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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
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(Chuck
"Frets" Fayne has answered the following 5919
questions.)
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Question asked by:
Jim Ravoira
Subject: Harmony Baritone
Question: I purchased a Harmony Baritone Made
in Japan RB-3225. It appears to
have a 18.5" scale length. It needs
a bridge I estiamted it from the
fret spacing using a scale
caclulator on stew mac. I thought
Harmony went out of business in 74
it says 11-78 on the sticker. I
was wondering if it was originally
a GCEA uke? Any info? Thanks,
Jim
Photos:
Answer: Jim..The Harmony name is being used by two different companies today and they are both located in Japan. I have had many questions. I don't know if the bought the name or not...chuck
- Monday, February 25, 2008
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Question asked by:
Allen Hopkins
Subject: Mele guitar/B & J
Question: I believe Buegeleisen and Jacobson (B & J)
was only a distributor, never a manufacturer.
According to the Harmony guitar website, B
& J was founded in 1897 in NY City. They
were still active in the 1960's. They
distributed a wide variety of brand names,
including Harmony, Kay, National, S.S.
Stewart etc.; they also imported instruments
from Europe (e.g. Hagstrom) and from Asia.
I have a "B & J Victoria" bowl-back mandolin
that I believe is from around 1910. I doubt
that the guitar in question was manufactured
by B & J, but they did put a "B & J" label on
some of the instruments they distributed and
sold.
Answer: Allen, thanks for the update. useful information...best and stay tuned to uke yak......c
- Tuesday, February 5, 2008
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Question asked by:
Alex McGibbon
Subject: MELE instrument
Question: I recently required a MELE guitar
at a yard sale. It has a small
lable on headstock that reads MELE
B&J NY. On the inside of the back ,
there is a note that states the
following:
The Use Of Metals In Civilian
Articles Is Now Severely Restricted.
1. Ease peg out slightly until
required pitch is obtained
2. If peg slips, remove and roughen
slightly with a file or sandpaper
3. Be sure peg has bearing in slot
at both ends
4. If peg or slot wears and peg
becomes loose, cut quarter inch off
end of peg. These pegs will tune
your guitar as easily as a violin
with care and a little practise.
This is a war NECESSITY.
However, the headstock has metal
tuners. Is it possible that this
instrument originally had friction
pegs and they were later changed.
Also, since I could find any
evidence online that MELE made
anything but ukuleles, could this
instrument be a ukulele or possibly
a tiple?
Photos:
Answer: Very interesting..don't know what to say..I have never seen a mele guitar. I am posting this in the hopes some of the yakkers will know something about it. I think I know what you know..It is a war time machine and has taken all of the precautions that were needed to be taken during war time. I think you have an historical treasure. I would do some more digging...It might be very rare. thanks..chuck
- Tuesday, February 5, 2008
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Question asked by:
Joel Leder
Subject: 1919-1920
Question: CHUCK:
I am trying to keep a shoet story
I am writng historically accurate.
I your opinion, which were the top
end models for a professional
player to buy those two years.
It looks like the L&H shrines,
bells, goldleaf, as well as the
teardrop (L& H or Favilla) were
all introduced in the mid 20's.
Was the Martin3 the best uke for
pros in those years?
Thanks,
Joel
Answer: The professional player of those years would have either played a Martin or a Gibson. Lyon and Healy was not really a force in the uke business until a few years later..hope this helps...chuck
- Tuesday, February 5, 2008
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Question asked by:
Mike
Subject: Kamaka ID
Question: I have read here that Kiki
ukuleles were made in Japan...
what do you know about the Koa
soprano Kamakas that carry
the "Fabricated by Kamaka Japan,
Ltd. Hand-finished by Kamaka
Hawaii" decal behind the head,
but carry the normal KK decal and
have the normal gold lable?
Example photo attached...
Photos:
Answer: Since the waters are muddy about this problem, I would write Cris Kamaka at the factory. Go to their website and ask them. They are the best historians about their instruments..thanks...chuck
- Tuesday, February 5, 2008
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Question asked by:
Frank Loughran
Subject: C.F. Martin uke apprasial
Question: I would like to know the approx.
value for my Martin uke. It is a
soprano with push peg tuners. There
is no decal or stamp on the back of
the neck. There is a Martin stamp
in the sound hole. I have had it
repaired professionally and there
is one tuning peg from a violin. I
sounds great and I believe it dates
from 1922 to 1926. Can you help
me? Many thanks, Frank
Photos:
Answer: Without the stamp on the back of the headstock, I don't think it is that old. However, the size of the dots is of the earlier Martin as is the Push Peg tuners. I would guess for a style 1 with repairs, 500-600 would be a good price. Its my favorite Martin player. Great tone...chuck
- Friday, January 25, 2008
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Question asked by:
Joel Tebbenkamp
Subject: Mahogany v. Koa v. Spruce Wood
Question: Hi Chuck,
I'm looking at three entry-level
tenor ukuleles and am wondering
about the quality and sound of the
woods used in each uke. The Pono
PTOE is solid mahogany, the Kala
KA-KTE is Koa, and the Kala Spruce
Top is Koa with a Spruce top. How
will the sound of these three
ukuleles differ?
Secondly, one of the ukes comes
with open-faced gears. What
maintenence concerns come with
open-faced tuners as opposed to
closed-faced tuners?
Photos:
Answer: Joel, this question belongs on the bulletin board on this site. Ask them, they have all the good answers for new ukuleles. I have none unless Lyon and Healy have gone back in to the uke business. best...chuck
- Friday, January 25, 2008
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Question asked by:
Richard
Subject: Uke Case
Question: Dear Chuck,
I recently bought an older Gibson
uke. I'm intrigued by the case.
It has a textured black exterior
(imitation leather of some sort?)
over a compressed cardboard-like
material with a green felt
interior.
It is marked "G. and Son.
Utility" - see attached picture.
Hmmmm. G. and Son....Gibson....I
see from a website that Gibson
made a "Utility" case for
guitars...how about for ukes?
Does G. and Son. = Gibson?? Or
was someone looking to make
Gibson lookalikes?
Cheers and thanks for all your
wonderful help to the ukers out
there,
Richard
Photos:
Answer: Love to see the whole case. I am not a case expert....But I will do what I can...chuck
- Friday, January 25, 2008
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Question asked by:
Becky
Subject: gretsch soprano repair
Question: I just purchases a Gretsch
soprano for $100. From what I've
been reading here about this
brand, I think it was an OK deal.
But the little instrument needs
some repairs. It has a loose neck
and bridge, and one of the tuners
is cracked. Would you have anyone
to recommend in the Midwest
(Ohio) who could do a good job
fixing it? I can't wait to play!!
Answer: On this site you will find a player directory. See if there is anyone near where you live and ask them. I am not familiar with Mid West Luthiers...Hope this helps..chuck
- Friday, January 25, 2008
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Question asked by:
Vicki
Subject: buzzing g string
Question: Chuck,
I have a beautiful new, old stock Martin
baritone uke w/ original tags that I recently
acquired. It had never been played and has
been in its case for the last 50 yrs. It plays
real sweet except that the g and c strings
buzz some. I put in new ebony bridge pins
and it has helped but still some buzz. Can
you think of anything else I can do to stop
the buzz?
Thanks,
Vicki
Answer: vicke...you need a luthier to check the frets to see if they are high or low. It is most likely that is causing the problem...Let me know how it goes...chuck
- Thursday, January 24, 2008
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Question asked by:
kc
Subject: madolin
Question: I was given a mandolin. It looks
old & needs some minor repairs.
I'm not sure if it's worth being
restored. I've tryed to research
the history to determine if I
should have it repaired and I can
not locate online any history.
There is inside a paper label
reading
Cremon
Flach-mandoline
Made in Czechoslovakin
Do you know anything about this
instrument?
Kc
Thank you for any help! I also
emailed you sorry for the
duplication.
Answer: I know very little about mandolins. This is a ukulele web site. Please look on the web for a mandolin site. sorry...chuck
- Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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Question asked by:
Alex McGibbon
Subject: Mele Instrument
Question: I sent you a note on about January
14 about a MELE instrument that I
have. I am sending you more visual
info. i.e. photos of the instrument.
Photos:
Answer: Alex...It is a guitar. It is definitely not a ukulele or a tiple. I am trying to find out if the B&J company actually made this instrument or just distributed it. I will get back to you...chuck
- Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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Question asked by:
Jeremy
Subject: re: what do i have
Question: Sorry, I sent 8 detailed photos
and only the one went through.
Thanks, Jeremy
Photos:
Answer: You have a uke that was made on the mainland around l950 to compete with the Hawaiian market. That headstock is called a violin shaped headstock and was popular with some of the early Hawaiian makers. Nice uke...chuck
- Saturday, January 19, 2008
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Question asked by:
Lori
Subject: Age of this Gretsch?
Question: Hi Chuck,
I've enjoyed reading your chat
about old Gretsch ukes and wanted
to share with you. I came across
this one in an antique shop and
rescued it. It is in sound
excellent, playable condition, a
few surface scratches but no
cracks at all. It is plain jane,
it has no inlay dots on the neck
nor does it appear to have any
kind of wood overlay on the neck.
The pegs are in excellent shape
and to me appear to be original.
The bridge and saddle are one
wood piece, no other material
involved there either. I have
been playing and enjoying it and
think it sounds very nice. In
addition to the stamp on the back
of the head there is a stamp
inside the body that you can see
through the sound hole that reads
Gretsch American. The inside does
have kerfed linings on top and
bottom.
Have you any idea what year this
may have been made and out of
what kind of wood?
Thank you so much,
Lori
Photos:
Answer: Lori,
The uke is made of Mahogany and the tuners are top quality. The uke was made in the 30's to the 50's...Probably closer to the 30's . Its a beauty ..thanks for the question..chuck
- Saturday, January 19, 2008
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Question asked by:
Christine Ikeakhe
Subject: Duke Kahanamoku uke
Question: Hello, I would like to know the worth of this
collectable uke. It's from the fifties and has the
crest of Hawaii on the top and the Duke's name
on the body. The wood is a blonde colour.
Tks. Christine
Photos:
Answer: It is worth about 300 dollars. Its in very nice condition. It was made as a tourist uke and rumor has it it was made o the mainland. Sorry it took so long. chuck
- Saturday, January 19, 2008
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Question asked by:
Dan Frank
Subject: Mystery uke
Question: Hi Chuck,
I recently found this
ukulele and I was wondering if you
could give me any more information
on it. It has a generic-type
label on the inside of greenish
paper that reads "High grade
Hawaiian Ukulele Warantee 6-S"
It has nice appointments, with the
rope binding and the back
extending over the heel joint. It
has crowned brass frets, not bar.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Dan
Photos:
Answer: It appears to be Hawaiian and the heel cap makes me think it definitely is. It is a very nice uke. The body shape is more like the early Hawaiian Ukes. I will look at my pictures for who I think it is. I think I know but can't think of the name...chuck
- Saturday, January 19, 2008
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Question asked by:
jim
Subject: SEKOVA Baritone Uke
Question: Is this a poor, good, better than
ave, great, etc,..Uke?? old uke
looks great condition, but i've not
played it..only seen detailed photos..
Answer: Jim...need picture, not familiar with the name..thanks...chuck
- Friday, January 18, 2008
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Question asked by:
Steve Campbell
Subject: Hanalei, Royal Hawaiian or Neither?
Question: Newbie here (to your site, anyhow).
I've had this uke for a long time
and, on a whim the other day, got
out my Fiddlebright and cleaned it
up... and was astonished by the
glowing golden wood! Is this Koa?
It has a label (depicted in
photo)with both "Hanalei" and
"Royal Hawaiian" on it - I thought
these were two different makes? It
matches the pics I've seen online
of Royal Hawaiian ukes, except for
the violin tuning pegs (all the
pics I've seen have full-on tuners).
This uke was missing two pegs when
I got it, but I think the ones I
have are original (the wood
matches, anyhow). Sooo - what do I
have here? Is it real and worth
lots of money, or a knock-off of
some kind? Thanks, Chuck.
Photos:
Answer: Steve, I have seen another of these ukes. It is not Hawaiian and it is not Koa. It is made of pine and made in the United States to make people think it is hawaiian. I'm sorry it isn't better news but the uke looks solid and I would imagine it plays...see ya and thanks for writing in..chuck
- Friday, January 18, 2008
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Question asked by:
victor
Subject: Banjo/uke
Question: I just inherited this banjo uke. It
has no ID marks other than
"Concert" engraved on the rim of
the resonator below the tailpiece.
The back is all metal. Any ideas?
Pic of back coming.
Thanx for your time!
Mahalo.
Victor
Photos:
Answer: Victor, I am familiar with this uke. I have no idea who made it. Concert is a name used on many uke parts. It is a good uke and not common with the matching metal back. I would guess it was made in the 30's and by a known manufacturer. If there is more I can help with, I will. I will look at my catalogue collection and see if I can come up with a name...best..chuck
- Friday, January 18, 2008
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Question asked by:
Sarb
Subject: Weymann Uke - possible Martin?
Question: Hi Chuck,
I'm pretty new to Uke playing, but
I'm having fun learning. I am
learning on a cheap entry model -
a Mahalo soprano, but I have the
opportunity to buy a Weymann
Soprano. I wonder if its possible
to identify whether its a Martin-
made Weymann from these details:
It hasd a serial number on it
apparently - Serial # 31668 and
has # 20 stamped on the head of
the Uke. It has replacement Grover
tuners and Martin strings, but
will come with original tuners
too - one of which is loose. What
do you think? Thanks ever so much -
great site, and a new find for me.
Photos:
Answer: It is not a Martin made Weymann uke...But Buy it fast. It is a beautiful uke and as good as any martin. I have not seen another in that condition with the original case. Please write me and let me know how it goes..If you don't buy it let me know....as I said, its a beauty......chuck
- Friday, January 18, 2008
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