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

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Question asked by: Randy Holsapple Subject: 1926 Gibson Tenor Ukulele Question: Hey Chuck - I found this old 1926 Gibson Tenor Uke. It was in poor shape. It had 5 missing bridge pins and the tuner buttons and screws are mismatched. I had Duane Heilman repair some cracks and he fashioned some crude bridge pins out of bone, but I was wondering where I might find 4 tuner screws and 5 bridge pins that would fit this uke. I know you have a sunburst 1926 just like this one. Please advise. Photos:                  Answer: Randy, your best shot is John Bernunzio at Bernunzio vintage instruments in Rochester New York. He's and old and dear friend and tell him you know me. Let me know what happens....chuck - Thursday, June 2, 2011

Question asked by: Rob Miller Subject: Other Question: cool site Answer: Thanks....easiest question I have had to answer in years. Keep looking....cool chuck - Thursday, June 2, 2011

Question asked by: Dave Phelan Subject: Kamaka Uke Question: Chuck: My 1996 Kamaka soprano uke has a dark area in the grain on the side, and it appears a crack is forming there. Is there anything I can do to stabilize it? There are a number of crazing lines in the top but this looks and feels like it might be a crack in the wood. Many thanks for your thoughts! Answer: DAve...I would have a good luthier take a look at it...It may be only a dark spot in the grain...Bur worth looking at. thanks and let me know what happens...chuck+ - Thursday, June 2, 2011

Question asked by: Jill Jung Subject: age/serial number Question: I know the pictures aren't great but I want to figure out how to date my Favilla B2 Barione uke. It's in absolutely beautiful shape and it was a gift. The serial number is 100262. can you help me? Photos:              Answer: Tom Favilla can ;you help me...Thanks again as usual. your pal...chuck - Thursday, June 2, 2011

Question asked by: Hal Matthews Subject: baritone ukulele Question: Aloha ahiahi,What is and where can I find the best sounding baritone ukulele?Mahalo, Hal Answer: I wish I knew. I think playing as many as you can will give you the answer. Martin, Kamaka, Favilla, just to name a few...let me know how you go...thanks for asking...chuck - Thursday, June 2, 2011

Question asked by: Gary Subject: Hollywood ukulele Question: Can you provide any information about my Hollywood ukulele? (approximate age, information on the maker, where this model fit into their line, and ballpark value) It was purchased new by my grandmother and would love to know a bit more about it. Thanks! Photos:                          Answer: Gary...if memory serves me correctly, third down from the top. Beautiful uke great condition. Made in the 30's and a ballpark value would 500-600+...I love it...thanks...chuck - Thursday, June 2, 2011

Question asked by: EM Lingham Subject: Harold Teen Ukulele Question: Problems uploading my pictures, hope this works. Harold Teen Ukulele. My Aunt Grace, who died several years ago at age 98, left me this, Green Harold Teen Ukulele. I believe it is from the 1930’s. It was in an olds a violin case, I believe. It appears to be in very good condition, with no cracks. All the figures appear to be in tact. Carl Ed’s name is on the bottom right. I’ve added strings to it. I want to know what it may be worth. If I sold it, who would want to buy it from me? Answer: Very Collectible. There are a lot of people who would be interested in it. The uke came in colours...red, green and yellow. Made in the 30's. Value 300-500 and put it on our marketplace..it will get it's best exposure that way. thanks...chuck - Thursday, June 2, 2011

Question asked by: claude bernier Subject: gibson ukulele Question: Hi I just bought this vintage gibson ukulele with 46-c write inside. Could you give me an idea of its fabrication period. Many thanks Claude Photos:              Answer: The logo is from the 40-50's. very good uke...thanks...chuck p.s. please send dimensions top to bottom...an trying to find out what 46c means...thanks - Thursday, June 2, 2011

Question asked by: Terry Dann Subject: Poinsettia Uke question Question: Hello, I have Gibson Poinsettia here.. are you familier with the different versions of these? so far here.. Ive seen the standard uke3 board, the Plastic Board, and the Sparkle binding rimmed version.. do you know if these were the only styles? the one shown that I have came from the original Family owners.. Thank you.. Photos:                      Answer: Terry, as far as I know the Poinsettia theme was used on almost every model Gibson made. I have seen it on all three soprano models and one tenor/concert. I have also seen it on a Gibson style 1 banjo uke...thanks for writing in..chuck - Thursday, June 2, 2011

Question asked by: Gavin Elder Subject: Banjolele parts? Question: Hey there Chuck, I just bought a beautiful old banjolele that is missing two parts -- the bridge, and one of the tuning pegs (old friction pegs). If you think it would be helpful, I will take some photos when I get home today, but it looks amazingly like the one posted by Jennifer Nguyen (you answered in Nov 2010). It has a rich history; the lady who sold it to me remembers stories of her great grandmother playing the thing during prohibition in speakeasies during the 20's. I can't wait to get it up to speed so I can play it! I am wondering if you could direct me to any parts-resources? I'm not 100% commited to keeping it all vintage/antique, but I certainly don't want to have to bore the wood to install newer tuning pegs for it. I was also wondering abotu string -- what are the best for an old banjo-uke? I want to get a good twang from it! Thanks much! And please let me know if photos would be helpful! Gavin Answer: Gavin...contact John Bernunzio at Bernunzio vintage instruments in Rochester New York. He will help you out. Thanks...and please send me some pictures. gavin... - Thursday, May 26, 2011

Question asked by: Ken Pleasant Subject: Washburn #70 Uke info Question: Hi I was wondering what you could tell me about the Uke I purchased. When it was made how rare it is and a price quote not looking to sell just wondering if I over paid. On the back of the neck by the tuning pegs it says 70 pat apld for washburn. On the inside of the uke it says Lyon & Healy makers Chicago Usa and way inside I can see the numbers 6704. The guy told me it has a spruce top it is a little beat but plays well. Thanks in advance Ken Photos:              Answer: Ken, it is an interesting ukulele. The spruce top of quite rare. I have seen only a few that way. Made in the 20's-30's. Without knowing what you paid I would only be guessing. If you paid over 25,000 you paid too much...The value is around 750.00 dollars. Now you know if you overpaid. Let me know...thanks for writing in...chuck - Thursday, May 26, 2011

Question asked by: Alana Subject: appraisal Question: Someone at my workplace threw this uke into the trash room and when questioned she said it was nearly 50 years old and that she just didn't want it. Can you give me a general value of this old kamaka uke? Photos:                      Answer: Alana...its hard to tell the size of the uke. Regardless it was your lucky day..regardless of the size its worth 350+. Please send me the dimensions from top to bottom and I will do more exact valuation..thanks..chuck - Monday, May 9, 2011

Question asked by: Bob Wiltermood Subject: Tanaka Ukulele Question: I can find no information on this. When I google it I can find only one hit where the name is mentioned. Can you give me any information on this? This has been in the family for many years and we would like to know something about it. Thanks Much, Bob Photos:                  Answer: Bob..its not Tanaka its Kamaka and if you google that name you will have more information than you need. Its worth is about 350.00 and made by the Sam Kamaka company in Hawaii. Thanks for writing in...chuck - Monday, May 9, 2011

Question asked by: Myrna Carlson Subject: Robert E Pearson Banjo Uke Question: I would like to know if you have any info re: Robert E Pearson banjo ukes. Years of production. How to identify the age and of course the value. Myrna Answer: Robert Pearson was a brand popular in England in the 1920'-1940. They are a little clunky and all have a silver button on the back of the uke. Pearson went on to join the Hollywood Uke company and endorsed other companies. I don't know if he was ever a manufacturer on his own. If it is and banjo uke I think it is, its worth is about 300 dollars. Thanks...chuck - Monday, May 9, 2011

Question asked by: RANDY Subject: uke Question: Luna Music co., LTD model #300 Tokyo Japan Made in Japan. great shape. Bought for $5 dollars lol. Could you please tell me its value. thank you so much. Dont know how to do a picture. Answer: Luna ukes are nice but not very collectible. Its value is about 150.00 dollars. Enjoy...chuck - Monday, May 9, 2011

Question asked by: Rachel Subject: Any info would help! Question: We have inherited this ukulele from my husbands Great- Grandmother and are trying to sell it. However we know nothing about it. From the pictures would you be able to give us any info about it or a ballpark price range. Clearly the fret board (not sure if thats what it's called) needs to be cleaned. It seems like she put something on the frets to remember keys. Overall it seems to be in good shape but again we are not Uke players. Thank you! Photos:                          Answer: I would not imagine anyone's great grandmother owned this uke since it was made in the l950's. They must have bred young. It is a Kamaka Concert Ukulele made by Sam Kamaka Company in Hawaii. It is called the asymmetrical concert and a fine ukulele. Its value is 500+..Much sought after by collectors and players. nice find....chuck - Monday, May 9, 2011

Question asked by: Penny MacLeod Subject: Gibson ukulele Question: What model of Gibson ukulele is this, and how much is it worth? Photos:                          Answer: Penny, It is the top of the line style three. Its worth is about 1200 and very collectible...Thanks for writing in....chuck - Monday, May 9, 2011

Question asked by: Thom Subject: Harmony Ukes Question: Hello again Chuck: I'm thinking of a vintage Baritone. Kamaka, Martin or Favilla are the obvious choice, but may be too high for my purse now. What do you know about Harmony Barry's as players (all mahogany)? Thanks, Thom Photos:      Answer: Thom...Harmony baritones are goodas are Harmony concerts. The sopranos, for the most part, are not as well made. I played a Harmony for years and liked it alot. let me know how it goes...chuck p.s. There is a Harmony Arthur Godfrey bari on the marketplace right now...take a look - Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Question asked by: Richard Subject: Is this a L. Nunes ukulele? Question: Aloha, Chuck! I bought this ukulele on Craigslist a few years ago and put it in storage until recently. I have been trying to find out some info on it, and this forum has been the best resource so far. I found that the previous owner had made an inquiry on this instrument, but I could not find a follow up with more info to you. The inside label reads "Hawaiian Ukulele" and "Southern California Music Co. Los Angeles California" and includes a Hawaiian coat of arms. There is no marking or logo stating L. Nunes anywhere to be found, but it looks like it may be made by Nunes. I found similar looking pin bridge, koa ukuleles made by Nunes, but this one is smaller and has what looks like abalone inlays, as opposed to wood like the others in this forum. The length is 21", the lower bout is 6" wide and 2 1/4" deep, and the upper bout is 4 3/4" wide and 2" deep. Is this ukulele made by L. Nunes and what would the dollar value be? Mahalo, Richard. Photos:                          Answer: Richard...it is definity not a Nunes. I have seen many ukes with the extended fingerboard, however they are usually cheaply made. This is a very interesting instrument. Well made, nice trim and if you will write me or send another picture of the heel cap and how it is connected to the back of the uke, I will then tell you what I think it is. thanks for writing in...in the meantime, if any of you yakkers recognize what it is...let me know.....chuck - Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Question asked by: Christian J Best Subject: Help with gauges... Question: Hi there, I have just bought a Banjo- uke, i was told it was a Soprano with a Tenor body. I was hoping to tune it to D-G-B-E, i was wondering what gauge strings to buy, and would i tune it up an octave from my Baritone Uke? Sorry, I am a total novice. Thanks in advance for your help! Christian Photos:          Answer: You can tune it to regular uke tunings, however, I have never had any luck with alternative registers. You can always try it and find out. As far as strings, I have only used ukulele strings..that way I don't slice my fingers. good luck.. - Tuesday, March 22, 2011

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