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

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Question asked by: Andy Subject: L&H Question: Hi Chuck�I�m a bass player for the last 40 years. I bought an old L&H uke about 20 years ago for 10 bucks at a garage sale. Big bucks back then�Ha!. It had one string. It sat in my attack until a few weeks ago. It�s a basic soprano with 17 frets, all mahogany and stamped model 700. I finally put new strings on it with the intentions of giving it to my daughter for Christmas. So I strung her up, learned a few cords and had fun with this little uke for a few weeks and then I�m starting to think...do I really want to give her away? The answer was no but I did anyway and my daughter loves it. Now I�m feeling a bit lost without her� the uke� not my daughter. I got on the internet and started to browse for another one...this time it�s for me. I found a 701, 703 and a UF model but no 700 like the one I gave away. The UF looks like just like mine in the photo. There is little to no info I could find on the different L&H models. Can you give me a little insight to the different models? Especially the UF. Also these L& H�s look just like the all mahogany Martin basic sopranos�.do they sound like them too? How do the L& H�s compare with others at the time and today? Many thanks, Andy Answer: L&H is one of my favorite makers. Fabulous sound...very collectable. Please send me a pic and I can answer your question. There is a very bad book , but the pictures are good, of the L&H factory. Go to a good music store and see if they have a copy. Please send the picture. chuck - Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Question asked by: Frank Abrams Subject: Nunes Taropatch Bridge Plate Question: Hi. Chuck. I've began to restore the Nunes Taropatch that I have. I am having a bridge made. I've looked inside of the top of the Taropatch and found that it has a brace approximately 10mm in front of where the bridge is to be mounted, but it has no bridge plate. I cannot see glue or the remnants of one that was there in the past. Do you think it had a bridge plate? It is a taropatch, so there would be a lot of pressure from the strings. If it did have one, would it be about the size of the bridge, or a little larger? Thanks as always, F.A. Answer: Frank..I don't have a nunes taro to refer to, I will ask a friend an get back to you As I remember, they do not have a bridge plate. I'll find out for sure and write you on this same message. look for it. - Sunday, December 21, 2008

Question asked by: Basil Henriques Subject: Kumalae style 1 Question: Chuck, those observations about the numbers are most enlightening, but there is a school of thought that says that the early models had the designation letter first THEN the serial number. The J in a circle at the end of the numbers COULD be John Rockwell ? Also why is the headstock of this uke not symmetrical see the picture ? Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou. BAsil Photos:      Answer: The headstock I can answer...They were hand cut and it is asymmetrical on many of the early ukes not only Kumalae. I am going to enlist the help of John KIng, the Hawaiian Ukulele expert. If he does not read this in a couple days, I will write him personally and ask your question. He may know...hang in there..c - Saturday, December 20, 2008

Question asked by: Jeff Mercer Subject: More Kumalae Question: Hey again, Chuck. Kumalae Style 1's are a bit all over the place , as you no doubt already know..two of my "3-ring" Kumalaes have what a Sherman Clay catalogue from 1917 describes as "straight grained koa", yet I also have a Style 1 with super flamey koa befitting a Style 5, and another that is made of very yellow (not properly cured ?) koa, but Basils' uke just looks like an un-figured koa Style 1 to me. My earliest Kumalae ( the Style 2 ), has figure in the koa that is far more interesting than the average TV show :0)... Anyway, I don't think Basils' Kumalae is Mahogany, they were always advertised as "Genuine koa wood ukuleles" which was always a selling point before the mainland makers caught on.. Once again, pure conjecture on my part ..Best to you & yours, Chuck. Answer: Well Basil. There you have it. I will bow to Jeff's knowledge. He knows a lot more about Kumalae's than I do. Its always difficult to tell from pictures. I hope We (Jeff) has answered your questions and enjoy your uke. Its a wonderful instrument and needs to be played. If I (Jeff) can help you any more let me know. Best to ya...chuck P.S. Thanks Jeff as usual......c - Saturday, December 20, 2008

Question asked by: Jeff Mercer Subject: Kumalae ukuleles Question: Hi, Chuck, a very Merry Xmas to you ! The following is just my humble opinion, but I dont think the pencilled numbers inside Kumalae ukes are actually dates of manufacture. I think they are more likely "batch numbers". Looking inside the ones in my collection, I can see the number 38 followed by a squiggle, another with 47-1, another with 44-D, another with 1 (next digit obscured by a back repair) followed by a lower case "a", & the earliest- a Style 2 with a cigar-label decal covering the butt strip- has an unintelligable squiggle followed by what looks like A31. It seems Kumalae had the paper P.P.I.E inner labels printed up before he had the "Gold Award" headstock decals done, as I've seen several w/ the circular Kumalae headstock decal & an inner P.P.I.E label. So, I think it may have gone Cigar label first ( 1911/1914- ish ?), followed by circular headstock decal, sometimes with sometimes without inner P.P.I.E label, then "Gold Award" headstock label c.1919 and onwards. ( I've also got Kumalae ukes with both "Gold Award" and "Gold Medal" on the transfer, not sure when that change was made ) Anyways, Chuck, many thanks, Merry Xmas, & look forward to yakking next year. All the very best..Jeff & Kath Answer: Thanks for all the information. Always appreciated. Have you ever seen a mahogany 3 ringed soprano. I can't remember if I have but the one in question seems to be either really plain brown koa or mahogany or a wood I'm not familiar with. Please take a look at the pictures I'm posting after your message and see what you think......Thanks again for all the kind words and may you have health, wealth and friends a batch for the new year. But first....health...blessings...chuck - Saturday, December 20, 2008

Question asked by: Basil Henriques Subject: Re: Kumalae Style 1 Question: Final picture of the pencil inscription inside Photos:      Answer: Jeff, here is another pic of Basil's Kumalae...It gives a better picture of the grain of the wood and part of the pencil inscription. See what you can make of it. best..c - Saturday, December 20, 2008

Question asked by: Basil Henriques Subject: Re: Kumalae Style 1 Question: Thanks Chuck, here is a picture of the full bottom part of the ukulele. The colour representation is NOT right It's night time and the camera is the still section of a video camera so the colour isn't as red as the pictures, more of a dark golden syrup than a red.. Photos:      Answer: Thanks Basil ..As you can see, I have posted this for information...Jeff has been kind enough to give his information about kumalae and I wanted him to see this uke in the picture. I will await his opinion before I give mine. Best to you and yours for the 09......chuck - Saturday, December 20, 2008

Question asked by: Brad Subject: Lyon and Healy Ukes Question: Hi Chuck. Here's a old ad for the L&H Washburn model 703 stating it's koa. The model 704 is more pronounced curly koa (with an original price of $4 more...lol) Thanks again for the estimates. Photos:      Answer: Brad, I transferred your pics to a different program, blew them up and I am convinced it is Koa. Now for the hard part. The value. With the market as goofy as it is today, please understand that if you asked me this question 5 years ago, I could hit it on the head. These are what I feel would be fair market value today. 750-1000 on the gold leaf soprano and 300-500 and the Venetian. They are both fabulous ukes made by my favorite visual maker. Its such a shame that the Washburn/L&H book is such a piece of garbage. That company deserved so much more. When I got my copy of the book, I had it about a month and the pages all fell out. I called the company and complained and they asked if I wanted them to send me another book. I replied...." No, I don't need two books that fall apart.".so there you ave it... Happy holidays....thanks for writing in...c - Saturday, December 20, 2008

Question asked by: Basil Henriques Subject: Kumalae style 1 Question: Thank you Chuck, the enclosed picture of the headstock decal may help. As for the dimensions they are EXACTLY (Within a 64th") as follows :- 20 3/4" long 5 15/16" wide at the bottom bout 4 3/4" wide at the upper bout 2 3/8" deep at the bottom bout 1 7/8" deep at the upper Scale length 12 15/16" width of neck at nut 1 3/8" depth of neck a the nut 15/32" one other point, The writing inside (In pencil) is the lower case letter "a" followed by a dash then 2-15- and a letter J INSIDE a circle. I'll TRY and photograph it but it's difficulty to get the light right. The eyes sees much more than the camera in this instance. What part of the uke would a close-up help to reveal the type of wood ? Photos:      Answer: please send pic of the full lower front...both bouts......It seems to be a nicer made soprano....early ...2-15 I'm sure is Feb 15th which means it was made in the year the won the exhibition. looking forward to the pics...c - Friday, December 19, 2008

Question asked by: Brad Subject: Lyon and Healy Uke Values Question: Hi Chuck. You were kind enough to identify my L&H Venetian a while back. I've joined the ranks of the unemployed and it looks like I'll be trying to sell my 2 Lyon and Healy Ukes. The Venetian is in excellent condition with the bottom loading canvas bag. The model 703 koa L&H Washburn is in excellent shape also with a 4" crack repair done on the back my an authorized Martin repairman. I've had a hard time finding values for these on the net and thought you could help. Thanks! Photos:      Answer: Brad....I will be glad to help. It is hard to tell the wood on the soprano. It looks like Koa but without the grain...The grain looks more like Mahogany or Nisa ...Please let me know. IT makes a difference in the uke value. Chuck - Thursday, December 18, 2008

Question asked by: Basil Henriques Subject: Re: Kumalae type 1 (A) Question: Can you tell me the approximate value of this Ukulele that has come into my possession, there is a pencil inscription inside that is a lower case A as also in its case is a spare tuning peg and four silk ribbons, Red Gold Green and Lilac that bear the messages, From Rex 1925, From Anne 1925 and From Tinker 1925. What is the significance of the presentational ribbons ? The condition is Fair to good with NO scratches and no visible cracks or fretwear, The case is rough. It appears that it was used as an ornament for most of its life and shows signs of only barely having been played. There are MANY more pictures at;- http://www.waikiki-islanders.com/assets/mine/ Photos:      Answer: Basil...Most interesting. I will help but first a couple questions. The wood looks like mahogany, not koa. Please tell me exactly what the headstock decal says. Also, I can't make out the writing on the inside...It might be a date of some sort. Please measure the depth of the instrument and the total length from top to bottom. Its early, but after they won the award for design at the ppie as far as I can tell. Thanks...chuck - Thursday, December 18, 2008

Question asked by: Hilton Clark Subject: Roy Smeck Banjo Ukulele Question: Hi There Chuck...Im new to your site. Quick question.Do you know of anywhere that I could get my hands on a Roy Smeck Banjo Uke..? I know it was originally made by John Gray & Co.I believe there were 3 models made sometime around the 40's and 50's.your assistance will be great. Regards Hilton.. Answer: Hilton..there were many pretenders to the throne. There were roy smeck badges that were added to many ukes. Your right, John Gray made most of the genuine ones. I would put your wants on the marketplace and the bulletin board on this site. IF anyone would know, it would be one of us. Other than that, you will just have to search. Get a London yellow pages and write to all the music dealers. Also watch ebay Great Britain...something will pop up. I'll let you know if I hear of anything...keep in touch...chuck - Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Question asked by: Wm. Subject: Is this a L & H? Question: Chuck.. do you think that this is an L&H? Two more pis on their way in sepatate submissions Photos:      Answer: Wm...I am very familiar with L&H. This , I believe, is a regal with a L&H bridge added. That trim was never used by L&H but very popular with Regal. Sorry, I wish it was. chuck - Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Question asked by: Frank Abrams Subject: Lange Banjo-Uke Resonator Mounting Hardware Question: Hi Chuck. I was lucky enough to get a rare Lange White Swan Banjo Ukulele. (It was part of the Tsumura Collection). It needs restoration, and resonator is missing the original mounting hardware. Any ideas as to where to obtain it? The side of the resonator has two holes. I don't believe those are original. The hardware would have been mounted inside the resonator. Thanks, Frank Photos:      Answer: What a beauty. Its worth all the effort to make it original. As rare as the uke is, the parts are even rarer. I would contact John Bernunzio at Bernunzio Vintage Instruments in Rochester N Y..ask him...He just might know. Other than that, I have little idea. I would advertise on every related site to see if you can buy another one for parts. Tough but necessary assignment. chuck - Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Question asked by: derek Subject: islander uke Question: I got an islander uke and a Fin- Der Uke with very high action - likely due to the bending of the necks over time. Is there a way to bend back a plastic neck or otherwise fix my ukes? Answer: sorry, I don't know...see a luthier and ask him the question. I know nothing about plastic bending, however I can bend a spoon. best and hope you find a finderbender....chuck - Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Question asked by: Frank Abrams Subject: Banjo-Uke, (Back) Question: Hi. Chuck. here is the back of the banjo-uke. As you can see, it does not have a dowell stick, or a resonator. I've looked and cannot find a name. It came with a very nice hardshell case from the period. Please let me know if you have any ideas. Thanks, F.A. Photos:      Answer: I have no idea. There were so many banjo ukes made at that time. It may remain a mystery until one of the yakkers writs in with the info. best and I'll let you know if I come3 up with anything. chuck - Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Question asked by: Tiki King Subject: Question: Hiya Chuck! Don't know if this is anywhere near you, but the movie "The silent Woman" premiers on Friday at the Empire cinema. It has a scene where the background music is provided by me. Of course there is an actor playing me, but what the heck. Here is a link... http://www.empirecinema.com.au/ How far you want to go to see a few seconds of someone pretending to be me is up to you... Hope all is well! Cheers! Tiki King Answer: I'd watch anything your in. how are you and thanks for the link. It is now passed on to all who read me. Thanks again and best to you and your for the new year...c - Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Question asked by: Frank Abrams Subject: Final Picture Banjo-Uke Question: Here, you can see the bridge says "Gretsch" Thanks! F.A. Photos:      Answer: Thanks quite an old bridge. Its more like the stamping on early Gretch instruments. Strange, great tuners, great bridge...wonder what the story is. Is the back of the uke open of does it have a cover? If its open its easy but if it isn't get the cover off and see what you can fine. I'm curious....chuck - Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Question asked by: Frank Abrams Subject: Identification of Banjo-Uke Question: Dear Chuck. Here is a banjo-uke e that came in a nice old hardshell case. Tuners are of high quality. It is heavy and the body seems to be made of bakelite. The neck is wood. The only marking is on the bridge "Gretsch." Do you think it is Gretsch? Thanks, Frank. Photos:      Answer: I don't think the uke is a Gretsch , I have seen a few Gretch banjo ukes and they don't look like this one. The tunes have me stumped. They are Gibson or Gibson type tuners....Too good for the uke. Keep looking for a mark anywhere. Sometimes on the underside of the dowel stick there is a mark. A dental mirrow will help. Nice uke, what ever it is. thanks for writing in. Happy Holidays..c - Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Question asked by: vince Subject: Kamaka gold label uke Question: not a scratch on it - looks new. Need to get an idea of its value- can you suggest a range? Photos:      Answer: I'm not familiar with the value of headstocks. Perhaps a picture of the whole uke- front and back- would be of some help. Unless, of course, you only wanted the value of the headstock. Kamaka made many styles, sizes, finishes, trims and each has its own value. Would love to help....send pics..chucki - Tuesday, December 9, 2008

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