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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:
Mark J. Hulme
Subject: Leonardo Nunes - Birkel
Question: Hi - I inherited a koa uke with the
following paper label " "Ukelele O
Hawaii made by Leonardo Nunes
especially and exclusively for Geo.
J. Birkel Co. 446-448 S. Broadway
Los Angeles. Cal. Copyright 1917 by
L. Nunes". No Headstock decal,
flat top & carved back. I have
given it a once over with Lemon
Oil, but some of the aged schmutz
wont come clea. Any idea of value
or suggestions for restoration?
Thanks.
Photos:
Answer: 350+ and dont do any more. Its only worth that if you leave it original If you try to get the dirt completely off, you might get into the finish...a no no...thanks for writing in...frets
- Sunday, February 20, 2005
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Question asked by:
Gabe
Subject: Martin Uke
Question: Chuck
I wasn't sure if you received this
or not. Still trying to figure
out this computer thing. I was
wondering if you had any info on
this uke I received from my
grandfather. I know it is any
early Martin, but that is about
it. I would like to have some
work done on it, but not ruin the
originality of it. Let me know
your thoughts on it. Thanks.
Photos:
Answer: It is a style O martin uke. What kind of work and for what reason????....If it doesn't need anything don't do it. frets
- Sunday, February 20, 2005
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Question asked by:
sean
Subject: uke id help
Question: hi chuck,
can you help me id this uke?
i bought it from a man who said he
bought it in 1954 and it was
already old then. it has no label,
appears to be koa wood, arched back
soprano, 17 frets (12 to body)rope
binding with black thin purfling
inside it on the soundboard, rope
rosette with black on either side
and light wood or gold inner and
outer ring 1/8th inch separate from
rope rosette inside and one
outside. the rope binding looks
like ebony and lighter wood and
there is a butt joint piece or
either rosewood or ebony 1/4" at
top and 1/8" at back. i was told
that it was a hawaiian made
instrument. if you have any clue, i
would appreciate your thoughts.
also, i can take more pictures if
that would be helpful.
mahalo & aloha sean
Photos:
Answer: Sean...Mainland made probably Regal..Made to look hawaiian but it is not. NIce uke...The headstock is typical Regal and Not Island. Best...frets
- Sunday, February 20, 2005
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Question asked by:
soybean
Subject: Tahitian
Question: Chuck, as you say, the Tahitian/
Maori "ukes" are really more of a
percussion instrument. Is it
possible they are not ukes at all
but simply called ukes by the
Tahitian tourist industry to dupe
the uneducated traveller? Let's
get a petition signed and start
legal proceedings against these
imposters! Something must be
done!
(tongue firmly planted in cheek.)
Answer: Great Idea...everyone needs a cause...Nice to hear from you Dan...keep them comin" frets
- Sunday, February 20, 2005
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Question asked by:
Stan
Subject: Antique Uke
Question: Hi Chuck, I bought this on ebay
(buy it now $49.95 I think I had a
great buy).there is no label but
it is beautifully made and sounds
incredible. it measures 20 1/2
inches and has a centre rope
binding down the middle of the
back which is rounded. I believe
it is very early 20th century.
Have you any idea of the maker and
the value
Photos:
Answer: Great buy...No idea who made it...Looks like regal again. Hard to tell, many were made that look just like that. Sort of a Martin copy. Great score...start playing...frets.....
- Sunday, February 20, 2005
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Question asked by:
Andy
Subject: roy smeck concert uke
Question: Hi Chuck,
Just wanted to know if $300 is a
bit much to ask for a Roy Smeck
concert uke. The uke in question
looks exactly like the one
pictured under the logo on the
FleaMarket Music website (minus
the extreme scratches). The local
shop that is selling it typically
prices it's stuff kind of high.
Thanks
Answer: Its an ok price, not great. Good instrument and good player...best and thanks for writing in...frets
- Sunday, February 20, 2005
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Question asked by:
adam bastien
Subject: i just got my uke...
Question: I just got my own uke to play and
i bought it for 30$ original
price 60$... the first day i got
it i tryed tightening the top
string and it broke... i put a
small guitar string on it and i
was wondering if that were ok? i
also wanted to know if i should
slowly let the string stretch or
just look for a better string?
Answer: Get a set of really good strings. It will make a great difference. bests to ya...frets
- Sunday, February 20, 2005
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Question asked by:
Jennifer Grimes
Subject: Gibson Uke 1?
Question: I was wondering if I might bother
to ask you if you are familiar
with something called a Gibson
UKE 1? My grandmother gave me
this ukelele in the original case
(albeit it needs a little loving
care down on the place where the
strings hook in) and I'm just
wondering what the story is? I
wanted to put it in a shadow box
(it was my great-grandmother's)
and I'd like to have a notecard
with some "story" to put in
there. Thanks if you can help me!
Photos:
Answer: made in the l950's-60's late model Gibson style 1 uke...Pur a pic of your Grandmother in a Shadow Box and Hang the uke on the wall next to it. Play the uke...Don't put it in a box. It was meant to be played, its not a picture. Enjoy...frts
- Sunday, February 20, 2005
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Question asked by:
Douglas Gaither
Subject: Colored Strings for TV Pal
Question: Hey Chuck,
Last fall you recommended I hook up with
Duane Heilman for a repair to my 1920s Echo
Uke. He did a great job! Thanks for the
recommendation.... I purchased a TV Pal Uke
on eBay just because I wanted one. It came
with colored strings that I think may have
been original. The uke sounds a little thin,
would new strings perk this puppy up or is it
just destined to be thin? And what about the
colored strings? I'm not really
concerned about the collectability of it. I just
wanted a plastic uke. Oh and one last thing,
the top is deformed right in front of the
bridge due to continual strain. Can I just
heat it up and kinda bend it back out?
Answer: Glad duane could help..don't strain..you could pop a blood vessle in your eye. put on new strings and see how you like it..you can always put old ones back on.
hope i helped....frets
- Wednesday, December 22, 2004
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Question asked by:
Roel Kerkhofs
Subject: Harmony Ukulele
Question: Hello!
I was curious whether you would
be able to say something about
this ukulele. I found a site
which describes the head decals
of Harmony, but this one doesn't
have one.
I was wondering how old it is,
whether you could hint something
about its quality, and whether
you'd advice me to buy this uke
at a proce of 70 euros?
I hope you can help me.
Much obliged,
Roel Kerkhofs
Photos:
Answer: what does the label say. I don't know what euros are worth, but this uke is worth about 75 american dollars. I hope I've helped...frets
- Tuesday, September 21, 2004
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Question asked by:
Christopher
Subject: martin 5k
Question: Just to let you know Gruhn is
selling a martin 5k uke for 9500
dollars that once was owned by
eddie connors.
--Christopher
Answer: thanks.......perhaps someone will want it....not me...frets
- Tuesday, September 21, 2004
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Question asked by:
Christopher
Subject: wabash uke
Question: Hello! Quick question! I can get
a wabash uke with the funny shape
for 350 dollars. I need to make a
decision quick. Is this a good
price? Thank you.
Answer: no....its too expensive...i know the uke, it looks like a cigarbox with steps in it...don't buy it....frets
- Tuesday, September 21, 2004
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Question asked by:
Dan Mowrey
Subject: who made this uke
Question: This vintage uke looked good to
me, but it has no label or brand.
Inside the soundhole penciled on
the back are the letters D.R. I'd
be very grateful for any info you
can give me. Thanks in advance.
Dan Mowrey
Photos:
Answer: it looks like a regal copy of a hawaiian uke..That headstock is all wrong for hawaiian. I've seen many of these and they all use inferior koa.....thanks for the pic....frets
- Tuesday, September 21, 2004
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Question asked by:
Mozo
Subject: Kamele Old Uke
Question: Hello Again, Chuck,,,Thank you for
your prompt response to establish
idntity of this strange one....Headstock
decal is faded but shows" KAMELE" at
top, "HAWAIIAN' at bottom, The black,
blue & gold device seems to show an
anchor, palmtrees & an Hawaiian
maiden's head with floral
garland...Another oddity is that the
soundhole interior is enclosed by 4
seperate struts in a square
formation,,,The heel is "stepped", the
body seems to be all mahogany with
rosewood(?) fretboard...The pegs are
early injection moulded bakelite plastic
with a bone nut...I find it pleasurable to
play with good tone & substantial
volume...It has a nice lively light feel in
the hand...The fretboard seems to be
standard length but is only about 1 &
1/4" wide at the top, which makes it, as
U aptly describe as "somewhat
skinny". What would U say is it's age,
make & value? Greetings to your
gang & U from Manly, Sydney's Surf
City...Mozo
Photos:
Answer: 30's...strange instrument....don't know it, but will check with john king...john, if your out there, pleae write in. value, 200 if the wind is right..stay healthy..your pal...frets
- Monday, September 20, 2004
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Question asked by:
mark rodebaugh
Subject: harmony ukalele
Question: I have a ukalele which I purchased
in around 1961 which was made by
The Harmony Company in Chicago.
The ukalele has a plastic finger
board. The body has a sun burst
design.
Is there any value?
Please let me know.Thanks, Mark
Answer: very little....bottom of the line for harmony...wish I had better news.....oh..I do...all my bulbs are up and beautiful...best....frets
- Sunday, September 19, 2004
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Question asked by:
Carl von Baeyer
Subject: Nice ropebound ...
Question: Chuck, can you identify this uke
on eBay? #3745982163
Thanks, best wishes,
Carl
Answer: not hawaiian ....no idea...perhaps portugese, french ....don't think it is earlier than l930's probably later....not my favorite......see ya in oz.....frets
- Sunday, September 19, 2004
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Question asked by:
clive hughes
Subject: address
Question: Hi Chuck
have tried to pass info to Barney
about his Michigan uke, but his
email address is not right.
Could you ask him to correct it.
thanks ,CliveHughes.
Answer: barney...fix your address....hope it works better than when i tell the kids to clean their room......frets
- Sunday, September 19, 2004
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Question asked by:
Jeff
Subject: Martin style 2 uke
Question: Hello, What kind of prices are Martin
2Ms (very good to excellent condition)
commanding? Thanks
Answer: depends on the 2m...age, condition, 700 would be a good price for as prize older example.....thanks for the "Q".....frets
- Sunday, September 19, 2004
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Question asked by:
Larry
Subject: BRUKO
Question: I own eight ukuleles. Three of
them are German-made "BRUKO's".
Another one is a Risa and yet
another one is an un-named German-
made soprano. When you think
about it, it's surprising that
Germany seems to be a hot-bed for
the uke market. How many
manufacturers are you familiar
with out of Germany - and how did
they get so popular?
Answer: larry ..I have no idea. I know of bruko ad have for many years...not familiar with other makers. didn't know it was a hots-bed....what are the other brands....frets
- Sunday, September 19, 2004
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Question asked by:
Molly
Subject: Perhaps a mandolin?
Question: Hello again! thanks for writing
back. I feel silly, but I think the
ebay find may not be a true uke. It
may be a 4 string mandolin-uke
hybrid (though sold as a uke). Like
a uke, it has 4 strings and right
body shape. But it has the bridge,
string fasteners and back body (one
solid piece with rounded back) of a
mandolin. Actually should be
getting it soon. If you're
interested I'll let you know how it
plays. Thanks for all your fun
comments and enthusiasm!
Photos:
Answer: A mandolin is an 8 stringed instrument. Looks like some kind of uke to me....Odd to see bridge and taipiece but not the first time..let us know when you get it...frets
- Sunday, September 19, 2004
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