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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
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(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
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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
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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
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Question asked by:
bluesboyroy
Subject: KP uke
Question: Dear Chuck,
Good morning from the Atlantic
coast. It's still summer here and
I'm still retired. Life is good. I
was looking at the life size
picture of the KP uke you just
posted. I was surprized to see a
fret right before the nut( I think
this is called a stop fret ). I've
seen these used on some guitars,
but usually not on high quality
ones. The KP uke looks like a real
nice instrument, certainly quality
workmanship. Is there a reason the
maker used this set-up, and do you
have a preference? How does this
set-up effect sound and
playability ( in your opinion )?
With guitars I found that other
factors effected the instrument
more but I never cared for
the "stop fret" design. Now back
to the rigors of retirement. I'm
heading for a campout in mountains
this weekend, and looking forward
to Uke expo 2002. Thanks as always
Roy
Answer: Roy...Its called a zero fret and I like the feature. I am not sure exactly what it is suppose to do, however I notice that this instrument stays in tune no matter how long it sits. The zero fret technique has been used for years and on some very high class instruments. Most Oboe's have one. I think the zero fret also make it easier to apply the minimum of pressure on the string to change the note. I like it....but thats just one man's opinion...like to hear from the rest of you...chuck Your right...the KP Ukulele is a quality instrument all the way...I'm really enjoying it alot...
- Thursday, September 5, 2002
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Question asked by:
Michael
Subject: Maybell banjo uke
Question: Hi Chuck (or may I call you "Frets"?),
I'd like your take on this Maybell
banjo uke. I'm considering trading
for a wooden soprano uke, but I don't
know how to begin to put a value on
this instrument! I might guess
it's all original, it's in real
good shape.
Answer: Michael..no pic came thru..but a maybell banjo uke is worth in the neighborhood of 150-300 depending on condition and trim..try to send a pic and I'll hit it closer...frets
- Thursday, August 29, 2002
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Question asked by:
Mischa Sobel
Subject: intonation? arch top ukes?
Question: Hey Frets - Just got my first uke.
It's supposed to be a '20's Regal,
and it sounds pretty nice but the
intonation is awful about 8 frets
up the neck. For a first one it's
OK, I guess, (it was cheap!)but
I'd like to upgrade in a few
months. The Fluke looks
interesting and certainly within
my price range... what about the
intonation on it up the neck?
Also, have you ever heard of any
arch-top uke, or uke-style
instruments? Thanks... Mischa
Answer: Foget fixing the regal...Get a fluke...the intonation is perfect...It would be hard to imagine a company as successful as the fluke making a uke that is not good all the way up the neck. There have not been alot of arch top ukes..arch top tenors abound..see ya...frets
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002
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Question asked by:
Lee
Subject: Guild uke - baritone?
Question: I have inherited a ukulele - it's
about 31" from top to bottom. 20.5"
scale, an 10" wide at the lower
bout. Made by Guild, with a sticker
inside identifying that it is from
the Hoboken, NJ factory days. It
is strung with soprano strings and
tuned dGBE. I bought a set of
D'Addario baritone string, with a
wound 4th, but when I try to crank
that low string up to D, the tuning
peg slip. Before I tighten the peg
- I'd like to know if this is the
right thing to do! Is this,
indeed, a baritone uke and can it
hold a DGBE (guitar-like) tuning
without damaging the instrument?
Answer: should be able to hold the tuning...Guitar tuning is what is recommended, but be careful..If the tuners slip, it could be the tuners. take it to a good luther and let him do it. He knows how. Don't attempt it yourself. Just about the time the peg holds, the bridge will pop off and hurt you..take it to a good luthier...chuck
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002
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Question asked by:
Michael MacLeod
Subject: 1920's Martin 0
Question: I'm new to Ukes but have fallen for
the pesky little critters and have
started selling the Flukes locally,
Even though my guitar playing
buddies are threatening an
"Intervention". I've just acquired
what I believe to be a 1920's 0 in
remarkably good condition. It is
missing one peg, but one of the
remaining peg has a short length of
genuine gut string remaining. This
leads me to believe that the
instrument is gernerally original.
It also was supplied with a
perfectly fitted professionally made
corduroy bag. Question 1. Was this
bag an original Martin option/
accessory? Question 2. Where can I
get a matching Peg? Mike
Answer: You must search for the peg...Send a pic to this site and someone will probably have a match...hard to answer the question...there were thousands of different kinds made and there exist, at last count, about 3,000,000 sets of three..good luck...chuck
- Wednesday, August 28, 2002
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Question asked by:
Dan Sawyer
Subject: LoPrinzi
Question: Hi Chuck! For the fellow looking for
info on the G-String ukes. Here is
their new website: http://
www.travelhere.com/derek1/
Answer: Thanks Soybean...always good to hear from you...chuck
- Saturday, August 24, 2002
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Question asked by:
Burkhard Ruemcker
Subject: POLK-A-LEY LEE
Question: Hi, I'Burk from Germany, a "low
budget" collector of unusual
string instruments, not just for
the sound they produce, but also
to present the different forms
people have invented. Via eBay I
purchased an instrument, offered
with the above mentioned name, a
jpg-file is added too.
Unfortunately the seller could
give me no further information
about the origin or age. So I
started Google worldwide for that
name, and the only hit I got was
your beautiful homepage! Even if
you would not call it a uke at the
fist glance, at least some details
fulfil the definition, as for
instance, the number of strings ...
If anyone could give me a little
bit more information, that would
be a real present to me.
Thanks and best regards!
Burk
Photos:
Answer: The Polk-a-leylee is a ukulele. It was made by the Swagerty company of San Clemente California. It was aimed at the beach crowd so when a big wave came in , you could stick the head in the sand and go surf. They actually sound pretty good. Is there alot of susrfing in 'Germany???? best to you ..chuck frets fayne addition...It seems that the Polk-a-leylee was made by the Polk Bros and Not the Swagerty Company...They sure resemble each other. good strummin..Thanks Jim Beloff for the additional information.....fretszla
- Saturday, August 24, 2002
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Question asked by:
Edwin
Subject: ukelins
Question: I know you sometimes get queries
about ukelins. (No wonder, the do
make one scratch the head) I
discovered that at geocities there
is 'Bob's ukelin page' and there
it is claimed that the thing is
playable, that there exist
recording of ukelin music, and
there is a link to a ueklin
instruction book with cassette.
Thought I'd mention this for
anyone who is interested.
Evidently many of these things
were sold...must have been a
marketing genius.
Answer: Your right, he must have been a marketing Genuis because the instrument is impossible to tune or play. I'm sure someone out there has mastered both. Would love to hear a recording of it being played correctly...on second thought...It kinds reminds me of the Bagpipe joke.."Why does a Bagpiper walk when he plays the Bagpipe?"...to get away from the sound....frets
- Friday, August 23, 2002
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Question asked by:
kyle metcalf
Subject: kumalae ukulele date
Question: I just purchased a kumalae
ukulele with a Sherman Clay
label. Is there a way of telling
the production date on this item.
aloha Kyle
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP
I.dll?ViewItem&item=212964503
5
Answer:
sherman Clay Music company was big in the l930's That would be my guess. Could be a few years earlier but not much later. frets
- Friday, August 23, 2002
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Question asked by:
Mark Weisner
Subject: Kumalae Ukulele
Question: I originally posted this question
July 28, 02 but it never got
answered. In case it got missed
somehow...
How much is an original Kumalae
(model type C)Ukulele worth? My
neighbor has one for sale. It has
the 1915 gold medal label
headstock, flamed Koa wood, fancy
rope looking binding, and is in
good condition. The top is cracked
around the binding but could
easily be fixed. The wood is
beautiful. It looks exactly like
the attached photo, except the
wood is more highly flamed. No
cracks in the back or sides.
Thanks for the help.
Photos:
Answer: It is a very nice ukulele and a rare model. It is worth in the soft market of today about 400+...If it has an original case...a few more bucks. If you can buy it for a decent price you should and if you decide not to..please let us at the yak know. I'm sure there is someone out there who would like to own it. Thanks for writing and the pic is great....frets
- Friday, August 23, 2002
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Question asked by:
Mark Barnes
Subject: Regal uke/guitar
Question: Hello Chuck,
I'm so glad I stumbled into your
site! I'm trying to identify a
Regal 4-string instrument.
Dimensions and other info -
Bridge to nut: 21 in.
Lower bout: 10-3/8 in.
Upper bout: 7-1/4 in.
Waist: 6 in.
Depth: 3-1/8 in.
Bridge length: 4 in.
Overall length: 31-1/2 in.
Inlays: dots, diamonds, "clubs"
Tuners: Waverly
Bracing: Ladder
Frets: 19, 12 above the body
Neck width @ 1st fret: 1-1/8 in.
Neck width @ 19th fret: 1-5/8 in.
The bridge is missing (although
its "footprint" is still there),
and there is a hinge-type metal
tailpiece that remains. The one
string left hanging off one of the
tuning pegs was steel.
There is a "herringbone" design
around the soundhole, along the
top outer edge, and down the
middle of the back.
I don't know if it qualifies as a
uke, a small tenor guitar, or what!
I want to put this instrument back
together - properly! It has a
great deal of sentimental value to
me, as it belonged to my
grandfather, who passed away more
than 30 years ago . . .
Many thanks,
Mark
Answer: Its a regal tenor guitar and should say so on the oval label on the inside if it still exists. It is quite common and that is good. If they lasted this long in quantity, they must be good. They were originally strung with metal strings i strung mine with gut strungs. I liked the sound..It is a fine playing instrument. They were made in the 30's...your model and a very fancy one with abalone in the fretboard, headstock and around the body and even in the bridge. I had one like that and let it get away. A good friend sold it to me and I should have never let it go. But thats the way it goes. Enjoy yours..its a good instrument...thanks for writing in..frets
- Wednesday, August 21, 2002
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Question asked by:
Kevin Barney
Subject: 32 annual Uke-fest
Question: Hi Chuck
Any feed back or reviews of this
years festival in Honolulu.
would like to attend next year and
wonder how big the crowd is and
whether the classes are
reasonable... Thanks, Kevin
Answer: I don't know...I live in Australia..We are getting the news from l960...Sorry to hear the BG's split up. Someone out there will write in with all the information...Comon yakkers...write in...thanks frets
- Wednesday, August 21, 2002
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Question asked by:
mike Longworth
Subject: Kanaka
Question: For John,
Thanks for the explanation.
Neither Chuck nor I Kanaka man
who has the facts!
Mike L.
Answer: ditto,.....chuck kanaka frets fayne
- Wednesday, August 21, 2002
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Question asked by:
sheldon brown
Subject: KP Ukes
Question: Question per Mark Lewis! Here's a
pix of the emerald 'GEM' of Maui,
Hawai`i! It is my baritone
ukulele hand crafted on Maui by
Luthier Ken Potts of Lahaina. The
photos can only show you half of
it's beauty! The other half is in
the touch and feel of this Koa
uke. . . . and in it's sound.
Note the 'flaming' or 'feathered'
koa texture of the wood. The
backside is the same as the front
face. The sides and neck are a
woodgrain line textures with the
familiar Koa Wood three tone
color. The fretboard is rose
wood. Note the gold keys!!! I
tried to take a photo without the
glare, however, the brilliance
diamond finish made it difficult
to escape it's shine.
Photos:
Answer: Thanks...its nice to have a life sized picture...its so much easier to tell if you want to buy one if you know it fits..only kidding. My KP ukulele I bought looks exactly like this one except for the cutaway. I love it...Give the site another look. frets
- Wednesday, August 21, 2002
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Question asked by:
Jordan Schwartz
Subject:
Question: Chuck: A couple of years ago I
bought a new ukulele completely
for the way it sounded--the sweet
resonance in particular. The name
was new to me and the shopkeeper
didn't know much about it. I
couldn't be happier with it but
I'm curious if you've heard of the
maker, "G String," and if you know
anything about them. Thanks for
any insights, -Jordan
Answer: The only thing I know about G String is, if they are the wrong size, no matter what your voice range is before, you are now a soprano. Perhaps Tiny Tim's secret. More than one reason to tip-toe. Again, perhaps one of the yakkers out there will know about g-string ukuleles. Let us know if you do. It never ceases to amaze me that so many people are making ukuleles. Just when I need a crankshaft. Twenty years ago you could buy a crankshaft anywhere, now try to find one. The shelves are full of ukuleles. Thanks for writing in and hope I've helped...Frets Garage of Mr Idy.....No job too easy....
- Wednesday, August 21, 2002
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Question asked by:
R
Subject: Toy?
Question: We have an Ukulele that we are
unsure if it is a toy or not. It
was made in 1960 by the Kay
company. How do we find out?
Answer: R..If I may call you that. What to they call you for short? Must be tough. It is not a toy it is an actual instrument made in the l960's by the Kay company. Other than that, I can tell you little. If you mail me a picture, I will then know what I don't know about, looks like...That sentence would kill my already dead high school english teacher. good luck..Chuck frets Fayne...
- Wednesday, August 21, 2002
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Question asked by:
Mark Lewis
Subject: great looking uke
Question: Chuck, as a collector, what is
the BEST LOOKING uke you
have ever seen? Did it's looks
correlate with it's price? Would
you happen to have an image of
it? (Got one?) Just curious...
This question is also to the
peanut gallery....
Answer: Mark..That is an impossible question to answer. I have seen thousands of ukes and I wouldn't have a clue as to the Best Looking. As in anything else...cost has nothing to do with looks. If it did...the Elephant man would have been worthless and as we know he was priceless..I hope you understand...If I can help you with a Ukulele question, don't hesitate to ask..
- Sunday, August 18, 2002
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