMBERED. WHY DO I DO THIS COLUMN? BECAUSE I LOVE IT...THANKS..FRETS - Monday, November 22, 2004

Question asked by: Mozo Subject: Vogue Old Uke Question: Hi Frets! What d'you make of this? Is it worth buying to play or collect & ,if so, how much? Can't thank you enough for your unfailing help & advice...Your Friend, Mozo Photos:      Answer: I don't think its either..doesn't look very good to me......hope this helps...frets thanks moz - Monday, November 22, 2004

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