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

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page

Question asked by: Douglas Gaither Subject: Echo Uke Repair Question: Dear Chuck, I wrote you last fall about an Echo Uke that needed repair. I was having difficulty finding a luthier to repair it. You suggested Duane Heilman with high recommendations. I received it back a few weeks ago. Duane did a fabulous job for a resonable price. He strung it up with Aquila soprano strings and he was surprised at how loud and mellow it was. Thanks for the advice! Oh, and I also ran across a few pictures of his Black Bear Ukulele's and they were beautiful. I would certainly like to have one of them babies! Answer: thanks for the update....duane makes great stuff....love his work..frets - Sunday, June 6, 2004

Question asked by: BRUCE REID Subject: KUMALAE UKE Question: Hi Chuck, Being a keen musician, I have taken a great interest in a ukulele I was given by a relative. It was manufactured by Jonah Kumalae and has a motive on the head stating, Kumalae Gold Award, P.P.I E. 1915. It is perfect condition but is missing a peg. I was interested in its value even though I intend keeping it. Also, any thoughts on getting a suitable peg. Answer: depending on the model, a few hundred....send me a pic of the peg and I will send you a matching one..I have hundreds.....fets - Sunday, June 6, 2004

Question asked by: Sue Melton Subject: uke Question: My Aunt passed away at the age of 91 in August. She had a uke (she has had this since I was a small child. I don't know if I should sell this uke to a collector, garage sale etc. Can you tell me what to do thanks sue Answer: A pic would help alot. Also, sorry to hear about your aunt..no need to send as pic of her...frets - Sunday, June 6, 2004

Question asked by: Uke Skywalker Subject: Kumalae Uke with crack Question: Frets, see my entry from 2/9. here are some photos in a few emails. thanks. Photos:      Answer: whats the question...it didn't make it, I don't think...frets - Sunday, June 6, 2004

Question asked by: Jack Jenkins Subject: Silvertone Uke Question: Chuck, Hey Chuck! While rummaging through my grandparents house, I stumbled upon what looks to be an old, slighty-sed, and rather cheap uke. It has 14 frets, has a sticker on the back of the head that reads "Made of Genuine REAL Mahogany," and has "Silvertone" written across the top. I can get you a picture, but I was just wondering if you had any idea as to the value/and/or playing quality of this uke? Answer: Jack a cheapie uke made in the 40's and carried by Sears. value...not much..playing quality..*I'll leave it up to you..It might sound great...thanks for writing in...frets - Sunday, June 6, 2004

Question asked by: Jim. Subject: EGBD tuning for Tenor Question: Hi. I have a tenor/concert ukulele the free string length is 15" it has 12 frets to the body and it,s 7.5 " from the neck bridge to the body and 2 frets after that. Will these string,s work on this model....#NYGT-BARI Aquila NYLGUT Tenor Ukulele, - Baritone Ukulele Tuning - same as guitar, Key of G, 2 Wound String (3rd & 4th)..Thanks for any help.Jim... Answer: Jim....you might as well have written that in Greek....I am not well versed in string length. If it is long enough to get in the hole and make the sound I want, it is the right string. I know there are people out there in uke land who know this kind of stuff and they will save my butt...writ in guys...thanks...chuck - Sunday, June 6, 2004

Question asked by: Brad Subject: Arthur Godfrey Vega Baritone Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck, I have a Arthur Godfrey Vega Baritone Ukulele. I was wondering if you knew about what year it was made? There's no lable inside the Ukulele, it just says Arthur Godfrey Vega on the headstock. It's made of mahogany and has a really nice tone. Any Info will be appreciated. Thanks, Brad Photos:      Answer: 1050's late......thanks for writing in...chuck - Sunday, June 6, 2004

Question asked by: Tom B. Subject: Old Rope-bound Hawaiian Uke Question: Hi again, Sir Frets. Regarding my question of 1/21/04, in which I forwarded some photos of an old Hawaiian uke being offered to me for sale, I have now taken possession of said uke. At first, I didn't see any markings anywhere. But peering into the soundhole, I can make out the Tabu stamp and, below it, a penciled signature that reads "Aka..." The rest of the name is wiped out, but I found a picture of an Akai on John King's site, and the signatures match. So, I guess I have an Akai. Can you tell me anything about this maker or this uke? (Yes, I've searched your past answers on the subject, but I just like hearing you talk!) Mahalo --- Tom P.S.: Sure is a small uke! Answer: They are really graceful...I like them alot..Not a big sound but a sweet sound...usually really nice dark wood. Never sure who really made them because they are a different shape than most hawaiian ukes..Lots of them thru the years....thanks for writing in, I wish I had more info.frets Thanks for the kind words - Sunday, June 6, 2004

Question asked by: p mickelsn Subject: buzzing Question: I got a "nice" uke on e-bay, made by a reputable manufacturer that I won't name here. Anyway, it retails at about $800.00, made of koa, nylon Aquilagut strings, real pretty. I am not much of a collector, I bought the thing to PLAY, and as I did, I noticed the notes on the a string sounded flat as I played up the neck. I took it to a local luthier with a great reputation, and he said that the problem was strange, because it was a really well built instrument, but it was as if the template got shifted 1/16th of an inch during the manufacture,and this threw the intonation off after the second fret. He was able to fix it so it was "almost perfect," and to my ear, the problem was resolved. Now, only a couple of months later, I'm getting this strange buzzing, on the e and a strings. It's sometimes subtle, sometimes less so, but always annoying. I can't tell if it's at the bridge, at the nut, inside the uke itself or what. I understand that there is a "break-in" period, and maybe I should just "chill out" and let the instrument "loosen up." Or maybe I should just unload the sucker--maybe it's a lemon and I should stop throwing $$ away. So disappointing, though. I really started to bond with the thing. I'm thinking about naming it Ruth Buzzy. So, Mr. Frets, whaddayouthink? Should it stay, or should it go now? Thx for your attention, Petr M. Answer: once crap like that starts, its difficult to stop. I would change luthiers..The problem does not sound that bad. You need someone who really knows ukes. Where are you and perhaps I can suggest someone...fretrs - Sunday, June 6, 2004

Question asked by: Jack Subject: Reconditioning Question: Hi Chuck: Quick question - what do you recommend for cleaning and/or polishing older ukes> Answer: Hired help.... - Sunday, June 6, 2004

Question asked by: Allan Subject: Tenor Guitars Question: Hi Chuck. I've read some of your letters that say you can string up a tenor guitar with uke stings and play it like a uke, and the same with a tenor banjo. So, the frets are the same, I can play a tenor guitar just like I play a uke if the strings are tuned uke style? Thats cool, just wanted to confirm and be more specific. Do you use low G tuning? thanks chuck Answer: I use low g tining, but my tenor is made to be tuned to soprano tuning. Be very careful...It is an unattractive sight to see a man with a tenor bridge in his forehead...best...frets - Sunday, June 6, 2004

Question asked by: Quinten Subject: Info on old Koa uke? Question: Chuck, I got this uke off Ebay recently. It came from a Hawaiian residents grandfather. It is 20.5" long Soprano KOA ukulele plays loud and pretty without buzzing or problems right up to the highest notes, has "1924" pencilled on the stamp inside it- has been played for sure but in very good condition- no cracks or repairs to the front or back although binding fell out for 7/8" on the front with front edge having purfling of a black wood (ebony?) alternating with a light wood (?koa) then a binding of alternating black wood and koa on the back the alternating black and Koa binding with purfling on either side goes right down the middle of the back of the body looks like original tuners, neck is mahogony, body is Koa. Tag inside says "guenuine Hawaiian Koa wood". There's a repair to the neck where its been reset with a pin going right through the but of the neck on into the body with a 1/4" long repaired crack on the side of the body where the but of the neck connects with the body. Just wondering if you could give me any information on this uke. I think I payed a fair price for it ($140.00)and am very happy with it. It's my first real uke. My other is a Hilo tenor. I have more pics if needed. Photos:      Answer: Quinten..I need a better pic and a good pic of the back neck joint to tell you have...I suspect that it is not hawaiian at all , but as regal copy...send pics...frets - Sunday, June 6, 2004

Question asked by: rubberdog Subject: Restoration of Banjo Uke Question: Hi Chuck, I know this is a cheapie, but back in the roaring 20's, my father-in- law used this uke to croon to his soon to be wife. A real woo- pitcher! We inherited this old girl with no bridge or tailpiece. I got a grover bridge and a banjo tailpiece from Roy Cone at ukuleleworld.com. I strung it up with Nylguts, but the bridge made the strings way too high. I had to cut off the legs and take it down to about 3/8 inch. I had to rig a special peice under the string attachment (a finish nail carefully cut and filed to fit under the attachment for the strings to pass under in order to get adequate angle over the bridge) It plays! Really sounds neat. Intonation is proper. Volume is OK but would be better with a higher bridge - so here's my question: Looking at the neck attachment, is this meant to be adjustable for the neck angle? I figure if the neck angle was greater, I could have a taller bridge and get more volume. PS: Look close at the flapper girl pics on the skin! Photos:      Answer: Get a higher bridge for more volume or stronger strings..I know so little about banjo ukes, I string them with gut strings and save my fingers for important things like pain free use...best frets...That little piece of wood is not for adjusting the neck angle... - Sunday, June 6, 2004

Question asked by: Jim Subject: Player Question: I have a Weymann soprano uke in a Howe of Boston soft case with the name G. C. Noyes on it. Was Noyes a well known player back in the 20's? Answer: Jim....I have noy idea....never hoid of him....frets - Friday, May 21, 2004

Question asked by: Fred Williams Subject: Unknow Uke Question: Hi Chuck, I purchased this Uke at an Antique store in Nebraska it came in the vintage case shown. The case is too big for it. I don't think that the case is original to this Uke. There are no marks or labels on this Uke. The fret wires are installed on the neck directly with no fingerboard. The pegs are wood. It seems to be made of mahogany. I gave forty bucks for the uke with the case. Even if you tell me it's a piece of junk I don't think I got hurt too bad. I'd think the nice old case is worth the forty bucks. I am hoping that you will be able to tell who made this Uke, and how old it is. It doesn't look like much but it sounds pretty good. I really enjoy your Uke-Yak. Thanks, Fred Photos:      Answer: doesn't look like you got hurt too much..Please send me a close-up of the uke and I will tell you what it is....Is the cabinate for sale or the chair? They are really nice. frets...am also interest in the gramaphone..... - Thursday, April 15, 2004

Question asked by: Rusty Martin Subject: Slingerland May Bell Uke Question: I was reading through your Yaks and saw that Andreas Frasier has a Slingerland May Bell Uke, I have one too. How can I find out how old it is? I couldn't find any markings on it other than the May Bell on the headstock and the Slingerland on the inside. I would like to say that it is in pretty good shape and still plays decent. Thanks for the great website. Rusty Answer: Rusty...they wre made in the 30=50's and hard to tell when....Hope this helps...frets...slingerland was a drum company and they made a line of banjos and banjo ukes....thanks for the question.....back to the fields...were planting in Mt idy this week..with that and the funeral festival, were going to be doing alot of digging.....frets - Thursday, April 15, 2004

Question asked by: goto636 Subject: G String Ukes Question: I bought this G String koa concert off E-bay a while back. It's a very well made and has a gorgeous sound. At the few sites I've seen selling them new, this one is listed at $600USD. I got mine for less than 2/3 of that. Photos:      Answer: good score...I hear they are good players..best..frets - Thursday, April 15, 2004

Question asked by: Mo Bernstein Subject: Unmarked Uke (Koa?) Question: Hi Chuck - I've been enjoying your column for a couple years now, but this is my first time writing to you. The attached picture is of an unmarked uke I bought at the Folk Shop in Tucson recently, while on a visit to the in-laws. It's kind of beat up (the uke, not the shop or the in-laws), but is a pretty good player, especially since I put Worth Fluoro Carbon strings on it. The wood is actually a bit darker than what shows in the picture. What is your educated guess about the age, maker, and type of wood? Thanks. Photos:      Answer: Mo....know the people at the Folk shop very well...nice couple. Uke looks ar first glance like a mainland copy of a hawaiian uke...Nicely made..How does it sound...Looks like the 50's....frets - Thursday, April 15, 2004

Question asked by: M Subject: Harmony 'Ukulele Question: Chuck, Just picked it up... it was spot- on in tune and ready to play... a geat little instrument! Thanks again for your advice and expertise. Photos:      Answer: M...........Nice headstock...I hope thre is more to the uke.....frets - Friday, April 9, 2004

Question asked by: Diesel Subject: G String ukes Question: Hey - Regarding G String ukes; LSW and I found quite a number of them on our recent uke acquiring foray on Oahu (she called it a vacation - whatever...). Can't give you more than a simplistic opinion here, but we thought they were on a par with the KoAloha in construction and sound, though they were a bit showier. Nice, solid ukes at a good price. Best selection we found was at Ukulele House: www.ukulelehouse.com. Not much, but its a start. Answer: Diesel..nice to hear from you. Thanks for the info...the yakkers will be glad for the info...frets - Friday, April 9, 2004

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page