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 266) (Chuck "Frets" Fayne has answered the following 5312 questions.)

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Question asked by: Fred Subject: re: maker and woods used? Question: Hello Chuck, I Recently purchased this soprano uke. I Was told that it probably is made by Ukulele Mfg. Company of Honolulu. Could not find any info. on this company. Someone told me that it also could possibly be a KUMALAE uke. Finally, the seller thought Koa and maybe Mahogany is used. Can you tell what woods were used? Or, is this impossible to tell from the photos? Thanks so much for any info. on this uke! Photos:                          Answer: Fred..hard to tell..mahogany or koa..looks alot like each. It is hawaiian made by the shape of the heel cap. I don't think its Kumalae..a little too rough. Without a name it could have been made by anyone...how does it sound. thats the most important thing. thanks for writing in...chuck - Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Question asked by: William Subject: New format? Question: Whatever Y'all did to add the pics up front, it seems to be working out nicely. I really like this new format. Thanks, William Answer: thanks william...us too...keep writing in...c - Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Question asked by: sarah Subject: aloha guitar Question: hi chuck, i have been given an elderly aloha guitar, as pictured. was bought new in New Zealand in 1940 and may be a few years older than that, perhaps. came with a second higher nut so it can be played hawaiian steel style, along with a slide and some picks. as you can see, it has only half the original tuning keys. on the head is a hawaiian coat of arms and motto. it has excellent close action and sounds great. can you tell me anything about the guitar, and about aloha guitars generally? there is no label or signature inside it. i thought at first it was made of koa wood, but on closer inspection it may be mahogany- can you tell, from these photos? do you know what year it was made? any other information would be greatly appreciated. thanks very much for your help! Photos:              Answer: Sarah, as you can probably imagine Aloha was a popular name for musical instruments. There was an Aloha company, however I don't think this is the company. My guess is 40-50s by the style of the guitar. Many companies made them and from the pictures I cannot tell the wood. If you give me a close up of the wood I can help. Nice and desirable instrument. Play it alot....chuck - Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Question asked by: Todd M Subject: Gibson uke 1 Question: Chuck, can you tell me what I have here? Here is what I know, 1. Inside #'s of 1676 47, and uke1 2. On the back the neck is stamped the # 2 What is the approx. value of this uke or more accurately, if you were in the market to buy this item, what would pay? Any info you could give me would be greatly appreciated. THANKS. Photos:                          Answer: Todd...it is a late model style two gibson from the 30's60's. It a the New Gibson Script. It is really a beauty and if I were in the market for a good Gibson I would pay up to 700 for this one. nice score. - Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Question asked by: Doug Prichard Subject: Martin Tenor Ukulele Question: CHUCK A VERY NICE ELDERLY LADY FRIEND OF MINE HAS PUT IN MY CARE TEMPORARILY A MARTIN 1-T (TENOR UKULELE) CIRCA 1936-1950 IN PRISITNE CONDITION. SHE IS INTERESTED IN KNOWING WHAT ITS VALUE MIGHT BE (AS WOULD I AS I MIGHT WANT TO BUY IT FROM HER). SHE HAS OWNED IT SINCE ABOUT 1950, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN OUT OF ITS ORIGINAL CASE IN OVER 25 YEARS. IT HAS ONLY A FEW MINOR SURFACE SCRATCHES, PARTICULARLY WHERE IT HAS BEEN STRUMMED AND WHERE THE ZIPPER OF THE CASE HAS RUBBED UP AGAINST THE BODY. EVERYTHING (NUT, PEGS, BRIDGE AND SADDLE) LOOKS ORIGINAL. IT HAS RECENTLY BEEN RE-STRUNG. THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS WERE USED TO ATTEMPT A PROPER DATING: “CF MARTIN & CO. EST. 1833” SCRIPT GOLD DECAL WITH BLACK TRIM ON HEAD STOCK (INDICATES POST- 1933) “CF MARTIN & CO. EST. 1833 NAZARETH, PA.” STAMPED ON INSIDE BODY BACK BRACING RUNNING PARALLEL TO STRINGS MOHOGANY BODY & NECK; EBONY NUT; NICKEL-PLATED TUNING PEGS WITH BLACK BUTTONS; PIN BRIDGE WITH IVORY SADDLE; PINS ARE BLACK INLAID WITH MOTHER OF PEARL ROSEWOOD FRETBOARD WITH WHITE FRET POSITION DOTS ON FRETBOARD AND SIDE IN 1-2-1 CONFIGURATION AT FRETS FIVE, SEVEN AND TEN EIGHTEEN STANDARD T-FRETS WITH TWELVE CLEAR OF THE BODY (INDICATES PRE-1950) BLACK & GOLD SOUND HOLE TRIM DECAL; TORTOISE SHELL CELLULOID BINDING (INDICATES POST-1935) ANY IDEAS ON WHAT IT MIGHT BE WORTH? WHAT STRINGS WOULD BRING OUT THE BEST SOUND? THANKS. Photos:                          Answer: Doug..It is a standard early but not the earliest tenor uke. I had a value of aboutr 1200 dollars and especially in that condition. The string you are going to have to find out for yourself. I have always used martin strings and been very satisfied. Nice uke....go for it...chuck - Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Question asked by: Chris Tarman Subject: Mouna-Loa uke Question: Hi. I picked this ukulele up the other day and was wondering if you could tell me anything about it. I'm guessing it's mainland-made and from the '20s or possibly '30s, but I haven't seen this label before. The label inside says "Mouna-Loa Brand Ukulele" and has a place for a model number which was left blank. Any info would be helpful. It is a LOUD little thing! Photos:              Answer: Chris...Mouna-Loa was a popular brand (maker unknown), in the 30's. From the covered heal cap (one-piece) I would say this is Island Made and a clean exmple. Not an expensive uke but a fine example of a cheapie. Good score...chuck - Sunday, January 17, 2010

Question asked by: Shelise Subject: Kamaka Ukulele Appraisal Question: I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD TELL ME HOW MUCH THIS UKULELE IS WORTH. IT WAS MY GREAT- GRANDFATHER'S FROM EITHER THE 50'S OR 60'S. ITS BEEN IN ITS CASE FOR YEARS. YOUR REPLY IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. MAHALO Photos:                          Answer: Shelise....In great shape 350-400. Fine instrument...One of my favorite players.....good luck ..chuck - Thursday, January 14, 2010

Question asked by: Erik Hauri Subject: best uke pickup Question: Hi Chuck, I've got here a 1950 Martin T-15 "tiple" 10-stringer; what sort of pickup can you recommend for this one? I've installed several systems in guitars, just never a uke. It already has a hole at the endblock that could be enlarged slightly for an endpin jack. thanks! Erik Answer: Eric, a good under the bridge works best. I have one under a gretch tiple and its a boomer. thanks for writing in...c - Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Question asked by: Samm Burd Subject: Unknown Uke Question: Hi Chuck! My boyfriend is a huge music man and he has a uke that he got straight from Hawaii, but he also has another that he found and restored. Problem being, he cannot find out the year or exact type, since there is no visable serial number. It definitely is a martin style 1 because of the number of inlays on the fret board. he feels it is a late 20's to early 30's. there is no decal on the front of the headstock but the c.f. martin stamp is on the back and in the sound hole...can you help?? Photos:                      Answer: 1930's martin style 1...there were no serial numbers on these instruments - Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Question asked by: Dennis Ecklund Subject: Ukulele Banjo Question: Ok Chuck, I have a challenge for you ... can you identify who made this old banjo ukulele? This is on my list of restoration projects for the year. It has about a 13- inch scale, making it a soprano. There are no markings anywhere on it, except it has a Waverly tailpiece. Photos:                      Answer: Dennis...I wish I had an answer for you. Many companies made this exact model. The headstock is an early one making it in the 20's. I could be anything. thanks..chuck - Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Question asked by: Ryan Subject: Royal Hawaiian Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck, Very interested in anything you can tell me about this ukulele I recently bought. I wonder when you think it was made. Also, I find conflicting information online as to who made it(perhaps Kumalae?). On the decal inside it reads "It's a Royal Hawaiian Ukulele". It is a great player. I would never sell it but wonder how much it is worth. I paid $150 (American) with the original case. Thanks for uke yak, I enjoy learning from you! Photos:              Answer: Ryan...Kumalae made them in the 40's to be sold in the lobby of the royal Hawaiian Hotel. Common but great players...good score 150 a bargain...chuck - Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Question asked by: Rene Subject: Paul Summers uke Question: Hello Paul Can you tell me anything about my friend's uke? We're interested it it's value. It has no cracks and is in very good condition and has the original case. Her great aunt brought it back from Hawaii, not sure when. Thank you! Photos:                      Answer: Rene...very fine uke made by the summers brothers in about the 30's. I can't tell about the size from the picture but if it is longer than 21 inches it increases the value. In fine shape and would bring 750 dollars maybe more..The original case is a bonus...let me know the length and I will add it to your answer. thanks...chuck - Friday, January 08, 2010

Question asked by: bob stepno Subject: banjo uke-mots fingerboard Question: Longer last post with only one image didn't seem to go through. I'm interested in knowing what kind of bridge this uke originally used. Fingerboard is thin and doesn't taper much. Width less than 1 1/4 at the nut; less than 1 1/2 at 15th fret. Seems to need higher tuning to keep strings from bending off edge of fretboard. Thanks, and Merry Christmas... Answer: Bob..I have no idea..no pic....Banjo ukes and their parts not a specialty. Please email John Bernunzio and Bernunzio vintage instruments and send him a pic , he can help...sorry...chuck - Friday, January 08, 2010

Question asked by: Laurel Beckman Subject: CMO uke Question: Dear Chuck, I recently received this uke: it's label says "handcrafted on the big island of Hawaii by CMO, 1999". I can't find anything online about this maker, and a local shop says it is koa wood. Can you tell me anything about the uke, it's quality, or it's maker? thank you very much, Laurel Photos:      Answer: No Idea...nothing comes up under the name CMO..Will check and add to your answer if I find anything. thanks for writing in...chuck - Friday, January 08, 2010

Question asked by: Rick Beets Subject: Kalamazoo uke Question: On behalf of a third party, we are stumped about the maker and origin of this uke. I didn't think Gibson ever made a concert sized uke, neve heard of aKalamazoo branded one either: I acquired this Gibson manufactured Kalamazoo ukulele from the grandson whose grandparents both worked at the Gibson Guitar Company in Kalamazoo Michigan in the 1940s. Wondering if anyone has information on these? It does conform to the same fit and finish as my depression era Kalamazoo guitars, KG14, KG11. But I canÕt find anything on the internet or in the vintage guitars books regarding this uke. Questions are they worth anything and are they collectable? IÕd appreciate any information. Thank you!!! It appears to be a Concert Size ukulele. Possibly a model KU11? 24" total length 7 1/2' wide at lower bout 2 1/2' deep Scale length 10 1/4" Photos:                  Answer: Sorry rick...I've been under the weather. I know that Gibson made under the Kalamazoo name. I have owned most of the instruments. Their tenor is a large concert. I have seen a tobacco sunburst one before and am positive this is a gibson. I have not owned one marked Kalamazoo but you do. good score...chuck - Thursday, January 07, 2010

Question asked by: david clumpner Subject: Illinois ukulele banjo, ca 1920s Question: Hi Chuck, have yet to learn how to send pics but I have a very old Illinois banjo uke in pretty decent condition. any ideas what they bring and if u are interested? thnx, david ph 206 355 9332 Answer: Cheapie made in the 1940's..Cant tell you more without seeing it. I am not interested but perhaps someone on the marketplace on this site will be. see ya....c - Thursday, January 07, 2010

Question asked by: Mel Presswood Subject: What is it? Question: Model Number 5-17T, Serial number 80475. It's a Martin ... but what is it and what's it worth? This has been sitting in the closet for longer than I can remember ... and I'm 62! Photos:     Photo 2    Photo 3    Photo 4    Photo 5    Photo 6     Answer: Mel its a tenor guitar...Not a uke..Its worth 700 in good condition.... - Thursday, January 07, 2010

Question asked by: Mel Presswood Subject: What is it? Question: It says Martin on the back of the headstock. But what is it and what's it worth? Photos:     Photo 2    Photo 3    Photo 4    Photo 5    Photo 6     Answer: Its a style two taropatch in bad shape...value 300 dollars - Thursday, January 07, 2010

Question asked by: Mel Presswood Subject: What is it? Question: What is it and what's it worth? No manufacturer markings, model number, or serial numbers anywhere on the item. Photos:     Photo 2    Photo 3    Photo 4    Photo 5    Photo 6     Answer: It appears to be a Martin Tiple...Not great shape...500 - Thursday, January 07, 2010

Question asked by: Dan Baxter Subject: uke ID Question: Hi, this is the front shot of the unidentified uke that apparently I sent you only a shot of the back. What'ya think, Nunes? Harmony? Stratavarius? Photos:      Answer: Regal 1960's Chicago...Thanks for writing in.....c - Thursday, January 07, 2010

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