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 (152 of 296) (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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Question asked by: Jumpin' Flea D Subject: Favilla Soprano Tuning pegs Question: Hi Chuck - I just bought a Favilla Soprano uke from Ebay, that was in an old woman's attic for years and years. Anyway, it is a superb instrument! - my only problem, is that when I was re- stringing it, because of it's age, one of the tuning pegs cracked on the inside (where it connects with the rest of the peg, and it also is worn out anyway, and was slipping. I tried to swap it out with other tuners from vintage ukes I have, but they are all too big. Is there any way I can replace them...without having to retrofit anything newer (bigger) into the original holes that the tuners were set in? In other words, is there a manufacturer that makes the same size tuning pegs as your old Favilla? Also, by the way, the serial no. inside is: 20526 Is there anyway to tell me the age of the instrument, and some background? Thanks! Darren Answer: need pic to date...sounds like a dating service.......take the uke to a good luthier...they will have tuners that will fit. Its not a serious problem....thanks from toonerville, Mt Idy...frets - Sunday, September 19, 2004

Question asked by: karl Subject: no-name 'made in japan', sold in the Netherlands Question: Hello Chuck, So this is a 50 eurocent ukulele, with a thirty-fold worth of replacement parts. Basically the bridge and nut had both been torn- in by steel strings (pieces of which were still attached), the (laminated) top is scratched and the seller was unaware of what this 'broken toy guitar' was. I cut myself a new nut and saddle with a bone bridge and strung the thing. It plays and sounds pretty well, although this is my first uke and I can only compare it to cheapo ones in the local music/souvenir shop. Two decals say it's made in Japan and sold by a long-gone music shop in The Hague. The tuners kept slipping, so I fastened them until I could turn a plastic knob without the pitch going up (woops, the knob split!), so I replaced all four pegs now with new ones. In the picture you can see replacements as well as broken original parts. What I wanted to ask was the obvious question of what you can say about it. I guess it isn't valuable, but I would like to know how you would describe it, what 'league' it's in. And second, there's the intonation problem. It's all really sharp when I play up the neck, but correct intonation would imply that I move the saddle about 5 mm down the instrument - and that would ruin the looks. Should I simply raise the nut and/or bridge (and thus raise the realy low action)? Or get the saddle back off (I used bone glue) and stick it back straight this time (I know, I was impatient about stringing and messed up)? Sincerely, Karl Oh, and where should I pick up a copy of your book? Photos:      Answer: Karl...look for another project....it was made during the worst era of japanese ukuleles. Don't waste your time...frets - Sunday, September 19, 2004

Question asked by: Sonja Christopher Subject: Old Jonah Kumalae Uke Question: Dear chuck, I just came into an old "Ukulele of Hawaii made by Jonah Kumalae Especially for Sherman Clay & Co. of San Francisco". The label also says, "Highest Award at Panama Pacific International Exposition, 1915". The uke has wooden pegs and the only design are 3 concentric goldf circles around the opening. The previous owner had it for 60 years. It has some major cracks in it and was obviously not an expensive model to begin with, but is it something worth hanging on to for its historical value? If that is the case, would it be worth it to put $100 - $150 into to having it refurbished by a professional? Would I get my money back out of it? Thank you very much for your input! Sincerely, Sonja Christopher Answer: It is the plaain jane bottom of the line instrument...I dont think you will get our money back...thanks for writing..wish I had better news...frets - Sunday, September 19, 2004

Question asked by: Mark Twang Subject: Dating My Kamaka Question: Hi, Chuck! I just purchased a damaged Kamaka on Ebay to have restored, and I am trying to figure out how old it is. Attached is one of many pictures the seller has provided. Any idea what era this uke is from? Any help is appreciated. Additional pictures at your request, or you can see them online at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl l? ViewItem&rd=1&item=3738867361&ssPag eName=STRK:MEWN:IT Thanks in advance! -Mark Twang Photos:      Answer: probably 1960 ....by the gold label.,,but really, no way of telling. You can send full sized pics to kamaka and they might be able to help....keep writing in....frets - Sunday, September 19, 2004

Question asked by: michelle Subject: arthur godfrey ukulele Question: I saw a ukulele at a flea market for 10.00. the label on the inside say The Arthur Godfrey bariton ukulele created and designed by Eddie Connors The Vega Co. 5936 Boston 16 Mass. Is this worth the 10.00? Answer: run...don't walk......get it...its worth alot more than 10 dollars. you can't buy lunch for 10 dollars....frets - Sunday, August 29, 2004

Question asked by: barry barnes Subject: old uke Question: i have an old wooden uke it is in lovely condition and has made in usa on the top and michegan it is in its original case which is marked rushworth and dreaper, liverpool.it also says b.&s.l. sole agents under the michegan motif. it is dark brown with a white band around the edge and the round sound hole. can you give me any information on it please thanks barry. Answer: congrats barry..you have stumpped me completely. I have no idea what it is other than it sounds english. I know of no liverpool in U.S....I hope someone out there in yakland will know. Best and let us know what it is...frets - Wednesday, August 25, 2004

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