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

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Question asked by: Mike Sullivan Subject: New (Old) Ukulele Questions Question: Hello Chuck! My wife plays guitar, but had a hankering to play the ukulele. We found this one in an antique shop for what seemed to be a reasonable price. Says Beltone, but I'm thinking they did not make it. Looks like solid (one piece) wood front and back. Would you have any thoughts as to maker and age? Thanks and best regards! - Kathy & Mike Photos:                  Answer: A modern made Beltone, but looks good. How is the sound?...Thats the most important consideration. Hope its a good one...chuck - Monday, October 3, 2011

Question asked by: Cass Subject: Supertone Style 451 Ukulele Question: I bought this vintage uke at a thrift store for 10 bucks. The neck is in excellent condition and the wood seems superior. Any knowledge you could shed on this find? Thanks. -Cass Photos:              Answer: Some were sold in Sears and Roebuck. How does it sound? Stick strings on it a strum away. Anything for 10 bucks is great. chuck...Bridge looks crooked may have to be reset...take it to a luthier and find out. - Monday, October 3, 2011

Question asked by: Susan Taylor Subject: 1970's Kamaka Uke Question: Hi! I am so confused! This was bought in Hawaii by my parents for me in the 70's. I took lessons for a month and it has been stored since and I just found it again after my parents passing. What is a ballpark value for it? I was dog cussed on craigslist for asking 500 or best offer! Thanks! Photos:                  Answer: Standard entry level Kamaka UKulele. Who cares what the people on Craigs list said. Stick it on our Marketplace on this Site where it will be appreciated. It is worth about 350+.500 May have scared some people, but It is Kamaka...a 100 year old factory that still makes quality instruments. Its a fine uke and deserves to be played. Good luck chuc - Monday, October 3, 2011

Question asked by: Neal Subject: Martin 17 fret Ukes Question: Did Martin make a 17 fret style 0-1 or 2? I know all about the 3's and up. Just curious. If so, could you point to some photos? (Pre-'70s)Thanks Chuck,Neal Answer: I have seen a couple of 17 fret ukes style one and two, but they were employee made ukes. Martin may have made some on special order but not as a regular uke. thanks...chuck - Thursday, August 18, 2011

Question asked by: Chris Subject: violinuke value Question: Hey Chuck, My Grandparent willed me a 1933 Violin-Uke. Manufactured by Marx Instruments. It is in very good condition and I was curious about a rough value. Do you have a guess? Thanks in advance, Chris Answer: Chris..If you will search this site for violin ukes you will see some of my comments. 100 dollars on a good day in good condition. They, unfortunately sound like a unhappy group of cats. thanks...chuck - Thursday, August 18, 2011

Question asked by: Peter Subject: Identifying vintage martin I just picked up Question: Hi Chuck, I just bought this tuner-less vintage Martin. I was wondering if you could please help me figure out what style it is and how old it is. Thanks very much. Photos:              Answer: Peter....It is a style one martin and it is hard to tell the date. If it has a decal on the front of the headstock, it is after 1950, if it has an impression on the back of the headstock it is before 1950. Exact dating is impossible. thanks for reading the column....chuck - Monday, July 25, 2011

Question asked by: Carolyn Eakin Subject: Vintage Uke Question: I have my Mothers Gibson Ukelele along with a green felt Wurtlitzer case. I am interested its current value. I'm a newbe at sending pics - hope they are included Carolyn Eakin Photos:      Answer: Carolyn, it is an extended fingerboard with a style one fingerboard. Odd, but not for Gibson. The market is soft on vintage instruments, so the value is about 400 dollars. Thanks for writing in. If you are thinking of selling it, please look at the marketplace section of this site. thanks...cuck - Monday, July 25, 2011

Question asked by: Lisa Subject: Another Robert Pearson Uke Banjo Question: Okay, I see there are a few others that have shown up on the bulletin board here. This seems to be the only place with any info at all! I found one yesterday that I'm trying to find info on. Can you tell me what kind of sound this would have had, the model, era that it was made, worth restoring, ect. Photos:                  Answer: Lisa...That is the only model of a Pearson banjo uke that I know of however, I have never seen one with a crackle finish. Neat. Made in the 20's and I don't think it would be worth restoring if it sounds O K ...Thanks for writing in...chuck - Monday, July 25, 2011

Question asked by: Eva Trimble Subject: ViolinUke Question: What is the value of the violin- uke. It is a marxochime colony. Probably made in the early 1950's. Photos:          Answer: About a 100 dollars it you can find someone who wants one..They sound terrible. Wish the news was better. Thanks...chuck - Monday, July 25, 2011

Question asked by: heidi levison Subject: Martin Ukelele Question: This was given to us by a family friend many years ago and I'd like to sell it. What is a fair price to ask? It seems to have normal wear, a few small nicks. I believe it's a Martin Style 2M, no case. So glad I found this web site and thanks. Photos:                          Answer: Heidi...It is a style two and the market value today is about 500+. Please look into our marketplace on this site if you decide to sell it. It's a captive audience...they are all uke nuts. thanks..chuck - Monday, July 25, 2011

Question asked by: Reg Ormanian Subject: Banjo Ukulele Question: I have a banjo uke I picked up many years ago. I have never seen another like > it. > If headstocks are consistent it appears to be a Maxitone. > > What makes it unique is that the body, resonator, fingerboard and headstock are finished > in a white mother of pearl bakelite. (like an accordion).> > Are you familiar with this instrument? Have you seen one like it? Do you know > if it was made in the 30's? It's approximate value?> > Also, should it have nylon or steel strings? > > Any information would be helpful. Thank you ,> Reg > Answer: Reg...a picture would be helpful..not of you, the banjo uke....nylon strings, unless you enjoy pain...chuck - Monday, July 25, 2011

Question asked by: Bridget Subject: Camp Uke or Mandolin??? Question: Hi Chuck! I have what looks like either an 8 string camp uke, or a camp mandolin. Do you know whether Lyon & Healy made camp mandolins? It unfortunately doesn't have a patent number on it, it just says Patent Applied for. Thanks for your time and help! Photos:                  Answer: It is a camp mandolin. It is by Lyon and Healy...Rare...I have only seen a couple others. thanks.....chuck - Monday, July 25, 2011

Question asked by: Ted Zeigler Subject: Martin Tiple? Question: Chuck, Great website. Would you be so kind as to assess the value and age of this Tiple. My mom bought this at a garage sale in the 80s and promptly left it in the attic. Appears to be in excellent shape. Headstock back says Wm J Smith & Co New York and I am assuming it was a Martin manufactured Tiple but uncertain year or market value. Good-great condition, very resonant but yet untuned. Ivory keys and mother of pearl dot inlays. Your guess as to wood used (spruce top, maple back?). Cheers and thanks in advance for your expertise. Hope these pics work for you! Photos:                          Answer: Ted...It is quite a rare tiple ...W J Smith is the man who brought the tiple idea to Martin from South America. I have always heard the model with his initials on the headstock was made by Martin and then when Martin saw how successful it was, they decided to make them under their own name. I have only seen one other which I owned. It would be known as a T18 if it were marked Martin. If I owned it I wouldn't sell it for less than 2500.00....Thanks alot...chuck - Monday, July 25, 2011

Question asked by: Joshua McKemy Subject: Kamaka Ukulele Question: Hey I have a 6 String Tenor Kamaka Ukulele that was given to me back in '03. Original Case, kept in excellent condition. Hardly taken out the case. Original Decal, Serial Number is intact. #022571 dated Oct. 17, 2002. Just wondering how the value is doing considering its aged for almost 10 years. much aloha and mahalo. Photos:                          Answer: It has not risen in value as the exact model is available today. I would guess about 600+ in this soft market. Great sounding instrument.Play it alot...chock - Monday, July 25, 2011

Question asked by: Joel Subject: ukulele appraisal Question: Hi this ukulele says UKULELE Native Instrument Ukulele Mfg. Co. Honolulu inside. No other indications anywhere else. I was wondering if you knew anything about it, to me it seems like a Kumalae Style and if its worth repairing with no pegs? Photos:                          Answer: It is not a Kumalae. I have seen the label before and do not know who made it. It is early 1920's and it is worth repairing, but with pegs. The original pegs were the push type ( like violin pegs)...Value???? no idea. thanks for writing in...chuck - Monday, July 25, 2011

Question asked by: Anthony Lombardo Subject: Le Domino Soprano Uke Question: Found this at a Renningers in Adamstown, PA. Only problem there seems to be is loose tuning pegs (and they have a hard time staying tight). Other then that and old strings, it's in great condition. How much is something like this worth? Photos:                          Answer: Anthony...It was Le Domiino's cheapy model but, the rarest. Its not worth alot ...perhaps 200 dollars. Replace the tuners and the strings and see how it sounds. Good to see it...chuck - Monday, July 25, 2011

Question asked by: Ryan Subject: Kamaka Pineapple Question: Aloha Chuck! I just picked up this Kamaka pineapple and wonder what you can tell me about it. How old do you think it is and what do you think it is worth? Any thoughts on strings as I have Martin Flurocarbons on it now and the sound is full but not much sustain. Thanks Chuck!! Photos:              Answer: Full sound not much sustain....know the problem. Try South Coast Ukulele strings, you will find them on line. Ask Dirk for a suggestion as to strings he would suggest. Very nice example of a style 3 Kamaka. Without seeing the label, I can't date it. Worth...1000-1500. Thanks for writing in.....chuck - Monday, July 25, 2011

Question asked by: Bob Subject: Favilla Baritone Question: Needing a neck reset on my Favilla baritone. The guy who is doing it for me wants to know if the neck/body joint is a dove tail or something else. Any chance you happen to know? Thanks, B Answer: I don't know, but Tom Favilla a friend and faithful reader of this column will...Tom...Help....chuck - Monday, July 25, 2011

Question asked by: Mike Hopkins Subject: Uke Identification Question: This uke was purchased second hand in Jakarta, Indonesia in the mid 80's. There is no manufacturer's identification on the headstock, or inside the body. This is a concert size uke with a 15" scale. The tailpiece is made of aluminum. I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like that. Any ideas on what brand this old uke may be? Photos:                          Answer: Mike.. If there is anyone less familiar with Jakartian Ukuleles, I would like to meet them. I am answering this in the hope that someone from Jakarta will see it and write in...Best of luck....chuck - Monday, June 20, 2011

Question asked by: Sam Platt Subject: Weymann Uke Question: I bought this old uke from an estate of a music teacher- collector. It looks to be in perfect condition. It has the Weymann label on the back of the uke's neck. There is a # on the strap on the case which fits the instrument perfectly. Case shows age. Can you give me information on the age, value, and/or history of this uke? Thanks. Sam Photos:                          Answer: Sam....If you took away the trim up the fingerboard and the added piece at the bottom of the fingerboard, it looks like A Martin style 2. It is a lovely instrument and appears to by in perfect condition as you said. I would guess made in the 30's and has a value, depending on the wind and time of day, of 500+....My birthday is in September and I would like to thank you in advance for the Weymann uke....Just Kidding....But? All the best, you have a wonderful ukulele. Thanks for the questin....chuck - Monday, June 20, 2011

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