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 (147 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: 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: Chuck Subject: Ukulele Question: I am not a professional muscian but I love to play stringed instruments, yes even the ukulele. I am looking for a good brand name tenor uke at an affordable price not a beginners instrument, can you help with this thanks Answer: whats affordable for you. There are a million tenors out there and all at different prices. help me....I'll help you...frets - Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Question asked by: Stephen B Subject: Best Taropatch Under $500 Question: So I've gotten pretty nuts about the uke in the past year, and have quite a little uke family now, including my mom's old Martin circa 1964, a 1960s era Martin tiple, a Kamaka concert size, a Le Domino banjo uke and a Le Domino soprano, and a sweet little kumalae "PPIE" label. Now I'm thinking I'd like to add a taropatch -- to play, not just look at. What would you recommend, Frets ol' pal, either new or used, under say $500 or thereabouts? Answer: I would get a hold of a couple of makers, black bear guitars, kp ukuleles, kamaka, and see what they want to make one. I don't know of one that you can purchase off the rack..let me know what you find out. I am interested in a taro also...frets - Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Question asked by: Grant Subject: Baritone? Question: I like to (attempt to play!) Celtic Jigs and Reels on a guitar but when I do this on a Ukulele find re entrant(sp?) tuning a nuisance when I need to run on to the 4th string. Is a Baritone Uke the only one that can be tuned without the octave high 4th string? If not, what are the other options? Final question - can you recommend a decent, ideally new Baritone instrument brand for around $500 (or am I aiming too low on my budget?)? Kind regards, Grant Answer: no nothing about tuning. ask the bunch on the bulletin board. as far as a 500 new baritone, you have to search the web. go to the links on this site and start writing. I don't know of a 500 bari. I think you sights may be be a bit low. let us know what happens and please write bulletin board. frets - Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Question asked by: Marjorie Scooros Subject: steel strings for a banjo uke Question: I was recently given a banjo uke which needs a lot of TLC. It had the remains of #1 and #4 strings which were steel. I would like to string it the same way. Do you know what guages I should use for each string? Have you ever seen one strung this way? My brother has made a new nut and I have the materials to make a new bridge. I've already reskinned it. Answer: marjorie...now its time to take it to a Luthier who can finish it off. Banjo ukes sound better with non metal strings. Try that first. With metal strings they become more a percusive instrument than a melody sound. thanks for writing in and let us know...frets - Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Question asked by: Herb Subject: Union Music Co. Uke Question: Hi Chuck, I recently purchase a ukulele labeled "The Mele Hawaiian Ukulele, Union Music Co. Toledo, Ohio". That is written on a paper label on the inside of the uke. It has a different headstock than other Meles I have seen. There is a zipper on the back and the shape of the back iindicates it was made on the mainland (no tab). From info on the net I have read that Union was in business 1919-1923. From the attached pic can you tell who might have made this uke and the approximate value? Thanks, Herb Photos:      Answer: union is the store, mele made the uke. It is just a higher grade than what we usually see. I've owned them and always found them attractive..frets - Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Question asked by: Wendell Guthrie Subject: harmony Question: Chuck, I have this exact instrument it is 30" long and is baritone. I refinshed mine and it is a good player. Same as Silvertone right? -Wendell Answer: was there a pic...it didn't make it...frets - Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Question asked by: Larry Hull Subject: Favilla Question: I recently purchased a Herk Favilla baritone uke at a garage sale for $3.00. I am having a blast with this thing! It has a serial number which I don't remember at the moment. Can you tell me a little about this uke and its current value? thanks Answer: 200-300....made in the 50's..great company...tom favilla still has a web site..go to it and roam around. have fun..its a great playing instrument....3.00 you overpaid....i'll give you 4.00....frets - Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Question asked by: steve Subject: werco Question: Would like to know some history about this werco banjo ukuleles can you help. Photos:      Answer: I know very little. I had one and it sounded terrible. I don't know anyone that has ever had one they liked. I hope your the first. I don't know who made them, my guess is a drum company...sorry I don't know more...frets - Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Question asked by: grouch Subject: banjo uke Question: hey Chuck!..old banjo uke from flea market..square frets..old trap-door case..wonder how old it is?..one of the millions?..hope all ok in Mt Idy..cheers..grouch Photos:      Answer: generic 30's banjo uke...as you said one of millions. still a nice one.....play away....frets - Tuesday, November 16, 2004

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