#
Ukulele music lovers love Flea Market Music, offering an online community for ukulele players, informative books on the ukulele, ukulele CDs,songbooks, videos and information on our instrument manufacturing of the FLUKE ukulele. Brought to you by " Jumpin" Jim Beloff.



Flea Market Music Home Page

Online Store - Ukulele Products

Flea Market Music Bulletin Board

Player and Group Directory

Ukulele Events Calendar

Marketplace

Collector's Uke Yak

Jukebox

Mailing List

Ukulele Links

Flashbacks

FAQ File

Ukulele Tuner


 

Flea Market Music, Inc.
#Get expert ukulele advice at the Collector's Uke Yak
Banners/images/customer-banners/EMP-ShirtWaikiki-BAN.jpg
Banners/images/customer-banners/EMP-ShirtWaikiki-BAN.jpg

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

Chuck Fayne
Cole Clark

Flea Market Music Uke Yak (1 of 258)
(Chuck "Frets" Fayne has answered the following 5153 questions.)

Jump to page:      of 258  
  Next Page

-->Question asked by: Linda
Subject: Favilla teardrop
Question: Chuck Hi me again, The Favilla 500 how would I find out value,What would be the best way to store this and it is very clean. but I really don't believe it has been treated with an oil Should I start? Thanks Linda

Answer: Linda, do you have a pic you can send in...thanks...chuck
- Tuesday, June 30, 2009


-->Question asked by: Bjørn Edward Diesen
Subject: The Michigan
Question: Hello. I bought an old ukulele on ebay some years ago. It`s a Michigan and it plays well. I have seach through the wonderful book "The Ukulele, a visual history" but I couldn`t find anything about the ukulele. Do you know anything about the Michigan? Where does it come from and when was it made? THanks. Best wishes Bjørn Edward

Answer: a pic would help.....most of the named ukes like the one you have were made by harmony or regal etc.
- Tuesday, June 30, 2009


-->Question asked by: Laurence Perlman
Subject: Martin Soprano Uke
Question: I have a Martin soprano uke from the forties. What is the approximate value?

Answer: laurence..Martin made dozens of styles and sizes of ukes in the 40's. I need a picture of the full front and the full back. thanks...chuck
- Monday, June 29, 2009


-->Question asked by: Steve Daugherty
Subject: Uke value query
Question: pic 4

Photo Available Answer: Steve...also about 300 on the Yasuda. Good uke....thanks again...chuck
- Tuesday, June 30, 2009


-->Question asked by: Howard Kolodny
Subject: Favilla/Banjo Ukes
Question: Chuck: Could only send one picture at a time. This is a pic of the backs of the three ukes. Howard

Photo Available Answer: market is slow on these ukes...about 300 on the pibneapple.thanks for writing in.
- Tuesday, June 30, 2009


-->Question asked by: Linda
Subject: Favilla teardrop
Question: My Gram has had this in her home as long as I can remember. My Gram has passed and my 4yr old wants to play with this it appears to be mahogany and perfect shape. my problem is she always let us girls play with it. my older son feels I should put it away for future. Favilla and a shape of a crown is printed up top infront no print on the inside so what do you think . Thanks Chuck

Answer: Linda...put it away...go invest in a cheap ukulele to let your 4 year old play with and then later in life you can let her play with the 500 favilla you have...best....chuck
- Friday, June 26, 2009


-->Question asked by: mike
Subject: help me identify this uke
Question: hey chuck, i bought this uke recently, it says "williams" on the headstock and has "williams, los angeles" stamped inside the soundhole. haven't been able to find out much about it, and was wondering if it was worth restoring. would appreciate your help, thanks!

Photo Available Answer: Mike...it is not a valuable ukulele but it is quite unusual to see one. They all had different colored nuts and saddles. Little is known about them, but they do pop up now and then. It is worth restoring. The ones I had were good players. They also made a pineapple shaped one. Please let me know how it comes out, I have always wondered what happened to mine. best..chuck
- Sunday, June 21, 2009


-->Question asked by: Howard Kolodny
Subject: Banjo Ukes and Favilla
Question: Hi, Chuck. Got a couple of questions about banjo ukes, but first there's one about the age of a beautiful Favilla baritone I just acquired. Inside the sound hole, there is no label, but there are stamped the words "FAVILLA BROS. on one line and below that are the words "New York, NY, USA". Can you tell me approximately when it was made? My next two questions concern banjo ukes which I've become very fond of lately. The first one is a soprano size with a non- detachable resonator with two "F" holes in it. On the back, just above the tuning pegs, in a horizontal diamond, are the letters "N.M.S. Co." Can you tell me anything about this company? The second banjo uke is a tenor of heroic dimensions. The body is 11" in diameter, 3" deep, and 30" in overall length. No resonator and underneath is a five-pointed star and the word "MONA". Can you tell me anything about this company? Your help and experience are very much appreciated. Thanks. Howard

Answer: Howard...information is easier with pictures. Please try to group the three together and send me at least a pic of the front. I can help you if I can see them..thanks..chuck
- Tuesday, June 16, 2009


-->Question asked by: Bill Bailey
Subject: Paul Summers uke
Question: I pick this Ukulele up at a local antique mall and I have a few questions to ask you. The ukulele is labeled Paul summers, It has Moana and crest on the front of the head stock and a tabu brand on the back. The uke has a small crack on the back and a small separation on the back seam that needs to be repaired. It has rope inlay around the sound hole, the top edge ,down the center and on the edge of the finger board. The back is equally flamed as the front when it comes the Koa wood. The patina is awesome. I can send more picks but there is only room for 1. If I have it repaired do I have it cleaned and or polished? I collect violins and I prefer all original finish with maybe a light cleaning but for uke's it might be different. I have a violin maker friend who could fix it for me. Or do you recommend a uke maker? If I was going to sell it would I do better with a fully restored uke? what is It worth? It looks to has been played a lot that might suggests it has good tone. Thanks Bill

Photo Available Answer: Nice uke...I would leave it as it is. If you have to have it repaired, I would have no problems with a violin luthier for just crack work. If it was internal work on the guts of the uke, I would go to a guitar luthier or uke luthier if you could find one. It is an older summers (1918) circa. The should be worth more than they are. If it has a decent tone 500+ in this wacky market. If you are going to sell it, I would put it on the marketplace on this site. It is viewed by ukeies only. Best exposure you can get. Good luck with the uke. As for the cleaning, I would ask your violin maker for a good , very gentle cleaner and no elbow grease. Leave the patina as it is and only remove a little surface dirt. best and thanks for writing in..chuck
- Tuesday, June 16, 2009


-->Question asked by: Ann
Subject: Kamaka 1928 YUK
Question: I have this UKE that is collecting dust. It is in good shape, and I have its original case. Which is surprisingly good shape considering its age. I live in San Diego CA and have no idea where to go to sell it. I don't play myself. I would learn because I love the sound, but unfortunently I wasn't born with the gift of...(whats the saying?} melody?! lol Anyway if you could maybe direct in the right way I'd appreciate it. Thank you. Ann E.

Photo Available Answer: could you send me a pic of he whole uke..I will help...c
- Thursday, June 11, 2009


-->Question asked by: Al Anderson
Subject: Grandma's Tiple - back
Question: Trying again....

Answer: Sorry al....still no pictures. I wish I could help, but I know nothing about sending the pics. Contact the webmaster on this site. Anyone out there that can help Al.....
- Tuesday, June 09, 2009


-->Question asked by: Norb Shebish
Subject: Uke identity?
Question: I bought this uke at an estate sale for $1.00. A label inside reads: "Barclay W151 Made in Japan exclusively for Targ & Dinner, Inc." Is this a toy or a real uke? It's 21" long. Thanks.

Photo Available Answer: Its a real uke..how does it sound......chuck
- Sunday, June 07, 2009


-->Question asked by: Gay Maloney
Subject: Leonardo Nunes
Question: I have an opportunity to invest in this ukulele for my son. About how much is this ukulele worth? I don't want to overspend. Thanks!

Photo Available Answer: Can you send me a picture? If you did, it didn't come thru...try again.
- Sunday, June 21, 2009


-->Question asked by: Al Anderson
Subject: Grandmother's tiple
Question: Hi! Here is a pic of my pride and joy. Grandma bought this in the 1920's. Somewhere there is a photo of her floating along in a canoe, playing it! Any thoughts as to value? My luthier treats it as if it were his own child.

Answer: al no picture received...try again...chuck
- Thursday, June 04, 2009


-->Question asked by: Kathy Collins
Subject: Disappearing Fret Markers
Question: Hi, Chuck. I have a concert Fluke with the plastic fretboard. The first 2 fret markers are disappearing. I'm afraid I have worn them off. I need them since I haven't been playing very long and they help me a lot. How do I get them back? Do I just paint new ones on or is there a better way? If I apply paint, what kind should I get? I want to be sure I don't damage the fretboard. Thanks for your help. -- KC

Answer: this is a question for Jim Beloff. Hey Jim...what say you????
- Tuesday, June 02, 2009


-->Question asked by: Janice
Subject: Ukulele
Question: I have a ukulele. It has a paper label inside is partly torn off the label reads G CONSERVATORY UKULELE The rest of the word staring with G is missing. It needs to be repaired. but I was wondering if I can do it self or if it is worth having a professional repair it.

Answer: Please send me a picture of the uke and the label. I will try to help...chuck
- Sunday, June 21, 2009


-->Question asked by: Denise Harris
Subject: Nunes uke
Question: This is the actual Ukulele used on the cover of the Sundance catalog in 2004. Can you give me information about it, when made, worth? It says made in Los Angeles on the inside label. The back of the instrument is contoured. Thanks!

Photo Available Answer: This is a very rare style 3 Leonardo Nunes Radio Tenor. It was made in the 20's+ In my estimation, this ukulele is the best player of the Hawaiian made ukes. I would not take less than 3000 for it if it were mine. My birthday is 19th September and if you send me the uke I will then be in the position of not taking less than 3000 for it. I'm sure you understand. Wrap it well....thanks for writing in....Only kidding, you don't have to be careful boxing it, it has a case. chuck
- Tuesday, June 02, 2009


-->Question asked by: Steve Pepper
Subject: Bobby Henshaw
Question: Chuck a quick Google search revealed a very interesting site about Bobby Henshaw. The same picture as on the sheet music is on there as well as others. The link is too long to paste here but attached is a photo of his signature uke and an extract from the page is here: He also produced a commercial line of baritone ukeleles and tenor guitars, as well as Master Strings, under the "Bobby Henshaw" brand, manufactured in Sorkin, NY. These are found today in antique shops and on eBay. In promoting the brand, a booklet was published bearing Bobby's portrait, entitled Hints By Bobby "Uke" Henshaw for the Baritone Ukulele. The booklet in part said: "If any artist is qualified to say what a good instrument should be, it can only be Bobby -- and his choice is the Henshaw Uke. He know it's made of the finest quality woods and is true in every respect." Best Steve

Photo Available Answer: thanks Steve ...all help gratefully received..keep in touch
- Monday, May 18, 2009


-->Question asked by: Steve Pepper
Subject: Tenor Guitar
Question: Chuck Just a little more on Tenor guitars. Most Tenor guitars are steel strung rather than nylon strung. They also don't have the re-entrant tuning of a tenor uke, so you can use standard guitar strings 1-4. They are built and braced differently to to a ukulele, to take account of the extra strain of steel strings and many have a tailpiece or bridge pins like a standard steel strung guitar. Ukuleles are built more like a Spanish guitar style rather than say a flat top jumbo Martin guitar. Most (but not all) Tenor guitars have machine heads in preference to pegs. There are always discussions amongst the Tenor Guitar sites about which is the best tuning and there are several to choose from Chicago, Tenor, Modal, etc. They had their heyday similar to Ukes and were last produced in any number in the late 50s and early 60. Also like ukes there has been a resurgance in recent years and there are now a few makers offering them, but they are still not common. The best web site is www.Tenorguitar.com and there is loads of info on there. A lot of tenor banjo Folk players now use these in Irish sessions, as they can play their jigs and reels but have a mellower sound. In addition to the standard tenor guitar there was also a longer neck version caller a plectrum tenor guitar. This usually has a banjo style head (sometimes with pegs). I have one that looks like a "Vega". Thanks Steve

Answer: thanks again
- Monday, May 18, 2009


-->Question asked by: Steve Pepper
Subject: Tenor Guitar
Question: Chuck a little more on Tenor guitars. They are usually steel strung and therefore build is usually different to take the extra strain. Most but not all will have machine heads rather than pegs. Tuning is not re entrant like a uke and subject to much heated discussion between players. Some have much longer necks and called Plectrum tenor guitar. These usually have headstocks shaped like a banjo. Lastly in vogue in the early 60s but like the uke have bounced back. A lot of tenor banjo players use them for a different sound when playing jigs& reels in folk sessions. There is a good site at www.tenorguitar.com Steve.

Answer: and again....your spoiling me. c
- Monday, May 18, 2009


Jump to page:      of 258  
  Next Page

Page Up

E-mail: info@fleamarketmusic.com

Home - Online Store  -  Events Calendar  -  Flashbacks
Mailing List  -  Ukulele Links  -  Marketplace  -   Bulletin Board 
Player Directory  -  FAQ File  - Collector's Uke Yak  -  Ukulele Tuner

Flea Market Music, Inc.

© 1997-2009 Flea Market Music. All rights reserved.
Web Design / Development provided by
Web Solutions, Inc.

Flea Market Music offers an on-line community for ukulele players, informative books on the ukulele, ukulele CDs,songbooks, videos and information on our instrument manufacturing of the FLUKE ukulele. Brought to you by "Jumpin" Jim Beloff. -