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

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Question asked by: Dean James Subject: Marwin Baritone Ukulele Question: Hi, I found a website with a Marwin Tenor Arch-Top Guitar on it, oddly enough right beneath 3 ukuleles. There could be a connection there. Anyhow, the web site I found was http://www.dwightmark.com/MoreInstr uments.htm Good Luck Answer: Dean..I would say there is a definite connection. Did you have a question? Thanks for writing in, always glad to have new info....frets - Monday, January 12, 2004

Question asked by: Brian Subject: Kamaka Ukes Question: Hi Chuck, I notice that on some Kamakas the frets were cut into the neck w/o a separate fret board. When were they made? Were they made the same time as the ones with "raised fret board? Thank you, Brian Answer: Brian...I have two almost identical Kamaka sopranos sitting each with different fret arrangements. Both made around the same time. I think there was an overlap and I don't know when. Kamaka has made so many different varieties of instruments, it has always been difficult to date them. Even the Kamaka factory is unsure of certain dates. I used to think the color of the label had something to do with the date, however time has proved me wrong. John King, if you are out there, perhaps you could shed some additional light on the subject. Thanks in advance...fretgs - Monday, January 12, 2004

Question asked by: Mitch Subject: Martin 2K Question: I found this ukulele in the garage and I believe it's a 2K. It has CF Martin & Co., Nazareth PA engraved on back of pegboard and inside and white banding and white pegs. It has a few blemishes and I know this is tough but what could it be worth (restored & unrestored) Photos:      Answer: If it doesn't have serious damage...cracks, seam separations etc...dont do any restoration. It looks beautiful as is. It could be worth upwards of 1000.00. They are a very beautiful instrument and a fine player. I'm not sure of your definition of restoration...If you mean refinish, don't do it. If it has minor damage that can be handled without much mucking about..do it. Serious collectors would rather have it in its original condition. You can lessen the value by restoring it. If you plan to keep it forever then by all means do what makes you happy. I would....Good to have you aboard....stick around and enjoy our ramblings..frets - Monday, January 12, 2004

Question asked by: Tom B. Subject: Old Kamaka Pineapple, Part 2 Question: Hello again, Chuck. Thanks for your reply regarding my old Pineapple Uke. Here is a photo of it, showing front, back, partial label and the crack. I would greatly appreciate any advice you can give me on getting this fixed and replacing the pegs. I'm in the San Francisco area. Also, can you tell me anything else about this uke, such as age? It says "patented 1928" inside, but I wasn't sure if that was actually the date of manufacture. Thanks again, Chuck! Photos:      Answer: Kamaka pineapple as you know. Label says l928 but could have been made later..up to about 35. I would have a professional repair the crack..The uke is worth it,..One of the most sought after ukes around. Great sound..The wood seems a little dry, perhaps a little gentle rubbing will bring back the color. If you need additional info, don't hesitate to write. It is not a bad crack and should go back together fairly easily and be almost invisible in the hands of as good luthier. let us know how it comes out...we care...frets - Monday, January 12, 2004

Question asked by: Will Subject: Maxwell Question: Hi Chuck, I've googled the Internet and am unable to find what I think is a baritone uke. It has a small, oval Maxwell label on the headstock. It's old, has a rosewood back (that deep-red, wide grain), spruce top (the patina gives it away), bone or Bakelite tuning pegs, and mother-of-pearl inlay around the soundhole. It's not the highest craftsmanship, but it's also not south-of-the-border workmanship. Gut strings, and from nut to saddle it�s just shy of 20 inches. Is a baritone ukulele? And why can't I find other Maxwell models? Answer: I think you can't find other maxwell models, because soon after they made this uke, they went into the coffee business. I wish I knew the answer to this one. A soprano is 20 inches long and most tenors are envious. I have seen the maxwell label but don't remember on what. One of the masses will write in with the info. Just wait...Thanks for writing in...always a pleasure,..,.frets - Monday, January 12, 2004

Question asked by: john downs Subject: need to make a choice Question: Dear Chuck, I play the uke, and would like to get a used banjo uke for a different sound but don�t know much about them. I�ve come across a couple of different types and was hoping you could shed some light on the subject. The ukes on the left are all similar, could they all be made by just a couple of different companies? They differ in style, some have the f type sound hole others have simply a hole in the middle of the resonator. Also, the resonator seems to be attached differently in some; some are attached by what looks like nails others not. The ukes numbered one and 2 are very similar, made with the f type sound holes and nailed in resonator, and an inlayed wood stripe down the middle of the neck and around the body, these have no manufacturer markings and I�ve seen many others very similar to these with out the inlayed wood stripe or with some kind of herring bone trim. The �la pacific� uke is similar with a different resonator hole. Then the beauty in the middle seems to not have any nails/serews attaching the resonator to the body. What is the difference between these ukes on the left? Any one �better� than the others? And now for those on the right, they all look more like banjos, and some have no resonator. Is a lack of resonator normal, or is the piece missing? will a larger resinator make a better sound? And the Dixie uke, Seems to me the sound would be too tinny, do they? hard to tell what any thing sounds like when your shopping on line. and between these two styles the the construction of the drum is the major differentiating factor, is one better than the other? And lastly, of these banjo ukes pictured, which one would you recommend for some one who plays daily and likes to take �em camping so both sound and durability is somewhat of a factor. Also, is there a standard for differentiating a tenor, concert, and soprano ukes? Length of neck/body, # of frets? Thanks!!!! Answer: Longest question of the year. I have no idea which is the best. I am not a fan of banjo ukes and it depends on the sound. Not the make. I don't know what your budget is, however I would be looking for a Gibson or a Ludwig if you are going to do serious playing. The pic of the ukes you sent me are all pretty much plain jane banjo ukes. They need to be strung with gut strings not banjo metal strings. The dixie is a no no. Unless your attacked by muggers. The difference between models of ukuleles...soprano about 20 inches..concert about 24 inches, tenor about 27 inches..These all vary with the maker but are pretty much in the ball park..thanks for asking and I hope you find the sound you are listening for. frets - Monday, January 12, 2004

Question asked by: Jim Nelson Subject: Harmony Question: Chuck: I just bought a Harmony soprano- sized uke that had been in a friend's grandfather's attic.It's missing two of the MOP dots, but otherwise looks new. The little "instruction book" appears to date from the 50's. Any comments on it as an instrument or as a collectible? Answer: As a collectible usually not much value. Hard to tell without a pic. As an instrument, I have played harmonys that were pretty good. Play it, if it sounds ok, play it some more. Harmony made about a million ukes give or take 2 and about as many different sizes and designs. Some are very collecible most are not. If you want to send as pic, I will do my best. thanks for thinking of us...frets - Saturday, January 10, 2004

Question asked by: chuck s Subject: Kamaka uke Question: Chuck � I know these are crummy pictures, but have you ever seen a Kamaka that looks like this? This uke has binding on the top and back and a strange shaped headstock. The label is a very shinny gold label that just says �Kamaka ukulele�. I have several gold label Kamakas, but they all say �Kamaka ukulele, Honolulu Hawaii or �handmade, Honolulu�. The size and shape of the body matches my other Kamaka ukes. I was made with very curly Koa & has a shinny lacquer finish. Any help you can give me will be appreciated. Thanks � Chuck S. Answer: Chuck, chuck here. The pics are so crummy I can't find them..please send again and I will help...chuck frets fayne - Saturday, January 10, 2004

Question asked by: Pamela Reed Subject: very old uke Question: Royal Hawaiian all koa inside sticker 1927 soprano one crack near sound hole. Great sound - full and bright for its small size! Liquidating uncles estate want to offer for sale but have no idea what to ask? money to be placed in scholarship fund & used for San Francisco high school seniors to attend local college automotive college. Answer: Ask 350 if it is in good shape and good luck..If you list on the marketplace on this site, you will find people who are looking for only one thing...... Ukuleles. Good place to start. let us know how it works...frets - Saturday, January 10, 2004

Question asked by: Blair Subject: 8 or 4 string Question: Which one of these electric is better? A 8 string or a 4 string? Answer: A question only you can answer. Play them both and decide what you like. I don't play electric ukulele so my opinion wouldn't help you at all. Does a brand name come to mind. That might change my suggestion. Thanks for writing in..frets - Saturday, January 10, 2004

Question asked by: Roger Subject: Washburn Question: Hi Chuck, My grandfather's uke has been been around the family for years and not used. On the back it says "Washburn" Lyon & Healy, Chicago. The front is a dark wood with a gold leaf pattern at the bottom. I have had several inquiries to purchase the uke and was uncertain about what to do with it. Recently, a collector has been very keen on buying it and my grandmother (who is 101) could use the money. My question is, what is this uke worth? I know he purchased it around 1928 because it appears in photos of him at that time. Your help would be greatly appreaciated! Thanks, Roger Answer: Roger, ...it depends on condition and size. Not the uke, your grandfather...sorry, just a little holiday humor. I need to see a pic of the uke. If it is a soprano, it is worth less than their tenor. They made both..Please measure it and let me know how long it is. Dont sell just yet. A music store is not the place to try to sell this uke. It is collectable, quite collectable, so let me help first. send me more information...It also depends on condition and does it have a case? Happy holidays...frets - Friday, December 26, 2003

Question asked by: Terry Dennis Subject: gut strings Question: Chuck, Do you have any idea where one could find bulk gut strings for ukuleles or other instruments? I've recently played some ukes with gut strings and found them superior in tone and feel. I've searched the web for gut string: tennis supplies (too thick), medical supplies (unavailable), musical supplies ( very expensive). I would like to restring several instruments and would prefer some bulk supplier. Answer: Terry, I do not know of a bulk supplier. You just have to keep hunting. I have a feeling they are still made...seems to me I have seen a reference to them...Go to the bulletin board on this site and ask the questions of the masses of uke nutz over there. They will know more than I about strings. Good luck..I will try a couple of my sources and see what I get. If anything good, I'll forward to you...chuck - Friday, December 26, 2003

Question asked by: Angela Dougherty Subject: How do I identify T frets? Question: Dear Mr. Frets, There is a recent posting on the bulletin board about bar frets and T frets. From the discussion I gather that T frets have been the standard since the 1950's. After reading about them I went & checked two of my ukes. One is a mid-70's inexpensive Japanese uke (as it was a gift from mom & dad I hesitate to use the word "cheap") and the other is a Martin soprano I bought on eBay earlier this year. When I bought the Martin the seller (pawnshop) had no info about it. He said it looked like it was 50's vintage and based on the case & tuning pegs I thought that sounded right. The frets on my 70's uke are obviously T- shaped, but the Martin frets are not so obvious. I can't tell if they are bar frets with a lot of wear or T frets that have been beautifully shaped. As there is very little wear on the rest of the instrument I'm guessing it is the latter. Any insight you can give me on figuring this out will be greatly appreciated. I don't need to know the exact year my Martin was made, but I would like to pin down the decade! Thank you, Angela Answer: I can't help you with the frets without seeing the uke..However, the Martin can be sort of dated by the headstock. There are other ways, but this is the easiest. If it has a decal on the front that says CF Martin it was probably made around the 50's....if it has an impressed stamp on the back of the peghead, earlier. Thats a start. If you need more, please let me know. It is impossible to pin down exactly when it was made. If you look inside and look at the impression...and see the words Made in USA it is very recent. Hope Santa was good to you...frets - Friday, December 26, 2003

Question asked by: Kenneth G. Bailey Subject: Oliver Ditson Question: Sir, do you have any historical information about the Oliver Ditson Co. and their business relationship with The C.F. Martin Co. in regards to Ukuleles? There is a brief mention in " Ukulele A Visual History", but nothing of any substance. Mike Longworth's book details the Ditson/Martin Guitar and Mandolin era of the early 1900's, but no mention of the Ukulele. I am particularly interested in the Ditson Ukulele production time line. I've attached a pic of a pre 1933 Style 3 on the left and an Oliver Ditson Style 3 on the right. Mahalo Nui Loa. Photos:      Answer: Ken.. on page 222 of the Longworth book you will find the reference to martin making ukes for Ditson. They made two styles...the dreadnought shape and the standard shape. I know that Martin made the dreadnought shape for ditson as early as 1916. I know because I owned a Martin dreadnought that could only have been made then. the fingerboard decoration was much different and all the trim was genuine ...no plastic. Earliest Martin I have ever seen Ditson or Martin. My understanding was that Ditson wanted Martin to make instruments for them and they wanted to be in on the design. It's not clear who came up with the dreadnought...a collaberation between Hunt , of the Ditson, and F.H. Martin. The instruments had a variety of markings. I have seen them marked Oliver Ditson New York.. only, Oliver Ditson on the back of the peghead and Martin inside, and Martin on the back of the peeghead and Ditson on the inside...and Ditson in both places. The Dreadnought was considered Ditson's design. They are referred to this day as the Martin Ditson Dreadnought. I believe Martin condinuied to make for Ditson into the 30's but not exactly sure of the year. Hope this helps....Thanks for the pics and keep em comin...frets P.S. the markings also apply to the standard Martin Ditson shape. - Friday, December 26, 2003

Question asked by: Pat Willey Subject: enos koaloha Question: I have a koa wood soprano uke by enos koaloha, 552 Hotel Street, Honolulu. I cannot find any reference to him anywhere. Can you tell me anything about this maker. The instrument sounds really nice, but is rather plain. Answer: Pat...I am posting this in the hopes John king reads it and answeres it for me. I am not familiar with this specific marking. The name Koaloha has been used by many different makers. JOhn?????? frets - Friday, December 26, 2003

Question asked by: Hudson Bedell Subject: Baritone Uke Question: Hey Chuck. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Here is the unidentified Uke my dad brought back from Vietnam. Any clue? Photos:      Answer: Not a clue. Its hard from the picture. It is not a hawaiian uke, it is probably not a mainland uke. It looks Eurpoean or Japanese. Wish I could help more...perhaps one of the readers will recognize the maker. frets - Friday, December 26, 2003

Question asked by: Jon Wiltjer Subject: Ukes Question: Hi Chuck, Been following along for a while. Thought I would send a pic of my ukes. They all play and sound great. Left to right LoPrinzi Tenor Pacific (Australia) Don't know but sounds sweet. (any idea of maker?) Home made concert scale Cigar box (my first attempt, I'm working on another) Thanks for all of the great info! Photos:      Answer: Jon..thanks for sharing your collection with us. Its always fun and I never tire of seeing ukes i have not seen before. Keep up the good work. Let us know how the cigar box business goes. Keep in touch and send pics...we all love them...frets - Monday, December 22, 2003

Question asked by: Jeff Porterfield Subject: Lyon & Healy Washburn Uke Question: My wife's parents just gave me this ukulele. As you can see, it's absolutely beautiful and in excellent condition. On the back of the headstock it is stamped "700" and below that, "PAT. APLD FOR." Sideways, it is stamped, "WASHBURN." Inside the body, it says "LYON & HEALY, Makers, Chicago USA." The serial number is 7189. I am curious to find out when it was built and anything else I can learn about it. The strings are 4 different colors and are believed to be at least 50 years old. It is a finely crafted instrument and I will be learning to play it, not sell it. Thanks in advance for whatever you can tell me. Jeff Porterfield Columbia, Maryland Photos:      Answer: made in the 30's....One of the better makers and this instrment should play well. Not much interesting to tell you. It is the plainest of all their variations which were many. It is a solid instrument and for stlye, my favorite builders. Enjoy it...Wish I had more to tell If you want to delve into the company , there is a terrible book about the Lyon and Healy company . It is written by a gentleman named Teegle and I believe it is just called Washburn..Try Amazon or any music store, you will find it. Have alot of glue ready ...the pages fall out and a magnifying glass to try to read the print. If the book were the quality of the uke you have, it would be on the shelf of every fine library in the world. best frets - Sunday, December 21, 2003

Question asked by: Bob Subject: Pohaku ukes Question: Hi Chuck,it's a pleasure to read your Q and A column, thanks alot. My question is, what do you know about, and what is your opinion of, Pohaku ukes? Answer: Thanks for the kinds words. Have no opinion of Pohaku ukes. Never played one . Can you send a pic...I could at least give you a visual opinion, however I would love to play one. thanks..chuck - Sunday, December 21, 2003

Question asked by: mike Swanson Subject: Victor Uku Question: do you know anything about this, is the case original? I have other pictures if you would like them , It was my cousins. It says Victor brand Ukulele, Hawaiian. on the inside sticker. Thank-you Photos:      Answer: Lots of Victors...Made by Regal and Harmony....Not a terrible uke..it will play.Better than some of the cheap trash offered today..It doesn't say Made in Hawaii...just Hawaiian???That was the way around saying it was a hawaiian instrument....strum away....its fun...frets - Monday, December 8, 2003

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