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

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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: 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: Evelyn Subject: uke Question: I found this beautiful uke in a second hand store. The fret and body are made from one piece of wood ,The wood is in prefect condition and looks like it was not played very much.It sounds great. I am wondering if you know anything about it or how much it may be worth. The inside says KA-LAF then maybe an N? Genuine monkey-poo made in hawaii pat. pend. Thanks Photos:                          Answer: Evelyn...It is a Kai-lai..made by the Kamaka Lai company in the 1940's..I think it may also say MONKEY POD...not Monkey Poo..The monkys objected to the use of a natural resource. Good luck...chuck - Sunday, December 5, 2010

Question asked by: Mary Subject: banjo ukulele Question: Hi, I recently purchased this S.S. Stewart Collegian banjo ukulele. I'm in love with the graphic on the skin, but it has some issues. It is pitted and I'm afraid that the holes will eventually tear and I'll lose the lovely graphic. I'm wondering about reproducing the graphic on a new head and how that would effect the overall value of the uke and if you've even heard of having printing done on a banjo head. Thank you in advance. Photos:      Answer: mary , it was very common to paint on the banjo head. I would take it off and frame it and put a new head on , that way you always have the old one for a reminder. thanks ...chuck - Sunday, December 5, 2010

Question asked by: Randy Subject: bridge for roy smeck vita uke Question: I've just purchased a Roy Smeck vita uke that's in very good condition except it has the bridge missing. where could I find a replacement that is very similar to the original? Thanks in advance for the help! Randy Answer: Randy..you are going to just hunt. I would start by putting your request on the bulletin board on this site. They know alot over there...thanks...chuck - Sunday, December 5, 2010

Question asked by: Allen Hopkins Subject: Kevin question -metal Czechoslovak ukulele Question: The hyphen in "Czecho-Slovakia" helps somewhat in dating this instrument. Here's what Wikipedia says (topic, "The Hyphen War): ...the country's name be spelled with a hyphen (e.g. "Republic of Czecho-Slovakia" or "Federation of Czecho-Slovakia"), as it was spelled from Czechoslovak independence in 1918 until 1920, and again in 1938 and 1939. Answer: Love to see a picture...very interesting...chuck - Sunday, December 5, 2010

Question asked by: deborah okeefffe Subject: info on vintage uke Question: Can you tell me if this is a good ukulele and what should I be paying for this. It is for sale and I want to know if it is a good buy. He wants $400.00 Photos:                  Answer: TAb stame l915-1930...good sign..hawaiian Ukulele seems fair to me....go for it.....chuck - Sunday, December 5, 2010

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. Photos:      Answer: It appears to be a Rolando. Many companies used the double f holes. I would go to a good guitar luthier and find out about the skins. They are also available on line. Thanks for writing in...chuck - Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Question asked by: jan karkosza Subject: kamaka uke Question: Hi. My tenor uke has the two K's logo with what appears to be the word 'Island' written across them.{barely visible and only under a blacklight} I did get a koa back put on, and the sound is nice. At the top is the word 'Jack' with a doodle design. Can you guess the year.? Sorry, no pixs yet. Jan Answer: Jan...send pics I need them...chuck - Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Question asked by: Ken Dale Subject: Regal Ukulele questions Question: I just picked this up at an estate sale. The inside lable is 95% gone, so I hope you can help answer some questions I have. It is 21" long, has a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It came with a 1927 instruction book. Is the uke that old? Is there a name or model # attached to it? Is the plastic on the fretboard original or an add on? I am going to list it on Ebay. What is a fair buy it now price? Thanks a lot for any assistance. Ken Photos:              Answer: All original..about 1950...fair price 150-200...thanks for writing in...chuck - Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Question asked by: Don Kirby Subject: A very old Ukulele Question: I encouraged a friend to " dig out" her old uke she said was ancient. Then she brought THIS to me! No label or anything but it looks like it was at least built in the Nunes style... to my uneducated eyes. Any idea what it is??? The tuners do not appear to be original but look like the are made from bone or ivory. It sounds beautiful. Thank You. Photos:                          Answer: Don...no idea without some mark. Does appear to be hawaiian about l920..so many made like that then, it could be anyone. Sound is everything...so play it....thanks for letting us see it....chuck - Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Question asked by: Ryan Subject: A couple more questions. Question: Hey Chuck, Many thanks for your thoughts about my uke. I hope you don't mind a couple more questions. I didn't know there were other builders at the time this was made (besides Santo, Dias, and Nunes). The inlay at the bottom of the soundboard is exactly like that which I have seen on some Nunes uke's and the shape, inlay, and headstock are all similar to Nunes but have you ever seen any ukes he made that have a Spruce top like this one, or only Koa? Do you think others would have used that inlay as well? What sort of value would you give this uke? Do you know any sources for these as I have looked and looked on the web but only find violin tuners that are similar but none for uke's. Thanks for your help Chuck! Answer: Early Nunes were made with spruce..hold over from the old country.I like it alot, It is of the right vintage....1900-1920...Be very careful and look for what might have been a label, if only a shadow. The shadow knows...It bears some research, I will send the pics along to a friend who has many early hawaiian ukes and see what he has to say...love a challenge....keep in touch...If you can send me apic of the close up inside the sound hole,....don'r hurt yourself getting in the uke..please do..None of the early ukes had any other mark except a label. If you have a policeman who is a friend, please have him put a blacklight on it and see what comes up..I will let you know this is on uke yak...thanks..chuck - Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Question asked by: kevin Subject: what is it? Question: I bought this at a garage sale a few weeks back and was just wondering exacting what it is and what it may be worth. The body is metal and the neck is wood. It says..CZECHO SLOVAKIA on the front bottom. There are no other markings. HELP!! Photos:                  Answer: Kevin I have no idea. never seen one...very interesting...Metal body...How does it sound. It has collector value, but I don't khow how much. I will see what I can find. Keep us posted....c - Monday, November 22, 2010

Question asked by: Lee Henderson Subject: old pineapple Uke Question: Hi Could you tell me who made this and when? it has three crack on the front and one on the back. ( see pics)this plays ok just the way it is. I would be most grateful if you could tell me if I could pay some bills selling it? Thanks Lee Photos:                          Answer: Lee...I hope the bills are small. I have no idea who made it...It has the generic Hawaiian label...nice uke..need lots of work. Fixed up, I would think you could get 300 plus for it. The fact that is has no name holds back the value. fix it and play it....looks good...chuck - Monday, November 22, 2010

Question asked by: Dave Ostrand Subject: Gibson UB2 Question: How much should I ask for this? I have had it over 40 years but just sitting in the old case which is not in very good condition. Photos:              Answer: Dave...about 300 bucks.. nice little uke and desirable. thanks...chuck - Monday, November 22, 2010

Question asked by: Marti Subject: double A string Question: Hi. I am considering buying a concert uke from an internet source. It has a double A string. What should I know about that? I am an experienced guitar player and have been uking for over a year. Do you think the double A would lend itself to the picking/strumming style of playing? Is it hard to press both strings? Is it hard to keep them exactly in tune? What else am I forgetting to ask? Answer: I have never found the double string a problem I can pick almost anything. You forgot the maker, the size, and picture..thanks...chuck - Monday, November 22, 2010

Question asked by: Cherri Subject: k. Yasuma ukuelele Question: Hi Chuck, I just bought this K. Yasuma & co. Ukulele Model # TU 1. I would like to sale it on your website. Can you tell me what type of wood, the year and anything about the co. Thank you, Cherri Photos:                          Answer: Cherri...perhaps the best Japanese Ukulele ever made. Exact (?) copy of a martin...Made tiples, ukes of all sizes and all of quality. I have had a couple of them and rate them highly. Yours is a soprano and I would guess in todays maarket it would be worth 500 dollars. Modern uke of less quality are selling for that much..This should...chuck...P s not sure its a soprano please measure tip to bottom and let me know...chuck - Monday, November 22, 2010

Question asked by: arlene anto Subject: Is this working? Question: Hi Chuck, I wrote you several emails with pictures about my stetson baritone but I never got any answers so I'm wondering if this is working or not. If I don't hear from you then I'll assume that this site is not working. Answer: It is working. wrote and ask for dimensiona dn other information you can give me. Stetson is a good name, it depends on when it was made. try again...always willing to help....chuck - Monday, November 22, 2010

Question asked by: Dennis Arnold Subject: Bushman Pineapple Question: Hey Chuck, I have a Bushman Engleman Spruce Pineapple uke that's in perfect condition that I'm needing to sell. I know Bushman isn't selling them anymore, and for the life of me I can't imagine why. It's a great little uke in appearance, sound, and playability. I want to put it up for sale in "The Marketplace", and I was wondering if you'd be able to give me a fair price I should ask for it? Thanks again for all the times you've helped me out before, and for all the great info I've gleened from the Collector's Uke Yak... Dennis Answer: Hey Dennis...I am not familiar with the Bushman pricing...I would go on their site and see what they are selling for now. I have never played on...don't pop up here is Australia too much...Im sure some of the music sites will know much more. I would also ask this question on our bulletin board...someone over there is sure to know...nice to hear from you..chuck - Monday, November 22, 2010

Question asked by: Kiara Subject: Ukulele Collecting Question: Hello! My name's Kiara. I'm doing a research project for my AP English class on the world of ukulele collecting. I hope you would consider answering a few questions for me! 1) How did you first get involved with the ukulele? 2) Did you intend to start a collection? If not, when did you realize that you were collecting? 3) How many other collectors do you know? Is there a large ukulele collecting community? (This question is mainly because of the difficulty I've encountered in my research. There are many who love the ukulele, but very few collectors that maintain their websites) 4) What does ukulele collecting mean to you? Answer: Kiara. I fot my first uke when I was seven. I have played them ever since. There is a huge player community, just take a looke at the mailing list on this site. It is the hottest time for ukes at the present. I knew I had a collection when I had about 500 ukuleles. As I said, there are thousands of collectors today and a little roam around Google will give ou an idea how many. What does ukulele collecting mean to me..."DUSTING AND MAINTENANCE"...I love them, always have and continue to play..Collecting is over. I sold the majority of my collection when I moved to Australia...hope this helps...chuck - Monday, November 22, 2010

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