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

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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: 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

Question asked by: Jimmy O Subject: ukes Question: Frets, i was wondering if you or anyone out there could tell me anything about MacCaferri ukes made in the US during the 50's. Thanx-Jimmy O Answer: Jimmy..I'm not sure what you want to know. Papa Mario made millions of dollars making plastic ukes. Three different sizes and even an amplified baritone. For a plastic uke they don't sound all that bad. I;m not sure what else I can tell you. I;m sure that a yakker who collects these instruments will write in with gobs of info. Please, someone write in....frets - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Grant Subject: Kumalae? Question: Hi, I am a newbie here and I wonder if you can help me. I bought the atached Uke some years ago for $120 and was told at the time it was circa 1900, a Kumalae and made in Koa (which I now realise is correct). I t is a very loud instrument and has had a few cracks repaired over the years but sounds (to my ear anyway) good. Does it look like a Kumulae and if so is it a "gift shop" or serious instrument? Also any idea of value would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work - your postings are great reading. Photos:      Answer: Grant..I appears to be a Kumalae and the circa is around l920...It is not a gift shop item, It is a serious instrument. They are highly collectable and very good players Its value is around 250.00...not a bad investment. Have fun and play it. It wants to be played...chuck - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Jacqui Subject: Dolly Uke Question: Glad I gave you a laugh. Hours of searching for details of this uke clouded my brain. I still haven't identified it.Suggestions have been Winsor. Mullins & Brown. It does say DOlly Uke England on it.You say change the strings. To nylon/gut I presume and then what key to I tune each string to please? It's cracked black paint with a blue surface underneath! Photos:      Answer: ADF#B or GCEA...just as you would a ukulele. Yes, I did mean Nylon/gut strings. enjoy...pip pip...fayne - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Rach Subject: OOOhh Question: Hey Chuck say...would you be able to tell me how one tells apart a 50's, 60's, 70's martin O...distinguishing marks (like a mole the shape of texas or something)? Thanks :) Answer: No, I can't tell you how to tell those years apart. They were all made the same then. Decal on the headstock and not until the 80's did the start putting "Made in USA on the inside. I, however, do have a mole in the shape of Texas on my great southwest. Best to ya....chuck - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Nick Harris Subject: Old Ukulele Question: I have a old ukulele. I have no idea how old or who makes it. I was wondering if you had any information. It says on the inside Supertone with a little harp logo. It has six strings. I tried to find it online. I think it might be a old sears one but really have no idea. Well if you can help please email me. Thanks Answer: Nick...I would like to see a picture..A six string supertone uke is quite rare. Is it six different strings or are two of the doubled. You can tell by the spacing on the nut. Supertone was for and distributed by Sears....Thanks for writing.....chuck - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Granjon Sylvain Subject: Gibson UB1 Question: Hello Chuck, I want to bye a Gibson UB1 (yuku-banjo) Can you tell me what you know about this instrument? Thank you. Sylvain from Paris Answer: Sylvain...now nice to hear from you. You have a very good little banjo uke. It is the smallest of the banjo ukes. They are very good sounding. They were made around l925. I have one a love it. Use nylon strings not steel and you will enjoy it alot. thanks for writing....chuck - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: c. bennett Subject: what uke to buy Question: hi, Chuck I'm new to the ukelele world and I'm wondering which uke to look for. I would like a vintage uke with some decoration(rope binding or inlay)but definitely one that's playable. My range is about 300-500. What's a good size to start with? soprano or tenor. I'm a guitar player. Answer: I would look for a Kamaka or a Kumalae. You should be able to get one the way you want it for the price you want to pay. They are both great players. Make your wants known on the bulletin board and the marketplace on this site. You will get a response. Let us know how it turns out. chuck frets fayne III ( minor third) - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Gail Feddish Subject: Marin Ukelele Question: I am interested in purchasing a Martin Ukelele. A good quality instrument, that I am willing to pay a fair price. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations. Thanks, Gail Feddish Answer: Gail...same advise as answer just before you. Go to the bulletin board or the Marketplace on this site and make you wants known..Someone may have what you are looking for. Hope this helps....chuck - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Char Morris Subject: Duke Kahanamoku ukulele Question: I'd like an idea of the value (cost) of a "Duke" soprano, in very good condition. Looking at one as a gift for my guitar and banjo-playing husband.How much is too much? Thanks in advance. Answer: Char..its a tough question to answer. The Duke Uke has been made for many years and in many styles and grades., If you find a good koa pineapple or regular soprano from 30's=-40's...you could spend 250-300 bucks. If you get a more modern one, not made from koa you should pay not more than 150 dollars. This is in good shape of course. I hope I've helped..I know its kinda sketchy, but the question is very complex. frets - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: Nick Turkovich Subject: Follow up ? Question: Thanks for answering my question on Mele ukes. As for my question about a good beginner uke for me, you asked what my budget looks like. I'm looking for something in the $200 range. New or Used. I also want to know if a concert is easier to play than the soprano. Thanks Answer: If you have been a guitar player a concert uke is easier than a soprano. If you are just beginning, it makes no difference what you learn on. If you have huge hands you might want to stay away from as soprano and look at a concert or a tenor. Also, go to the marketplace site and bulletin board and see what you find. Frets - Friday, March 1, 2002

Question asked by: CHUCK FAYNE Subject: CRUISING Question: WHERE WILL CHUCK FAYNE BE FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS? Answer: I will be on the High seas. I am working a cruise ship in New Zeland, Tasmania and back to Australia. I will be back the 25th and back at the yak as usual. Please keep writing, I will answer as many as I can as fast as I can. Eat your spinich...Popeye Frets from Mr. Idy....... - Monday, February 11, 2002

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