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

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Question asked by: Joseph Hoh Subject: No name uke w colorful inlay Question: Hi Chuck, Found this no name soprano. Reasonably mint condition Has evidence of having been in the tropics--smell and bloom marks. I was wondering if you know it's vintage and it's present value? Many thanks for your help. Joseph Photos:      Answer: Joe, first of all it is not a no name uke, it clearly says Kay. If you smell blooms and see marks, perhaps you should talk to someone about that. It is a 40-50 KAY Soprano ukulele and is worth about 200 dollars to a kay collector. My guess is that uke has little history of being in the tropics...However I have spent a little time in the tropics and now know why I smell like blooms. Thanks for clearing that up...chuck - Sunday, May 16, 2010

Question asked by: Dave Bedell Subject: Martin Style 2 Question: Frets: I bought this nigh-perfect Martin Style 2 on eBay a few years ago. The seller said it was from the "20's or 30"s"; but, when I received it, there was an old receipt for the ukulele in the case. It's in pencil and very faded but it says Martin 2 w/case and the date, I think is 5/31/1928. I wouldn't question that except I've read that the Martin name was stamped on the back of the peg head until 1934 and the Martin decal did not appear until after WWII. It doesn't really matter, I guess, but I was born on May 30, 1928 and it would be fun to know if we're both 82 years old this month! Can you offer any explanation? Thanks. Photos:      Answer: Dave...The Martin decal was not always very reliable. I have seen them used on early ukes and the stamp on later ukes and no markings on others. This uke appears to be the small dot early model which should have a stamp. I cannot hold the ukulele in my hanads which would help alot. Regardless, its an early one but maybe not from the 20's. I know I have been of little help but the best I can do without seeing it in person....chuck - Friday, May 14, 2010

Question asked by: chuck fayne Subject: Southcoast Ukes Question: Hi…frets (Chuck Fayne) here…I have been involved in the ukulele world for most of my life. I always wondered if I would ever come across a ukulele that had a sound that surpassed all others. In my lifetime I have owned and played hundreds if not thousands of ukuleles. I have always answered the question, “What makes a great ukulele?” with the following: “A great ukulele is one that makes me sound better than I know I am.” Through the years I have had my favorites, and I still have them. Recently, I saw an instrument advertised on our Marketplace and was fascinated by it. I wrote the seller, who wrote me back advising me to purchase his ukulele. At first, I thought his urging was nothing more than wanting to make a sale. He advised I go to the site and read about the ukulele. I was more than interested, I purchased his uke. It arrived and all my questions were answered the first time I played it. The company is called Southcoast Ukes (http://www.southcoastukes.com). I urge all of you to take a walk through this wonderfully constructed site and realize that the ukulele they promote has the same dedication. Dirk Wormhoudt, the owner, has asked me to mention certain aspects of the site such as, “Guide to Tuning and Strings” and “Who we are and What we do,” but the best thing I can say about Southcoast Ukes is that I have finally found what I have been looking for, a ukulele that makes me sound better than I know I am. If you have any questions, Dirk is the man to ask P.S. This is an unsolicited personal endorsement. I have no monetary affiliation with south coast ukes. Answer: I hope you all get a chance to play one of these wonderful instruments. I have one now and can't put it down...chuck - Thursday, May 6, 2010

Question asked by: David Bartell Subject: Ancient Uke? Question: What is this uke? It seems to bear the image of an ancient Hawaiian totem of some sort. Also, there is what looks like writing on the figure's headgear. Is this really old, or an anachronistic artifact? Photos:          Answer: I'm torn...its either a genuine ancient totem or a tiki fluke signed by Jim Beloff..either way, don't piss it off or you be unable to chord five foot two eyes of blue. An ancient curse...c - Thursday, May 6, 2010

Question asked by: Debi Kerner Subject: unmarked Vega baritone Question: I just bought a mahagony baritone uke on Ebay that is unmarked. The headstock shape looks like a Vega. It has black and white inlay around soundhole and a wood saddle. Do you know what brand this is? Thanks Photos:                      Answer: Debi...my first instinct says Regal and the more I looked at it... European. Unfortunatly, there is nothing specific about it that makes me say exactly what it is. The black and white around the sound hole is typically Regal, however the headstock is not. I wish I could be of more help, but such is the life of a ukulele answer man. Good luck and thanks for the question. chuck - Monday, April 19, 2010

Question asked by: Christoph Subject: Dating Martin 51 Baritone Uke Question: Hi Chuck, I know, Martin Baritones were built since 1960. Do you have any idea, when this Uke, I bought last week, has been fabricated? Perhaps the case will help.. Great do read all your posts, good work! Thanks, Chris Photos:                  Answer: Christoph....Since all baritones look about the same, it is impossible to give you a date. In the Longworth book, it says that they were first priced in 1960 and at the time of the printing (1988) they were still in the Martin Line. The case is beautiful...I think there is more demand for that case than the uke. Always one of my favorites, however I find them too big for me to play comfortbly..Lovely instrument...Thanks for the kind words and please keep writing in and reading the column...chuck - Monday, April 19, 2010

Question asked by: Vincent Subject: Miami Professional Question: Hi Chuck, I was looking at the question on the Miami Professional that Thom asked last month. I'm 99% certain these were made by Harmony, not Regal. I've seen Harmony ukes that are identical to mine, same three neck dots, same neck heel shape, headstock, body shape and bridge. 1925 or so. Nice little player, really fun warm tone. Not plunky the way a lot of the later spray painted Harmonys can be. I had a Regal from this era, and the body is quite a bit bigger. Were these meant to copy Martin and be less expensive, or was it just a style of the time thing? For value... I paid $120 for mine. Not sure if it is worth that? How should I care for the finish? It needs a cleaning. It could use a polish too, but I'm afraid to clean it with water/soap or use any kind of polish on it. Vincent Photos:                      Answer: Vincent. thanks for the info, always appreciated. As far as cleaning your uke, I would go to a good luthier and see if they have Gibson guitar cleaner. I would stay away from soap and water and polish. Also, a violin luther would have violin cleaner and that works as well. Thanks again for the info...chuck - Monday, April 19, 2010

Question asked by: tomas kubinek Subject: Jack Morse's Mom's uke Question: sorry for the bad web link chuck. some of the characters get distorted in the copy/paste. you can find this page of images of this fancy uke by googling '1920's wurlitzer ukulele (martin 5k)' - it's the first thing to come up and on that page the uke images are archived halfway down on the right. it looks very much like jack morse's mom's uke and it has a 'wurlitzer' label. (i'm including a couple of cruddy photos of my computer screen of the archive page of this uke). the photos of the second, less fancy uke i'm including (of the same shape but no pearl), is my own. i rescued it from a pile of cracked pieces in a junk mall and made a new bridge and it has had a very successful 2nd career. all the best, tomas Photos:                  Answer: Thanks Tomas. We here at the Mt Idy Uke Alp are always happy to have information. Please drop by if you are ever in Mt Idy..Best to yaa....chuck - Monday, April 19, 2010

Question asked by: Dan Subject: N. Turturro Question: Hi, Chuck, I am the proud owner of a N.Turturro peanut uke in amasing condition for its age, I recently moved from my house to live on a house boat, and I am afraid it will get damaged or destoyed, Do you know anyone that might be interested in taking it off my hands, I would rather see it go to a collector then damaged or destroyed...Dan, spectrumprodec2@aol.com Answer: Dan...my first suggestion would be to put it on the marketplace on our site. It is read by only Uke Nuts. What do you want for it and then I will tell you if its realistic. Thanks...chuck from uke yak - Thursday, April 15, 2010

Question asked by: Jon Duncan Subject: ukulele star Question: hi Chuck, we have a uke that has been passed down to us, marked "Ukulele Star". Can't find any info about this brand, but it's certainly a vintage instrument. Can you help? Answer: John..please send a picture..Sometimes an unknown name has been used on a known instrument. I can tell if I can see it. chuci - Monday, April 12, 2010

Question asked by: Chris Tarman Subject: Martin Headstock Decal Question: Chuck, Here are some photos of the Martin Style 2 headstock. I don't have the camera currently, so hopefully this already-taken shot of the whole uke will work. Thanks, Chris Photos:          Answer: 1920-30...anywhere in that range...As I said before, the decal and its beginnings are rather hazy..They used what they had at hand. It seems all original....thanks...chuck - Sunday, April 11, 2010

Question asked by: tomas kubinek Subject: thoughts regarding Question: hello chuck, i have a similar uke to this one of jack morse's mom but none of the fancy inlay and no label. i found a reference to this same style and shape of uke attributed as being a 'wurlitzer' from chicago. if you look at this link i found on the web there are numerous photos and a 'wurlitzer' label. who knows though maybe they just sold it with their wurlitzer label.. here's the link to the photos: http://web.me.com/syacavone/Site/C.F._Mar tin_Ukulele_%28マーチン・ウクレレ・ 30%29.html#2 all the best, tomas Answer: Sorry mike and thanks...I couldn't get this site to come up. I appreciate the effort and thanks for writing in...chuck - Saturday, April 10, 2010

Question asked by: Tom Walsh Subject: Jack Morse's Mom's Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck, "I will ask for help from the Yakkers out there...If anyone knows anything about this uke, please let me know." You asked about Jack Morse's koa ukulele with the pearl inlay. That uke was made by Oscar Schmidt probably in the late teens or early 1920s. I know it looks a lot different than the low-end Schmidt ukes, but I'm sure it is a Schmidt uke for a few reasons. I have seen that same misspelled label in guitars and ukuleles that were clearly Schmidt products. Also, a number of very similar fancy pearl inlayed models are described in the 1921 Oscar Schmidt catalog. His ukulele is likely a model 70 or 75, their fanciest ukulele at the time. The model 75 was $22.50 wholesale - probably the most expensive ukulele on the market at the time. Answer: Tom....thanks again as usual. I don't know what we would do without you. As always, I and all the yakkers out there appreciate you more than you know. I will write Jack Morse and let him know to look at your posting...Keep well and say hello to Nuni for me.....Chuck - Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Question asked by: Joe Subject: Martin Tenor/original or not? Question: Hello Mr. Fayne, Would like to know how old this Martin Tenor is? Has wood tuning pegs and brass frets. My other Martin has the black friction pegs and "nickle/silvery" frets. was this maybe re-worked/fretted etc...? Also what kind of value would this have in "this condition? Thank You!! Photos:                          Answer: Joe....I believe this to be first incarnation of the tenor ukulele. It is the 12 fret variety and the uke seems all original. In really great condition it would be worth 1200+...Thanks for writing in and good luck...chuck - Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Question asked by: Cheri Martin Subject: Maxitone ukelele Question: What is the value of this ukelele? Serial number is U-500, and approximately how old is it? Photos:          Answer: Cheri. I would like to know what is written under the last visible line on the label as well and what is written on the whole label...I will then tell you what you have....thanks...chuck - Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Question asked by: John Creekman Subject: Old Kamaka Pineapple Question: I now this is one of your favs! But it's mine...all mine!!! BwaHaHaHa!!! Anyway, two of the pegs are screwy here. One just seems to have been put in upside down, but the other has a wrong. Also, two of the washers fitting over the screws are oversized. I read in one of your earlier threads that you had tons of old Kamaka pegs in stock, so can I buy some replacements from you? Thanks! Also, it would be nice to know what you think this baby is worth. It's in spectacular condition, almost unplayed condition and the labels Answer: John...if you sent pictures, they did not go through. Please send pics and I am sorry to tell you I sold my stash of Ukulele parts and pegs years ago when I sold my collection. But I will do the best I can to answer you other questions. thanks...chuck - Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Question asked by: jack Morse Subject: My Mom's Ukulele Question: Chuck: Here are the photos you asked for. I hope do the job..My mother was born in l901 if that helps with the dating. Any info much appreciated. Thanks. Jack M. Photos:                  Answer: Thanks for the additional pictures. I still have no idea who made it. It sure is beautiful. I don't think its as old as 1901...That would be a very old ukulele. This does not resemble a uke from that time. It think the uke was made in the 30-40 perhaps a little older. But the craftsmanship is too modern. I will ask for help from the Yakkers out there...If anyone knows anything about this uke, please let me know. Thanks again and I wish I could be more helpful. Its a stunning piece.chuck - Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Question asked by: Liam Subject: John Grey and Sons Ukulele Question: Hi there, what can you tell me about this Banjo Ukulele? It's a Roy Smeck "junior" model. It's actually the size of a soprano ukulele. It does need work doing to it. Something I like about it is that someone seems to have tried to copy Roy Smeck's signature onto the skin (unless it's real!) What do you think then? I am a relative new guy to ukuleles having only been playing a year and this is my second uku. :) Photos:                  Answer: Liam...I am not familiar with Roy Smeck's signature and I think it is in the skin rather than signed on to it.. It does not look like an autograph. I have never heard of the Roy Smeck junior model of anything. John Grey was a maker of banjo's and ukuleles in the 20's. It has the typical headstock of one of his ukuleles. Hope this helps...c - Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Question asked by: Tom Doughty Subject: AKAI UKE Question: I've just found an old Akai Soprano Uke at a general house auction in England and enclose a few pictures. its koa, mahogony neck, very plain; 3 rings inlaid around the soundhole. I have lots more pics but don't want to clog up your mailbox. It needs little repair - perhaps a couple of cleats where cracks are appearing either side of the bridge and a 1" piece of the back has come adrift. Both minor jobs. I don't intend selling it but would be interested to know of its rarity and possible value. Scale length is 131/2" so I think its definitely a soprano. Thanks for your help in advance and my web site below shows some of my guitar collection. www.tomdoughty.com Photos:                          Answer: Tom...It's not a rare instrument. They pop up with some degree of regularity. The stamp inside the sound hole was invented by the Hawaiians to let everyone know that it is a genuine Hawaiian instrument. The has been speculation that the maker of the instrument was Kumalae, however, I don't think so. The body shape is different. The value is around 350+ on a good day and in good condition. I have had many of them and always found them to be very good players. It is, as you suspect, a soprano. Thanks for sharing. chuck - Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Question asked by: Helen M Basso Subject: Kamalae Ukulele Question: I just aquired this beautiful kamalae ukulele recently. I read that Jonha Kamalae took his ukuleles to the Worlds Fair in San Franciso in 1915 and was awarded the gold medal. After coming back to Hawaii he than put these decals on the head of his ukuleles. Inside the one I have it is hand written 26W do you know what that means? The keys are made of wood and are in very good condition. I also have the original form fitting canvas case. As you can see, from the pictures that the ukulele does need some repair. It looks like the previous owner tried to fix the cracks in it, but was unsuccessful. Do you know of anyone I could send this to, to get it repaired. I live in Hawaii and asked Kamaka, but they only repair their own ukulele's. Photos:                          Answer: Helen...It looks like this is going to be a big job. I would look in the yellow pages for a guitar luthier. Anyone qualified can handle the job. Good luck, I do not know of one off hand. If you are still having trouble, please write back and I will see what I can do. c - Tuesday, April 6, 2010

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