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

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Question asked by: J Compton Subject: low g string on uke Question: Hello! I'd like to try tuning my ukulele with a low g string and am wondering what gauge of string to use. Thanks. Answer: Careful and don't trip on your low g string. Go to a music shop and try out the different possibilities. I use a 3rd string tuned down. I like the sloppy feeling. let us know what you find out. There are strings offered on this site that will work for you. try the store. thanks for writing in..frets - Friday, August 22, 2003

Question asked by: misha Subject: tutors Question: What are the more or less reliable tutors for the ukulele? How people get around without a teacher? Any combinations of CD/video/book are recommended? Tutors are generally a tough question, but may be, given the number of people playing and the vast popularity of the instrument in recent past, just may be there are some good suggestions. Thanks. Answer: Misha..go to the on-line store on this site..look at the black menu to the left. Brouse and then make up your mind what you want. All you will ever need is there...frets - Friday, August 22, 2003

Question asked by: christie white aka tiki kiliki Subject: i want to play the uke! Question: Hi, Just came by this wonderful site and wanted to ask a very important question. I am really wanting to learn how to play the ukulele. I just need to know a good starting instrument. I did get a nice little $20 wood one when I was in Florida recently with plastic strings. It's difficult to tune but I didn't know if you would recommend someone learning on this instrument or not. I have seen a few on ebay and the descriptions suggest that you use it as decor and do not say anything of the musical capabilities of the instrument. I am very serious about learning as I have been a Hawaiian music collector for some time now. I would appreciate your recommendation as what to buy for a first timer or if the one that I described above is sufficient then I can learn with it. Also, instructional materials. Thank you, Christie J. White Answer: Go to the on-line-store on this site and buy a fluke uke, or a flea uke and the instruction booklets offered. You will find everything you need to get started. I don't know of a 20 dollar uke I would recommend for anything. Take a look...It won't cost you alot to get started and either of these ukes will last you a lifetime...I have them both and love them...frets - Friday, August 22, 2003

Question asked by: Jack Braucht Subject: Dixie Banjo/Uke Question: Just bought a Dixie (all metal) banjo/uke on eBay for $66. Have seen them on the "net" for $250 and more. Mine is in excellent shape....but missing strings, and bridge, and banjo "drum"/"head". Are these items at most music stores....or will they be hard to find. Any suggestions????? Answer: You should be able to find what you want at a good music store. When you get it strung up ( nylon or gut only, if you want any fingers left). let us know how it turns out......good luck...remember in a pinch...if you don't have the head you have an item that will cut the cheese...I have a 15 year old son who does that as well...best...frets - Friday, August 22, 2003

Question asked by: Shane Speal Subject: Cigar Box Ukes! Question: Hi Chuck, I am currently compiling all information I can on cigar box instruments. I own several antique cigar box ukes like the one in the attached picture. I own Jim's book and have seen the Kamaka cigar box ukes...but have you heard any other old stories of cigar box ukes and their builders? I am compiling all information for the upcoming National Cigar Box Guitar Museum in York, PA. Sincerely Shane Speal "King of the Cigar Box Guitar" My online shrine to these instruments: http://geocities.com/cigarboxguitar Photos:      Answer: How does it sound. I have little info in cigar box ukes. I will dig around and see what I can smoke out. Will let you know...frets - Friday, August 22, 2003

Question asked by: Tom Subject: Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea Question: Would you know where I could fine the uku chord progression for a song covered by George Harrison on his CD "Brainwashed" called "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea"? I think Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler originally wrote it. Thx Answer: Tom...ask this question over on the bulletin board. Those nuts know everything. great bunch and if anyone has the lyrics, it will be one of them.....frets - Friday, August 22, 2003

Question asked by: peter Subject: is it a taropatch or an 8 string tenor Question: Mr Frets. Can I take an 8 string tenor and string it like an 8 string taropatch using all nylon strings with reentrant dgbe in unison? It seems to me that everything would be the same as a taropatch except the size would be a tenor instead a concert and it would be tuned dgbe instead of gcea. Peter Answer: Yes...be careful tuning...take it slow and test the tension of the strings. Let us know how it turns out....frets - Friday, August 22, 2003

Question asked by: Erin Subject: Chris J. Knutsen Question: Chuck, in reading some of your previous responses, you make reference to a book "Chris J Knutsen" by Noe and Most. I looked it up and the title of the book is "Chris J Knutsen: From Harp Guitars to the New Hawaiian Family". My question: Is this a good reference book for collectors as the cost of the book is relatively expensive. I would like to buy a copy but what can I expect for my money? Answer: Collectors of what? If you collect ukuleles, No..If you collect musical instruments in general or harp guitars or weissenborn guitars, the answer is yes. It is a very good book with tons of information about the builders..knutsen, weissenborn, kona, hilo, schierschon and that bunch...great pictures..I own one and am not a collector of these instruments. I just like to look at the pretty pictures. I also like red wine....frets - Friday, August 22, 2003

Question asked by: Rich Clune Subject: Martin Update question Question: Chuck - you helped me out last month with a question on Martin Ukes. I have since found and purchased a Martin 1940s O. And its great. The place where I bought it now has a Martin 1940s 2M, in excellent condition, available - is that something I should consider trading up to - there's about a $600 difference in price... Thanks again for the advice... Rich Answer: I would not trade up to a style 2 from a style O...a style 2 is a style 0 with trim...if you are going to trade up..wait for a 3. There is a great deal of difference. it has the extended fingerboard and a better sound. Keep the O...the 2 won't be any better....frets - Friday, August 22, 2003

Question asked by: sol Subject: treholipee value Question: Hi, I have a treholipee that I got in the 60's from a person that was trying to market them in Miami. I got mine for demonstrating the various instruments to department store managers...to show that they really could play. Mine has been hanging on the wall ever since, and I wondered what the value of it might be. I'd be interested in anything that you might tell me. Thank you.............sol Answer: funny instrument. there are people who collect treholipee's and the varieties of them. Try the bulletin board and you will find these people. The oddest thing about them is that they really sound good. I have seen them up to 7 foot long. I know that sounds wierd, but I saw one at a guitar show about 20 years ago. Its hard to tell the value..they vary depending on the color, length, condition etc...However I have seen a really long one go for 550.....so there you have it....keep strummin'...frets - Friday, August 22, 2003

Question asked by: Dean Subject: Ka-Lae Uke Question: Hi, my buddy has a uke we just discovered called a Ka-Lae. I noticed there was already a question about this type of uke, but this one is made of koa (says on the inside label) and is spelled exactly Ka-Lae. My friends mom says she got it in Hawaii in the 60's i believe. Also, it says Honalulu. Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks! Answer: Dean ..send me a picture...You have a koa Ka-Lae made in the l930's, I would guess, and in order to give you more information I would have to see a picture of it. The Ka-Lae ukes were made mostly by Kamaka. NIce uke...great player.....frets - Friday, August 22, 2003

Question asked by: tracie anderson Subject: kamaka tenor Question: i suddenly find myself with a used Kamaka koa tenor uke which i purchased on impulse for $220. did i do OK on the price? moreover, can you recommend a uke teacher in St.Paul - Minneapolis, MN? i haven't been able to find a teacher, or a beginner uke book with tablature, which is how i've learned guitar. (i don't sing and prefer fingerstyle.) can you help me? THX!!! tracie Answer: great price.....you did very well. I'll give you 230 for a quick profit...I cannot recommend a teacher in your area, however if you put your request on the bulletin board, someone will see it. YOu can also go to the player directory on this site (look at the menu on the left side of the page) and find someone nearby who might be able to answer the question. Good luck..If you have no success, please write back and I will see what we can do. frets - Friday, August 22, 2003

Question asked by: Frank Subject: banjo-uke or banjolin? Question: Well, I'd always thought I had a banjo-uke (Lange Banner Blue model) but the other night at a jam a guy came up to me & said that you could tell by the relatively long, narrow neck that it was a "banjolin"--not a banjo- mandolin, but a banjo-violin. He said it should be tuned GDAE. Have you ever heard of such an instrument--and if so, do you think this is one? Dimensions: 8 inch head, ~14 inches from the nut to the bridge (16 frets), fingerboard just over an inch wide at the nut. Hope you can magically produce an answer... Answer: Frank...a banjolin is a banjo mandolin combination. I have never heard of a Banjo violin combination. A banjo mandolin is tuned like a violin and thats where I think the guy got the idea. A banjo mandolin has 8 strings not four. If you have a four stringed instrument that is small and looks like a banjo..it is tuned like a ukulele usually. You can tune it any way you want as long as you produce music others will listen to. Normally Banjolins do not have a long narrow neck...they are squatty little instruments that never sound good to me. four strings banjo uke...8 strings banjomandolin.....frets - Friday, August 22, 2003

Question asked by: gervaise loraine Subject: keech banjolele Question: I have two keech banjoleles with a serial no on the head stock 519 and one with br 1966 can you tell what year they were built from this or do they any other significance. Why do you say the banjoleles made in England were not as good quality as those made in the U.S. I also have a john grey and son faerie queen (mother of pearl fretboard side and back)some one else asked about them and I think you replied personally.I cant seem to find much about them but iknow john grey was not a real person, but his son was twice the man his father was to make up for it. cheers gervaise Answer: funny question......The keech banjoleles were decent instruments. Alvin and Kelvin Keech were responsible for the banjo uke...they invented it in Hawaii and took it to England where they continued to make them... Most English Banjo ukes and Banjo Mandolins are not great instruments. There are the odd exceptions. I have seen John Grey Banjo Ukes that are fantastic. But they are in the minority. I have no idea when the keech instruments were made, I don't know the numbering system Perhaps someone out there does...thanks for writing in...frets - Friday, August 22, 2003

Question asked by: Chris Covington Subject: Tahitian ukes Question: Dear Mr. Fayne, I have recently become interested in the Tahitian uke. Do you know of a source that sells them? I've read some back-posts, and you mentioned you have seen them in Tahiti. How much do they run for in the islands? How much do you think they would cost over here in the States (or in the Land Down Under)? Any help you can give would be great, as I'd love to try one out. Thank you, Chris :) Answer: Chris....go to tikiripolynesianinstruments.com... you will find out all you want. also go to google and type in tahitian ukulele and you will find lots of information..let us know how it turns out. I just got back from fiji..I wish I had known..there are sure alot of them there. They are used primarily as a rhythm instument and are strung with metal strings. They have 4, 6 and 8 string models, however they are all just four strings with some doubled. good luck...frets - Friday, August 1, 2003

Question asked by: misha Subject: Re: Regal/Ovation/Fluke Question: Not a question, but an update. I put together that Regal and after playing with it for a week got myself an Ovation. I visited a guitar store in my neighborhood and tried several of ukuleles they had: Kamaka baritone($800), a Flea, Hilo, Ovation and a few others. Seemed like Ovation sounded the best, so I ordered it fro 123Music for... $120. Yes, it does feel strange,but I intend to put in on a strap so I don't care about slipping, or I might still return in and get one of those new Risa Ukes. Thanks. Answer: Thanks for the update. Let us know what you decide and how you like it. Info always appreciated...frets - Friday, August 1, 2003

Question asked by: Linda Franchi Subject: ekulele Question: We recently found an eukele in a relative house who recently passede away. It is in excellent condition and inside says C F Martin, Nazareth PA Is it worth anything? Answer: Yes. I need a picture to know which one it is. There are many different models and they all vary in price depending on lots of things...age, condition, case?, size, type of wood...I will tell you exactly if you send a pic to this site. thanks frets - Friday, August 1, 2003

Question asked by: John K Subject: Old uke, part III Question: Thanks for your input, Chuck. Anything I should look for in terms of condition in this banjo uke before buying? Thanks. Answer: John...I would look for the things you would look for in any item you are thinking of buying. Is it complete? If you see a hole and nothing in it, I would be asking what it is for. Check the inside to make sure there are no cracks in the wood. Let your eye be your guide. I would not let one missing part, that could be replaced, stop me from buying a great sounding instrument. Which, brings me to the last suggestion. Make sure it sounds good to your ear. Shut your eyes....Instruments, unless you are purchasing them for display, are to be heard....If it sounds good, easy to play and makes you smile....buy it...frets - Wednesday, July 30, 2003

Question asked by: tom steele Subject: Martin Concert uke Question: Chuck, Ihave seen and heard this both ways, so I am wondering which is the correct name for the Martin Concert uke. Is it C-1 or 1-C ? Thanks, Tom Answer: Tom. 1-C is the way it appears in the Longworth Martin Book....Thanks for checkin' in...frets - Wednesday, July 30, 2003

Question asked by: Ed Petersen Subject: Giannini Baritone Question: Are the old 60's Giannini Baritone Ukes made witn all solid wood or plywood? Thanks, Chuck, for your Uke Yak Forum. I enjoy it tremendously Answer: The ones I have seen and the one I owned was made of solid wood. I like the sound of that instrument. Thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated.....chuck - Wednesday, July 30, 2003

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