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

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Question asked by: Allen Hopkins Subject: Gretsch tiple Question: Regarding Bill Jones's question: there's a FMM poster with the screen name "rbeetsme" who owns a Gretsch tiple. Hasn't posted his e-mail address, but if Bill sent a posting to the bulletin board he might be able to contact this person and find out how he located his, and if there are other sources for these "rare birds." Answer: Allen...thanks for the heads-up. Always need good information. thanks again..chuck - Monday, December 8, 2008

Question asked by: David Williamson Subject: Vernon Uke Question: Wat's Up Chuck? Recently got a Vernon/Marlo pasteboard Uke. Sounds like crap but it looks OK. Problem is I can see the strings! Won't fool anyone! Any advice? Willy Answer: either decrease or increase your medication...I have no problem with you taking it, but the dosage is wrong...my best to you and yours. c - Monday, December 8, 2008

Question asked by: Bill Jones Subject: Gretsch Tiple Question: I am a fan of Gretsch guitars and discovered that Gretsch made a tiple one year only, 1935. I heard a guy playing one and it really sounded nice! His grampa left it to him so he didn't know anything about it. Difficult to find? What would one be worth and where would I look? I see Martins but 1 and only Gretsch I've seen. Answer: I would start with the guys grandfather. Seems he know more than we do. If I had that kind of psychic power, I wouldn't be looking for tiples, I would be at the roulette table in Vegas. Seriously, You can't look for something that rare\, you just have to wait until one pops up. I would stay away from places that you know won't have one , like a laundromat. Hope this has helped. chuck - Saturday, December 6, 2008

Question asked by: steve masty Subject: new or old Question: dear chuck, no - your answer was helpful indeed. both your lack of pronounced enthusiasm for the new uke i described, and noting how older instruments often sound better than new ones. I will go for the older one, and ask if i can return it if i am unsatisfied (providing i pay postage). many thanks for convincing advice! Answer: thanks for the kind words. I think that is your best idea. let me know how it turns out. I care...chuck - Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Question asked by: Gerry Hubbard Subject: B-2 Baritone Ukelele Question: Hi Chuck: I've got a Favilla B-2 Baritone Ukelele in excellent condition, serial 908614 and was wondering what it might be worth. Thanks for your help. Regards Gerry Answer: They should be worth more, but only about 300-400...thanks for writing in...c - Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Question asked by: brian stockman Subject: got info on L & H Conservatory Question: Hey there. Just thought I should pass along some info I dug up that might help someone sometime. Regarding Lyon and Healy sop. that I have. There's number 9077 inside on the box just opposite the neck...a "body number" assigned by the Lyon & Healy mfg company in chicago ... if they were to be sold as L&H's, they imprinted(pressed) the L&H brand on the tuner head stock..."front" (and then probably added a L & H paper sticker on the inside as well) If they were to be sold as an "American Conservatory" model..they put a paper " A..M" label inside... with a unit number on it.. mine is 5017, and.. they pressed the name "American Conservatory" on the "Back" of the tuner..head stock..where "mine" is imprinted. My personal example: I have a 17 fret soprano, the 9,077th L&H made, which was sold as the 5,017th American Conservatory(number on label within)and not as a Lyon & Healy. (though the L&H imprint "is" inside as well.) Other then the paper labels, and the embedded/imprinted brands on either side of the head,(mine A.C.on the rear of head) they are the same. I've seen Lyon and Healy's that are identical to mine except for the labeling. I thought Pretty cool Hope I'm not wasting space. Cheers, Stocky Photos:      Answer: thanks for all the info. Your certainly not taking space and info is always appreciated. Very interesting. Stuff I didn't know but then the older I get the more I realize what I don't know. Thanks for helping...keep in BTW...really nice uke...chuck - Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Question asked by: Thomas Subject: sticky surface on the neck Question: Hi Chuck, I bought a very nice Kiwaya KTS-4 soprano. I'm very happy with it! There is only one little problem: normaly the surface of this intrument is satin and you can move thumb of the left hand very good. Now by using the uke for some time the surface on the backside of the neck got glossing. But now I can not move my thumb as quick as at the beginning. It always feels a bit sticky. What can I do to get the satin finish back, because this was better for playing. Regards from Germany, Thomas Answer: Its a simple process of steel wool on the neck. However, I would have a qualified luthier do the job., He is familiar with finishes and can restore it to its original surface. It really is a simple fix. best...chuck - Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Question asked by: ukemonkey Subject: re. herdim tenor guitar. Question: Sent you some pics, of head and tail, hope you got them. The instrument has cleaned up really nicely - thanks for the advice - now it's cleaner I can see it says 'Marcelli made in Germany' on the tail piece. Mean anything to you? Answer: I'm certain the tail piece was made in Germany, but the Uke(?) was not...Still leaning toward the middle European or Eastern countries. Have recently seen a fingerboard like that from Turkey. We may never nail it down but looking is fun..Thanks again...chuck - Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Question asked by: ukemonkey Subject: herdim soundhole Question: ...you can just see the sticker, it says 'herdim' thats all i can make out, a company with that name makes picks, and i found a picture of a tuba with the same mark, but no info. cheers, ukemonkey Photos:      Answer: That soundhole trim is also middle European. The flowers have been used on a couple Guitars I have seen. If anyone out there recognizes any part of this uke, let us know. thanks. I will post all the pics I get...chuck - Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Question asked by: ukemonkey Subject: herdim tenor guitar Question: Thanks for your help Frets, I'd never heard of a tenor guitar before! How do you spot the difference between that and a bari uke? Can I use tenor banjo strings or the top 4 guitar strings on it (just thinking what i may be able to get locally). Cheers, ukemonkey Photos:      Answer: A tenor guitar is longer and narrower than a baritone uke. About 32-34 inches and much more graceful, like a small parlor guitar. c - Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Question asked by: steve masty Subject: too many choices Question: i know this is like asking if one prefers chocolate to vanilla. but i am torn between a gorgeous larrivee soprano in the most dramatically figured koa, and an understated, arch backed koa soprano from abut 1910. i can listen to neither beforehand. the 1910 is somewhat cheaper. have you advice? I am learning but wanted to treat myself to a good instrument. Answer: Who made the arch backed soprano...I have no way of helping you except to tell you what I would do based on what I know. It takes a long time to break in an instrument. If you put a gun to my head and threatened to kill me if I didn't make a choice, even though I couldn't hear them, I would take the 1910. Boy that's a terrible answer. But it's true. I have had Larrivee ukes and don't have one today. Not to say they are not good, but I prefer the sound of an older uke. If this has helped you , it's a miracle. Please keep trying to play them both. It's the only true determining factor. chuck - Monday, December 1, 2008

Question asked by: Spin Subject: Ukelele Lessons Question: Hey Chuck, Can you help guide to to someone that might provide Uke lessons in Southern Cal (Northern OC or Easters LA county preferred)? Any help would be great. Thanks Answer: Spin....call McCabes guitar shop in Santa Monica. 310-8284497.....they give all kinds of lessons and if they don't have a class to suit, they will be able to direct you. If this doesn't help write back and I will see what I can find out. best..chuck - Thursday, November 27, 2008

Question asked by: Michael Sheehan Subject: soprano vs concert Question: Hi Chuck, I'm the guy with the Weissenborn (rope binding and sound hole). We met at McCabe's a few years ago. A friend is jigging up to make ukes which should be excellent "one at a time" instruments. I'd like to advise him vis a vis the popularity of sopranos vs. concert style ukuleles. Any advice? Thanks, Michael Sheehan Answer: I remember you Michael...how are you. Its a tough question to answer because so much depends on the player. I advised Cole Clark here in Melbourne to make a size between the concert and soprano. It seems to have the much needed space between the frets,(small tho it is) and the extra scale length with deeper sound. If it were only possible to have one choice between soprano and concert, I would make the soprano. The reason .... if you can play a soprano you can play any size. Getting used to a concert and then wanting to play a soprano can be tricky. I hope ai helped , as I said, its a tricky question. Keep in touch....chuck - Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Question asked by: William Subject: Steve Fowlers Kamaka Uke comments Question: Chuck...I really enjoyed your response to Steve regarding his wonderful Kamaka uke. Enjoy life now...if not..when? Good job...keep it up! (no pun intended) Wm. Answer: Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate them more than you know. Its nice to know somebody is out there listening. peace pal. chuck - Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Question asked by: ukemonkey Subject: herdim baritone uke Question: Just got given this Herdim baritone uke, any idea how old it is? Any tips on cleaning it up? Also it has metal strings on it, is this usual, would they have been metal originally, are they still available, what would I need to ask for? Photos:      Answer: It is not a baritone uke, it is a tenor guitar. It originally had metal strings but I would string it with nylon..easier on the fingers and better sound. Gibson Guitar cleaner will clean it up, European made, turn of the century by the headstock. I would like close up pics of the headstock and the tailpiece..nice instrument. Kamaka stocks long strings...go to their website and order. best and thanks..;chuck - Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Question asked by: Steve Fowler Subject: old kamaka ukulele Question: > I am contacting you because I have been told you are a good site at which to > find out the value of an old ukulele. I have an old Kamaka ukulele and I am > aiiaching some pictures. It has a blue label on the head and old wooden > friction tuning pegs. It has three inlaid wood rings around the soundhole. It > is about 21 inches long. I have looked very carefully at the ukulele and I can > find no splits or cracks in it, or any place where it has been repaired. The > finish is in good shape and to my untrained ear it appears to have a very nice > sound. If you could give me an idea of the value I would greatly appreciate > it. I want to learn how to play and people tell me I should not use it for > practice because of the value. My name is Steve Fowler and my e- mail address > is fowl@juno.com Phone, 317- 892-4647. Thank you, Steve > Photos:      Answer: steve...some of the info you got is correct some is rubbish. The ukulele is a very nice and not often seen 1930's Kamaka standard soprano. They did not make tons of these in the 30's , as they were busy building the pineapple ukulele. The part about not learning on it because of its value is the rubbish. Unless you are going to be strumming it with a garden rake, I have a feeling you are mature enough to give it the care it deserves. It needs a hard case and never leave it sitting on a chair or if not being played it should be in the case. I have had thousands of uke in my life and I have never broken one. Why shouldn't you learn on a fine uke?...Sounds like silly parental advise....Use this uke and enjoy it. It was made to be played, not wait around until you can. Best of luck, you have a fine ukulele. Thanks for the pics...chuck - Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Question asked by: Kathleen Russell Subject: 7 -11 P'mico Ukulele Question: I was left an old 7-11 Ukulele by a family member. My children have played with it and over the years it is now missing 2 of the strings & there is slight wear & tare on wood, dice & rose pictures (stickers) on it. Do you have any information on this piece? I probably wouldn't sell it, just curious as to the piece. Thank you , Kathleen Russell :) I didn't supply a picture, but I can send one later if you like Answer: Usually made by the Philadelphia Music Company by Regal or Harmony. Made in the 40's50's.......thanks...chuck.... - Friday, November 21, 2008

Question asked by: C.J. Andrist Subject: 10 string tiple uke Question: I work in a music store and have a customer who is looking for a DVD or Video instuction course for the 10 string tiple Uke. Anything exsist out there? Ceej Answer: Your bet is to put this question on the bulletin board. There are lots of people who may know. I would google the question as well, everything you ever wanted to know is there. I will ask around and If I find anything I will add it to this answer. thanks..chuck P.S....I assume you know that a tiple is nothing more than a ukulele with four string tuning. Just a fuller sound because of the extra strings. Any ukulele book will give the answers. Look in our On-line store on this site and you will find what you are looking for. - Friday, November 21, 2008

Question asked by: Timothy Pardon Subject: Vintage Ukulele Question: My wife has her great grand mothers ukulele. It seems, after seeing pictures on the internet that this instrument is at least one hundred years old. It has a hand engraving behind the tuners with a number 4 on it. I saw a similar one like it on the internet that sold for over $13,000.00 . I am curious to what it is. Please respond. I can send pictures. Answer: I wish you already sent the pictures. For a uke to be worth 13,000 it has to be something very special. Not similar to but exactly the same. Looking forward to seeing the pics. Please take front, back, any markings..chuck - Friday, November 21, 2008

Question asked by: Jon Perry Subject: Uke indentity? Question: Hi Chuck. I picked this baritone uke up the other day. No identification I can find. Fretboard appears like a Kamaka style. Can you help? Thanks Jon Photos:      Answer: Jon...I don't know the maker but I know where it was and and when it was made. Its Japanese, by the circle on the bridge and the end of the fingerboard. Have seen this many times...made in the 50's or 60's...good luck...chuck - Friday, November 21, 2008

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