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

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Question asked by: Gene Subject: Ukuele Martin Question: I opener an old trunk that was packed away in 1934.In this trunk is this Ukuele and I am trying to find out more about it. It is a Martin,C.F.Martin Co. Mazrath,Pa. Est 1833. It is in perfect cond.except for missing 3 strings. also have orig. canvas case & copy of Self Teacher. I would like to tune the Ukulele with new strings where is the best place to buy strings and get info on how to restring this insturment. Would apriciateany information that you can provide me. ThanksGene Answer: Gene...I sound like a broken record today, but you have not given me enough information to go on., Martin made many styles and sizes of ukes...They fit your description so far...This is an open plea to all of you out there. When asking a question about a uke, please accompany it with a description. It sure helps alot. The fact that your trunk was packed in l934 is a good thing. Now all we need is to find the year and model of the uke. Send a pic to this site or my personal site..cfayne@bigpond.net.au....will do my best., Purchase either martin or Kamaka strings at your nearest good Music store. they will work best and take the uke and have them tune it first time. send pic...chuck - Monday, February 4, 2002

Question asked by: Bob Clayton Subject: Another try at the Webber Uke Question: I'll try again to upload a photo of the Webber & Co. uke from Redwing, MN. Anyone have an idea of who made it? Thanks Bob Clayton Answer: Bob..the pic didn't make it. But I will put this up in case anyone knows about Webber and co. Good luck....chuck - Saturday, January 19, 2002

Question asked by: Mike MacLeod Subject: Nunes Taropatch Question: I purchased a Nunes Taropatch at a Garage Sale about 20 years ago for $5.00. My friend Judy Threet (a luthier of no small talent) restored it. I rather enjoy playing it, can you tell me a little about the company or refer me to a source of information. The paper label inside is stamped "litho'd 1930" (I'm pretty sure of the date, but the instrument is not infront of me as I write this)It is a plain instrument w no binding and only 1 abalone position marker, but it is beautiful Koa. Thanks. Mike Answer: Mike. all the information you need is dependent on whether it is Manuel Nunes or Leonardo Nunes. Neither used only one dot on the fingerboard. So it will be interesting to see which it is., If it does say l930 it is Leonardo. Please attempt to send a pic both to my private email (cfayne@bigpond.net.au) and this site. I can do a better job if I can see the uke. Thanks for writing in. chuck - Saturday, January 19, 2002

Question asked by: Carl Subject: Banjo uke - the usual questions Question: Hi, Chuck. The usual questions about this old banjo uke. Age? Any interesting story? Value? The original bridge is missing. What's left of the paper label says IDEA ... The decals on the skin show two young people, ostensibly Hawaaian. It's playable but my wife and daughters run away when they see this one in my hands. Thanks, Carl Photos:      Answer: interesting....never saw that lable before. Don't know who made it. It is not a quality instrument, it is a cheapie made in the 40's. Looks like hundreds of others I've seen. Wish I had more to tell, but perhaps one of the yakkers out there will recognize the label and help out. If you find out before I do, let me know. Always interested in new names.....thanks for writing in...chuck - Thursday, January 17, 2002

Question asked by: Herbert Danziger Subject: Regal Question: Hi chuck, I found an old Red Head in a violin store. The neck is loose from the body and needs gluing. No strings or pegs. Is there supposed to be a fret between the body and the neck? There isn't one. Other than all of those things it is in pretty good shape. Can you estimate a value in this condition as well as repaired. There was also another Regal uke at the shop in good condition (ex pegs and strings) that had "fret marks" in the shape of diamond, heart, spade, etc. Can you identify it? Value? Thanks, Herb Answer: Unrepaired 100 bucks...repaired 150....Love the opening line..I found an old Red Head in a Violin Store. The neck is loose. Thought about trying to be funny, but those two lines are already funnier than I am. There is suppose to be a fret if there is a groove where one would fit. I think I know what you mean. The last fret before you hit the body is not there...Right???The other Regal uke with the spades,hearts etc sounds much more interesting to me. Can't identify it, but want it. Go back and let me know how much it is. If you don't want it, perhaps I would. As a magician, ukulele player, its not hard to be interested. Good luck..I love red heads...Got to go pick peas.....frets - Thursday, January 17, 2002

Question asked by: rocky Subject: tuners Question: I have a Kamaka and a Favilla uke with tuners that have the screw going straight through knob. If they are not holding, is the answer to tighten the heck out of them till they hold? They seem to already be screwed down pretty tight. Do some tuners have a washer? Answer: Rocky...saw your fights and I think you were robbed..You were the clear winner. Take those ukes to a real good music store and ask the same question of them. Sometimes you can get larger screws...sometimes you have to get new tuners. It would be impossible for me to help from here. Don't tighten the heck out of them. Thats the first clue that something is wrong if you have to do that. The ukes are good enough to spend the time and money to do it correctly. Hope you find the screws you are looking for. keep in touch.....chuck - Thursday, January 17, 2002

Question asked by: Bob Clayton Subject: Any idea as to maker? Question: I picked this up on Ebay recently. It's not a bad uke at all, in fact, I kind of like it. Do you have any idea of the real maker's name? The label is Webber Music, Redwing, MN. I'm selling an M. Nunes on Ebay just now that's labeled with a Minneapolis Store's name. Was Minnesota a hotbed of Hawaiian music in the 20s? Thanks Bob Clayton Answer: Bob...It would be hard to imagine that Minn. was a hot bed of much in the 20's. Please no letters, just kidding. I've been in Minn. and Hot is not a word used often...Freezing and ass are common words. I have no idea who the Webber Music co or Store was. Perhaps a trip to the Library and a hunt in the Telephone Directories of the time would yield gobs of information. The Library is a Hotbed of Information. Please let me know. Information about Minn. is my current hobby. Glad you wrote in and I hope I can help. Got the pics of the Nunes...Nice instrument, hope you do well. keep in touch....It must be very difficult to play the uke with mittens on. freezing in Melbourne...frets - Thursday, January 17, 2002

Question asked by: Thomas Subject: Barclay ? Question: Frets: What a great site and thanks for so much good stuff. Seeking info on BARCLAY brand. (Tiki Kings site says it's by WISS musical Instrument Co.) - Can you add anything about Barclay or Wiss from your extensive Ukulogical archives? - Just acquired a Barclay Baritone. First Uke since I strummed at beach parties in the 50's! Thomas Answer: thanks for the kind words. I will do all I can to find out about the Wiss musical instrument company. I have listings of about 650 companies and nothing even close. Will contact a couple friends and see if they know. If anyone outs there knows the Wiss Musical Instrument company, please write in...thanks...chuck - Monday, January 14, 2002

Question asked by: Ron Ennis Subject: Instalation of bridge on uke Question: Chuck: I have a 30 year old Kamaka uke. It' a soprano 12 frets and figure 8 shape. Like the Kamaka F1. I need to know the exact measurement or distance from the last fret or the nut to install the bridge. I'm a guitar player and learning to play the uke. please any information will help. the uke was given to me by a good friend in Hawaii. He had someone install the bridge before and it was installed incorrectly. Please Help Answer: Ron..If I were you , I would contact the Kamaka company. They have a web site and you will find their tele number in the Hawaii telephone book. They will know the answer to that in one second. They are also very nice people and would be glad to help. Hope I have...how's that for passing the fret....chuck fayne - Monday, January 14, 2002

Question asked by: Rick Rasay Subject: Just in case... Question: Chuck, In a earlier msg, I attached a pic regarding the Machete de Rajo 5 string uke I have. As it was uploading, I got a "parameter incorrect" message. If you do not receive that earlier msg with pic attached, please let me know your personal email again so I can send detailed pics, as I have had several crashes over a 3 month period, and lost most email addresses including yours. I was hoping you could assess its value, and some months back you had requested seeing pics again. If this message has become redundant due to receiving the first one with pic, my apology. Thanks for your help. Rick PS...I have read inquiries to the Harmony Johnny Marvin uke with airplane bridge by a few of your fans. I have to agree with your description of the koa version, very light in color, and more like a golden brown. My koa JM has a moderate flame to the top shell, and sports the gold tuners with gut strings...very cool looking and compliments nicely with the color of koa. I am fortunate to have one that would potentially rate a 9++! It also has white ivoroid binding on top and bottom edges. You referred to this model at one time as the "Prince of Wales"? Can you explain...again? I have had 3 of the mahogany models as well, so am pretty versed in the differences. Oh, sorry for the segway. Thanks for listening! Answer: rick..got the pics at home.....what you have is a machete de rajo. Five strings each different. Not sure yet where it was made..portugal..first guess, but as you know most south american and latin countries made an instrument that looked like that. I call the koa marvin the Prince of Wales because that is the way it was advertised in a catalogue I have. You are very fortunate to own one...they are very rare and have a very good set of tuners. Or as we in the business say " nice set".....keep in touch...frets...must run. its pudding night at the Mt Idy home and I am on the serving line.... - Monday, January 14, 2002

Question asked by: Dave Subject: Treholipee Strings Question: I recently broke a string on my Treholippe uke. As you know the uke looks like a canoe paddle and has long strings. Do you know where I can find replacement strings? Answer: Dave...take the string and the uke and go to the local fishing store. Match the gauge as close as you can. Cut a piece longer than you need. Total investment, if they have the guts to even charge you...one dollar. It will work. I have used that technique many times on instruments that have longer string requirements than ones you can purchase at your local music store. I always like the look on the face of the man when you walk into a fishing store with a Treholippe...First ask him to fit a reel to the handle....They love people like us...Then when you try to fit a string to your uke, it won't seem so strange...When you get it strung up, sit down and play and sing. "Down in the middle of an iddy biddy pool"...They also love that...be sure and report back and let us know if you got out alive.....frets... - Monday, January 14, 2002

Question asked by: David Subject: Question: i know nothing about ukeleles. i just want to know what the standard tunings for a soprano, tenor, and baritone ukelele are. Answer: Soprano...ADF#B and GCEA Tenor is one you have to play with. The spacing of the notes remain the same. I tune to gcea when the instrument will allow. I also like the low G in tenor tuning. The Baritone is just the last 4 notes of the guitar. To the left on this site you will fine the menu.. Go to online store and order any of Jim's Beginner books or CD's on the Ukulele. You will learn all you have to know about beginning to play the Ukulele. Welcome to the club. Don't forget to tune into the Marketplace and Bulletin Board. Interesting Stuff...Good Strummin...Frets Fayne - Sunday, January 13, 2002

Question asked by: Kevin Subject: Banjo-ukes Question: Dear Chuck first Happy Palindrome (2002)! Have been reading your site for a while and see Banjo- ukes alot I wonder if there are any new ones available and what sizes they come in. I have big fingers so like tenors and baritones . Thank for you time KC Answer: Kevin...Tyler Mountaian Banjos appear for on ebay all the time. I know nothing about their quality. If you find a banjo uke too small for your fingers you might want to jump into a melody or a tenor banjo. You can string them with strings other than metal. They have a wonderful sound. If I were you I would be looking for a tenor banjo. Write John Bernunzio at Bernunzio Vintage Instruments in Rochester New York. You will find his web site quickly and have a look. Write him and tell him I mentioned his name. He pays me very well. Last year he gave us tickets for my whole family to Australia. We live in Australia. What a guy that John...thanks for writing to the yak...chuck - Sunday, January 13, 2002

Question asked by: ed Subject: l nunes uke, 1913 Question: Hello, can you help me with info on a uke i have... in the soundhole, a label indicating that this uke is made by leonardo nunes in 1913 (well before his father died and while they were still in Hawaii i think). made for sherman clay and co in San Fran. it is very plain everywhere except that it has design around soundhole. frets are in the neck, not on overlay, no pegs. Am i right in thinking that leaonardo was young when he made this? Answer: Ed...I wouldn't go on the information on a nunes label. They were known for making ukes and using whatever they had around., I had a uke that said m nunes on the headstock and a label that also said Sherman Clay..Leonardo Nunes in the sound hole. If your uke was made by leonardo I would think it was made in Los Angeles. Great maker..one of the best...thanks for writing the yak..keep in touch..lots of interesting stuff a'comin' chuck - Sunday, January 13, 2002

Question asked by: Janet Subject: Old ukulele Question: This is the pineapple picture. My son is having trouble keeping the ukulele tuned. The wooden pegs come loose when the string tension is too great. Any suggestions? Thanks Photos:      Answer: Either your tuning it too high or it needs larger tuners...take it to a good luthier ..don't try to fix the problem yourself...its too good a uke...hope i've helped...chuck - Sunday, January 13, 2002

Question asked by: Len Cofer Subject: Uke action Question: Dear Mr. Yak I have a Martin SO (Mexican made) uke that I bought used from a friend. I like the instrument fairly well -- but it seems if the action may be high. I have played guitar and banjo and prefer a low action for ease of fingering and sound -- rather than going for high action which seems to have as its only advantage a louder sound. The uke has 1/32" clearance between the top of the first fret and the bottom of the top string. The clearance is 1/8" at the 12th. string. This seems rather high and causes the string to go out of tune when pressed all the way to fretboard half way between the nut and the first fret. I have a fair amount of experience in adjusting saddles and nuts and have made several replacement ones. Before I start making changes, however, I would like to have your opinion. I notice that most ukes seem to have a high action, which may be necessary because of the nylon strings. On the other hand, the high strings do make for intonation problems. Your comments, please. Answer: Len...take you uke to a good luthier and have the work done by him. It could be many reasons for the problem and unless you are a trained luthier you will get yourself into more trouble. take it from one who knows. It seems easy when you start.....Yako the answer man...... - Sunday, January 13, 2002

Question asked by: Eric Stott Subject: Noteless Player Question: I'm playing a La Pacific banjo uke (cheap but nice) fitted with "Reed's Noteless Player". It's a 20's vintage clever push button gadget that comes with an instruction book of numbered music. Any information on this, or "Professor Reed"? Answer: There were many variations of that little gadget made. The most common was the Arthur Godfrey model. I have found them impossible to learn to work correctly. It is so much easier to learn to play the instrument without it. Try the on line store here on the flea market site and get a couple of books on how to finger the uke. That litle gadget only has a few chords..You need much more to play "flight of the Bumblebee properly" Which I understand is your goal.....Fretzzzzzzzz..... - Sunday, January 13, 2002

Question asked by: Stephen Poe Subject: Repairs for Martin tenor Question: Hi and Merry Christmas Chuck, Maybe I am just being a little lazy, but wonder if you know of any repair persons in the mid- Atlantic who might be able to do a decent job on my Martin tenor. It is late 30's vintage and went through WW II in the Pacific. In the process it got a pretty good ding on the upper edge of the lower bout. I think it deserves a proper repair at this point (I think the original repair involved pouring some glue inside - not bad under watrime conditions). I guess I could try the Martin repair dept. in PA - but I am a bit put off by their recent formica guitars - maybe the repair dept. is better. Anyway, I am near Baltimore and would appreciate any information you might have about folks doing repairs in this area with an affinity for ukes. Thanks Answer: If you are near Martin and Co. Take it there. Don't be fooled by the Martin SO..They can still repair their own instruments. If this doesn't work out, let me know and I will look further. chuck - Sunday, January 13, 2002

Question asked by: robert wheeler - founder Subject: Sammo - ? Question: ....you're Chuck Fayne, I bet you thing this note is about..... Sammo ukes...... It has been my experience that Sammo doesn't have the rope binding right up against the sound hole. There is usually sold binding (i.e. "white,black" - in different combinations) on either side of the rope, with some "open" space around the sound hole. I found the heels of Sammos to be less "chunky" than Rob's example. Thinking the uke is a Sammo because the head is shaped differently that an SO would, while ignoring Sammo's not unusual head decorations and somewhat finer outline than Rob's example, miss the point that many Chicago uke makers, as well as others, used the head shape of predecessor instruments rather than the shaped that evolved in Hawaii. The Sammo examples of head shapes "close" to the Hawaiian inspiration usually have some variation (i.e - not a pointed peak in the center). The Sammo pictured, was according to pencil notes on the label, made in 1920 and acquired in 1926, scratched date on heel, by someone named "Gandy", scratched on fancy koa back. I just love well cared for ukes that have...... "tracks of tears...." on them. Warm regards, robert - founder - not an expert - I could always be wrong.... p.s. two other photos send direct to you..... Photos:      Answer: thanks robert...as always..informative and fascinating. will go in my file of stuff.....frets - Saturday, January 12, 2002

Question asked by: Herb Danziger Subject: Harmony Uke 1953-56 Question: I was told that this was a Harmony made in 1953-56. Can you verify that? Thanks, Herb Answer: Herb. I'm not positive, however, I think a picture would help.....If your having a problem sending the pic. just make is smaller. It will eventually fit. (did I write that???)..chuck - Saturday, January 12, 2002

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