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

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Question asked by: Robert Subject: Vintage Mele banjo uke Question: Really enjoy your website. I have a vintage Mele banjo uke, made for B&J, New York. I'm told from the 1920's. More pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/badgett/BanjoUkulele Any thoughts on value? Photos:      Answer: 200+ on a good day...Usually good players, use gut strings...chuck - Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Question asked by: John Bushey Subject: Question On A Ukulele I Have Question: Could you maby tell me about the years of these two UKL i have-One is called The Dandy Line-And the other is a Roy Smeak Thank You And there in perfect condition- Would it be worth it to have them restrung Photos:      Answer: Absolutly...they are both good ukes. The Roy Smeck is a little higher on the pecking order, but both solid instruments. Have them restrung and pay them...chuck - Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Question asked by: Ally Subject: UKE old one Question: Family hand me down ready to be sold on ebay. Im just wondering can you give me an idea on the age of it. Label located inside body, visible through soundhole, 'MADE IN AUSTRALIA BY/JMG INSTRUMENTS/PATENT PENDING 2869/46' Label on handle is Nicholsons Pty LTd Sydney "the music centre" has all strings and works fine case is old and bit tattery on outside but strong protecting still. Not sure if you can help but thought worth a try. Photos:      Answer: I see them once in a while down here. They were made by a violin maker who had an idea to make a little cave type area around the inside of the uke to trap the sound ans direct it towards the sound hole. A miserable failure. They came in their own odd shaped flight case. If you track down the patent number on the inside you will get information about the uke. I did, but I can't remember what year. This one looks in fantastic shape. It seems bigger than a soprano..should be 21 inches. Let me know..I'd keep it..its a real rarity. I would value it, in that conditon...700+.....thanks for writing in...c - Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Question asked by: Steve Pepper Subject: Ian Anderson Question: Chuck In response to bassclar's query re Ian Anderson's guitar he apparently plays a range of travel guitars. He is attributed to own one by Ozark, which I find strange as this is a fairly cheap range of instruments. The one on here is probably a "Taylor" of some description they make fine travel guitars. Travel guitars are tuned the same but built smaller so people can "backpack with them" Martin do one as well but its probably the same quality of the new uke made in Mexico i.e. not with a ten foot barge pole, I know I own one. NB did you get the pic I sent of the model 4 De Vekey you seem to have lost about 4 days of posts the other week? Steve Answer: Thanks for the info, I got the pics and believe I answered you question...Will check...If you don't see an answer, write again. Once I delete or answer them they are gone forever. Thanks again..chuck - Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Question asked by: Jim Bailey Subject: Uke ID Question: Hi Chuck, I was just gifted an uke for my house-sitting services. It was received by my boss from a friend several years ago. Looks nice & sounds nice. The head has "Kamalani" across the top. The back of the sound hole has "Fresh Ukuleles, Kimo of Kailua" burned into the wood. Its highly polished and seems to be good quality. I can't find any info on the internet. Ever heard of them? Thanks, Jim Bailey, Ojai, CA Answer: Have no idea...perhaps one of the uke yakkers will know. They know lots of stuff don't....Anyone Know....thanks...chuck - Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Question asked by: Bruce Naylor Subject: Makea & Kamana Uke Question: Hi Chuck. The plot thickens! Got a hit on that question I asked last week from a collector Jeff Mercer in Sydney. Here is what he had to say. 'What I found intriguing about your uke is I have one in my collection with an absolutely identical inner label � circular white w/ red lettering, figure leaning against two palms trees w/ a mountain in the distance ( I think it�s supposed to be Diamond Head in Waikiki !), and �guaranteed genuine koa UKULELES & GUITARS made in Hawaii�. Where they differ is that mine has �Paul F. Summers� where yours has �Makea & Kamana� , which leads me to believe they were probably from the same manufacturer. Summers was a uke & Hawaiian guitar teacher in Honolulu from around 1925 to at least 1933, he had teaching studios at both the Royal Hawaiian & Moana hotels, and the vast majority of the instruments he sold to his students ( with his label inside ) were made for him by a local builder named Sam Chang. Chang first advertised as a uke maker in 1926, and was still in business in the Fifties ( unlike many of the 20�s uke companies, who folded in the late 20�s � early 30�s when the ukulele fell out of fashion !). I�d reckon your uke would be made by Chang in the late 30�s or early 40�s, as it lacks the �TABU � MADE IN HAWAII� stamp that was branded on nearly all island made ukes & guitars until around 1935. Who �Makea & Kamana� were will probably forever remain a mystery, but it can apparently be loosely translated as �maker & carpenter� in traditional Hawaiian language, so it may be Sam Chang referring to himself ! Photos:      Answer: Thanks Bruce and the mystery goes on. But were just a little closer. Please see Kenny's answer above. Sam Chang made ukes for lots of people ..It certainly could be. But we know at lease were in the right neighborhood and the right people. If anyone else as any info, we need it. thanks...chuck - Saturday, September 13, 2008

Question asked by: Jeff Mercer Subject: Kamaka/Kalai Pineapple Question: Hi, Chuck, hope this finds you well. A friend of mine is currently in the US, and just texted me about a Pineapple uke he's found with the odd combination of a Kamaka headstock decal with a Ka-Lai inner paper label. I'm aware of the John Lai/ Sam Kamaka connection, but havent as yet seen one with both names on the same uke. Is this particularly unusual ? Has pineapple decal & rope binding, asking price is $500(US). Reasonable, do you think ?. As always, Chuck, many thanks..Jeff Answer: Reasonable...not a bargain. It is not common to have both makers on the same uke, however I have seen quite a few of them. The Ukes made by Lai himself resemble the grace of a boat paddle. Some carved out of a solid piece of something. Terrible sound but historically insteresting. Best to your friend and you...keep in touch..chuck - Saturday, September 13, 2008

Question asked by: Jim Boris Subject: Is it worth anything? Question: Hi! I was given this by a missionary lady at our church. It's 29 inches long. Is that a tenor? No labels on it. Some wear, but no cracks. Sounds good from what I can tell. One tuner is busted. Do you have any thoughts on whether this is worth selling to someone as a fixer-upper, or should I just trash it? No idea what the wood is. I have more pictures. Please tell me it's worth a million dollars! Thanks. Photos:      Answer: I wouldn't trash it but I can assure you it isn't worth a million dollars, or a million cents. It looks 1950's Japanese. I would not spend anything fixing it up, and it is probably more a baritone than a tenor. Now the good news, Because of all the winter rain, my fruit trees are blooming a month early. best...chuck - Saturday, September 13, 2008

Question asked by: c lund Subject: Soprano Question: Friend has a mahogany soprano that's pretty plain, I would guess in the 40's or so. Stamped on back of peghead; N. Turturro, N.Y.C. Manufacturer Of course I have no pctures to help you but Is it of any value. c lund Answer: Nathan Turturro was a fine instrument maker. He is known primarily for his Mandolins, peanut shaped ukulele and an instrument that is a ukulele on one side and a mandolin on the other. It was called a turn-over uke. His Mandolins are mostly in museums today because of the quality of design and the intricate inlay work. It is of value, I have seen plain ones but they are scarce. Thanks for writing in and if you ever get any pictures, please send them along. - Saturday, September 13, 2008

Question asked by: Ray Kelleher Subject: Yasuma tiple Question: Hi Chuck. I want to sell my Yasuma tiple. I'm the original owner since '78. It's had about 10 hours playing time in all those years. Brand new condition except for a small compression ding in the upper left bout. Kept strings slack. Everything perfect. What do you think it's worth? Photos:      Answer: 750+ dollars. Yasuma did the best at copying Martin of any maker, even down to the tone. I have had that exact instrument and always regretted getting rid of it. As I said earlier, I love the sound of a tiple. God luck and if you sell it , please try our marketplace. Its free and all the readers are uke nuts. Bound to have a market. best to ya...chuck - Saturday, September 13, 2008

Question asked by: Robert Subject: Martin Style 3s Question: Hi Chuck, I hope you are doing well. I havn't heard from you in a while. I thought I would send a picture of some Martin style 3s to share with you and your viewers. I may be putting these on the market as a collection. Any idea of price range I should ask for all. Talk to you soon! Aloha! Robert Photos:      Answer: any offers. I am still computing...most impressive.....great collection...wish it were mine......will answer soon....best to ya robert......chuck - Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Question asked by: Bruce Naylor Subject: Makea and Kamana Uke Question: My name is Bruce Naylor. I am from Bellingen in Australia I have a ukulele with a "Makea & Kamana" label on the inside. The label pictures a round logo with palm trees and a man playing an instrument leaning against a palm tree on the right. The label also says, "guaranteed genuine koa, Ukuleles Guitars, Made in Hawaii. have you ever heard of this brand.Can estimate when this guitar was made and by whom? What might the value of it be. I also have three of the four original wooden tuning pegs. Very quaint, but not the best tuning system! It is genuine Koa and has a very sweet mellow sound. I attach a picture of it. It is very similar to the early kamaka soprano in inlay etc My guess is 1930's. It has the Hawaiian coat of arms decal on the headstock that Kamaka used to use pre the 50's Hope you can help me Kind Regards Bruce Naylor Photos:      Answer: I see that this question has been asked around alot. I have no idea who made the uke. It could have been a lot of makers. I am hoping JOhn King will see this and answer. He might know. I will let you know if I find out anything. thanks..chuck - Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Question asked by: David Subject: Martin - Style 0 Question: I've had the great fortune of locating and buying 2 Martin ukuleles in the past month. I have owned a number of other vintage beauties (Favilla, Lyon & Healy, Gretsch, Kamaka, Harmony Johnny Marvin) but never a Martin. These 2 ukes -- A 50s Style 1 and a Style 0 of unknown vintage -- were priced so well that I had to thin the herd to make room. I wanted to see what your thoughts were on the age of the uke in the attached pictures. It is a bit of a weird bird. I know that the older ukes used bar frets and had the Martin stamp on the back of the headstock. Also, the newer ukes used T-frets and had the decal on the front of the headstock. This particular uke has bar frets AND the decal (on a headstock that is wider than the headstock on my Style 1). What gives? Thoughts on age and value? Photos:      Answer: lots of these showed in the transition. I can't tell from the pics but I have owned many of that description. Older headstock newer body. Lots of variations. Its about 1950 ish.....could be a little earlier....c p s. it seems to have the larger fret markers also. - Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Question asked by: Bruce Gapinski Subject: Kamaka Question: This is a pineapple Kamaka "concert ukulele" Is this rare, by chance? Respectfully, bruce Photos:      Answer: plese send pic of the whole uke...looks like an early one but can't tell from just the label. c - Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Question asked by: Gerald Subject: Paul Summers guitar ... Question: Hello, I'm trying to get informations on that guitar. I bought it a few months ago : I do not see either brand, or label, or serial number out or in the guitar: - back and side > mahogany (i presume) // wooden nut - on the head I can read : Paul Summers / Honolulu. - original pickguard shape - nice red & green binding - very very high action (intended for Hawaiian lap-style playing?) Looks like an old Regal made guitar (binding looks like this old Regal made tiple : http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Museum/Tiple/RegalTiple/regaltiple.html) Did Regal made any guitars for Paul Summers? Can you help ? Thanks Best Regards Gerald Photos:      Answer: Nice guitar....I have owned many Paul summers guitars and they have always had the staggered pins for the strings. I have no idea what this is....never saw a summers that wasn't koa.. don't know who made it but my guess it wasn't the summer bros....c - Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Question asked by: Herb Subject: Dixie Banjo Uke Question: Hi Chuck, Hope all is well down under. I finally broke down and bought a Dixie Banjo Uke. My wife likes the way they look. I put Worth CL strings on it and it sounds better than I expected. My question is has anyone definitively determined who made these things and when (30's, 40's, 50's)? Thanks, Herb Answer: Herb...I have seen the advertised in almost every catalog. Popular because of their looks not their sound. I used to call them the worlds largest cheese slicer. If you have one that sounds better than expected..hang on. My guess is the 50's.....don't find them advertised much before that...best to ya...chuck - Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Question asked by: Manny Festo Subject: Tenor Uke Strings Question: I have a tenor Fluke, and I like to tune it down, to DGBE, and sometimes even a half-step lower. I'm wondering if you can recommend strings for best results. Thanks! Answer: manny....write this question to the the guys at bulletin board. They will know the answer....chucki - Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Question asked by: Jeff Mercer Subject: Aero-uke Question: Hi, Chuck. A couple of days ago an old Harmony- or whoever made them- Aero Uke turned up on Ebay with a 'Buy it now' of only $495 ! Unsurprisingly, it did'nt last long..but thats GOT to be a steal, yeah ? What would you value one at ? Thanks as always, Jeff. Answer: I just saw one sell for 5000.00....I thin 495 is a steal...I wish I found it...c - Monday, August 25, 2008

Question asked by: Tom Bassett Subject: Uke ID Question: Theuke Photos:      Answer: It is definitely a Harmony. The pegs gave it away...good strummin chuck - Saturday, August 23, 2008

Question asked by: Bruce Huss Subject: Tombo Ukulet Question: Hi, Just came across a Tombo Ukulet at a garage sale and couldn't resist. Can you tell me what a cosmetically good Ukulet with case (the amp is built into the case, like the old Sears Silvertones...how cool!) might be worth? The pickup works, but the amp only pops when I turn it on, so no sound yet. I'll take it in tomorrow and see if my shop can get it working...it's pretty darned simple, so I don't imagine it'll be too difficult to get functioning. I can't seem to find much info on these, but it sure looks fascinating. It needs one tuning post plus the gear for the same on the back of the headstock, but otherwise it's in pretty decent shape. Is there much interest in these? Yeah, I know it's not really a uke, but your site was one of the few that seemed to know anything about four stringed small instruments. I'm a performing acoustic guitarist ( http://www.myspace.com/brucehuss ) and I might keep it to record with or just sell it once I get the missing tuning peg replaced. I did see a pristine one going for big bucks on the internet, but I don't think this one is quite in that class yet. Any info would be appreciated. --Bruce Photos:      Answer: Bruce. I sold mine about 10 years ago for 300 dollars. I have not seen one since. I think they are very cool.....Not the greatest sound but certainly collectible. best...best chuck - Saturday, August 23, 2008

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