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

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Question asked by: Herb Subject: Reconditioning Gut Strings Question: Hi Chuck, Welcome Back!. I have a couple of old sets of La Bella gut strings. Is there anyway to recondition them so that they can be used? Thanks, Herb Answer: Herb..I have heard of soaking them in warm water and then drying them out. I have also heard of soaking them in water and then stringing the uke and making them tight and letting them dry. I have alot of sets of La Bella strings and I just use them. Some sound ok and some sound great. I am a fan of old strings...thanks for the question...I had that answer in the box just waiting for someone to ask...frets - Tuesday, March 5, 2002

Question asked by: Gary Shrager Subject: stell sting ukes Question: Hi Chuck - What do you know of the steel string ukes that Len Young makes. I have several nylon string ukes but I also would love to get a nice steel string instrument. Thanks. Answer: I saw Len Young's ukukeles when I was in hawaii. I was not impressed at all. They were very poorly finished. I didn't like the sound at all. I guess I didn't like them. I understand he now lives in the United States. The report I am giving you as about 5 years old I have no way of knowing if he has imporved. Lets hope so and give him the benefit of the doubt. I would not purchase on without trying it first. There are ukuleles that I would buy sight unseen however not in this case. Tahitian ukuleles are sort of neat. They have a solid body with a hole Now I know that makes no sense. But its a slab of wood with a sound hold that goes thru the middle. Some of them are not solid bodied but the sound is almost the same. They are used as rhythm instruments mostly. They are played with a guitar pick, which keeps all your fingers the same length. I am not a fan of steel stringed ukes or banjo ukes. If you want an interesting experiment, get a banjo mandolin and tune it like a taropatch. Its an interesting sound. Hope all this helps...thanks for the question...chuck - Monday, March 4, 2002

Question asked by: Jenny Subject: Emenee Gold Banjo Question: I'm looking at purchasing an Emenee Gold Banjo in the original box with an Emenee auto chord from ebay. Can you tell me anything about it? Thanks Jenny Answer: Jenny...there is little I can tell you about it. I have seen a few of them for sale but its something you are going to have to and hunt for. You have to start with the major music outlets and write letters or call. Go to the marketplace and the bulletin board on this site and let your wants be known. I saw an Emanee banjo for sale recently. If you go to ebay and go back in the listings, you might be able to find out what it sold for. Its pretty specialized..It will take work...If I hear of any or any of the yakkers do...I'm sure you will be notified. best of luck....chuck - Saturday, March 2, 2002

Question asked by: Frank Yourek Subject: Kamaka Ukuleles Question: Dear Chuck and all Yakkers.......not a question, just a heartfelt comment, I am a newbie here....have only one Ukulele.....a new Kamaka Soprano Deluxe with very curly koa, ebony fret board and bridge, some sort of nice binding (plastic?), mother or pearl double "K" Kamaka logo.......I feel truly lucky.....it sounds divine.....I love my Uke so much, it holds its tuning pretty good, tho the C string needs constant attention and temperature makes all strings stray a little, but I live near the ocean (3 blocks) and fog is commom, so......my point being, all I want to do is learn to play it ..... I do need a teacher.......and I admit I am wandering......but....yes, I dream of a tenor, Lymana or Kawika...in the future......made of Hawaiian mahogony, etc. ..... but my question to all of you yakkers, is why do you long for old used Martins and Kamaka's when you can get new Kamaka's....is the sound that much better......and what about the vibes? Wouldn't you rather be with your Uke from birth thru the 6 month break in period.....I mean am I stupid, or is a new Kamaka for $400-500 not better than an old Martin for same price.....I hope for a flurry of answers, but if cost is same...can you all share your wisdom with me.......are we collectors here or players....the former I understand and respect.....the latter I am trying to be........hope I have not gone on too long.....but I love this site, so? Answer: glad you like the site...I am the only one who can answer you on this site. You might want to put this question to the bulletin board. Its a good one and I'd personally like to hear the answers from someone other than me..I would rather have a vintage instrument to play, because of all the music that has gone thru that sound hole . If the instrument is new, you do have to give birth to it and find the life inside. I don't personally want to spend the time. In the case of Kamaka, however, you don't have to spend that much time, they sound good out of the gate. The old ones are like fine wine.....they really do get better. To answer your question about the kamaka. If they make ukes for another hundred years they will never duplicate the sound of the original 1928 pineapple series. That instrument is unique in the sound department. I have played almost all the kamaka styles ever made...old and new and I would take that instrument over all that came after it and the few that came before. Yes...the older ones are better sounding. Please put this question to the ukenutz on the bulletin board...They are vey knowledgeable and more than willing to share that knowledge. I look forward to the answers. Let them know where you live and perhaps a teacher will appear. Thanks for a most interesting question...frets....p.s. when the strings are broken in it won't matter where you live the uke will stay in tune. - Saturday, March 2, 2002

Question asked by: Charles Wilson Subject: Baritone ukes Question: Frets, I am a Baritone Uke nut. I have Martin, Guild, and Vega Baritibe ukes. They are all warm and rich and wonderful. I know Kamaka has a great reputation for soprano and concert ukes, how do their Baritones stack up with Martins or Vegas. thanks, and I love the Yak. Answer: Charles...thanks for the nice words. I love the yak too....Kamaka stacks up with the best of the best. I have played a Kamaka Baritone and loved it. I have had Martins and Vegas. The only Vega Baritone I have ever played was the Arthur Godfrey Tenor Lute..( a long scale baritone)..I am a huge fan of Kamaka anything. If given a choice of only one Bari...it would be a Kamaka or a straw (but only in season. ....Strawberry...I know its bad if I feel I have to explain it. Its actually the strawberry festival in Mt Idy this weekend. Probably will be poorly attended since the season was 6 months ago. Thanks for writing and get the Kamaka...You will never regret it and thanks for wrting in to the yak...frets - Saturday, March 2, 2002

Question asked by: Stan Subject: Question: Hi -- I'm new to the Ukulele. I just baught a small brown "The Kanaka " Ukulele in great condition. Inside on the lable there is an ornate printed arrowhead with the printed initials "R B". Can you please tell me some facts, age, stories, sound quality, aprox $ worth, or anything pertinent. I havent found any info about it Thank you Answer: Stan..I have had a couple of Kanakas. I know very little about them except they were mainland made. I am sure it was not regal or harmony , but not at all a bad ukulele. If I remember correctly , all the ones I had had push violin pegs. I used to try to get all the pegs I could., They were very fine pegs. My guess would be they were made in the l940's by the lable and, again just a guess, a couple hundred in todays market wouldn't be outrageous..Have no idea what RB stands for, but someone out there might. Good luck and stay tuned Lots more to come....frets....I have had lots of questions about them..people thinking they had a Kamaka..I'm sure Kamaka inspired the name. see ya...send clove gum if you find it... - Saturday, March 2, 2002

Question asked by: ant Subject: Conrad Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck, I just bought a 1940s Conrad ukulele on Ebay. Do you have any info on this brand of ukulele. I know it's probably going to turn out not to be included in the Pantheon of Ukulele Manufacturer Gods but I'm just curious. Answer: I have seen Conrad Ukes and I remember an advertisement for them from a music house in the 40's. If I remember correctly they were grouped as a package with a couple of other ukes. No they will not reach the Pantheon of Ukulele Manufacturers because they were not manufacturers. I have never seen Conrad listed as a maker only a brand. I will now go look up Conrad in my messy library and see what i find. I will let you know if its anything more. best chuck... - Saturday, March 2, 2002

Question asked by: ALLEN LENTZ Subject: flamingo ukuleleI Question: I have a Flamingo ukulele made by Emenee industries, late 40's or early 50's. 21 inches long and all plastic. still in box with picture of Arthur Godfey on the box.can you tell me the value of this ukulele? Answer: To the right collector and they are out there...a few hundred dollars wouldn't surprise me, especially since you have the box. There are plastic collectors out there...get on the bulletin board and contact them that way. Its easy to do. Just go to the left hand side of this page and punch bulletin board and ask your question...You will get answers raining on your head. thanks for writing in...keep tuned for the next installment....fayne - Saturday, March 2, 2002

Question asked by: pete Subject: roy smeck ukes Question: I found my first roy smeck uke the other day and would like to get it back in playing condition-the wooden body needs some gluing but will probably be ok-my question is is it possible to replace the molded plastic fretboard-i guess I played it quite a bit as a kid learning to play and some of the frets are grooved-a Answer: You are a multi Roy Smeck Uke owner???I'm impressed. The plastic fingerboards were not only used on the Roy Smeck Ukes, they were used on other Harmony ukes. You have to search. They are not uncommon. I knew someone once who had a bunch of them..I am going to try to remember who. You might try McCabes Guitar shop in Santa Monica ( John Zehnder) or John Bernunzio at Bernunzio Vintage Instruments in Rochester N.Y. John might be the best bet. He has the largest known collection of Roy Smeck Fingerboards in the World. Unless it is just a little gluing, I would have it professionally done. Good Hunting......Dead eye frets - Saturday, March 2, 2002

Question asked by: Paul Subject: Tangi? Question: Hi Chuck, I currently have great fluke and an applause soprano that I enjoy. I am interested in a decent all wood ukulele and am intrigued by the cost of the Tangi ($150 - $185). Unfortunately, I cant afford some of the nicer instruments. Do you have any experience or info on them? Thanks - Paul Answer: Paul. I have personally owned a Tangi instrument and found them not worth the money. For the price you want to spend, I would be patient and search around for as decent older hawaiian. You can find them all over. Put your wants on our Marketplace on this site. Look to your left, you will see the word in the black column. You will find a uke in your price range that will suit your needs. You should be looking for a Kumalae, Royal Hawaiian...early Hilo...let us know if we can help you further. If I hear of anything, I will let you know....Please use the Marketplace and the Bulletin Board. I think I have suggested those combinations in the last three answers. But the communication on this site is remarkable. Try it out...good luck and be patient. chuck - Saturday, March 2, 2002

Question asked by: flissy Subject: The Elusive Weiss Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck! I saw the previous questions/comments by the Royal Tiki King and Ken Hulme about the mysterious Weiss Baritone Ukulele. (I found that WMI bought Kay/Valco in 1969 so we can assume the ukes are at least that old) I also have one of these! The headstock looks identical to Ken's EXCEPT it has a picture of a little crown with the words "Del Canto" written over it instead of the Weiss Music logo. My two cents on it: the intonation is good and WOW is it loud for a ukulele. The litte thing could wake the dead. (or maybe it's my playing?!) Anyway, I'm quite curious about the origin of this guy, so if you have found out anything else about WMI ukes, please let me know! Thanks, Chuck, you're the coolest. Answer: Hey Flissy...If I may call you "Hey" Its cool frets here...thanks for the nice words. You now know more than I did about Weiss Ukes. I know they were originally made in california. I have owned two in my life both said los angeles california. They also had red saddles and nuts....Boy that one is tempting, but I'll leave it to all of you...but I made myself laugh." Thanks for writing in with the info, I will add it to my library of stuff. Have no idea what Del Canto on the uke means but it sure sounds musical...Doesn't it. Perhaps just a sales ploy...Again thanks....From Mt Idy...Frets the cool signing off from the malt shop..... - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Rick Hopper Subject: Early Kamaka Uke and Martin Banjo Uke Question: I have a pineapple shaped Kamaka Ukulele with a date of 1913 on inside -- do you know what is the earliest pineapple shaped Kamaka ukulele in existence. When I brought it back to mainland on airplane, it developed a crack in the back -- do you know how to get it fixed. I also have a very nice Martin banjo uke with case -- but have never run across a reference anywhere that Martin made banjo ukes -- is what I have something that is rare? Answer: Rick..I need to know more about the Kamaka Uke with the l913 on the inside. Is it on a lable or hand written?..I hope you do have a Martin banjo Uke....They never made any. So the answer to your question is its not only rare its unique, As would be a Kamaka dated l913 on a lable. Need to know more...Please send pics to this site of to my home email..cfayne@bigpond.net.au...Thanks for writing...Take the uke to a good luthier and have the crack closed professionally. skeptical fretsical....just my nature.... - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Alan J Subject: Singing Treholipee strings Question: Hi Chuck, I thought I'd share something on Treholipee strings since it seems like a fairly common question. I read the Swaggerty tag that was offered for sale. The company suggested replacing strings with the first four from a classical guitar set. Offhand, I like the fishing line idea. Adds yet another neat dimension to those great Treholipees. Take care! Answer: Thanks for the help. I also understand that Bob Gleason of Pegasus Guitars in Hawaii sells long strings. ..I'm sorry, I am not sure of the spelling, however someone will write you with the correct one if this is not. I have searched but I do not have it here..again, thanks for the help...a sales tag....nice piece to have...can you send a pic of it to this site. I think alot of people would like see an oraiginal tag. see ya....chuck fayne - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Jim from Texas Subject: hello from Texas Question: Hi Chuck, Welcome back..we missed you! How was the shrimp? Jim Answer: Jim...thanks...its good to be back. The shrimp were short. I'll tell them you asked. I'm glad I was missed, now I have about 65 qustions to answer and thats going to be a problem, I only have 35 answers left in the answer box. Best to you in Texas...keep in touch....ya'all......strumalong frets - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Frank N. Subject: Pictures of Nationals! Question: Not really a question, but here's a link you might want to pass along: Many great pictures of old National instruments, ukes included -- including the "Original Cliff Edwards Tenortrope", which is...strange. Answer: Thanks Franks...Always glad to have this kind of info. Really neat of you to share it with us. I will tune into it as soon as I finish answering all the back questions. Keep us up on all the neat stuff you find. You might want to add this to the "Add a Link section on this site.,...Lots of people would be interested...again thanks....chuck - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Dave Silverstein Subject: A greeting and a Thank You Question: Hi Chuck, Just wanted to say how much I've enjoyed the Yak over all these years. It's a great service to the ukulele community. Thanks to your advice I've collected a Gibson tenor 3, soprano 3, Martin 1 and I just ordered a Beltona Blue. The only question I have is how do you stop loving these instruments so much? I can't get enough of them. Hope you're having or had a great cruise. Wish I was there! Answer: Dave...thanks for the nice words. Since I've been such and inspiration to you, I think its only time you spent some big bucks on me...You stop loving them so much when you begin to spend big bucks on friends and not on yourself..Only kidding. I have had a love affair with them for 30 years ..I wouldn't admit that to many people. You will love the Beltona. Please mention my name to steve. He's a realy nice masn. Gibson Tenor 3...nice catch...not alot of them around..Please write us as you collection grows....and it will..I promise you....Its the cases that begin to be as problem. I may start collecting cases...that way I can justify owning so many...best to ya and thanks again....frets - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Mr. John L. Park Subject: Who books that? Question: Dear Chuck, I understand you're on a cruise ship. Who books that? Do they hire jugglers? It would be a great pleasure to see your act on the high seas. JP Answer: The cruise lines do all the employment. Yes they do hire jugglers and I would rather you saw my act on the ship than on the high seas. Its cold out there. Anything you would like to know about ukuleles? I will tell you , I have never seen anyone juggle ukuleles. Just think...you could start out juggling 3 cheap chinese ukes and work your way up to 5K Martins. The only problem, is...that act would only be enjoyed by uke nuts. If you did use expensive ukes you would be more inclined to be careful dropping them than dropping your balls. Best to ya and thanks....chuck - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Eric Subject: Banjo Uke Strings Question: Should I use nylon or steel strings on a banjo uke? If steel, who sells them? I've tried plain steel guitar strings on mine (a Concertone). They sound great, but they're so stiff they're hell on the fingers. Answer: I would use nylon strings on a ukulele. I understand bank robbers use steel strings because they permanently remove you finger prints. They really are hell of the fingers and I don't like the sound. As I have said many time before...A steel string banjo uke makes a wonderful way for you to cut the cheese. On that note (bflat)..I will sign off. frets - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Daniel Wilhelm Subject: travis 2601 Question: Chuck, Do you have an opinion on he Travis #2601 uke good or bad? Also how about the Hilo ukes inexpensive and made in China? Answer: Daniel...not familiar with the Travis #2601....Hilo Ukes and Inexpensive ukes that are made in china are not worth the money. Shop around and you will be able to find a used regal, harmony, or any of the other thousand brands that were made in the 30's...Thats a much better buy for the money. The price will be about the same. Go to the Marketplace on this site and place your wants up there. You will get answers. Also the Bulletin board...You will get many more answers there and probably begin a discussion that will lead to the discovery of a cure for ringworm...be patient. frets - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Mike Thompson Subject: Slingerland May Bell Question: It is missing one complete bracket assembly ( hold down?). Having trouble locating one, do you have any ideas or sites you could pass on. thanks, Mike Answer: JOhn Bernunzio at BVI or Bernunzio Vintage Instruments. You will find his website easily. Tell him I told you to write. He has the largest private collection of bracket assemblies in the world. I'm sure he can help you...chuck - Friday, March 1, 2002

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