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 (20 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: Ryan Subject: Unknown Vintage Uke Question: Hi Chuck, Just picked up this little uke and I wonder if you can give me any guidance as to who might have made it,and how old it might be? The back and sides appear to me to be Koa and the heel cap is part of the back of the uke. The back has a slight bow to it. The tuners are of course new (by the previous owner). The fretboard is a very thin piece of hardwood. Any of your expertise would be great! Thanks friend! Photos:              Answer: Ryan...hard to know...who....Early Hawaiian...the cloud inlay was used by a few..can you measure the dimensions top to bottom...bouts, waist and I will send them to a friend who has many early hawaiian ukes...Lets see if he can match it up..thanks...chuck any chance there is a remnant or indication that there was ever a label... - Sunday, January 9, 2011

Question asked by: Hawaiian Paul Subject: Kamaka Baritone Question: Howzit Chuck! It seems there is very little info. on the web about my Kamaka gold label Baritone.Are they that rare,or just unpopular? I saw in one of your posts that you prefer the sound of this uke. My Kamaka is 29 1/2" overall with 20 frets. What's it worth? I lived across the street from the Kamaka family in Kapahulu,Hawaii. The Kamaka shop said they couldnt date it for sure either,only 50's.Please help! Mahalo,Thank You, Bruddah Paul. Answer: Paul...great uke...I love the Kamaka bari....Most baritone lose the sound at that size. Value is not great as the baritone is not the favorite size...Still, its worth about 500 bucks in good condition...thanks for writing in...chuck - Friday, January 7, 2011

Question asked by: Kenneth Bailey Subject: new site Question: Aloha Chuck, I stumbled across this new website for ukuleles. Check out www.fineoldukuleles.com Good stuff and well designed. Mahalo, Kenny Answer: and aloha to you too...Best of the Holiday seasons to you and yours...Thanks for the tip...great stuff look it up yakkers....chuck - Friday, January 7, 2011

Question asked by: Thom Subject: Gretsch Question: Hi Chuck: Loaded the pics this time. Bought this for $199, and it was dated as '30s. I think the price was good (was it?) and do you agree that it's '30s? (Tuning pegs may be newer?) Thanks--Merry Christmas! Photos:                      Answer: Thom...great price...good playing uke. Have had many and all seem to be quality instruments. 30's maybe all the way to the 50's......play it....thanks...chuck - Friday, January 7, 2011

Question asked by: Don Subject: Fake KAMAKA Question: Chuck, I was given this Ukulele and from my web research it does not appear to be a KAMAKA. The photo's show a KAMAKA Label of some sort on the head and it has NO markings, stamps or labels on the inside or on any outside parts. Is this just a cheap tourist type ukulele or is it of some value? thanks in advance for any info. Don Photos:                          Answer: It appears to be a genuine early Kamaka. Not a fake. I would find it difficult to believe that someone would try to fake a Kamaka with that kind of wood. It is an early uke and too bad it doesn't have the original label. Not for identification but for age. Without having it in my hands it makes it a little more difficult, but If i did have it in my hands I would want to keep it...You do the same...chuck - Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Question asked by: Ryan Guetersloh Subject: Early Uke Update? Question: Aloha Chuck, A while back you wrote me that you would ask a friend about my uke and I wonder if you have heard anything? Also, ask you asked me to do, I looked in the sound hole with a UV light and there is no evidence there was ever a label....I have attached a couple high quality pictures that were recently taken of it. Thanks for your help Chuck! Photos:                  Answer: Ryan..thanks for the better pics. I find this very iteresting. It has a tortoise cloud inlay, spruce top, mahogany back and sides. It becomes really intersting because of the heel cap being part of the total back. That is a Hawaiian feature. It is difficult to find a Hawaiian instrument made of mahogany and spruce. Tha is a mainland feature. The inlay is also not aa common maaterial for Haaiian. I'm not sue what it is, but I know it is well worth keeping until I can do a little more reserch. Somebody weht to alot of trouble to make an island uke look like a mainland Uke...Why...If it is in fact Hawaiian, it is quite early. Hang in there, don't sell it and I'll see whats what...chuck - Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Question asked by: Thom Subject: Harmony Vagabond Question: Hi Chuck: what a great week for vintage ukes for me: first the Gretsch and now this Harmony Vagabond. I think the Vagabond is probably early 50s--what do you think? Could it be earlier or later? Have a Merry! Thom Photos:          Answer: What a good find. I think you are right about the vintage. Don't see them often...keep going...chuck - Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Question asked by: Bill Sweet Subject: Mystery Uke Question: Hey Chuck, I bought this uke at an antique shop about 10 years ago, and did nothing with it. Concluded it was unplayable because of the kinda high action, but I recently took it down off the wall and concluded that with some new strings it's sort of playable, though it plays better at C. I'm wondering who made it after all this time. No label in the sound hole. I'm guessing the plastic pegs are original. More pictures up close at http://picasaweb.google.com/William Sweet1/MysteryUke?feat=directlink Photos:      Answer: Hard to tell. That binding is not very classy. It is not a toy...its a step above that. I'd fiddle around with and see what you can get out of it. Let me know how it sounds as you play it...thanks for writing in...chuck - Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Question asked by: Steve Pepper Subject: Martin Style 0 Question: Chuck I may have the chance to purchase a friend's 50's 60's Style O Martin. No major dings or scratches apart from a few light scuff marks where it's been strummed. There are a couple of different styles of tuning pegs so these will need to be replaced. Can't get a picture yet but what would be a fair uk price to pay for one like this. Kind regards Steve Answer: Steve, I really need a picture. I'm not sure in Pounds, however a good price would be around 500- in U.S. Please try to get me a picture so I can make a more educated guess...chuck. - Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Question asked by: Brent Subject: Robert E. Pearson Banjo Uke Question: I was told that this was a Robert E. Pearson of Shierson Music Company Banjo Uke circa 1920. Is the date close? I was also wondering how can you tell if this is one of the Made in Hollywood models? Thanks a Lot, Brent Photos:                  Answer: It is typical of the Pearson made in England. Pearson did, for a time. work for Shierson and rumored to have worked for Martin. The little banjo uke is usually very loud for an instrument of that size.. it is not the Hollywood Pearson....thanks for writing in..chuck - Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Question asked by: Thom Subject: Gretsch Deal Question: Hey Chuck: Merry Christmas! I'm looking for a Gretsch to keep my '48 Martin O and my Gibson 1 company. What do you think of this deal? http://elderly.com/vintage/names/gretsch- and-reg;-soprano-ukulele--180U- 1451.htm Many thanks! Answer: thom I cannot get the website to download...sorry chuck - Monday, December 20, 2010

Question asked by: Steve Pepper Subject: More on Formby ukes Question: Chuck Just for fellow collectors to be aware that there is a Formby Model E doing the rounds. It's puported to be one of George's own from the estate auction back in the 60's but the GFS investigated and found that unfortunately that wasn't the case. Someone has been putting this on ebay with the same story (without any real provenance) I think they were asking around £5k when £500 would be nearer the mark, Caveat Emptor as they say. Regards Steve Answer: Steve...thanks for the heads up...always appreciated...chuck - Saturday, December 18, 2010

Question asked by: Mark G. Leonard Subject: Ukulele string thickness Question: Hi Chuck. I have a vintage Martin soprano Style-3 mahogany. I have discovered I can sing better along to the instrument when I've tuned it exactly one-half step lower than normal on all strings. That of course means the strings are slightly slack. Would I benefit by putting a set of concert strings on there, or even tenors? The brand I use is Aquila Nylgut. thank you for your answer. Answer: The uke is not designed for concert or tenor strings. The "G" tuning offered on this site is already one step below the standard "A" Tuning..I would try the southcoast uke site and order a set of strings from them..I think changing the string is your first avenue...Please let us know what happens...chuck - Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Question asked by: John Bianchi Subject: Subject: Old Banjolele Question: -->Question asked by: Albert Fish Subject: Old Banjolele Question: Have restored a few old banjoleles and finding the origin is a real bugger. The image I've attached looks pretty much like the one I'm working on currently. It has a resonator piece on the backside which has two holes which look like musical "F" holes similar to those on a violin. Another clue is it has black friction tuners. Any idea who and what this is? Also wondering where I might obtain a new skin for it. A few years back I reskined about 5 of them, but can't remember where I got the skins from. Thanks for taking the time to read this & thanks in advance for whatever response you might have. Chuck - I completely agree with your ID; this is a Rolando. I just wanted to throw out these recommendations for new skin heads: For goatskin, Roy Cone at Ukulele World in Texas has a good selection of smaller heads especially cut for 7" and 8" banjo uke at good prices, and his site has an article that walks you through setting and stretching a new head. Elderly Instruments in Michigan have both goatskin and calfskin at very good prices, and they send you a primer sheet on how to install a new head. I've used both several times for my banjo ukes, and can't recommend them enough. John Answer: Thanks for the info...Always needed...keep in touch ...chuck - Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Question asked by: Steve Pepper Subject: Formby Ukes Question: ChuckDon't know about the cost of other ukes in the UK but I have a small collection (see pic) of George Formby Dallas signature ukes. They produced five styles ranging from the very basic model A up to a rather nice Model E, which was sometimes gold plated but more often just chrome. My favourite is the Model D with it's lovely pale yellow birds eye maple. You see the lower end range all the time on ebay and that will give an accurate idea of what they fetch. NB the ABCD had a metal plaque pic on the headstock the E had a mother of Pearl one with his signature on. The signature on the vellum (if it's still there) was in fact just a rubber stamp of his signature.The model C would start around £300 for a reasonable condition one but I doubt even a very good Model E would fetch £4,500 as mentioned I think I paid £450 for mine in reasonable condition. If the ukes had a Formby connection then it's a different matter. I had the chance of having a go on a Formby owned uke when they unveiled his statue a couple of years ago in Wigan and was told then that this uke was worth £10k because of the connection. Hope things are OK your end.Take careSteve Answer: Steve....very interesting...thanks for all the info..I shall save it and look real smart (thanks to you) when asked about Formby ukes...Always appreciated. chuck - Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Question asked by: old smelly bob Subject: holiday season thing Question: hope you're in fine fettle...after all the years of holiday hype, i found i was going through Santapause, so i bought this necklace for my honey, and got m'self this Graziano baritone. koa and englemann spruce. this should be considered as yer xmas card from us. not good enough? then go to the card shop, read one and put it back. (that's how *we* save costs) luvyaman 8=] Photos:                  Answer: Hey Stinky....how nice to hear from you. I think the card is more than enough...I am a little disappointed...I thought I was getting the necklace...Ah well...there is always next year. To you and yours we wish a most healthy and happy New Years...keep in touch...I miss the smell.. Chuck - Saturday, December 11, 2010

Question asked by: Roland Tang Subject: Uke Value 2 Question: This is the Kumalae. condition is good no cracks like the leonardo. Thanks for your assistance. Mahalo Photos:                          Answer: Roland....in todays market about 300. Thanks for writing in...chuck - Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Question asked by: Roland Tang Subject: Uke Value Question: Aloha Chuck, I have 2 ukuleles that If possible, would like a value and any information on.first one is a leonardo nunes and the other is a Kumalae. They both came with cases but not to sure if their the original cases for it. any assistance would be greatly appreciated. The next one will be of the kumalae and the case each one has. Mahalo. Photos:                          Answer: Roland....not very much value in that condition. The cracks need to be closed before they split more. Fixed up and Lots of TLC it shold be worth around 500-600....certainly worth fixing up..The pin bridge is a nice touch. Have it done by a professional luthier, it looks as though those cracks have been there a long time and need to be steamed to fit...thanks...chuck - Wednesday, December 8, 2010

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