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

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Question asked by: Mark Lewis Subject: Is it something or is it nothing? Question: Hi Chuck! Ever heard of the brand Aloha Royal? It seems to be Mahogany and made pretty well. Don't know the age. Another one of the large pool of anon. makers and brands? I can scan and send if there is any curiosity... Answer: scan away...love to see it in person...chuck..i'm beginning to sound like a broken record....frets - Tuesday, September 24, 2002

Question asked by: Herb Danziger Subject: Gibson BU-1 Baritone Uke Question: Hi Chuck, This past weekend I purchased a Gibson BU-1 Baritone Uke. One of the tuner stems is broken and I would like to replace it with an identical one if possible. Any suggestions on where I might find one? My somewhat local vintage ukulele store didn't have one. Currently it has 3 strings, black nylon with ball ends. The missing one is the low G. I would like to tune with a "My dog has fleas" scheme, but I don't want to harm the uke. It is 95% mint. Can you suggest a type / gauge (assume nylon) string to use? Also would you have an estimate of age and value? As always thanks for your knowledge and help. Regards, Herb Answer: Herb, yout questions and your broken tuner might possibly be fixed by John Bernunzio and Bernunzio Vintage Instruments. YOu will find his home page all over net. Tell him I told you to call and see if he has anything. He has alot of parts and one may fit your instrument. Good guy for all of you out there to know. Jot down his name. He is a marvelous dealer and a great guy with tons of informstion. chuck frets faybne - Saturday, September 21, 2002

Question asked by: mike manorowitz Subject: ukulin Question: Hi i recently discovered a ukulin that my mother had from 1955 is this worth anything? Thank you Answer: Your mother is priceless. The ukelin is...well lets put it this way. If you type in the search section of this column, under ukelin, marxochime, violin=uke and the other thousands of names it had, you will find my former opinions. They have not changed. Its a fun piece to hang on the wall. The fact that your mother had it since l955 makes it also priceless. Keep it and if you have a lot of good quality life left, try to tune it. Write in yearly and let us know the progress. chuck - Friday, September 20, 2002

Question asked by: Mike Longworth Subject: Question: Chuck, Thin strings can be nylon, steel, gut, etc. Heavy strings of solid steel would be a disaster on a fragile instrument. Windings on the strings can add bulk for a lower note without substantially adding to the tension on the neck. Even with wound strings you can get different tensions,like decreasing it by a thinner core and heavier winding, or more tension with a heavier core and thinner windings....and they have the same diameter. Mikw L. Answer: thanks mike....You have, as usual, cleared up many of my own questions. I'm kinda of old fashioned, I like the old style either gut for pure hawaiian or nylon. I like used, stretched, broken in strings. I don't ever change them unless they break. I have had strings on ukes for years and they are as good as they get. I don't like wound strings because of the squeek. Am I wrong in assuming that if you use a larger diameter string you either have to widen the groove in the nut or the intonation is off. It seems that once you do that, you have a wobble in the string if you try to go back to conventional string size. Thaks for everything as ususl.,..Your more than a help to us all...see ya...chuck - Thursday, September 19, 2002

Question asked by: Dennis Ecklund Subject: Regal / The Benson Tiple Question: Hi Frets, I really enjoy your column, so far I guess I've read through about 600 pages. By now I'm convinced you could write an entertaining column on any topic. Attached is a composite picture of a Regal Tiple I just bought at ebay, and I'm wondering if you can give me an idea of when it was made and the price range it originally sold. Also what it might be worth nowadays. It's a little different from others I've seen here and on the Web. Actually I'd love to learn more about the Regal company, but there doesn't seem to be much info available. It has a Regal decal on the headstock, and there a re-seller's label inside that read "The Benson." It seems like a well-made instrument, with what appears to be solid wood back and sides and a fully bound body. The triangular- shaped neck looks like maple with a little flaming (kinda like mine) Overall condition seems to be sound. There are a couple of minor cracks, the finish is kinda crazed and there's some minor strumming wear in the upper bout. I removed the old strings to do a better job of cleaning it up. Now I'm really itching to restring it and start playing. I got carried away in a last- minute bidding frenzy and ended up paying about $175 for it. Probably way too much, but if it plays well I'll get my money's worth. It came with a "Bulls head" brand cardboard case. I buy and sell things on ebay all the time, but I've got a feeling my kids will end up selling this in my estate after I've gone to that great lutherie in the sky. According to my spouse, this may be sooner than I think, if I don't seek treatment for my M.I.A.S. (Musical Instrument Acquisition Syndrome.) Thanks, Dennis Photos:      Answer: Dennis, you didn't overpay..its a nice instrument. Its interesting that you can't find out information on the most productive music manufacturing company of all time. They made most of the ukuleles made in the United States in the l930's and 40's. They made for everyone. I have records of the instrument selling for about 45 dollars in the 30's or one like it. Today, you probably paid a little less than what it is worth, however condition has alot to do with it and it seems solid. Tiples are notorious for drifting out of tune. I would have a good luthier take a look at it and string it up for you. That way, if it needs any minor adjustments to the frets it can be done there. I hate stringing them up and love playing them. So I have a professional stringer who is not allowed to drift further from my side than the length of his G string. But that is another story. I love the tiple and am always surprised when I find out how many were played in the 30's and 40's. There is a very good article about the tiple in a new Ukulele book titled, "The Ukulele Occasional.It is available on this site in the On-line store. Look to the left to the black menu and you will find the on-line store. I suggest you all order the book, it wonderfully produced. I love my copy. Thanks jim and liz. well dennis, best to you and your tiple. any more, please write in...frets - Thursday, September 19, 2002

Question asked by: Laura Leff Subject: More on the Treholipee Question: I recently picked up a montage of photos on Ebay that show Frankie Remley (the left-handed guitar player from Phil Harris' orchestra) and others playing Treholipees. The central photo (8x10) shows Frankie and Jack Benny playing the instruments, which have their names embossed on the lower corner of their respective instruments. Smaller photos show Frankie and others playing them, including one Treholipee that looks about 10 feet tall (including the curved neck). Some photos are taken in the back patio of a house around the pool (and the 10' Treholipee is floating in the pool in one shot), which the seller identified as being in San Clemente. Others are taken at what appears to be a store, with large notes similar to those on the body of the instrument hung on the wall. One photo is in color and has a date of July 1964 on it. I happen to know that Remley was living in Newport Beach at that time, about 32 miles away (ergo, it's not his house). So I'm wondering if Remley was somehow connected with the Swagerty/Swaggerty company, or if he or Jack Benny were spokesmen for the company or instrument. Can't imagine how many giant Treholipees were made, so I wonder if the house may have belonged to one of the management of Swagerty (and possibly he's one of the people in the photos). At some point, I'll warm up my scanner and get these photos on our Web site (www.jackbenny.org). In the meantime, any information is appreciated. --Laura Leff President, IJBFC www.jackbenny.org Answer: Laura, please let us know what you find out..interesting connection. You have more information than I have on people who played the instrument. I know that there is a decendent of the family still alive and I will write Jim Beloff and see what I can do. He will read this anyway. Jim...can you help???? from the other side of the pond.....frets - Wednesday, September 18, 2002

Question asked by: Liz Subject: Slingerland Maybelle Banjo Uke Question: Hi! I was wondering if you knew anything about this Maybelle Banjo Ukelele made by the Slingerland Bros. It doesn't look like the other banjo uke's that they made... it's body seems to be made of some sort of synthetic material. I know it is missing it's bridge, and I am ordering a new piece as we speak. How do you think this will affect it's value? I have three more photos I would like to share with you... but I won't send them unless you ask. Thank you so much! Photos:      Answer: Liz...I can't tell much from the front photo. please send others. It looks like a standard, better than the most, banjo uke of the l930's. So far, I see nothing out of the ordinary. Have had dozens tht looked exactly like that one. Good instrument...as I said, better than most. frets - Wednesday, September 18, 2002

Question asked by: Jim Subject: banjo uke Question: Hi Chuck: Recently I was given a banjo ukulele that had been my uncles, and I'm trying to find information and parts for it. I believe that it is from the 1930's or 40's, but there are no markings on it. When it was given to me, it had no strings or bridge and the back was cracked. This instument is built with a round wooden pot, that has holes on the side, which had metal grommets in the holes, and on which a skin is tightly drawn, like a drum. The mechanism for holding the skin tight is inside the pot, and a wooden back covers the mechanism. I've found a few pictures of banjo ukuleles, but they appear more like a modern banjo, with a metal system for holding the skin tight. I'm looking for several things: 1. A bridge 2. The piece that separates the strings at the top of the neck. 3. Frets (I need one or two) 4. Metal Grommets for the holes 5. Info on strings to use and tuning I've started working on the instrument, to get it into a playable shape, but I'd really like to find out what it looked like originally, and where it was made. Any suggestions, advice, or direction would be helpful. Thanks Jim Answer: My advise, since I can't tell much withougt seeing the banjo uke, is to get in touch with John Bernunzio at Bernunzio Vintage Instruments in Rochester N.Y. YOu will find him all over the web. Tell him I told you to call and He will help you. He should have parts to help fix the banjo uke. If you don't live close enough to take the uke to him, you will have to have some pics...There were only about 5000 varieties of Banjo ukes made in the l930's. They were very popular and everyone made them. Hope you find what you are looking for. Frets - Wednesday, September 18, 2002

Question asked by: Bill Sweet Subject: Chipping finish Question: Chuck, I'm wondering if you can help me ease some worries. I want to know if there's anything I need to be doing extra to take care of my much beloved Martin. It's a style O, and I'm told it's older, because it doesn't have "made in USA" on the inside. It's a little dinged up, and the finish has a series of hairline crack all over it. The looks have never been much of a concern for me, because she sounds so sweet, better even than another Martin I own that's in mint shape. In the past couple years, with more intensive playing, the finish has chipped off part of the face (see picture) leaving naked wood exposed. Again not a big deal for me. I just want to know if this is foreboding of something that may effect the sound. I worry that the surface cracks could turn into something serious. Some friends keep something in their uke case part of the year for moisture, the thing you put in a clarinet (sorry I can't remember the name). I wondering if I should be doing something like this, if maybe it's been too dry? Should I get one of these humidifier things? Should I do something to protect the face, and what? Thanks, Bill Photos:      Answer: Bill , have the cracks closed just so they don't spread and don't worry about the chipping on the face. Unless its your face and then I would worry. YOu can do nothing about the strum wear and it will not affect the sound at all. . You don't need to do anything. I have no Idea about the what you put in a clairnet case. I thought it was a clairnet, however I may be wrong. If you mean something for chance of moisture or humidity, don't waste your time. Use that time for playing. That instsrument has already been broken in, so it sounds, It will out-last us all. Put something in side of you, like a good Red Wine and just enjoy the uke. Its going to make it fine. Mt Idy's resident Dermotologist, specializing in Cracked faces...Frets Fayne....By the way did you know the word Dermotologist is an interesting word. It comes from the Latin , Dermo meaning skin, and the Greek, tologist, meaning to overcharge. see ya - Wednesday, September 18, 2002

Question asked by: Tom B. Subject: Dried-out fret dots! Question: Hi Chuck, I have just come into possession of a Favilla baritone, which is in good shape except for the dots on the fretboard. They have dried out and shrunk, and a lot of them have just fallen out! (I was surprised to see that there is actually a rather deep hole for each one --- I just assumed they were painted on.) A friend says it's an easy and cheap fix. Would you agree? And more importantly to me, will it hurt the fretboard if I don't replace them? Thanks, oh wise one. Answer: Yes, it will eventually hurt the fretboard. They will shrink in size and possibly crack at that spot. You need to have them replaced. It is an easy fix..a good luthier can do it very quickly. Don't try it yourself, have it done professionally. It should not be very expensive. You pay mostly for the labor. let us know how your holes come out. We care.....frets - Tuesday, September 17, 2002

Question asked by: Alex Willis Subject: Broken ukulele Question: Dear Chuck, I have just collected from a customer a very old ukulele, he says that it is almost 100 years old, no lable or other markings.There are three sloppy nylon strings, floating bridge, no top nut, tuners have worn washers? behind the head and will not adjust. The sound board appears to be sound and made of spruce with a wood veneer shaped triangle tile rosette. The soundboard is coming away from the ribs at the lower bout on the treble side. I have never worked on a ukulele before since alll my time is building and repairing standard guitars and mandolins. The customer probably has a very small budjet for repair and I am willing to use this as a traing excersize so the labour will not be an issue. Other than giving it back unrepaired what would you recomend. Answer: Alex..some ukes are worth repairing and some are not. I would love to see a pic of this uke and I could help more that way. It is impossible to tell if it is worth it. I am interested in the triangle tile rosette. The floating bridge suggests mainland made. I also need to know the specs. Overall length will do. Please try to send a pic to me on the yak or personally at cfayne@bigpond.net.au - Tuesday, September 17, 2002

Question asked by: Wayne Creekmore Subject: Martin 1-C Concert Question: Hi Chuck. I acquired a Martin 1-C Concert Ukulele for my wife, but she decided to keep her Kamaka. I'm a baritone player (Guild) and have decided to sell the Martin Concert and purchase another baritone. The Martin Concert and the original GEIB case are both nearly mint. The ukulele has some lacquer flaking below the strings due to pick or nails. There is a one inch square area on the case where the outer vinyl is missing. There is no stamp on the back of the peghead and the inside does not read "Made in the USA." From my research, this places the uke manufacturing date between 1932 and 1962. Do you know the current value and where I might best list this item? Thanks in advance for being there for all of us....Wayne Photos:      Answer: list it on the Marketplace on this site. We have been getting terrific results. Nice uke..should do well..chucko by the way made in usa is a very modern stamp..not l932...its the last incarnation of the martin ukes... - Monday, September 16, 2002

Question asked by: katherine Subject: vintage uke? Question: I saw an old uke @ an antique store w/ 3 missing wooden pegs & inside labe peeling. can't see maker but has pic of volcano. original price $50...they'll take $35 since 3 of 4 tuning pegs missing. i know little about vintage instruments, but very interested since Hawaii trip this yr. the owner purchased @ estate sale, otherwise nothing more known. should i consider buying? sincerely, katherine Answer: I wouldn't....I would want the other pegs and to have it strung up so you can hear the tone. It doesn't sound to me like a quality uke. but I may be wrong. I would watch the marketplace and look around the ukulele sites- you will find links to the better ones here- and I think you can do better for your money... - Monday, September 16, 2002

Question asked by: Elaine Subject: Intonation of Soprano Uke Question: I have (stupidly in retrospect) agreed to accompany a vocal group on ukelele for a concert, for the sole reason that I was the only person around who had one (a Soprano) which I acquired and started teaching myself a few chords on many years ago. Being a cellist and guitar player, I know little about the ukelele and I am having a problem with intonation on the C string on the second fret. When playing chords using the open C string, the intonation is fine, but the moment I play a chord or note on the C string on this fret it plays sharp. I can get various tones by moving my finger slightly to left or right, but the end result is that it is always almost a semitone higher than it should be. I know the strings are tuned correctly so I don't think this could be the problem. I thought it was just my instrument so went out and bought a new one, which isn't much better. Is this a problem with ukes in general or just cheap ones? And is there anything I can do to correct it, other than by putting my finger on the divider between the frets? Answer: The problem is in the uke..they are designed to have a mininmum of pressure between the frets. Go to a luthier anad have the frets adjusted...if one is slightly high or low ..it will not play in tune. You might want to visit the online store this site for the beginner books that will help you alot. - Monday, September 16, 2002

Question asked by: Reid Welch Subject: Harmony vs. Harmony Question: Chuck sir (Sir Chuck?), Anywho, I am a beginner and more of a tinkerer than a player. Have here two, identical Roy Smeck Harmony soprano ukes purchased in eBay auctions. One is brand new in the box- without flaw, never played I'd say. The other was perhaps lightly used, not kept cased and had climate cracks in front and back and one side. Yet both are real mahogany, both have unworn plastic fretboards. I wonder if Mastro didn't design those Harmony fretboards because they do have a "ZERO" fret talked about in the new magazine, "Uke Occasional"; a great magazine/digest. Decided to keep the new old Harmony stock except swap on a set of the Nylgut strings. This Harmony is not a tonal match for my friend's late 30's Gretsh even though it plays in better tune. The OTHER Harmony, the doggy one, I have stripped down. Fixed the cracks with...don't cringe, it's a cheap uke....super glue. In fact I poured thin superglue all inside the interior after baking the uke dry under a lamp. This reinforced all the joints that -might- get loose later. And the slightly loose neck? Loose no more. Gosh, what a horrible, amateur thing to do to a uke- I am not suggesting others do the same thing, not at all. But here is a grand experiment: Two ukes identical, one sounds "so-so" and the other is getting a full makeover that will result it its being bright red mahogany (red aniline stain) and waterproof (phenolic/linseed oil spar varnish). Yep, the inside has been sloshed with varnish. The outside is getting many coats of carefully leveled clear varnish. Not to look like a bar top finish, just smooth- a piano finish. When the finish is is finished in a week or so I'll have a real beauty. But will the sound be ruined, dead, tubby? I suspect not, based on tap-tones. Oh, too- I thinned off the bars under the top and thinned the top down considerable. With superglue acting as a wood impregnant the bracing just isn't needed. The uke is stronger and thinner than before. This grand experiment is of no importance except it'll show me what works and what doesn't. God forbid any luthiers read this confession. I could find myself at the receiving end of a class action lawsuit. Or committed to an institution barred from superglue abuse. Reid Answer: Reid , nice to hear from you...Whats the question???? - Monday, September 16, 2002

Question asked by: Reid Welch Subject: Aquila Nylgut strings Question: Howdy Chuck, Have you or any of the readers opinions yet about the new "Nylgut" strings from Aquila? I have installed a three sets on soprano ukes: a late 30's Gretsch and two, identical Roy Smeck mahogany Harmony ukes. The strings replaced were D'Addario and generic nylon, respectively. I find the Nylgut strings sound wonderful, with a true fundamental and lots of "in tune" harmonics. Maybe this harmonic liviliness is why the Nylgut sounds about twice as powerful as the old strings? Well, I am mighty pleased with Nylgut. Would love to have your opinion and hear from others, because tone quality is subjective. I'll add that I'm a rank beginner. And also a piano technician/tuner by trade; which perhaps is why my ear is keen for good timbre and tuning. Uck, that Gretsch by the way doesn't have very accruate fret placement. The plastic fretboard Harmonies at least have IN TUNE built in providing the bridge is re-glued where it belongs. They do pop off I find. Three for three so far. Thanks, you're the best! Reid in Miami Fl. Answer: I have tried the nylgut strings and have found them to be reasonably pleasing. I am from the old school. I like strings I don't have to break in. I have a tendency to go for the kamaka black or a well worn used set of martins. I never change string unless it breaks. Thanks for writing in and If I can help in any way,. don't hesitate to ask...frets - Monday, September 16, 2002

Question asked by: Brian Subject: Uke stringing/Tuning Question: ok. I hope someone can help me with these problems that I've been having. I'm a guitar player that's been picking up other instruments to add new sounds to my recordings. So I bought this cheap ukulele. It's a Johnson uk- 120. So I was trying to tune it so I could start learning how to play. Mind you I haven't bought a book yet. I was hoping to learn some chords online and go from there. Anywho I was trying to tune it and of course I broke a string. So I went out and bought some strings. The strings I bought were Martin crystal nylon Baritone .27-.35 . When I sat down to restring it I noticed that the strings that were on it before went (right handed from top to floor) small, big, big, small. Very unlike a guitar. So I put them on that way that fattest strings in the middle and the skinnier ones on the outside. Now when I try to tune it I have problems. Because it seems that in tone it gets higher as you work your way down the uke when you are tuning it(like a guitar). But I cant get those fatty middle strings to tune that high. What ami doing wrong? I'm finding out now that there are two types of ukes. Did I buy the wrong type strings? What string should be what note when tuning it? What strings would you recomend for my model uke and which ones go where? Please help. Thank you so much. Sorry for the large post. Answer: Brian....I suggest you get yourself to a good (good) luthier who can look at all the problems you are having. It sounds like you need direction more than a change of materials. It is very difficult to help without the uke in my hands. I have no idea where you live, but if you will let me know, I will suggest someone in your area who can help...None of the problems seem to be serious. Just a minor tweek here and there..sort of the same advise I give when asked to give dating advise. Please keep in touch, read the column and tell you friends about us. Please visit the marketplace as it is a wonderful place for buying and selling ukes and the bulletin board for information about anything and everything. Thanks again for writing in...frets - Monday, September 16, 2002

Question asked by: Ken McCaulou Subject: info on Kona Hawaiian Small Guitar Question: Dear Chuck, The widow of one of San Francisco's better Radio Staff Bass players has asked me for info (value) of a small violin shaped 6 string instrument with a label Kona Hawaiian Guitar. Her husband had it since he was a musician on a Cruise Ship trip to the Islands in the early 1930's. Another musician who referred her to me says it is in mint condition. He thought it might even be a tenor or baritone uke with 2 extra strings?? Have you any ideas on this? Thanks, Ken McCaulou Answer: Ken...is there any chance you can get me a pic of the instrument. You can send it to this site or my email address..cfayne@bigpond.net.au...I have a hunch it is not a ukulele at all. I will be able to help, but I need to see the instrument. Thanks..I tried to reach you on you email address supplied to this site, but they keep coming back..If you have an email address I can use...please send it. Thanks for using uke yak...frets - Monday, September 16, 2002

Question asked by: jay Subject: the singing treholipee Question: Hi, I recently bought The "singing" treholipee at a flea market. Could you tell me a little about them and what their value is. Thank you. Jay Answer: Jay..if you will please go to the collectors uke yak section you will find a search the yak section..punch in treholipee...there is more information that anyone could want. thanks for writing in...and yes, you can still get strings to fit it...chuck - Sunday, September 15, 2002

Question asked by: robert wheeler - founder Subject: ukulele literature as an art form Question: After three weeks of wandering about the golden state, I, upon my return to Littleton, Massachusetts, scrolled through your Uke-Yak. I like best your mean spirited one word replies. How about you? robert Answer: sometimes - Sunday, September 15, 2002

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