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

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Question asked by: Maurice Freeman Subject: George Formby Banjolele Question: Greetings Chuck!...George Formby ...restored by Sydney Luthier...play wear on first 3 frets & fingerboard...very loud tone but somewhat harsh with present Kamaka strings...would gut improve ? Hand made wooden case inc. Any guide on price, please? Maurice Photos:      Answer: gut would improve them...soft...get a set of used strings somewhere, that will help more...value 250.00 case is very nice..I don't think the uke is a Formby, however the tag is..It was used on many ukes. good luck...let us know if we can help....frets - Sunday, September 7, 2003

Question asked by: Robert Marquez Subject: Marca Aquila ukes Question: chuck, here's are a couple of pics of the marca aquila saprano you asked for. Dan Sawyer sent me the same stream of e-mails he sent you. Thanks for hosting Uke Yak. Now there's one less mystery in life. Photos:      Answer: thanks robert...favilla,...we all know now...thanks to all the help from friends...frets...When you get the answers to the other mysteries in life, please send an email...Heres one that bothers me now. How does the next kleenex know to pop up out of the box when one is used?..I don't spend a great amount of time on this..just once in a while ( a great uke tune)....frets - Friday, September 5, 2003

Question asked by: Doug Subject: Ditson/Martin again Question: Hi again Chuck, I just found out you can scan objects, so attached is a pic of the Uke in Question, or part of it. Is this the "dreadnaught" body style you said was absolutely made by Martin? As I mentioned its marked "Oliver Ditson Co. Boston New York" inside and on back of headstock. Grained ivoroid top(w-b- w) and back binding, bar frets, small dots that start at fret three, with small dots on side of fingerboard, grained cream celluloid friction pegs. I don't know why I even care if Martin made it - it plays and sounds great, and I didn't pay much for it, but I'm trying to learn and I guess I'm wondering if I should get some "boot" if I trade it for a ukelin? I can send more pics if you need 'em. Thanks, Doug Photos:      Answer: Please, send the ukelin pics...if you have a tremelo pic around, send that too..dont send the martin so, the oscar schmidt or the washburn mess...I have pleanty of pics of those...thanks for lettin' us know you care...frets - Friday, September 5, 2003

Question asked by: Tom B. Subject: Odd Camp Uke Question: Aloha, Chuck. Check out this odd little Lyon & Healy Camp Uke I picked up. It has no soundhole on the front and a banjo-like resonator on the back. I guess that's why it sounds like a little banjo! Do you know anything about these? Also, do you have any idea of their value? Thanks a million! Photos:      Answer: Tom..Lyon and Healy made a batch of variations of the camp uke. This is one. I have had these...wierd looking. It is referred to the toilet seat camp uke. They are worth a couple hundred dollars. You can add another hundred if you got the little form fitted case with it. good luck...chuck - Friday, August 29, 2003

Question asked by: John Zrinsky Subject: Gibson UKE-1 Question: I have a Gibson UKE-1, serial number T4241-1. I would like to know the year this was made it. Thanks for any info you can give me.... John Answer: John...can't give you a specific date....gibson numbering system was not perfect...it was made in the 30's...most were...thanks for writing in...frets - Thursday, August 28, 2003

Question asked by: Richard Olea Subject: Lymana Ukulele Question: Hello Chuck, I just received my Lymana ukulele. I have quite a few different brands of high end ukuleles, and I have to say it is the best sounding uke I've ever had. It looks great, too. I don't know what Lymana does to make such fine ukes, but whatever he is doing it shouldn't go unnoticed. It sounds almost like a harp. Do you have any info on the maker? Answer: None..but I would like to have some to pass on to the other yakkers...send anything you have and thanks for the report...always glad to hear about new makers doing good work....frets - Thursday, August 28, 2003

Question asked by: Julie Subject: uke/mandolin? Question: Hi, I've recently decided I'd like to start playing the uke. However they seem to be hard to find in the state of Colorado. I have remembered one at a shop I saw a couple of months ago. I called today and they called it a uke/mandolin. I had them count tuning pegs and there are four, but there are 8 strings.??? I'm confused, is there such an instrument???? Or did someone mess with a perfectly good uke? Thanks for your time & great sense of humor. Answer: I'm confused too...stay away from that store..they don't know what they are doing. If it has four pegs and 8 strings...its not a mandouke, ukelin, mandolinuke or anything that sounds like that. I don't wonder you can't find ukuleles in colorado if you are dealing with people who are trying to sell four pegged instruments with 8 strings. Go to the player directory on this menu ( look to left) and find who is in colorado. Call them ..There are thousands of ukes in Colorado. I know, I used to hunt that area for instruments. Go to the Bulletin Board and put your wants in the form of a question..You will find more ukes than you ever wanted to. It always bothers me when I hear of people in the business who don't know their business. If you don't get any satisfaction using the bulletin board and this site, please write me again and I will find you ukes in colorado. frets - Thursday, August 28, 2003

Question asked by: ben Subject: where to put strings Question: i have an ukulele, but all of the strings are gone. so i went to the guitar center near me and asked and they didn't help. but they gave me 2 "b" strings, 1 "g" string, and an "e" string. but i don't know which place the strings go. can you please help me? thank you ben Answer: Ben start over. Order a set of strings from the on-line store on this site...look at the menu at the left, second from the top....It will take a couple days to get to you...Order the beginning book by Jim Beloff and you will have exactly where to place the strings. Look down on the menu to the last entry...E-tuner. That will give you the exact sound you should have when the uke is in tune. Don't worry, we all have this problem when starting out. But it gets easy very quickly when you have the right equipment. I learned that when I tried to replace a toilet bowl. I managed to take a 25 cent washer job and turn it into an 800 cracked toilet bowl job. Tools are important. The analogy may be a little strange but it is early in the morning and I seem to think of my toilet more than my uke. Dont stress out. We are here to help. My favorite part is the guy at your guitar shop who couldn't help so he gave you all the wrong stuff. That kind of help you don't need. Start over again..Order what you want from our site and you will be ready to go. Don't hesitate to write with any problem. We can't solve them all, but most...best and good luck...frets - Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Question asked by: Paul Subject: Ukulele Pickup Question: Can you reccomend a good pickup to add to a uke? Perhaps both something internal and external? Thanks Answer: Paul..you have to head to a good luthier. There are many pickups made these days...I prefer the saddle pickup.I have one amplified instrument a T28 Martin Tiple...The system is 20 years old and resembles a sunrise in the hole pickup., It is ok, however I don't like it as well as the newer versions that are in the saddle itself. They are true, neat and tidy, and don't show. The only markings are the plug hole. The only advantage to an external pickup is that you can remove it , if I understand your needs correctly. I would opt, as I said, for the internal saddle pickup...It doesn't add much weight, not enough to change the tone. If you do any research on the newer models and find out anything you think we might need, please send us the info. Thanks for writing in..good question...frets... - Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Question asked by: Robert Subject: Marca Aquila ukulele Question: wow Chuck, this is about the 4th time I've asked this question. I'm curious why it's not getting to you... anyway, what can you tell me about the make of the Marca Aquila uke? Where were they based? The saprano I got plays as loud as a national resonator and is made from koa. Answer: Robert, this is an answer and an apology. Sorry, it took so long. The Marca Aquila ukulele has been around for a long time..under a different name originally. It was the first uke I ever owned with wooden pegs....I know very little about the maker, but I have written to someone who will know. I will get back to you with the information. I know they are loud and I remember the label..If I am thinking of the right one, it has an eagle on it. I have always wondered exactly where they are made...The name sounds foreign, however I believe they are mainland made. I tried to write you at your email address for a picture, howefer I got the email returned. If you can send me a pic, I will do my best to get back to you before The Mt Idy Xmas Hula....frets - Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Question asked by: rich clune Subject: martin update Question: "Frets" - saw your reply of 8/22, thanks for the fine advice. Have a good week. Rich Answer: your welcome....which week...???? I need advance notice....A good week would be a Religious Miracle of sorts. A Jew who puts together 7 good days?...unheard of....However I'll try..I'm not sure I can make it...What would I do?.. a week with no one to complain to?..It ain't worth it...Thanks for the good words and keep writing in...frets - Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Question asked by: Paul Kraus Subject: M.Nunes label date Question: Hi Chuck, do you know when Manuel Nunes added '& Sons' to the label of his ukes? Thanks-PK Answer: After the birth of his daughter Leonardo.....the l930's from what I remember. I will look it up to make sure. keep them questions rolling in paul...frets at your service. - Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Question asked by: walrus Subject: 20 fret tenor Question: Hi Chuck - I purchased a "custom" tenor from Augustino LoPrinzi at the Uke Expo. Beautiful in looks and sound! Mahogany with an ebony fretboard. It has 20 frets. Just wondering if you ever heard of this, sorry no picture (yet). Perhaps calling it a "long neck" tenor is appropriate? The 14th fret is where the body meets the fretboard. Thanks, Jeff "walrus" Corcoran Answer: Dear Wal...I have heard great stuff about Lo Prinzi....I intially had him confused with a builder who is not very good, however I got corrected quickly. Martin made a 14 fret tenor to great success. If you have a picture of it, please mail it to me. I don't have one for my collection...Let us know how it breaks in...thanks for writing...frets - Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Question asked by: karen iuppa Subject: martin uke Question: My picture is not very good but it is a bar fret cf martin nazareth,pa ukelele. it had a crack in the side that my brother made and then a residual crack in the front from not having the original crack repaired. i have had it repaired and considering the damage i think they did a decent job. it was my mom's ukelele and she was born in 1910. I don't know when she got it. Is this enough info for an idea of its worth? it has the cf martin decal on the top of the neck. I also have a vega arthur godfrey baritone that I know we got in the early fifties. It is in good shape with a good case. just needs restringing. Is it worth anything? thanks... if this is too many questions don't "fret" over answering them. Photos:      Answer: If it has a gold decal on the headstock it was made around l950...if it has an imprint on the back of the headstock ( cf martin nazarath penn) it was made before. Not much difference, just to let you know. Yes it has value..If It has been repaired well it is still worth around 400+ depending on if it has a case.( add a few bucks)..good tone ( add a few bucks) and if it is great..keep it and play it. hope this has helped...frets - Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Question asked by: Dan Subject: Uke-A-Lute Question: Hi Chuck! Here's the very rare Uke- A-Lute i asked you about (finally got some photos). It is 21 3/4 inches long, 8 inches wide with a scale length of 13 5/8 inches. Made of solid mahogany with a rosewood fingerboard. It has triple binding around the top, single around the back and soundhole. It is better made and larger than the Favilla lute style soprano. There is no makers name anywhere, inside or out. Only a "patent applied for" mark and the name "Uke-A-Lute" on the peghead face. It does not look like a Harmony or Regal built instrument. I'm wondering if it might be a prototype for an instrument that never went into production or just a small maker. Either way, i've never seen another and was hoping maybe you could shed a little light on this. Photos:      Answer: My guess, if you held a gun to my head, is a lyon and healy. the Pat'd saying is popular in L&H instruments. I have a feeling the uke-a -lute was added later..don't ask me why...just a feeling. regardless it is a beaut and I wish I owned it. Anyone out there know anything else?..please write in...chuck - Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Question asked by: David Subject: Cigar box ukulele Question: I am interested in cigar box ukes. Are they serious instruments or ukulele oddities. Also, if I chose to bulid one, what type of cigar box should I use. Thanks. Answer: They can be very serious ukes. However, if you have never made a uke, you need the advice of someone who has. Its not as easy as putting a neck on a box..If it were, I'd try...As far as what kind of box. I don't think it matters as long as it is about the size of a ukulele. A shipping crate is not recommended. You can put your request on the bulletin board on this site and someone who has made one will probably contact you...thanks for writing in...building is not my forte....frets - Monday, August 25, 2003

Question asked by: Marge Subject: Ukelele Question: Hi I am looking for some information on a Ukelele that belonged to my mother it has the name Duke Kahanamoku (the surfer) I don't know if this would be a collectors uke or not have you heard anything about this uke. Thank You for any info... Marge Answer: They have been made since the 40's. They are tourist ukuleles. The Duke was a great surfer and celebrity. Some of them are better than others. The early pineapple shaped ukes are most sought after. Unfortunatly, they made millions ( perhaps not that many) but heaps. Not valuable, but nice to have...thanks for writing in...frets - Monday, August 25, 2003

Question asked by: ginny stone Subject: nonpareil uke Question: Do you anything about the uke on ebay called a Nonpareil with a case that opens at the end??? Answer: Ssorry, I know nothing about the uke. I have seen others, but have no record in my files about who made them. I saw the uke...wasn't terribly impressed. thanks for thinking of us...fretrs - Monday, August 25, 2003

Question asked by: Ed Subject: Uke Stands Question: Chuck, Do you know of any nice stands being made to display ukes. Wood or otherwise. Answer: Ed..go to the market place and type in uke stands. If I remember correctly there were some made in Northern California by a man named Don Stewart. Perhaps you can type in his name also...I If this doesn't work, let me know and I will hunt him down...best......Wild Frets Hitchcock - Monday, August 25, 2003

Question asked by: Jay Subject: whats the best and easiest uke video to learn how to play? Question: Hello Chuck. I was just wondering if you or anyone else can be so gracious as to provide me with their opinion on what is the best video/DVD to get to learn how to play the ukulele. I recently got a Lanikai Concert as a gift and I am very interested in learning how to play. I am currently in the military so most of the time scheduling does not afford me enough time to go out and get lessons. Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!! Answer: jeff...take a look at the on-line store on this site...you will find everything you ever wanted ...the beginning cd's and books are very easy to learn from...give it a try...please write back and let us know how it works out.....Also go to the bulletin board on this site and ask the folks over there...They know everything there is to know....and where to get it. A great bunch.....thanks for writing and keep in touch...frets - Monday, August 25, 2003

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