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

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Question asked by: Gary Pomeroy Subject: Martin Tenor Ukes Question: I have two Martin tenor ukes, circa 1950s that belonged to my Dad and Aunt who used to play together. They are in mint conditions with no cracks 26" long, 9" lower bout. What might they be worth. Also have a Gretch baritone uke (30" long) circa 1960. All play well. Answer: The Tenors are worth 1000+ depending on the weather and if they have cases. Take off 150 if they don't. The Gretsch Baritone about 500. The Gretsch baritone is not all that common. Good luck , keep on writin in...frets - Thursday, October 17, 2002

Question asked by: Steve Subject: KP uke Question: Awhile back you mentioned that you got a Ken Potts made cutback uke. Spruce top? Know that have been busy, but I that you have had time to play with it.... Anyway how is this uke playing out and can you describe its playability and sound compared to, say your beloved Gibson sunburst tenor...Thanks Steve Answer: Steve...I got a all koa baritone but tuned with tenor strings so I can play up with the big boys. How does it compare to my gibson sunburst tenor? Its sort of like comparing a car to an apple. They are two different instruments. They are both terrific. The KP ukulele is probably the smoothest modern made instrument I have ever played. I love the sound of the instrument with the higher register strings. It is a player's instrument. If you are serious about playing the ukulele, this will be the instrument for you...go to the KP Uke site and have a look around. It gets a frets + recommendation..thanks for writing in and let us know if you get one and how you like it....chuck - Friday, October 4, 2002

Question asked by: Doug Veldhuis Subject: Info Question: Have you ever heard of a Morris ukeklele. I cant find any info on it TKS doug Answer: No...but I don't think that was Morris' original name...It was probably ukulelevich or something like that. My family changed our name from feinberg to fayne. My check of an extensive file of uke cataloges has turned up no Morris, however that means nothing. New names pop up all the time...If you want to send a pic to this site or to me, perhaps I can tell what it is by looking. In this case the name is not enough. I would also be on the lookout for a guy named morris who is looking for his ukulele. best from the Mr Idy Yoddling School and Valve Job Shop. C Fayne Prop. Est. 1976 - Thursday, October 3, 2002

Question asked by: Reid Welch Subject: off line question and a pic of Peruffo Question: Not necessarily for the Uke Yak, I thought you might enjoy seeing this picture of Mimmo Peruffo. Let me say before you do, "the man has real guts". They are lamb intestines nearly through the cleaning process. I've got other pictures of the string making process if of interest. BTW, privately here: I see a round Lyon and Healy "Uke Jr." on ebay. And would like to bid on it. Just because it's cute. Are these things at all decent sounding, say like a regular mahogany uke of decent make? Sure is cute. Did I say cute, yet? Would like your opinion if you have one. Do not have your email address so wrote via this channel. So great to have your help. Let me know if I can ever do anything in return- arrange an ebay purchase to ship to Au or that sort of thing. Reid Photos:      Answer: This has been a day. A question about "My dong has fleas" see bulletin board question about the 100 old nunes ukulele. And now this picture. What a turn-on. What a job.....What a nut...The litle lyon and healy sounds about like you would expect. Small and cute is what it is known for, not first ukulele in the uke orchestra. YOu would like my opinion about what??? I have nothing but opinions about everything...Did you know when you slice a raw opinion, put a fork in your mouth, your eyes won't water. Sorry, my wife was reading this and pointed out the word is opinion Not ONION... You now have my email address and yes you can mail me something..Last night slipped on the bathroom floor and cracked a tile. I need a replacement. They are quite easy to get but not here...They have a silkscreened picture of charles Du Gaulle attempting to tune a marx-o-chime violin uke. Please send two in case I slip again...frets - Thursday, October 3, 2002

Question asked by: Nate Subject: lelelelelelele's Question: Hi there. Someone asked about Polk-a-Lay- Lee, etc. Although I am no expert, my understanding is that Peterson Co. of Ohio made the Polk-a-Lay- Lee and the Wander-Le-Le. I have read that, in the 1950's, in the Chicago area, some were given away free at a local applicance company, Polk Bros., as a promotional gift. Swagerty of San Clemente, CA produced the Singing Treholipee and the Surf-a-Lay-Lee. These tend to fetch higher prices as they have nice surf decals and Swaggerty is infamous as a bohemian fellow of other accomplishments. Me, I just like the wacky shape and I am lucky enough to have just purchased a Polk-a-Lay-Lee. I expect it to sound OK and look strange enough to draw attention away from me. Warmest Best Wishes, Nate ********************************* Question asked by: joe Subject: lelelelelelele's Question: what is the relationship of the polk-a-lele and the surf-a-lele? Answer: too easy...siamese ukes separated at the neck. I have no idea, however, I think they, along with the swaggarty company, made everything....the resemble each other too much and you are right they have interchangable hardware...I wish I could remember some of the other lele names..I have had a few and always marveled at how good some of them can sound. They also take alot of space on the wall..fun stuff....see ya...frets - Saturday, September 04, 1999 Answer: Thaks..Nate...all info greatly appreciated. Siamese twins separated at the Neck???? funny stuff....see ya..don't sit on one....frets - Wednesday, October 2, 2002

Question asked by: Kevin Subject: Baritone bodies with tenor fret boards Question: Dear Chuck First let me thank you for your collumn(?) I read it all the time and your info is always great! Now my question While in Hon. I saw a uke with a big body and a tenor fret board have you ever seen or heard of these ? Answer: thanks for the nice words. I wish I knew what you meant...a big body and a tenor fretboard. Sounds like Pavarotti...I think I need a little more to go on. A uke with a big body should have a tenor sized fretboard. I'm not even sure what a tenor fretboard is other that a fretboard for a tenor uke. How big is the body? Now I sound like Mrs Marple. Well Kevin, please try to be a little more spacific. Like how big is big?...what shape?...who made it?..I might be able to help..Again thanks for the kind words..keep reading..stay in touch....frets - Wednesday, October 2, 2002

Question asked by: Chuck Heath Subject: Martin Bariton Uke Question: Where might I find a Martin Baritone Uke for sale. I seem to find it quite difficult to find a vender that has them. Answer: chuck...chuck here...put your wants up on the marketplace on this site...it has marvelous results..great bunch over there, only too eager to help...with anything. This weeks speciality , thickining of the skin on the fingers and how to avoid it falling off. Look to your left you sill see a menue in black, white and yellow...punch the maketplace and place your wants...You will get answers. The other alternative is to go to ebay or on of the other auction sites and try to scout on up. If I hear of one I will get in touch with you....frets - Tuesday, October 1, 2002

Question asked by: Jon Subject: Brands Question: I have bene searching around the net for saprano ukes. are ther any brands that you would recomend/stay away from? Answer: Yes, but I am into recommending not staying away from...If you write me specifically, and I don't think its a good value, I will tell you, however it is such a personal choice, I'd rather have you try them first. You will find comments all over this site and you will find in the menu add a link ( to your left in the black on this page) and it will direct you to ukes we feel need mentioning. If you want to know ukes I recommend, just ask. The list of makers today, is miles long. I have not nor do I want to try thm all . Thanks for writing in. Please write again if you need more help...frets - Tuesday, October 1, 2002

Question asked by: michael Subject: tiple-like instrument Question: Hi, Oh Great One from across the big pond. Chuck, you gotta help me, since you are (albeit unwittingly) the one who got me INTO this mess. Reading uke yak got me started on the road to perdition (ok, so i had been there before... ) but essentially, my daily readings of uke yak are one reason my dog barely has a place to lie down (and he's a little guy), since I can no longer resist any instrument strung in less than six courses. Ok, to make a long story just a little bit longer (and, you'll be happy to note, to finally get to my actual question...) my most recent acquisition was billed as a tiple... well, it's exacly the same size and shape of my two other tiples(martin and regal) but instead of being strung in 4 courses of 2,3,3,2, its strung in 5 courses of 2.. I will send a picture later (it's completely unmarked) when my lazy friend returns my camera, but for now i have just one and a half questions..... IS IT A TIPLE? (that's the 1/2 question, since what ELSE can it be? ) but most importantly, how would you suggest tuning those 5 courses? From the top (closest to your head... well, actually MY head...not yours) when playing it's strung: plain/wound; plain/wound; plain/plain; plain/wound; plain/plain. I will humbly accept whatever tuning you decree and be slavishly appreciative of any knowledge you have of this variation of the tiple. Answer: Michael....everything you say about me is true...I need to know a couple of things about this instrument. when you look at the slots in the nut, the tiple not yours, does it look like it was originally cut for the tiple stringing or was it always 5 sets of evenly spaced twos. It sounds like it may not be a tiple at all...There are many south american instruments that look exactly like tiples and are strung differently. What is the bridge like...the nut and the bridge are dead giveaways, and a good source of positive identification I have been told. looking forward to the pics...that will tell the story...frets - Tuesday, October 1, 2002

Question asked by: Reid Welch Miami Fl Subject: marquetry uke marked mystery Question: Chuck I have a marquetry uke of unkown make, that is I don't understand the mark. Maybe you can shed light? It is an ink stamp on the back of the head. Capital "R" with a smaller capital "M" inside the top of the "R". Could that mean Regal? If by chance it means Regal could the "m" designate mahogany? I can't trust my amateur eyes to tell koa from unstained, light colored mahogany which the wood most closely appears to my inexpert eye. Didn't regal make mostly inexpensive product? This instrument sports marquetry bindings all around the body and soundhole. Marquetry extends up the headstock, and the head is cut to an unconventional outline, just not like the usual uke head. The fretboard extends nearly to the sound hole. There are a couple more frets to the highest notes of first two strings, giving making fretboard kind of a curve at its termination near the sound hole. Maybe it is a well made uke, how can I tell? Am told a test for quality is to drop uke on a conrete floor, that the good ones bounce twice and do not always crack open. Sure would like to learn the make. I am set to make the test; have thr uke in hand although it is to hold a uke while typing standing because I use two hands in typing and the uke might slipppp. Oops. Never mind my question about how to tell quality. Please advise whether R means Regal or just maybe it means 'replace when dropped"? Your foolish fan, Reid Answer: Reid...first...either decrease or increase your medication...the dosage you are on makes you goofy...Now the question...The uke you are describing has a headstock that sort of looks like a violin. They were usually koa and not very good koa at that. I have always thought regal made them, however I do not recognize the brand on the back of the headstock...That is not a Regal brand I am familiar with. Regal had a circle around the name or the name with a crown below it. They did not only make low priced ukuleles, they made some really fabulous ukes. I have seen this uke with a label that says genuine Hawaiian ukulele and it it not. It was made on the mainland for sure. No graft on the neck and the heel cover is separate not part of the back...a good test. I think the test of a good uke is valid, as long as you use your own uke. That made me laugh. If you get really foolish and try it, please write in and let us know the result...that way we can all have a good laugh....Thanks for writing in and I hope I have helped you. By the way , that little extra half of fingerboard with the two little frets is as useless as the test. fretstester..... - Monday, September 30, 2002

Question asked by: Keith Brown Subject: Trying to buy a Uke Question: Hi Chuck. I'm a long time guitar player teaching my 7 year old to play uke on a old baritone with the idea of moving her to the guitar someday. I would like another nicer tenor or baritone that we could both enjoy and play. I have been shopping for a mid to upper level tenor or baritone but am finding no Ukes in the stores here in the Iowa. Do you have a suggestion for buying a Uke via mailorder in the mid to upper range? I have read your reviews of Flukes and may consider this in the end but would prefer an all wood product. Answer: If I were you, I would go over to the bulletin board and marketplace and let them know what you are looking for. There is alot of stuff that appears on that part of this site..You will find the maketplace and bulletin board to the left in the black menu with the white writing. I would suggest looking in the usual places, ebay, sold.com..and under the couch..When ever I am looking for something, I look there..its usually under it. There are many ukuleles made today that might fall into your price range. Also go to add a link and you will find links to many uke builders and sites you can go to. Ask questions.....uke nutz love to answer questions...hence the length of this one....hope we have helped...were up all night...call whenver you can't sleep....frets fayne..editor of the Mt Idy Town Weeper... - Monday, September 30, 2002

Question asked by: Carl Subject: Two questions Question: Hi, Chuck. I have two questions. The first one is a question I asked twice on the Bulletin Board, many months apart, and got the same unhelpful answer. The question was how to find nylon low- 4th strings (G or A) for soprano and concert ukes. The answer I got both times was to ask juststrings.com, but two inquiries there led me to the conclusion that that company has no information at all about the strings they sell; they only serve as a middleman and most of the companies don't give string gauges on their packaged sets. Do you have any suggestions? Like you I would prefer not to use wound strings if I can help it, to avoid wear on the Fluke plastic fretboard, to keep a consistent tone across strings, and to avoid the squeaks. So where can I buy some nice fattish (.044?) nylon? I don't care too much about the colour. That was my first (long) question. The second (shorter) question is: What are the chances of finding a good playable Martin 1-C concert ukulele (or 2-C if there is such a thing)? What would be the price range for such an instrument? Have you seen a many of them? Thanks as always for your great help, great wit, and great contributions to the culture of Mt Idy. I hope you will send your musical autobiography to the Ukulele Occasional. If you would like me to write it up for them (doing a better job than I did for the Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum newsletter), let me know. Carl Answer: Carl good to hear from you...Hows everything?...I would contact Kamaka...they make a set of strings with a low 4th and if they don't they will have a suggestion...They make a fat string that will work...The Martin concert is a 1C. It has the same trim as a style one ukulele. They should be around 750+ in good condition...more for better condition and case...Could spend 1000 for a really really nice one...I only know of one 2C and I once owned it. My guess it would be worth anything the owner asked since its the only one ever found. I wish I owned it today..It was a hell of a player as well. Thanks for the offer to write my musical biography.Will let you know when I finish the first draft. Speaking of the draft...glad they abolished it...frets - Monday, September 30, 2002

Question asked by: Deb Lyback Subject: Roy Smeck uke Question: I just purchased a ukelele that I plan to give my son as a gift. I know nothing much about ukes, but here is the description given. "This little instrument is in great condition! It is a Roy Smeck Ukelele, made by the Harmony Company of Chicago, Il. It is made of genuine mahogany, as stated on the tag on the back of the neck. It is of course a four string instrument, with nylon strings. It plays great!" I paid 41.00 for it. Is that a fair price, and if so, what would the value be. PS: 12 frets, does that mean soprano, or are these always soprano? Thank you for any answers! deb Answer: $41.00 is a fair price for dinner and a great price for a roy smeck ukulele, regardless of which model it is. The roy smeck came in different sizes . The only way to know is to measure the entire length...If it is around 21 inches long it is a soprano, about 23 inches a concert, about 28 inches a tenor, about 6 feet.... a base violin. Good ludk and if you want to start him off on the right foot..go to our online store on the menu to your left and you will find all the beginner books, cd's and anything you will need to get started. Thanks for visiting our site Frets Fayne CEO and head cleaner...... - Monday, September 30, 2002

Question asked by: Dave Daub Subject: learning the uke Question: Always wanted to learn uke but as an old 3-war soldier,never got around to it. I'm "civilianized" now and wish to learn the uke & sing the old songs to my grand- children. What size uke should I buy?... was Arthur Godfrey's uke a baritone...would this size be appropriate ? Answer: You can find all the beginning material on this site by going to the on-line store. There are books,cd's and loads of information. Yes the Godfrey was a Baritone. Is it appropriate??? It may be. But my suggestion is to get a beginning book and head for a good music store...or borrow the book there...find the first chord that involves only one finger and go around to the different ukes and try them out. It won't take long to find the one that fits you. A baritone is the largest of the family and not always the easiest to play. I have found that the middle sizes ..the tenor and the concert,...are easier to play. The soprano is fading as the size instrument of choice to the larger concerts and tenors. This is not a paid commercial...I only get love for this work....(I'll take it any day)...Try finding the uke sold by Jim Beloff on this site. Its called the Fluke..Its offered here and it is a perfect size uke for professional or beginner. You will find them for sale in music stores depending on where you live...Please let us know where that is and we will dry direct you. Thanks for writing in and I hope I've helped. frets fayne...keep in touch and let us know what happens.... - Saturday, September 28, 2002

Question asked by: robert wheeler - founder Subject: Peter Pan Question: Chuck, Do you think it would be OK if I move my Peter Pan uke, about which I have had for 15 years but have known nothing about, from the barn to the founder's display room? Thanks to Jim Duprer, John King and yourself. There is such a pleasure in learning new things. regards, robert - founder Answer: Robert, your message was over so quickly. Are you O.K. we here at uke yak notice any little change in our founders behavior. I set aside lots of fun time reading your questions and it was over before I began. You finished before me. Is the relationship fading? Just kidding, as you know ..Always a pleasure to hear from you...any length...Yeh..move your peter pan...Its a well made instrument. See what your digging turns up on the Rutan ukulele. That's the mystery. They claim to be a factory that was burned to the ground under mysterious circurstances. They also claim to have made the ukulele that I have which is exactly the same as the Peter Pan Uke. The problem with mainland ukes is that many companies destributed and many made and many did both..They were sold by companies that claimed to have made them...only to find out Regal or Harmony really were the makers. So a name means pretty much nothing. I have a Three varieties of Carl Ed Harold teen uke. All different and all different makers. The headstocks are Regal, Harmony and some other company. I know Regal and Harmony made them, but I have no idea who the other company is. I have washburns that I know were made by the Nunes family ..as were ditsons etc. I have a book of over a thousand sheets of catalogues that carried ukuleles and the art modern uke appears on almost every sheet....only kidding..just seems that way. I may publish the 1000 page catalogue again...will let you all know if I do....Thanks for writing in. I have lived out one of my fantisies. I have had an answer longer than your question..Best to ya and keep in touch..Hope your trip out west was loads of fun..Sorry I wasn't there to see you, but you would have had to come a few feet further west to Melbourne australia to visit me. YOur welcome any time...frets - Saturday, September 28, 2002

Question asked by: John King Subject: Pete rPan Question: Chuck, Peter Pan was a registered trademark of Progressive Musical Instrument Corp. of New York. They also marketed instruments under the names P'MICO, May Singhi Breen, HA-HA The LaffingUke, Armstrong and Nobility. The Peter Pan trademark was first used in 1924. The instrument you describe, or one similar to it with the semi-circular cutout to the headstock, was sold as a "Professional Hand Made Ukulele of genuine Mahogany Koawood[!] throughout. Accurately fretted Rosewood fingerboard with ovaled German silver frets. Finest patent pegs. Powerfully toned. Hand rubbed finish." It sold for $6.00 in 1931, half the price of a Martin style 1. Progressive sold a full ine of ukuleles including Harold Teen, Cheer Leader, Dancing Nymphs, Crystal, Lucky 7-11, Art Moderne, Roy Smeck Vita, Johnny Marvin Professional, and a complete line of Martins. They also made Peter Pan brand strings. The trademark was renewed in the late '40's. Info courtesy Progressive Musical Instrument Corp. Catogue No. 78 (1931) and USPTO. Answer: Thanks john...Was the Rutan distributed also by P'mico? I have the original article about the Rutan factory and their mysterious burning. The Rutan I own was claimed to have been made by the factory named Rutan. The Peter pan I own is exactly the same as the Rutan. Not one difference except for the name impressed on the back and of course the lack of the Rutan impression on the front. The Peter pan in the picture to uke yak is not the same instrument. I wonder how many peter pans there were. Anyway, thank you very much for your help. Its always interesting and informative. chuck P.S. a little further digging and I have come up with two cut out models of the ukulele one with trim for 5.00 and 7.00 ( two different P'mico catalogues and one without trim for 6.00). I have also come up with a Wurlitzer cut out headstock...so they must have been distributing them as well. However no Peter pan name. I wonder who Rutan really was. I will try to dig out that reference and get it to you. Again,thanks as usual. chuck - Saturday, September 28, 2002

Question asked by: Ukulele Bitch Subject: action-nut slot Question: answer to the nut slot question per a local repair guy if ya go too far with the filing...get some superglue..and powder ..fill in the slot with some glue and powder...when it dries...reslot it....but get it right this time. Answer: So I guess the answer is to powder your nuts. Thanks Uncle Bitch for your suggestion. frets - Saturday, September 28, 2002

Question asked by: Alan Subject: LUNA Baritone Question: Hi Chuck,hope you are doing well.A few months ago there was a question posted by Jason Childers regarding a LUNA Baritone distributed by a outfit in Texas called Rhythm Band.Well,I bought it from Jason on eBay for $20.00.It came with a decent case and the uke is in exellent condition.It has no sign anywhere on it that Kamaka was involved in the manufacturing process,and is marked "made in Japan".I will say that this uke is probably the best sounding and playing baritone uke I have ever seen. The thing is light as a feather,the neck is straight and very narrow, and it has a nice loud clear resonant tone and plays easily.I am wondering if you know of any way that I can find out if Kamaka made the parts for this model? I want to keep it and play it as long as my fingers still work.It reminds me of a fine quality classical guitar a friend has that was hand made in Spain (minus the two extra strings).I love Uke Yak, it brings a lot of joy into my life.Kind regards,Alan Answer: Alan..so glad to hear you like the luna. Kamaka still has a website and are located in Hawaii..Informaion will give you the number...You can call them and ask them directly. Please let us know. The luna soprano's I have had have all been kamaka related. Thanks for writing in...chuck frets - Saturday, September 28, 2002

Question asked by: John King Subject: Lindell & Stella Question: Chuck, The Lindell ukulele Edwin asked about on eBay is from the St Louis Music Supply Co. They claimed first use of the Lindell trademark (as pictured on eBay) in September 1963. A question about Stella was asked earlier in the week: Stella was the registered trademark of Oscar Schmidt, Inc. who claimed first use in 1909. The Stella name was re-registered in the 1960's by The Harmony Co. Info courtesy the USPTO. Answer: Thanks John...The Oscar Schmidt influence is seen by the decal work on the early Stellas. I had a Stella 12 string, by far the best sounding 12 string ever and a matching six string. They were both decorated with the Stella Schmidt Autoharp Decals. Was the more than one company using Lindell ..It pops up quite a bit lately but the decals all look different as does the quality of the instrument. Thanks again for your kind information...chuck - Saturday, September 28, 2002

Question asked by: Jon Subject: what kind of eukulele Question: Ever since I first heard IZ play Ive wanted to go out and buy a Eukulele but im not sure what kind to get. Answer: Jon...It depends on your budget. There are so many ukes to suggest it would take two columns to give you the answer. My suggestion of to go over to the other side of this camp and get on Bulletin Board and ask the guys over there to suggest some ukes. Tell them what you want to spend and they have tons of information. Its where I go when I am stuck..Great bunch of guys with more information than you can handle. Have a save journey..Its smooth sailing once you get there.....frets ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT THE MARKETPLACE...LOTS OF STUFF FOR SALE AND GOOD PEOPLE TO TALK TO...FRETS - Saturday, September 28, 2002

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