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

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Question asked by: Rusty Whitman Subject: Kamaka Pineapple Question: Here is a picture of the label. I also sent some pictures to Kamaka and they got back to me on it saying that they showed them to Fred Kamaka Sr who thought it was made in 1938/1939 by Samuel Kamaka. Photos:      Answer: Fred would know bettr than I would, howver, I don't think its that old. Try looking up Kamaka labels you might have some luck there....chuck - Monday, September 20, 2010

Question asked by: csrjupiter Subject: B&J Mele Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck, I recently picked up this B&J soprano "The Mele" ukulele. It appears to be solid wood, and has a nice rope design on the outer edge of the top and the rosette. Not sure what sort of wood. The label reads "The Mele" Hawaiian Ukulele, B&J New York. I understand that B&J stands for Buegeleisen & Jacobson. Can you discern what sort of wood it is made out of, and the uke's value? Thanks for all you do for us! --Best wishes, Cris Photos:                          Answer: It is made by the Mele company for G&J...Interestingly enough it is made in Hawaii of Mahogany...Odd....but not unheard of...value is about 350+...good luck..chuck - Monday, September 20, 2010

Question asked by: anita jones Subject: wanting to purchase Gibson UB2 Question: I am looking to purchase a Gibson UB 2 Deluxe Banjolele if possible. What would one in very good condition cost? Could you recommend another very good old brand to also look for. Answer: Call John Bernunzion in Rochester N Y ...Bernunzio vintage instruments...He is an old and trusted friend, perhaps hte can help you on both questions. He has the main pipeline to banjos and banjo ukes......best....chuck - Monday, September 20, 2010

Question asked by: Artista Subject: vintage LYRA Question: Im currently replacing the plastic nut which was glued onto the bridge. Id like to know if there is any definitive way of knowing the age of this baritone LYRA. I was told it is from the 40s.. 'Made in the USA' printed inside Thanks all Photos:          Answer: Artista....no way of telling, I would guess 50's Lyra was a name used by many companies...I think it just sounds good. Hope the uke sounds the same...chuck - Monday, September 20, 2010

Question asked by: Joe Subject: help with C.F. Martin Ukulele Question: Hi, is this C.F. Martin Uke a Baritone it is 33 3/4 inches, the serial number inside is 40312 any idea how old it is. Any help will be much appreciated. Joe Photos:              Answer: Hi.Joe...it is not a baritone ukulele it is a tenor guitar. No ukulele , except a very few in the beginning, had serial numbers. Your tenor guitar was made in 1929. I have had a few of them and I like them alot. Thanks for writing in and enjoy your guitar...chuck - Monday, September 6, 2010

Question asked by: Isaac Subject: Hand Made Hawaiian Ukulele From The Big Island Question: I posted about a meeting and a random elderly gentleman called and asked me to come look at his ukulele. He let me know that he got the uke on the big island in the jungle. There are no makers names or id's. The whole uke is one solid piece minus the dark wood for the head. The bridge appears to be custom. The nut appears to be bone or tooth. He let me know that the strings are fishing line in which they were to my amazement. It's eight strings and sounded in tune when I looked at it, but the tuning appears to be custom as well. He asked me the lowest he should sell it for and I am completely stumped. Any knowledge and pricing that you are able to assist with are greatly appreciated. It sounds almost just like my banjo uke. Never seen anything like it. Photos:                          Answer: Isaac...he may have gotten it from the bit island in the jungle, however it is a tahitian ukulele. It was, as far as I know, not made on the big island of Hawaii. They are available still and cost anywhere from 100 dollars to many hundreds of dollars. I am surprised it has fishing line for strings, the only strings I have ever seen on them are wound metal. I can't tell you what yours is worth, I am not that familiar with them. Thanks for writing in...chuck - Monday, September 6, 2010

Question asked by: Kristen Waters Subject: Legend ukulele Question: Hey there. I recently picked up this uke at a market for $10. It says it's made by Legend and the model no. is UKES but I can't find any record of Legend ever making a ukulele. Photos:              Answer: I can only guess. It appears to be either European or Japanese. I don't think you overpaid, but it was close. Hope it sounds good...chuck - Monday, September 6, 2010

Question asked by: jan Subject: fret markings Question: Why do some Flukes have only single markers/dots and others have both single markers and (one) two-dots in one fret. Thanks. Answer: Thanks Jan...I will turn this over to Jim who, as we all know, is the last word on dots. Jim....do your stuff...frets - Monday, September 6, 2010

Question asked by: Michael Sheehan Subject: Rugg, Nunes, Weissenborn Question: Hey Chuck, Just tried to email you at bluep.com. It bounced. Just wanted to say hello and turn you on to some new concert ukuleles being made by Howard Rugg in Felton, California. See attached. You and I met briefly years ago when I showed you my nice little Weissenborn. I've since acquired a Leonardo Nunes and had it restored by Kerry Char in Portland. Images to follow. best, Michael Photos:      Answer: The uke looks really nice. Like to see more pics and some stats. I have no idea what bluep,com is...its certainly not my email...cfayne@leski.co.au try that one. I'd like to know more about the rugg uke. thanks alot and i'm sure the other yakkers will be interested as well. chuck - Sunday, September 5, 2010

Question asked by: Susan Hill Newton Subject: Bruko, West Germany Question: Hello. I picked up a Bruko ukulele at a flea market for $18. The stamp inside notes it was made in West Germany, just to give you a sense of the age. It's in perfect condition, and looks to be similar to cedar models that they currently make. Due to the age, any thoughts on the value? Answer: tthey are a well made uke fron the 60's. value about 200 dollars. thanks..chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Eric B Subject: Still searching for maker of New Orleans Uke Question: Maker of my Uke? Greetings. Recently you answered a question about a New Orleans Uke on page 3 of 272. (June) I am still trying to find the Maker of the Uke? And also... how would I fix the crack in the front... would it be worth it? Any help is appreciated. Thanks. Eric B. Lakewood, CO Here are the posts: and Pics (hopefully.) Blumer question-New Orleans uke ID Question: After a bit of Google research, I'd guess the name stamped in the instrument is "Philip Werlein," a big music publisher and music store in New Orleans in the 19th & 20th centuries. Werlein's not listed as a manufacturer, so probably the uke was made for him and stamped with the store's name. Here's a link to a Wiki article on "P P Werlein": [link] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._P. _Werle in[/link] Answer: Thanks Allen...Its always appreciated when yakkers send in answers I don't have. Keep up the good research....chuck - Wednesday, June 23, 2010 ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ------------ Question asked by: Jim Tranquada Subject: New Orleans uke Question: Chuck: The stamp on the New Orleans uke likely says "Philip Werlein Ltd.," a music retailer in New Orleans and Jackson. Miss., who jumped on the ukulele bandwagon around 1916- 1917. So far as I know Werlein was a retailer, not a manufacturer. Jim T. Answer: Thanks Jim and how are you??? Nice to hear from you again. Thanks for the info. Always appreciated. chuck - Wednesday, June 23, 2010 New Orleans stamp Question: Greetings. I bought this at an estate sale. The only stamp is inside, I cannot read it completely. It says Philip Weil, or Wend... or Weilin... not sure. It has an address I believe 306 Canal Street New Orleans. Please let me know what you can about this make, history. It has a crack unfortunately on the front wood. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you. Photos: Answer: Eric...I have no idea who that maker is. It seems to be well made and I hope one of the yakkers out there will know who it is. I will keep trying to find out an write when I have smething...thanks...chuck - Sunday, June 20, 2010 Answer: Eric...I still have no idea who made it. Have the crack fixed by a good luthier. Shop around the guitar repairmen and pick one. They will know...thanks for writing in...chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Eileen Subject: 1927 uke/leona chellis Question: It sounds like it could be my mothers. Any way to find out? Answer: what am I missing? Please help me...chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Dennis Arnold Subject: Another mystery uke....cont. Question: P.S. One thing I forgot to mention about this uke that might help. It has 14 brass frets...12 to the body and two actually on the body. It's strung with two- tone twisted gut, which may be the original strings...very old. Thanks again Dennis Answer: No help...sorry. - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Dennis Arnold Subject: Another mystery uke Question: Hi Chuck, I have another mystery uke for you to identify for me. It's solid koa, with wood inlay around the top and wood inlay rosette. It appears to be hand made, the neck is one carved piece, and the friction tuners are all hand carved, as well. It has a gently curved back that varies almost a half inch in depth from top to bottom. I've never seen the inlayed logo on the headstock anywhere before, and I'm hoping you have. If you need more pics let me know. I'm hoping you can identify the maker and approximate age. Thanks for all you do for us lowly uke strummers... Dennis Photos:                          Answer: sorry Dennis...it is very poor quality wood and a ver generic look. Don't have any ide who the maker is. Sound is most important, how does it play. - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Chris Subject: Moana Baritone Uke Question: Hi Chuck, I recently bought this lovely baritone uke. How much is it approx. actual worth? (No, I don't want to sell it, it's a present for my daughter (13yo, great uke player!) Kind regards, Chris Photos:                  Answer: chris...well made and very nice....200-300... nice score....chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Rusty Whitman Subject: My unknown uke Question: Chuck - thanks for the information. Here is a picture of the headstock and what's left of the decal at the top along with a better picture of the full instrument. Hope this helps to identify it. Photos:          Answer: It looks very much like a stella. Decals ane right,so is the mother of toilet seat. Anyone out there know for sure....chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Phreddcatt Subject: Harmony Martin Copy Question: Hi Chuck, I believe I have a Harmony Martin Soprano copy. It has no labels or markings anywhere. I took a closeup of the friction tuners because they are unique and I'm hoping it will help to date it. It is in a Geib Economo case. Both Uke and Case are in fantastic shape. What do you think? Is it a Harmony circa 1930s? If so, what do you think its worth? Thanks Chuck. Fred Photos:                          Answer: I assume you mean it is a Martin Ukulele. It appears to be an early stylel o. The tuners are not unique, oddly enough common. They appear on many makes. The case is common also. I'm a little confused but I hope this helps.. - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Tom Favilla Subject: Doug's Baritone Uke Question: Hi Chuck, Just saw Dougs posting about his Favilla Baritone Uke. Its an early to mid 1950's manufacture. Very early Baritone's 1940's to 1953 had no serial numbers. Serial numbers were first used 1953 to 1957. After 1959 the familiar gold label inside the body bore the model and serial number. Best, Tom P.S. Really enjoying retirement Photos:      Answer: Thanks Top as usual....just relax and enjoy thanks for helping...chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Steve Subject: unknown maker - koa tenor / bariton Question: Chuck regarding the Shiny Tenor 5k, I bought a soprano version from "Ray Bernard" formerly Chair of the George Formby Society, who was selling a couple via John Croft. It was made by respected luthier Lu Liang Chan from Taiwan as a batch of 8(including a concert and a tenor) These were not the factory made ones, which may by now be doing the rounds. I suspect he's used much heavier woods than a real 5k and yes you can use the finish as a mirror ;o) Mine came with a nice hard case and was around �300. Nearest I'll ever get to a real on I suspect. Steve Photos:      Answer: Thanks for sharing. beautiful uke...why don't you hae the finish removed...It will help..chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question asked by: Rusty Whitman Subject: Kamaka Pineapple Question: I'm trying to date this Kamaka Pineapple which I think is 30's or 40's. There is a number written by hand at the bottom of the label that says 8528. It has two cracks on the back and another on the front which I'm planning to have repaired. Belonged to my father, case is original. Photos:              Answer: Nice and valuaable uke. from the 30's most likely ....can you send me a pic of the label...might be earlier...thanks...chuck - Sunday, August 29, 2010

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