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
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(Chuck
"Frets" Fayne has answered the following 5153
questions.)
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 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
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
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!
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
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.
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.
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!
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!
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
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
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