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

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Question asked by: jim miller Subject: banjo uke Question: Chuck: I recently purchased a Slingerland Banjo uke and case at a ( flea) market. It appears to be in good condition head and the mahogny body are like new. It is a Maybell and there is the number 24 stamped on the neck piece . Frets are metal, on what looks like ebony with mother of pearl inserts. The case is an old leather style with a drop bottom. lined with green felt Without seeing it can you give me any Gestamation on it's mfg date or any idea of it's value ? Thanking you in advance for any words of Wisdome Jim Miller Answer: It was made in the 30's and a gestamate ( is that how it is spelled?) would be, in great condition...250.00...good banjo uke, well made...put nylon strings, not metal. unless you want to cut the cheese ( sorry about that one)..metal strings are very hard to play and hard to listen to. thanks for writing in....frets - Sunday, October 7, 2001

Question asked by: Ukelady Subject: Question: Hi Frets, I just received a uke in the mail from ebay which appears odd to me. The nut (at the top) is at least twice as high as normal, maybe 1/2 inch off the neck. There is a decal under the sound hole which reads "The Hawaiian". I am wondering if this uke is meant to be played as a "slide uke", or if this is just a real piece of junk. I really need your expertise on this one. Thanks so much for your time. Ukelady Answer: I have no idea why the high nut. I don't know of a ukulele that was made just for slide playing., I think this is a home job and perhaps it was altered for slide. I think I did write to you for a picture, I would still like to have one. Send it here to this site or to my personal email. I would like to see what it looks like. Thanks and good pickin' ...chuck - Sunday, October 7, 2001

Question asked by: mike Subject: lerning Question: Chuck, I've got a uke, yet I'm still lerning. Do you recamend anything? Answer: Practice.....frets p.s. there is some wonderful learning material at the online store on this site. Take a look. Buy some. Read them.. and then practice some more. - Monday, October 1, 2001

Question asked by: Kevin Subject: Panama Question: My family is going to Panama in Nov. and I'm thinking of getting either a small Guitar or lute while I'm there but I wonder if you have heard of any spanish Uke makers and could recommend one Thanks (I really like your page, I have it Book-Marked) KC Answer: Sorry kevin..the only Panamanian uke maker I know went into hats. I don't think I have ever seen a uke from Panama, but every culture has a four stringed instrument. Most of the South American instuments are more for rhythm and are not usually tuned the same as the instruments we are used to. If you find out anything, please let us know....thanks for writing...chuck - Saturday, September 29, 2001

Question asked by: Ian Azrikan Subject: Seals and Strings Question: Chuck - Two unrelated questions: 1) When/how often do you recommend changing strings? Its easy to tell with metal guitars strings, they start to sound dead, but I have little experience with nylon strings so... 2) What (if anything) is the significance of the "barking seals" cutouts on the Harmony/Vita Roy Smeck pear shaped ukes? Thanks much, Ian Answer: Ian...I never change strings unless I break one or it starts to fray from playing. I have ukes that have had the same strings on them for 20 years. I rarely put a new set of strings on a uke. If I have to restring a uke, I try to find a set of used strings. I know that sounds strange, but I don't enjoy the breaking in period when the strings stretch and contract and don't hold the note....Its the way I do it...It may not work for you. I have no idea what the seal holes represent. It is used on all the vita instruments...the tenor guitar, guitar, mandolin and ukulele. I think they look great. thanks for writing....chuck - Friday, September 28, 2001

Question asked by: Phil Morris Subject: Tenor Tuning Question: Chuck - I am confused by your last few answers about tenor tuning which you have stated is GCEA (same as standard soprano tuning). I just double checked a package of Martin Tenor Strings and they are marked DGBE. Tuning them up to GCEA would have the effect you described in this 1999 answer to the same question: Question asked by: Bryan Mccahill Subject: Tenor tuning Question: Bryan acquired a Martin Tenor and wants to Tune it up to soprano tuning. Answer: Bryan, first of all I can't imagine why you would want to tune a tenor up to a soprano tuning. Seems to me it would be easier to get a soprano uke. You defeat the entire purpose of a tenor uke. Lower, mellower sound. If you want a two piece tenor Uke, I would suggest you tune it up to a soprano. You will probably discover a really rough way to remove the top of the Uke I have never attempted to tune a tenor up to soprano. If you try, please let us know what happens....Chuck fayne - Tuesday, January 26, 1999 I have one tenor tuned GCEA but I had to string it with concert strings to get it that high. Respectfully - Phil Answer: Phil..you are absolutly right. I did recommend no soprano tuning. However,in the meantime I have been fooling around with higher pitch tunings. If the strings are right, you can get a tenor safely up gcea. I have been using gcea with a low g string but the strings have been very used and stretched. You are correct..I really should be recommending the lower tuning for a tenor for most players. It is alot safer. About a year ago I began to experiment with a Kamaka tenor... tuning it up to soprano. It has a very strong pin bridge and have been able to do it and the sound is quite interesting. It does not sound like a tenor. It does not sound like a soprano. Its very different. Sorry I confused you....If you want a really unusual sound, but a set of baritone strings on a tenor and tune it up to regular tenor tuning. Its very pretty. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. For all of you who don't want to experiment stick to dgbe. Thanks Phil..keep letting me know when I change direction in the middle of the stream...frets - Friday, September 28, 2001

Question asked by: Clyde Subject: Tenor tuning Question: Hi Chuck, regarding Amanda Forbis's question about tight strings on her tenor uke when tuned to GCEA. I had a similar problem with a 1960 12 fret Gibson tenor I own. When tuned to GCEA the bridge pins would sometimes pop out and I feared the bridge would loosen. I tuned the uke down a full step and wonder of wonders the uke came alive. It has a beautiful rich tone and the bridge pins stay put. I use a low G string by the way (or low F as it is now tuned). I still tune my other tenors standard and they all sound and play fine. Maybe my Gibson and her Kamaka have changed with age or were consructed differently. Just a thought for another possible remedy. Answer: Thanks Clyde..for taking the time to report. It really does depend on so much..the weather, the instrument, the strings, and the age of the strings. Thanks alot for your solution. It helps us all...chuck fayne - Wednesday, September 26, 2001

Question asked by: Sharon Subject: Truetone Uke Question: I recently bought a Truetone Uke.Do you know who manufactured it and about when? It has a nice mellow tone. Answer: Sharon..I wish I did know who produced it. I have seen true tone,. tru-tone, mellow tone, and many variations of tones...I think they were very common given what they were named for. Seems natural..If I had to make a guess, not seeing the instrument ( and perhaps even seeing it) I would guess harmony or regal..I would probably be right given they made almost all the instruments for distribution by thousands of stores. If you would like to send a pic, I will see if I can come closer. I can tell you it is not a manufacturer. Hope I've helped....chuck fayne - Wednesday, September 26, 2001

Question asked by: julie carpenter Subject: strings Question: I was looking at instruments and wondered how many strings a standard ukelele has??? Thanks Answer: Julie...anywhere from 0-4...depending on how many you have broken...when you have them all...four.....frets... - Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Question asked by: Amanda Forbis Subject: tenor tuning Question: Hi Chuck, I have an odd problem. I fear that it may be psychosomatic, in which case I don't know what I could expect from you. I took my Kamaka tenor uke in for bridge repair a while ago and just got it back today. The luthier lost the old strings, so I put a new set on. Now I could swear that before the bridge popped off I tuned it GCEA (high G) and it played a middle range between my soprano and my baritone. It was wonderful. So today I gleefully restrung it in the same manner, (Hilo strings...GCEA...all I had ) only to find that to tuning to GCEA it brought it right up to soprano tuning and the strings were disturbingly taut ...and then when I dropped it an octave it made that terrible loose stringed flabby sound. Am I missing something here? Where has that "rich mellow tone...lower than the tenor" that you referred to gone?!! How can tenor GCEA strings be too tight at one octave and too loose at the lower? Thanks for your time. fretting, Amanda Forbis Answer: I'm Jewish...when it comes to the world of psychosomatic, I am the king. I had a dream the other night in which I thought I was well...I woke up in a cold sweat...I realized at once it was Malaria and was able to go back to sleep. The reason your strings changed and the tone changed was the old strings were broken in. The reason I buy old used strings whenever I can. Give them time and they will loosen up. Play it alot. Play it all the time..Don't do anything else. They will lock you up, but you will have flabby strings again.. My concern would be the Luthier that lost your strings. Have you ever tried to throw away an old string? It keeps appearing everywhere. They don't stay in the trash can. Thanks for the letter..Dr Fretts Phd, Fudd...... - Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Question asked by: Marge Weissberg Subject: tenor uke Question: What is the correct tuning for the tenor uke? Answer: G C E A dending on the bridge you can get away with a high G...I prefer to have a pin bridge for a high G tuning. Low G on a standard bridge. The test is whether or not you can push the string down to the fingerboard easily where the fingerboard joins the body,. New strings...start with a lower tuning and work up as the strings stretch. Kinda like Nylons...not that I have ever worn them...well maybe once..see ya..off to the soda shop..its free nut day...frets - Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Question asked by: MARC Subject: JESSIE KALIMA UKE Question: HI CHUCK MY QUESTION IS WHO MADE THE JESSIE KALIMA KOA UKE,HOW OLD IS IT,GOOD UKE OR NOT AND WHAT IS VALUE OR WHAT IS THE MOST ONE SHOULD PAY FOR ONE. ALSO WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE UKE COMPANY HAWAIIAN STYLE . THANKS FOR YOUR TIME-MARC Answer: This is the easiest question I have had in a long time. I don't know the answer to one of you questions. I will find out. I am familiar with Jessie Kalima, however, I have just begun to hear about a Jessie Kalima Uke. I hope there are some people out there who kow the answers. I depend on you to bail me out so I can look smart somewhere down the line when you have all forgotten I didn't know. Sorry Marc...I would have faked it if it were just one question. But far too many ..You'da caught me....Hiding in the briar patch....chuck - Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Question asked by: freda cooper Subject: old small banjo Question: id like to have an idea of the price of this old banjo , small in size , a beautiful back brown with a flower and one screw , also pearl frets Answer: Freda..Its a little hard to give a price based on the information you have provided...send a picture and I will do my best. I do think I knew a woman named Pearl Frets...Owned a Deli in the Bronx...Send me the pic to my email or to this site., I will look and let you know. In the meantime I will see If I have picture of Pearl...perhaps you will recognize her....chuck fayne - Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Question asked by: Pam Lanford Subject: pegs or screws? Question: Hello again. Thanks for your quick response to my first question! RE: a Roy Smeck tenor uke - Dad's uke doesn't hold it's tune for very long. Initially, he thought it was the pegs. Could it be the screws? Your advice is much appreciated, Chuck. *Pam Answer: Pam..you need to take the uke to a good luthier and they might have to replace the tuners or go to a larger screw. It is definitly not the pegs...pegs usually mean like a violin...mechanical tuners have screws and the peg part doesn't really turn in the hole itself. It turns in a metal doodad that fits in the hole. Its a good uke. Where do you live..perhaps I can direct you to the right place...chuck - Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Question asked by: Maurice Freeman Subject: Kamaloa Ukulele Question: Can you provide any information on a Kamaloa Ukulele Makers of fine stringed instruments sold by J Albert and Son, Sydney Australia circa 1925 and a possible value? Answer: I have had a time finding out information but here it is. Kamaloa was made in the 30's in Hawaii by Kumalae probably. J Albert and Son in Sydney sold two hawaiian ukes..the Kamaloa and the Royal Hawaiian made by Kumalae. I'm not sure why they did not sell the Kumalae itself, but this is what I was able to find out. As to the value, I would guess from the pic you sent and knowing the value of other ukes of the same quality, I would guess a couple of hundred perhaps a little more.. sorry it took so long...frets - Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Question asked by: Geoff Rezek Subject: Tenor 8 tuning Question: I just purchased a professinally Hawaii made Tenor 8. What are the tuning options? DGBE like a bartione Uke or GCEAor another? How do I decide? Answer: G C E A and be careful on the high G...Take it easy..Look at the answer that is close to this one on this page. It will help...chuck - Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Question asked by: Dr. Carlo May Subject: Tenor Uke Tuning Question: Dear Chuck, I'm a proud owner of an old Martin Tenor Uke but I don't know how to tune it. I read that it should be tuned in the same way a soprano is tuned (G,C,E,A), but Im afraid the tension of the strings might be too high. Thanx, Carlo from Germany Answer: Dr. G C E A ....I have a feeling its Ground Hog Day...Lots of tuning questions....See above and look back a couple of questions to see the rest of the answer. Just be careful and let the strings have a chance to stretch..If the bridge is a good one, It should take the tuning easily. Drink a beer for me. You really have great beer over there. thanks for writing...chuck - Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Question asked by: Wendy Emery Subject: uke tuning Question: My husband and I are learning to play the uke. We are confused by the different tunings we have seen: DGBE, ADFB, GCEA. also, we have seen GCEA with G set an octive higher than CEA. What should we be tuning to? we have a baritone uke and a standard "classroom" uke. Also, if they are tuned different, are their chords different as well? Please advise. Answer: Standard soprano uke...ADF#b or GCEA....Baritone...last 4 strings of a guitar. The higher or lower G string is a matter of preference. I use the lower tuning because I like the additional range for picking. The different tunings will change the chord but not the fingering. It remains the same. Hope I've helped and please keep in touch...We here at Flea Market Music care about your tuning.....Keep strummin and good luck...You might want to look at the On line Store on this site for learning books, cd's and tapes. They are very good for the beginner. frets - Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Question asked by: robert wheeler - founder Subject: trivial ukulele interests Question: Chuck, As I question my trivial ukulele interests, I read your remarks on the Nunes "Radio Tenor". It is rare to see an example of how the trivial can lead to an understanding of much more significant human activities. Some years ago I took a Polaroid photo of four of my dearly loved Nazareth Pennsylvania possessions on my front porch. From left, 1918 Style 3, circa 1925 Style 3K, Pre- 1918 Style 3 Prototype (12 frets, smaller body) circa 1925 Employee's ( maple back and sides and likley holly top). They all have a stripe on the fret board. Trivial things require gathering, protection, and respect. When needed, they can revive the spirit. regards, robert - founder Photos:      Answer: Thanks Robert.....Its fun to see old friends sitting on your porch. Wish I was there with you all.....frets - Monday, September 24, 2001

Question asked by: Pam Lanford Subject: John Bernunzio Question: As you suggested I've tried to reach Mr. Bernunzio at BVI@sertech.com - emails returned for address 'fatal error'. Would you send me his address again? I must have it wrong. Thanks! *Pam Answer: Many of you have written in that 'Fatal Error' had something to do with John personally. Let me assure you he is fine and kicking. I just messed up the address..its BVI@servtech.com.. perhaps that would have helped..You can also find him and his remarkable music inventory on the web...look up Bernunzio Vintage Instruments.....Your for more careful typing....the Mt Idy Town Clerk....Fingers 'frets' fayne - Monday, September 24, 2001

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