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

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Question asked by: Ryan Subject: Unknown Vintage Uke Question: Hi Chuck, Just picked up this little uke and I wonder if you can give me any guidance as to who might have made it,and how old it might be? The back and sides appear to me to be Koa and the heel cap is part of the back of the uke. The back has a slight bow to it. The tuners are of course new (by the previous owner). The fretboard is a very thin piece of hardwood. Any of your expertise would be great! Thanks friend! Photos:              Answer: Ryan...hard to know...who....Early Hawaiian...the cloud inlay was used by a few..can you measure the dimensions top to bottom...bouts, waist and I will send them to a friend who has many early hawaiian ukes...Lets see if he can match it up..thanks...chuck any chance there is a remnant or indication that there was ever a label... - Sunday, January 9, 2011

Question asked by: Steve Pepper Subject: Formby Ukes Question: ChuckDon't know about the cost of other ukes in the UK but I have a small collection (see pic) of George Formby Dallas signature ukes. They produced five styles ranging from the very basic model A up to a rather nice Model E, which was sometimes gold plated but more often just chrome. My favourite is the Model D with it's lovely pale yellow birds eye maple. You see the lower end range all the time on ebay and that will give an accurate idea of what they fetch. NB the ABCD had a metal plaque pic on the headstock the E had a mother of Pearl one with his signature on. The signature on the vellum (if it's still there) was in fact just a rubber stamp of his signature.The model C would start around �300 for a reasonable condition one but I doubt even a very good Model E would fetch �4,500 as mentioned I think I paid �450 for mine in reasonable condition. If the ukes had a Formby connection then it's a different matter. I had the chance of having a go on a Formby owned uke when they unveiled his statue a couple of years ago in Wigan and was told then that this uke was worth �10k because of the connection. Hope things are OK your end.Take careSteve Answer: Steve....very interesting...thanks for all the info..I shall save it and look real smart (thanks to you) when asked about Formby ukes...Always appreciated. chuck - Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Question asked by: Ken Dale Subject: Regal Ukulele questions Question: I just picked this up at an estate sale. The inside lable is 95% gone, so I hope you can help answer some questions I have. It is 21" long, has a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. It came with a 1927 instruction book. Is the uke that old? Is there a name or model # attached to it? Is the plastic on the fretboard original or an add on? I am going to list it on Ebay. What is a fair buy it now price? Thanks a lot for any assistance. Ken Photos:              Answer: All original..about 1950...fair price 150-200...thanks for writing in...chuck - Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Question asked by: Don Kirby Subject: A very old Ukulele Question: I encouraged a friend to " dig out" her old uke she said was ancient. Then she brought THIS to me! No label or anything but it looks like it was at least built in the Nunes style... to my uneducated eyes. Any idea what it is??? The tuners do not appear to be original but look like the are made from bone or ivory. It sounds beautiful. Thank You. Photos:                          Answer: Don...no idea without some mark. Does appear to be hawaiian about l920..so many made like that then, it could be anyone. Sound is everything...so play it....thanks for letting us see it....chuck - Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Question asked by: Ryan Subject: A couple more questions. Question: Hey Chuck, Many thanks for your thoughts about my uke. I hope you don't mind a couple more questions. I didn't know there were other builders at the time this was made (besides Santo, Dias, and Nunes). The inlay at the bottom of the soundboard is exactly like that which I have seen on some Nunes uke's and the shape, inlay, and headstock are all similar to Nunes but have you ever seen any ukes he made that have a Spruce top like this one, or only Koa? Do you think others would have used that inlay as well? What sort of value would you give this uke? Do you know any sources for these as I have looked and looked on the web but only find violin tuners that are similar but none for uke's. Thanks for your help Chuck! Answer: Early Nunes were made with spruce..hold over from the old country.I like it alot, It is of the right vintage....1900-1920...Be very careful and look for what might have been a label, if only a shadow. The shadow knows...It bears some research, I will send the pics along to a friend who has many early hawaiian ukes and see what he has to say...love a challenge....keep in touch...If you can send me apic of the close up inside the sound hole,....don'r hurt yourself getting in the uke..please do..None of the early ukes had any other mark except a label. If you have a policeman who is a friend, please have him put a blacklight on it and see what comes up..I will let you know this is on uke yak...thanks..chuck - Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Question asked by: Kylie Subject: Ingrid Michaelson's uke Question: Hi Chuck, Sorry, this is another question re: Ingrid Michaelson's uke! I think the one she has in these links... http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=xaRXYwrUECk&feature=fvsr http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ingrid_Mich aelson.jpg ...is different to the one in the links posted by Tracie, so if you can tell what size/tuning this one is I'd love to know! Answer: Thanks for the info...always appreciated. I cannot the like open to take a look..thanks for writing in. - Monday, November 22, 2010

Question asked by: Chris E. Subject: Age of Uke Question: A student of mine owns this Goya uke distributed by Martin. He was curious as to when it was made. The model is 53GCU50, serial 1041. Thanks much for you help. Photos:          Answer: Chris...can you send me larger format pic. too small to tell anything...thanks...chuck - Monday, November 22, 2010

Question asked by: Dave Holden Subject: Pineapple Label Closeups Question: Thanks, Chuck. Here's a couple pictures as close as I can get 'em. Photos:          Answer: 20-30's..earliest label. good luck - Monday, November 22, 2010

Question asked by: Manfred Nabinger Subject: Harold Summers Question: Hi Chuck, thanks for your great site and all the information it provides! I bought a Harold Summers all Koa uke with the Tabu-stamp. You can see that there is another round label under the Summers label, so it seems he bought complete Ukuelels from different manufacturers and relabeld them. This uke is x-braced and though I have read about over-braced ukes this one is the loudest I ever had. Do you have any idea who made x-braced ukuleles? Thanks Manfred Answer: pics didnt come thru if you sent them...Summers bros made x braced ukuleles and the tabu stamp dates around the teens-20's. I would be surprised it Summers ever bought a ukulele and relabeled it. They didn't have to...they made many and very good ukes...thanks..please send pics. - Monday, November 22, 2010

Question asked by: Chris Subject: Hex bushings Martin tuners Question: Hi Chuck, do you have any idea, when these hex bushings at Martin tuners were used? I recently bought a Martin style 0 Uke (without the U.S.A. stamp inside). Sometimes in the 50s? Kind regards, Chris Photos:      Answer: I would send this question directly to Martin. They will know for sure. Let me know what they say...chuck - Monday, November 22, 2010

Question asked by: Tom Noble Subject: What is this Uke? Question: Hi, Chuck. A friend said this uke has been in the family(on the shelf) for "at least" 60 years and before that he doesn't know it's history. There are no markings whatsoever except the letters "LYONS" scratched behind the head which must be the name of an owner along the way. It's in very good condition except for an inch of piping that is missing on the side of the fretboard where the neck connects to the body. The owner says there is a little residue of dried glue where a label may have been inside. We are anxious to identify what we have here and hope you can help. And can you place an approximate monetary value on it? Thank you so much. BeachBumTom Noble Photos:                          Answer: Hard to tell. not Hawaiian. heel cap not part of the back. Looks 30's mainland. Well made, but looks like many others made at that time. Look again inside and out and see if you can find anyting...need more to help...American, 1920-30's..well made. fix the purfling and it will be a beauty..thanks..chuck - Monday, November 22, 2010

Question asked by: Milan Nicksic Subject: Kamaka Pineapple Question: Just got this Kamaka Pineapple with original case and wooden tuners. I paid $500 for it which I felt is a fair price. I'm trying to establish it's age. The label has a handwritten number of 23061 penciled in. The print reads: KAMAKA UKULELE, PINEAPPLE, TRADE MARK,PATENTED JAN. 3, 1928, NO 74,170, MADE IN HONOLULU. HAWAII. It's got a few minor cracks but otherwise it's all there. I'm surprised I got the original Pineapple case with it! Hope all is well as it is here in Las Vegas. Photos:          Answer: Milan...that label was used up until the 40's...Kamaka had a habit of using what was on the table. Its a super uke and hard to find in that model. I would guess 1935-1940...hope this helps and thanks for writing in again...chuck - Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Question asked by: audie Subject: Sam F Chang Question: recently acquired this, the only mark is the decal on the back, would you have a history and value? Thanks Photos:                          Answer: Sam Chang was a very good maker in the 20-30 in Hawaii. If you look at Jim Beloff's book, I believe there are some Changs in there. He was a maker in the time of the summers bros, Antu Kam and others who lived near enough to each other to influence their style. Its a good uke..I have had a few of them and other than being a little heavy I have found them to be great players. thanks for the question...chuck - Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Question asked by: Tony Subject: Martin Tuners Question: Have a 40s Martin O Ukulele, missing tuners. Know anybody with new old stock replacements? Or tuners that don't require drilling larger holes? Thanks, Answer: If you go to the Martin site you will find the tuner replacements and will be able to order than...I don't know of old stock...thanks....chuck - Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Question asked by: Dave Holden Subject: Thanks for the fast reply! Question: Is there a way to narrow down an age range? The handwritten serial is 16067. Photos:      Answer: closest.....19 teen sometine...Kamaka used their labels and they came up. Hard to date from that...erliest label....send me a full picture if you can....chuck - Thursday, November 4, 2010

Question asked by: Ian Kearey Subject: tiple query Question: Hi Chuck, I've recently acquired this Regal tiple, now with a nut and proper bridge. The only sunburst one I've seen was owned by Rick Beets. Do you know any more about this model? I'm guessing it was the budget model in Regal's range. Thanks, Ian Photos:          Answer: I have seen others and owned a couple. they are a very nice playing tiple. I wish I had mine to day so send it along...Regal made some very nice instruments, this and the tenor guitar were my all time favorites. goodluck...good instrument..chuck - Thursday, November 4, 2010

Question asked by: Dan C Boone Subject: red white and blue Question: chuck,I was wondering if this uke is really a collectors piece? Photos:      Answer: Dam...it is a collecor' item. I have had a victory uke made by harmony. A must for all harmony collectors...Its a kekeper....leganl length, good age ubt crappy eating. good score. Known as the Victory uke... - Thursday, November 4, 2010

Question asked by: John Bianchi Subject: Roy Smeck Junior Banjolele Question: -->Question asked by: Liam Subject: John Grey and Sons Ukulele Question: Hi there, what can you tell me about this Banjo Ukulele? It's a Roy Smeck "junior" model... Hi, Chuck. Just following up on Liam's question. The Roy Smeck Junior was a classic English small pot uke with a floating head mounted in a combination pot/resonator. John Grey also made the Roy Smeck deluxe, pictured here, which conforms to the larger 8-inch pot standard for British ukes, typically with tension hooks and a bezel ring in the American style. Smeck's signature was printed on the vellum of both models. Value on Liam's instrument and similar small pot John Greys in the US tends to run between $80 to more than $200 based on condition; the deluxe model and similar John Greys w/o tone rings run about $150-$500 based on condition. Value on these instruments, which Grey started making in the early 30s, is typically doubled in the UK; Greys may be cheapies and mid-range models, but they are truly loved there. By the 20's, John Grey had become a subsidiary of London's Rose, Morris and Co., which also made Savana banjo ukes, and no-names for department stores to put their nameplates on. Photos:      Answer: WE all thank you for your info. I will place this in my evergrowing folder so that the next time I am asked I can look really look good thanks to you. You have all made my job alot easier. Thanks...anything I can do...I will....chuck - Thursday, November 4, 2010

Question asked by: Dave Holden Subject: Yet another Pineapple query... Question: Trying to date and determine a ballpark value for this Uke. Close examination indicates it once had a headstock shield and pineapple top decal. It has a few minor finish blemishes, a scratch or two, but no cracks or significant dings. Thanks! Photos:          Answer: 500 would be a bargain in great condition. nice uke..wish I owned it...chuck - Sunday, October 31, 2010

Question asked by: Kris Vander Subject: Really Lyon and Healy?? Question: Hi Chuck! I recently purchased this uke. It was billed to me as a Lyon and Healy (which I can understand given the name on the head that is wearing off). However, after purchasing, I seem to be unable to find any other markings that would suggest this really is a Lyon and Healy uke. Maybe it isn't? I would really appreciate your input in trying to identify this thing as well as an estimated value. Thanks! Photos:                      Answer: my guess is that it is a phony lyon and healy...that is not the decal, it would say (stamped) pat appld for...plus Lyon and Healy was one of the premier builders in the world using the best materials and craftsmanship...both of which this lacks. send it back with this eamil.. as fast as you can...chuck - Saturday, October 30, 2010

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