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

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Question asked by: Brad Subject: Who makes this Question: Howdy Chuck, I was wondering if you could tell me a little about this ukulele. It is 18 3/4 inches long. 5 1/2 inches wide at the bottom. The sound hole is 1 1/4 inches. It has 12 frets, and 10 strings. Any info you could give me would be awesome. Thanks, Brad Photos:      Answer: brad, please send pic of front...chuck - Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Question asked by: Peary Wood Subject: Vintage Hawaiian Ukulele Question: Dear Chuck: Here is another picture of the instrument. It was given to me by a man whose grandmother had given it to him about forty years ago. There is a pencil signature inside which I cannot make out and I have seen a couple with similar inlays and/or headstocks. Any clues? Photos:      Answer: peary, please send pic of the whole front and back...chuck - Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Question asked by: tracie Subject: re: Ingrid Michealson's uke Question: here's a pic and a you-tube link to help you identify that uke for that guy's daughter looks like a Compass Rose tenor? go, dad! http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=kSZLNWlhM3A Photos:      Answer: Thanks for the link..I am not familiar with this ukulele. Hope this helps him...thanks again...chuck - Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Question asked by: Carol Rose Subject: Arthur Godfrey Vega uke Question: Hi Chuck, I'm a virgin to the ukulele world but I'm extremely interested in becoming part of it. Someone gave me this Arthur Godfrey Deluxe Vega ukulele and I wondered if you could help me value it. It's got a few nicks and scratches. Thanks. Carol Photos:      Answer: Are you getting into playing or selling?? In good condition they are worth 300 bucks approximately. Its a strange market these days....chuck - Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Question asked by: Peary Wood Subject: Vintage Hawaiian Ukulele Question: Can you identify the maker of this ukulele? Answer: peary...the first pic didn't come thru. Please send me a pic of the front whole uke and the back. I can then help..chuck - Monday, November 3, 2008

Question asked by: kathy Subject: drousy waters by supertone Question: What do you think the value of this old uke could be. We found this in my husbands grandmothers home. It has been on display in our home ever since. Photos:      Answer: in this condition about 150...thanks..chuck - Monday, November 3, 2008

Question asked by: Michael Allen Subject: De Verkey Question: "It is a De Vekey...style 2 or 3....just no markings. strange......chuck p.s....is the uke thinner than most ukes...." Thanks for your quick answer Chuck. Yes it is thinner than most Ukes and has a curved back like a violin(Not warped) I think it must have been carved rather than being bent into this shape. I think looking at the wood it could be spruce. Should it be tuned as normal tenors? .The action is pretty good, going to reserve judgement on sound till I have stuck some better strings on it but it does appear to lack a little on the base side.Can you also give me any information on De verkey. Many thanks Mick Answer: DeVekey either made 4 or five styles. Each fancier than the other. It should be tuned exactly as you would tune any tenor. The top should be spruce as you have found out. Thanks for writing, good score...chuck - Friday, October 31, 2008

Question asked by: Kenneth Joaquin Subject: Kamaka, rare or not, value Question: Hello Chuck, I just came across this uke recently. This one has the pineapple on the back instead of the front. It has a blue label inside that reads, strictly handmade by S.K.Kamaka. Also has a serial number no. 74178. Can I date it by that number. Is it rarer with the pineapple on the back. What kind of value do you think it has. Thanks for any help that you can give me. Love your page. Ken Photos:      Answer: Ken...thanks for the kind words. I have had a few Kamakas with the decal on the back. It is unusual and I don't know if it affects the value. I always thought it was a silly place to put it since the back gets the body wear. It is a beautiful ukulele, a style 3 and I think today it would for 650+ perhaps more. Thanks for writing in...chuck - Friday, October 31, 2008

Question asked by: donna carr Subject: information on instrument Question: Hi Chuck, I have this violin-uke 1947 made by marxochime colony in New Troy Mich. execellent condition.original sales tag $28.50 with 5 year manufactures guarantee. order sheets for music sheets,plus 17 songs on 12 musical sheets. all in the original box. (box has a little water damage.) I came across this instrument at my mothers home. can you give me a little info and maybe the value of it? thank you, donna Photos:      Answer: If you will go to the uke yak site and you put in Marxochime and violin uke you will come across many answers. Basically they are usually in good shape because nobody could ever play them. They were sold door to door and mail order and looked just like they should play wonderfully. Just the opposite. They are terrible. As a decorator piece it should bring 100 just as a novelty. thanks for writing in. chuck - Friday, October 31, 2008

Question asked by: Riley Subject: Value/Repair... Question: I own a Hohner HU19 Ukulele. It was made in Japan and is a Baritone Ukulele to my knowledge? I was wondering the approximate value of it, in case I wanted to sell it to upgrade. I tried to search it online, and found that is was a cheaper or toy Uke I believe? Also, the nut is severely damaged just after the 2nd slot, preventing me from stringing the instrument, at least properly. Is there an easy place to find a new nut to replace this, or am I better off going to someone who can repair it? Thanks! Photos:      Answer: Riley, go to a luthier and have the nut replaced. It cannot be repaired. You should be able to get 200 for the uke..Unfortunately, baritones are not real popular. good luck and consider our marketplace as a place to sell it. thanks...chuck - Thursday, October 30, 2008

Question asked by: Jim Szymaniak Subject: uke -size Question: I would like to but my daughter(16) a uke for Christams. She is a big fan of Ingrid Michaelson. Do you know what size she plays(tenor, concert,soprano,barritone)? And what tuning she may use. Thank you Answer: I'm sorry I don't know who Ingrid Michaelson is. Which severely limits my knowledge of her uke. Please let me know how I can find out about her and I will try to get you the information. thanks for writing in....chuck - Thursday, October 30, 2008

Question asked by: Reggie Ruiz Subject: aria ukulele Question: Hey ummm this might be a stupid question but i was just wondering since instruments suppose to have labels how come the aria ukulele that i bought has no label on it? Photos:      Answer: Sorry, I know nothing bout labels. Maybe it never had one....chuck - Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Question asked by: Rod Wayne Subject: what is this worth? Question: I was wondering what this Martin is worth. I have more pics if you need them. Photos:      Answer: Rod...in perfect condition about 400-500 bucks. It is a late 50's model. Whats the ding in the peg head. looks like someone tried to put in another tuner. best...thanks for writing in..chuck - Monday, October 27, 2008

Question asked by: Mick Dow Subject: Unknown Maker of Vinatge Uke Question: Hello Chuck, Hope you can help me. I have just bought this ukulele on ebay here in Britain. It has some of the hallmarks of a De Verkey but I haven't found anything quite the same so far on the net. Cheers Mick Photos:      Answer: It is a De Vekey...style 2 or 3....just no markings. strange......chuck p.s....is the uke thinner than most ukes.... - Monday, October 27, 2008

Question asked by: Franulele Subject: Bobby Henshaw Baritone Uke Question: Hi CHuck, I picked up this Bobby Henshaw Baritone Uke at a local auction. Do you have any suggestions as to its value? Any recommendations for strings? Thanks, Franulele Photos:      Answer: Baritones are the most unpopular of the uke sizes. It is a good name and should bring around 300 as a vintage instrument. I don't think it will get that now. I would put a set of Kamaka Baritone strings on it...they are a little softer than others and sort of mellow the sound of the baritone....Keep writing in....chuck - Saturday, October 25, 2008

Question asked by: franulele Subject: Sop Uke with unusual soundhole trim Question: Hi Chuck, I picked this uke up at a local auction. It's a soprano with an unusual trim around the inside of the soundhole. No brand name anywhere. One of the strings was an old gut string. Can you shed any light on this uke? Thanks! Franulele Photos:      Answer: fran...that soundhole trim is unusual but not the Regal Company of Chicago. The uke was made in the 30s-40s....That's about all I can tell you .....thanks...chuck - Saturday, October 25, 2008

Question asked by: myra Subject: yasuma Question: Hi Chuck. I have a Yasuma TU-1 that I'd like to sell but have no idea as to its value. It needs to be restrung but other than that, it's in fine condition. Do you know what it's are worth? Photos:      Answer: They are a very good uke. I have had many varieties of them, tiple, tenor, soprano etc and they are all great. Your uke is worth, in this wacky market, 500+...put it on the marketplace on this site and it will get its best exposure. Thanks for writing in....chuck - Thursday, October 23, 2008

Question asked by: Bryan Bradfield Subject: C versus D tuning Question: Kamaka recommended that I use C tuning for my Kamaka soprano uke. All of the tutorials that I find on the market today and all of the historical tutorials going into the early 1900�s teach in D tuning. However, I did find a chord chart for C tuning on the internet. Was C tuning ever popular? Do you think Kamaka recommended C tuning simply to minimize stresses? Answer: I use C tuning because I find it easier to read charts when I have to. I don't understand why they would recommend one over the other, its a personal choice. One step in tuning, in a middle range, will not create a stress problem. thanks for writing in...chuck - Thursday, October 23, 2008

Question asked by: Shari Subject: value of ukulele Question: This ukulele is over 70 years old but i'm wondering if it's worth fixing up? Answer: No picture came through. Pleae send one...chuck - Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Question asked by: Uniki Tiki Subject: Kay - Toy or Real? Question: Hi. I picked up this Kay Uke at an Estate Sale for $10. I wanted it for a wall hanger in my Tiki Bar. I was wondering if this Uke is a childs toy uke or a very low end player? Also if you could tell me the age and value? (I figure around $15) The back of the uke has what looks to be glue on the surface like it was glued to a wall. I would like to sand and refinish it. What should I use? Photos:      Answer: Strangely enough it is a pretty good uke. A cheapie in its day but not a lot of them are seen. If it doesn't take too much work, I would fix it up and play it. It is more than a wall hanger. It was made in the 50's and is worth about 150 bucks. good score. As far as refinishing it is something you should take up with a professional restorer. It doesn't look like a lot of work...best..chuck - Tuesday, October 21, 2008

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