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

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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: 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: 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: Jeff Dickel Subject: kamaki 1927 Pineapple Question: Hi Chuck, I would love to know what you think of my Kamaki Pineapple Uke from 1927. Condition? Value? Anything you can tell me would be appreciated. Jeff Photos:                          Answer: Jeff....more 1930's..Very nice..needs a clean up. Seems to be a sort of a style 3. Name of company Kamaka. Value...600+...I can't tell alot about condition, as the pictures came in life sized. thanks....it's one of my favorite ukuleles. chuck - Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Question asked by: Thom Subject: Kamaka Pineapple Question: Chuck: I want a Kamaka pineapple. My question is: new or vintage? I've attached two pics: the plain one is from Elderly and listed at $850, c 30s. The blinged one is from Bernunzio listed at $699, c.20s, two repaied cracks. Do you have any feeling about all of this? If you were me, what era would you look for, and what seems a reasonable price to you? Many thanks Thom Photos:          Answer: Thom...I would go for the fancyier one but then not be for the trim. It would be for the age. I would assume, without playing them both, that the older one would have a better tone. The early Kamakas were really wondeful players. I am always interested in tone first. let me know what you do...thanks...chuck - Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Question asked by: Jon E Subject: 6 string plastic Question: Just wondered if you had encountered one of these before? Presumably a toy, perhaps. Regards Photos:      Answer: Sorry Jon.. I have no idea. I think your right...a toy...chuck - Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Question asked by: vasili Subject: uke maker Question: Hi Chuck, Just picked up this little uke and I wonder if you can give me any info as to who might have made it,and how old it might be? The back and sides appear to me to be Koa.the size is 20.5x 6.1/4 thanks so much for taking the time to do that. Photos:                          Answer: No idea...not island made. Mainland for sure. Love the case. Hard to tell, I can't make out the wood. No label or mark anywhere? Let me know...chuck - Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Question asked by: Amybella Subject: Starting the ukulele Question: I want to start playing the uke, can you advise me of a good starter model to buy. I don't want anything too cheap or too expensive really! Thanks Answer: Anabella..not because I write this column for the site, but please have a look at the on line store and consider either a fluke or a flea. You can't go wrong....great value....thanks - Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Question asked by: Rich Vento Subject: uke value Question: Looking to find value of Leonardo Nunes uke.It's in execllent condition with original label inside and also has instruction pamphlet with music...........Thank You..RV Answer: Rich....need pics...nunes made many diffferent models.....all different prices...thanks - Thursday, January 20, 2011

Question asked by: Peter Subject: 20's Martin Style 1: Koa ? Question: Hi This instrument was my grandfather's. I just got it back from a 26 year loan. It is pretty grimy, but I'm cleaning it up and thinking it looks like koa, it has a little of that iridescence, but not much. The color is fairly dark and the grain is even and straight. Is there a way to know for certain? thanks Photos:                          Answer: Sorry peter...it doesn't seem to be koa. Grain running wrong way...but still my favorite of all the martin models. good strummin...chuck - Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Question asked by: Michael Sheehan Subject: blackstone baritone ukulele? Question: Hey Chuck. We met at Uketopia a few years ago. I'm the guy w/ the old Weissenborn. Recently acquired this Blackstone baritone uke and am hoping you may know something about it. There's a paper label w/ Blackstone and 73125 stamped on it. thanks. Photos:      Answer: No clue...just when I think I've seen them all....Hope someone out there has seen it...best and thanks...chuck - Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Question asked by: michael Subject: cool trehoopolis Question: just thought you might like this vintage pic of richard deacon, dick van dyke and carl reiner (from the old "Dick Van Dyke Show") "playing" these trips. Photos:      Answer: Wonderful.....Thanks so much...I love it...chuck - Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Question asked by: Scott Subject: Favilla B-2 Question: Hi Chuck, Jim pointed me in your direction, and I believe I sent you some photos but have not seen a reply. Did I miss it? Thanks! Photos:                          Answer: scott...I answered, however if there ws more you wanted, please don't hesitate to ask again...I have pleanty of answers left....thanks for writing in...chuck - Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Question asked by: Ed Fisher Subject: Old Hawaiian Question: Hi Chuck What a great site full of good info - having read through I have already surmised that its probably not possible to id this Uke's maker.But I would love to know anything more about it. And of course if I can retire by selling it! 12 frets, lovely inlays all over it, 20.5 inches long,6.5 across hips, 3.5 waist. Depth is 2 to 2.5in, slightly arched back. The only markings are the crest and tabu mark on the back of the head. Condition is not something I feel I can rate so I will describe. In one piece with all binding present and correct. Bridge, frets and nut all there.One tuning peg is not the original. Minor scratches and dents from rings etc. There is a crack in the front which is not clear in the photos, it runs from the top of the bridge half way to the soundhole. Thanks in advance for any reply! So wonder whether I'm retiring or buying a set of Uke strings? Photos:                          Answer: Your right Ed...old uke...It looks like many made at the time...It looks most like an early Kumalae, however the Tabu stamp says no...Hard to tell...Mossman, Chang, Sommers brothers, were all known to use the tabu stamp..Please look inside and see if the is any remnant shadow of an original label. Unfortunatly, the decal was used by many..Its a beautiful uke and although it would be nice to know who made it, without some other hint, its going to be hard...best chuck - Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Question asked by: Dan Subject: Wurlitzer Ukelele Banjo Question: A guy I work with has a pre war Wurlitzer Ukulele Banjo with an Elton metal pot bottom and a Grover Presto tail piece. It has no strings, bridge, and the skin needs to be replaced but other than that it is in pretty good condition for how old it is. Can you give me a ball park as to how much this is worth? Photos:                  Answer: dan...can you send me the dimensions of the banjo uke. length, size of oit, etc...its seems like a tenor banjo not a banjo uke...thanks...chuck - Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Question asked by: Glenn Fincher Subject: Martin 0 - what year? Question: I bought this Martin 0 from a Ukulele Underground member. I'd like to get an idea when it was made. As the photo's show, it has the Martin decal on the front of the headstock, no embossed Martin on the back of the headstock. Kluson(?) tuners & the embossed Martin, Nazereth, PA in the soundhole. It plays like a dream though it does show signs of wear. No cracks other than finish crazing. What year was this likely made? Photos:                          Answer: Glenn..anywhere from 50's-...hard to say since they didn't number them. large dots mean a later model..Tuners could have been changed or original - Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Question asked by: Paul Conrad Subject: Conrad Uke Question: Hi Chuck. Not a question but a response. Seems like you get questions about Conrad Baritone Uke's now and then. My dad built all of these. If you need to know more or history, here's a bit of it. William E. Conrad (Bill, or more typically "popeye" to old friends) lives in Cincinnati, OH. He has built over 200 handmade Spanish guitars using his own hand-built tools and fixtures as hobby. After retirement from the city of Cincinnati in 1981, he started a uke group called the "Ukeladies" at McCauley HS here, and build all of the instruments. He also was a professor at Northern Kentucky University in the mid 80's, where student's would learn over the course of a school year how to build a guitar and walk out with one at the end of the year. Dad's a hugely talented and interesting guy. If you have one of his instruments, good for you. They are truly one-of-a- kind. Regards. Paul Conrad Cincinnati, OH Answer: Paul...thanks...always good to get information we didn't have. Intersting. It will go into my file so when I get another question about Conrad ukes...I can look real smart bedause of you..Thanks so msch...all help appreciated. - Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Question asked by: Debbie Subject: S.K. Kamaka Pineapple Ukulele Question: The inside of the uke left side says Pat. Jan 3,1928.# 74178. Strickly hand made by S.K. Kamaka. At the bottom of label-Made in Honolulu,Hawaii with a hand written # underneath 1245. Painted Pineapple on back of Uke. There is a seam at bottom of Uke coming apart,looks like an easy fix. Trying to get an idea of the value of this Ukulele. Can you help me? Thank you for your time,Debbie Photos:                          Answer: Debbie...you almost have the top of the line Kamaka. The one up from you is trimmed in abalone. I have seen examples of your uke sell upwards of 3500.00...The market is soft right now on most vintage ukes, however not yours. If the is anything more I can help you with, please write. Thanks for writing in....chuck - Sunday, January 9, 2011

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