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

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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: 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

Question asked by: Jason Hoffman Subject: Ferry Quality/Ferry and Co. Ukulele Question: Chuck, I recently purchased a Ferry and Co. Uke for a couple of bucks. The Uke lacks tuning pegs and has some cracking on the back as well as one crack on the soundboard near the bridge. Is this thing worth restoring and or risking stinging it up, or is it better left as a conversation piece? Thanks Photos:              Answer: Jason...string it up but don't spend money on it. It is just a cheap student uke. It might sound good and that would be a plus. Wish I had better news. chuck - Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Question asked by: Chris E. Subject: Age of Goya Uke Question: Hi Chuck, About a month ago I submited photos of a student of mine's Goya Uke and you had mentioned the photos were too small to show enough detail. I retook the photos and this time am not sending them compressed so hopefully that will help. I couldn't get a good shot of the label inside but it reads: Goya/Dist. by the Martin Guitar Company/Nazareth, PA/Model 53GCU50/Serial 1041/Made in Taiwan. My question is "When was the uke made?" Thanks much, Chris E. Photos:          Answer: Chris...I have had no luck..Please write the Martin Guitar Company and ask them. I think they will know...chuck - Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Question asked by: CJ Stevenson Subject: Dating a Favilla Uke Question: Chuck, I just ordered a vintage Favilla uke (I haven't even received it yet), and I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the model. How can I date a Favilla uke and determine its model? Photos:                      Answer: I will turn this over to Tom Favilla...the reason is obvious..Tom...are you out there?.....best..chuck - Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Question asked by: Jerome Taylor Subject: favilla U4 Question: Hi. I have inherited this uke. It belonged to my grandfather who passed in the early 70s. Since then it has been hanging on wall at my mom's. Turns out it's rather rare. I'm told by Tom Favilla that it is a U4, made 1929-35. He said only a few were made because they were expensive for the time (depression) The colored crest was used for just a couple of years. I know it's rare, I guess I'm trying to figure out "how rare". Also I may or may not be interested in selling it, but have no idea what type of value it has as I have seen no other U4s to compare it to. Any info you can provide would be most helpful in my quest for information Thanks, Jerry Photos:                          Answer: There is very little if anything I can add to Tom's answer. He is the man... How rare is How rare? best to ya...chuck - Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Question asked by: Earl Subject: Rialto uke Question: I have a chance to pick a Rialto ukulele , don't know much about them let alone ukulele in general . Are they worth picking up ?? Answer: Earl...not famililar with rialto uke..perhaps some of the ukeyakkers are..l.will watch for response...chuck - Monday, March 7, 2011

Question asked by: Lisa Subject: Yellow Harold Teen Question: I acquired this uke in 2001 at a garage sale. I paid $20 for it and am wondering what the value might be in today's market. It does show slight wear on the edge and the fret buttons (??). The face has separated on the bottom edge some but I expect glue is an easy fix. Thanks, Lisa Photos:                          Answer: Sit down Lisa...in that condition, which is fabulous....about 500 dollars. Great buy..Most of the Harold Teen ukes have decal loss. They came in three colors and done by a very famous cartoonist, Carl Ed. Nice pick-up...chuck - Monday, March 7, 2011

Question asked by: David Subject: Martin S1 Question: Chuck, have you seen and played one the new Martin S1 ukes? I'd like to know what you think. Thanks! Answer: If the New S1 ukulele is the same as the old s1 uks of a few years ago, It is a huge mistake. Thanks for writing in David...chuck - Monday, March 7, 2011

Question asked by: Tim Canuelle Subject: Help me Identify this Uke Question: I've posted queries at the Ukulele Underground and can't get a definitive answer. I was hoping your expertise would shed some light onto what this is. Thanks. Tim Canuelle Photos:                  Answer: Without some form of identification, a ukulele without a decal, label or something highly difinitive...is a ukulele. Here's what I can tell you. I,ts Hawaiian made, age?..20's30's, Koa wood, Looks like a Kumalae, but I think it is too deep. Nice uke...how does it sound....chuck - Monday, March 7, 2011

Question asked by: Al Anderson Subject: Grnadma and her tiple Question: Question from 2007: Here is a pic of my pride and joy. Grandma bought this in the 1920's. Somewhere there is a photo of her floating along in a canoe, playing it! 2011: The picture just showed up - not a canoe but a car. I am playing the tiple in the picture even now - a great piece of family music history! Photos:      Answer: Thanks for the pic...Great to get it here on uke yak...AThanks again Al...chuck - Sunday, February 20, 2011

Question asked by: Randy Subject: Gibson Ukulele Question: Chuck, I have a Gibson Uke and would like to know what year and type it is. I was told it was a 1927 Type 2 but I'm new to ukes. Thanks and especially thanks for the uke yak! Photos:              Answer: It is an early style 2 but to date it is impossible. 1927 could be the date and also could be just close. If you new to ukes, this is a great one to start with...thanks..chuck - Sunday, February 20, 2011

Question asked by: John Bianchi Subject: Peter Neuhaus Slingerland Maybell Banjo Uke Question: -->Question asked by: Peter Neuhaus Subject: Slingerland Maybell Banjo Uke Question: "Dear Chuck, I recently bought a Slingerland Maybell banjo ukulele..." Chuck, you're right, it's an early one. Peter has posted pictures of a Slingerland MayBell Model 20. The pressed "MayBell" name in the headstock indicates a uke from the early 20's to about 1930-31. Before that, Slingerland used a script name and by '32, they had begun switching over to a script decal on the headstock. Narrowing it down, from the script "Slingerland" on the neck dowel, you can date it to before 1925 - they switched to a burned Slingerland in an oval around then, so my guess is that this example is from 1922-25. As for the bridge, both of mine were outfitted with a simple, maple two-leg model, which I believe was made by Grover. While this model is not exactly it, its commonly available and is the closest I've found out there right now to the original: http://cgi.ebay.com/Banjo-Ukulele-Bridge-Maple-1-2-/300526241730?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item45f8c287c2 Hope that helps! Answer: John..thanks for the wonderkful information. Always need and always apreciated. As I have said before, I will put it in my file so that I look intelligent nest time a Maybell Banjo Uke question comes in...Thanks from all of us...chuck - Sunday, February 20, 2011

Question asked by: Jack C Clark Subject: Lyon & Healt Shrine Ukulele Question: I am interested in building a number of the Shrine ukuleles. My prototype is based on extrapalations of several photos. I would love to be able to contact an owner of a Shrine uke to get a few accurate measurments. Can you help me contact a Shrine owner who might be willing to share information on his/her treasure? Thanks, JC Clark jcclarkukuleles.com Answer: Jack...you have done the best thing you can do now..You have asked the question here...I would, if I were you, add it on bulletin board where it will reach a huge audience. Good luck on your venture...chuck - Sunday, February 20, 2011

Question asked by: Peter Subject: Uke Luthier in Seattle? Question: Hi there! Wealth of information on your website here... Thanks for your devotion. There are two things I'd like to ask, if you have time. 1. Do you recommend any luthiers here in the Seattle area? Just bought a really old, really nice echo-uke, and need the bridge reattached. I'll send photos when it's done. I have officially succumbed to U.A.S... ukulele aquistion syndrome. 2. You should incorporate a widget into your website that allows people to search the posts you've so dutifully slaved over. You have nearly 300 pages of responses! I found this as a good start: http://www.freefind.com/. Looks easy to do. Again, thanks! Answer: I have done this in the past. I go to the mailing list on this site and write peoplee who live in your area and ask the question. They will usually know as I am not familiar with Seattle luthiers..I live in Melbourne and have trouble here...thanks P.S., it's a great way to contact uke buddies. Thanks...chuck - Sunday, February 20, 2011

Question asked by: Dan Horner Subject: mystery antique uke Question: Dear Chuck I recently aquired this antique ukulele from my grandparents and I was wondering what brand/model it is. I searched all over it and couldn't find any markings/symbols of a company. My grandpa said it was probably made in the 1920s or 1940s and I think it looks a lot like a Martin Style 0 except for this peculiar bottom of the neck design I cant find anywhere else online. Thanks, Dan Photos:                          Answer: Dan..It is definitly not a Martin..Wrong heaadstock, wrong trim, wrong, shape, wrong bridge...but other than that...It is very difficult to know. as so many companies were making martin look-alikes. I would give up the search and play it. Let me know if you get more information . Keep in touch...chuck - Sunday, February 20, 2011

Question asked by: Jeff Subject: Kamaka Pineapple 1927 Question: I hope you can give me some information about my Kamaka pineapple uke. The label shows patent pending with handwritten #148. My mother bought this instrument in 1927 or early 1928. I'm curious why it doesn't have any handpainted pineapples on it. Was it custom made? Is it valuable? It needs to be cleaned and other than two cracks and a small chip on the back it is in great shape. Thanks so much Photos:                          Answer: Jeff...Usually the ukes with the blue decal on the headstock were a litte later than 1927. Your uke is among the top of the line, perhaps third down. I can't tell you why it doesn't have the pineapple decal on the face of the uke. Some had them some didn't. As far as the painted back, that was a custom uke and today very valuable. Your uke was worth about 1000 bucks when the market was strong. It is still, for a collector worth 600-700..more if you have the original case. Great player..if you have read my comments about Kamaka ukes, you know I rate the highly..thanks...chuck - Sunday, February 20, 2011

Question asked by: Thom Subject: Kamaka Question: Hi Chuck: For my next ukes I've set my sights on a Kamaka pineapple. I know you prefer a vintage uke over a new one, and I think I would too. I have about $800 in the budget. Do you think Kamakas from all eras play well, or should I concentrate on 30s, or 50s-60s, 80s, etc? Any era to avoid? Should I wait for one with no cracks, or are well repaired cracks in, say, a 30s Kamaka acceptable? Happy New Year. Answer: The Kamaka ukds from the teens - 30's are the best in my opinion..You should be able to get a decent example for you 800 bucks...Pur your request on Bullletin Board and Marketplace and I am sure you will get a response. Good luck and good hunting...chuck - Sunday, February 20, 2011

Question asked by: Brian Gerace Subject: Martin Uke Question: I bought this at a garage sale $20 years ago to hang on the wall. I recently started getting in to ukulele and remembered I had it. It appears to be a 1920s Martin. Should I get it repaired or does Martin do "restorations". Not sure where to go from here. Photos:                      Answer: Brian...have it repaired. A decent luthier can close the cracks and if need be, make a new bridge. It's a quality Martin Style O,early, pre 1940. Should have a faabulous tone...best...chuck - Sunday, February 13, 2011

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