Uke Fans, I’m particularly thrilled to have Chuck “Frets” Fayne as the resident expert for “Uke Yak.” Over the years Chuck has assembled a world class collection of Hawaiian and Mainland ukes, including some wonderful one-of-a-kind pieces. It was Chuck’s collection that made up the majority of the ukes in “The Ukulele-A Visual History.” He’s also promised to take full advantage of all the collectors he knows in the rare instance when somebody throws him a curve ball.  PLEASE NOTE: If you want a response to your question please send a clear jpeg of the front and back of the entire ukulele. You may Search the Uke Yak, or Ask Chuck a Question now! Yak away! Jumpin’ Jim
Flea Market Music Uke Yak (1 of 273) (Chuck "Frets" Fayne has answered the following 5450 questions.)

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Question asked by: Susan Hill Newton Subject: Bruko, West Germany Question: Hello. I picked up a Bruko ukulele at a flea market for $18. The stamp inside notes it was made in West Germany, just to give you a sense of the age. It's in perfect condition, and looks to be similar to cedar models that they currently make. Due to the age, any thoughts on the value? Answer: tthey are a well made uke fron the 60's. value about 200 dollars. thanks..chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Eric B Subject: Still searching for maker of New Orleans Uke Question: Maker of my Uke? Greetings. Recently you answered a question about a New Orleans Uke on page 3 of 272. (June) I am still trying to find the Maker of the Uke? And also... how would I fix the crack in the front... would it be worth it? Any help is appreciated. Thanks. Eric B. Lakewood, CO Here are the posts: and Pics (hopefully.) Blumer question-New Orleans uke ID Question: After a bit of Google research, I'd guess the name stamped in the instrument is "Philip Werlein," a big music publisher and music store in New Orleans in the 19th & 20th centuries. Werlein's not listed as a manufacturer, so probably the uke was made for him and stamped with the store's name. Here's a link to a Wiki article on "P P Werlein": [link] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._P. _Werle in[/link] Answer: Thanks Allen...Its always appreciated when yakkers send in answers I don't have. Keep up the good research....chuck - Wednesday, June 23, 2010 ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------ Question asked by: Jim Tranquada Subject: New Orleans uke Question: Chuck: The stamp on the New Orleans uke likely says "Philip Werlein Ltd.," a music retailer in New Orleans and Jackson. Miss., who jumped on the ukulele bandwagon around 1916- 1917. So far as I know Werlein was a retailer, not a manufacturer. Jim T. Answer: Thanks Jim and how are you??? Nice to hear from you again. Thanks for the info. Always appreciated. chuck - Wednesday, June 23, 2010 New Orleans stamp Question: Greetings. I bought this at an estate sale. The only stamp is inside, I cannot read it completely. It says Philip Weil, or Wend... or Weilin... not sure. It has an address I believe 306 Canal Street New Orleans. Please let me know what you can about this make, history. It has a crack unfortunately on the front wood. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you. Photos: Answer: Eric...I have no idea who that maker is. It seems to be well made and I hope one of the yakkers out there will know who it is. I will keep trying to find out an write when I have smething...thanks...chuck - Sunday, June 20, 2010 Answer: Eric...I still have no idea who made it. Have the crack fixed by a good luthier. Shop around the guitar repairmen and pick one. They will know...thanks for writing in...chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Eileen Subject: 1927 uke/leona chellis Question: It sounds like it could be my mothers. Any way to find out? Answer: what am I missing? Please help me...chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Dennis Arnold Subject: Another mystery uke....cont. Question: P.S. One thing I forgot to mention about this uke that might help. It has 14 brass frets...12 to the body and two actually on the body. It's strung with two- tone twisted gut, which may be the original strings...very old. Thanks again Dennis Answer: No help...sorry. - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Dennis Arnold Subject: Another mystery uke Question: Hi Chuck, I have another mystery uke for you to identify for me. It's solid koa, with wood inlay around the top and wood inlay rosette. It appears to be hand made, the neck is one carved piece, and the friction tuners are all hand carved, as well. It has a gently curved back that varies almost a half inch in depth from top to bottom. I've never seen the inlayed logo on the headstock anywhere before, and I'm hoping you have. If you need more pics let me know. I'm hoping you can identify the maker and approximate age. Thanks for all you do for us lowly uke strummers... Dennis Photos:                          Answer: sorry Dennis...it is very poor quality wood and a ver generic look. Don't have any ide who the maker is. Sound is most important, how does it play. - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Chris Subject: Moana Baritone Uke Question: Hi Chuck, I recently bought this lovely baritone uke. How much is it approx. actual worth? (No, I don't want to sell it, it's a present for my daughter (13yo, great uke player!) Kind regards, Chris Photos:                  Answer: chris...well made and very nice....200-300... nice score....chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Rusty Whitman Subject: My unknown uke Question: Chuck - thanks for the information. Here is a picture of the headstock and what's left of the decal at the top along with a better picture of the full instrument. Hope this helps to identify it. Photos:          Answer: It looks very much like a stella. Decals ane right,so is the mother of toilet seat. Anyone out there know for sure....chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Phreddcatt Subject: Harmony Martin Copy Question: Hi Chuck, I believe I have a Harmony Martin Soprano copy. It has no labels or markings anywhere. I took a closeup of the friction tuners because they are unique and I'm hoping it will help to date it. It is in a Geib Economo case. Both Uke and Case are in fantastic shape. What do you think? Is it a Harmony circa 1930s? If so, what do you think its worth? Thanks Chuck. Fred Photos:                          Answer: I assume you mean it is a Martin Ukulele. It appears to be an early stylel o. The tuners are not unique, oddly enough common. They appear on many makes. The case is common also. I'm a little confused but I hope this helps.. - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Tom Favilla Subject: Doug's Baritone Uke Question: Hi Chuck, Just saw Dougs posting about his Favilla Baritone Uke. Its an early to mid 1950's manufacture. Very early Baritone's 1940's to 1953 had no serial numbers. Serial numbers were first used 1953 to 1957. After 1959 the familiar gold label inside the body bore the model and serial number. Best, Tom P.S. Really enjoying retirement Photos:      Answer: Thanks Top as usual....just relax and enjoy thanks for helping...chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Steve Subject: unknown maker - koa tenor / bariton Question: Chuck regarding the Shiny Tenor 5k, I bought a soprano version from "Ray Bernard" formerly Chair of the George Formby Society, who was selling a couple via John Croft. It was made by respected luthier Lu Liang Chan from Taiwan as a batch of 8(including a concert and a tenor) These were not the factory made ones, which may by now be doing the rounds. I suspect he's used much heavier woods than a real 5k and yes you can use the finish as a mirror ;o) Mine came with a nice hard case and was around £300. Nearest I'll ever get to a real on I suspect. Steve Photos:      Answer: Thanks for sharing. beautiful uke...why don't you hae the finish removed...It will help..chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Rusty Whitman Subject: Kamaka Pineapple Question: I'm trying to date this Kamaka Pineapple which I think is 30's or 40's. There is a number written by hand at the bottom of the label that says 8528. It has two cracks on the back and another on the front which I'm planning to have repaired. Belonged to my father, case is original. Photos:              Answer: Nice and valuaable uke. from the 30's most likely ....can you send me a pic of the label...might be earlier...thanks...chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Mathew Robinson Subject: Kamaka Ukulele Question: Chuck, Thank you for getting back to me. In regards to your response, and questions about measurements, here is what I found: Full Length of Ukulele - 2 ft. Widest body measurement - 8" Second widest body measurement - 6" Fret Length - 9.5" Body Depth - 2.5" Hope this helps.... let me know if there are other measurements you need. I also included a picture of the case I had mentioned. Thanks! Photos:              Answer: at 24 inches its a tenor. nice uke...thanks...chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Russell Golobic Subject: Unknown Instrument Question: Hi Chuck! It's been a while. A local estate sale place has a weekly auction that they post picture for and I always look for ukes in the pictures. I haven't seen any until today. Actually, I am not sure if it is a uke. Do you have any idea what this instrument is? Any idea as to the maker or value? Thank you, as always! P.S. The auction is tomorrow. - Russ Photos:      Answer: russ, its a tiple...a 10 string instrument tuned like a ukulele. I can't tell the maker....if its a really good maker....500....give it a shot...chuck - Thursday, August 26, 2010

Question asked by: Dave Geissinger Subject: Regal Baritone Uke Question: I bought this Regal Baritone in a pawn shop about 40 years ago. It seems to be higher quality than most Regals I've seen; spruce top, mahogany sides and back, rosewood ? fret board and bridge, very good finish. Still plays and sounds good. To me, the only jarring note is the black plastic head which is 3-ply black white black. The name has been routed through the top black layer to expose the white. The shape of the word Regal suggests the early 1960's, but I haven't seen anything like this instrument anywhere. Photos:                  Answer: dave..its what you think...a 60's baritone. I have seen them but know little about price. thanks..chuck - Thursday, August 26, 2010

Question asked by: David Subject: Johnny Marvin - Prince of Wales Question: Hey Chuck - I might be interested in selling this uke. Any thoughts on value? Thanks - David Photos:              Answer: David...the last one I know of that sold was around 1000...good luck its a fabulous and quite rare instrument. - Sunday, August 22, 2010

Question asked by: connie knowles Subject: fuludore ukulele Question: the lable inside says Fuludore Enterprise, Model number says 12, it is so hard to read with black label and light gold letters. It has a place for serial number but can not see any numbers there. I love the look and sound, but would love to know where it came from? Only thing I found on the net is that they also made a strat copy of guitars, according to one post, but no info on the company. Thanks for anything you have on it, connie sue Photos:              Answer: I believe its Japanese, other than that I know nothing..thanks for writing in and if anyone out there knows..please write in....chuck - Sunday, August 22, 2010

Question asked by: Andreas Subject: unknown maker - koa tenor / bariton Question: Hi Chuck, I found this solid koa uke in a shop in London a little while ago. It was sold as a tenor (by unknown American maker) though it seems a bit large for a tenor to me and I tune it as a bariton (sounds great). The uke hasn't got a label (a blob of glue in the inside seems to suggest that there may have been one once). Please have a look at the head inlay which looks to me identical with the inlay in the picture of a Martin 5M Custom attached to email from from Robert. You thought that it looked like the work of Mike Longworth. The uke has a slighty arched back. Can you tell me anything about this uke? Thanks any information you may have much appreciated. Andreas Photos:                          Answer: Andrea...the first thing you have to do is get that finish off the uke. it needs to be satin finish so that the Koa or whatever wood it is, can show. It is a copy of a style 5 martin, but I can tell more when the finish is off. Nice instrument , as of now I have no idea who made it. Please have a qualified luthier (guitar) take the finish off. It looks like a table top in a Chinese Restaurant. I just made myself hungry....chow...chuck - Sunday, August 22, 2010

Question asked by: john Subject: vintage regal uke Question: I would like to find out more as to the date of manufacture of this regal ukelele. it was willed to us and is in very good shape with no scratches or cracks..the only thing missing is a string.it came with an arthur godfrey uke player still in its box along with a uke song book from 1929.the case has no rips as well and appears to be leather and felt lined. thank you for any information on this uke and its value..john r. Photos:                      Answer: John, pleae send me the measurements, total length please, it looks like a baritone. I can tell you more when I know which model it is. - Sunday, August 22, 2010

Question asked by: Doug Subject: unmarked ukulele Question: I am buying a uke but it has no label on it. Just a label on back with number BU527. Any ideas? Photos:          Answer: From the tuners and the label, it looks Japanese....thanks...chuck - Sunday, August 22, 2010

Question asked by: doug Subject: Favilla Baritone B2 Question: I have a Favilla B2 as mentioned. It has a burned in stamp on the inside with a 5 digit serial number starting 122XX. I thought they all had 6 digit serial numbers. Does this put it closer to early 1950's? Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks! Photos:          Answer: Tom ...any ideas....I am putting this to Mr Favilla....."Tom" who never fails me. Will write when I get the answer... - Sunday, August 22, 2010

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