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

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Question asked by: charles wilson Subject: tenor uke Question: Chuck, I'm saving my money for a vintage Martin tenor. I understand that it can be tuned like a guitar or like a soprano uke. I already play guitar so that would be simplier for me. Which tuning do you think best captures the best tone of the instrument? thanks, Answer: The typical guitar tuning is a little low for my taste. The standard tuning for a tenor is best. Also, go to the on line store and get Jim Beloffs books, and you will have all you need to get started on the uke..all you ever wanted to know and more....I think the tenor is best in the mid range. You can tune it like a soprano,but you have to be real careful..Some can take it some can not. It will pull the bridge pins out and if it is a solid bridge uke, don't tune it up to soprano pitch, you will be wearing the bridge between your eyes. Not an attractive look. best...frets - Monday, April 16, 2001

Question asked by: David Subject: Fin-Der Question: I bought a platic Fin-Der Uke for my collection and was wondering if any one still makes the colored strings. Also, is there a trick to keeping the tuning pegs tight? Answer: Yes. there are colored strings made, I just don't remember who right now. I will look it up and get back to you...As far as keeping the tuners tight...make them drink alot....What kind of tuners are they. As I remember, they are plastic violin type...If so..a little graphite or shaved pencil lead will work..If not..Get a new set that will work, but don't throw away the old set. To a collector they are very important. chuck - Sunday, April 15, 2001

Question asked by: Earl Subject: Mele Uke Question: I also have a Mele concert pineapple and it's a very good player. For the money hard to beat. My Frisco uke is great. Put Kamaka strings on it with low G.Sounds terrific. Great design. Answer: I am glad you like the design of the Frisco..I also think it is a masterpiece of design...I designed it with the help of Marc Silber...or was it the other way around. But, thanks for the compliment. I have one and love it. I have a prototype...Not the way they ended up but still a great player. I assume that the Mele is a recent model...I don't remember any vintage Mele Concert Pineapples. Thenks for the report...Always appreciated. frets - Sunday, April 15, 2001

Question asked by: Steven P. Zaborski Subject: Tuner Upgrades Question: Chuck, Does upgrading a vintage uke's tuners with decent Grover #4MB tuners reduce the value of the uke? Drilling out the peg holes is major surgery but staying in tune is critical. Steve Z. Answer: I think you have sort of answered your own question...To some, drilling out the holes would de-value a vintage..to others, the sound would be more important. My answer is yes, it devalues the uke in the eyes of the person who buys with their eyes and adds value to the person who wants to hear an in-tune ukulele...So if your going to play me a song ..drill away....frets - Sunday, April 15, 2001

Question asked by: Mary Womack Subject: Weissenborn Uke Question: Hi Chuck, I have a Uke that belonged to my grandmother. The lettering inside says H. Weissenborn, Los Angeles. Where might I find out more about it. How to clean it, restring it. Also I have an instruction book, original copyright 1914. The front says 4th addition. Would like to know more about these. Thanks Answer: Mary...you have a nice ukulele. I wrote you asking for a pic. It would help alot...Weissenborn made 4 diferent styles of ukes. very plain style 1 ..trim on the around the sound hole and top edge ..style2...and trim around the top, bottom, fretboard and headstock...style 3...very very rare...he also made what he called a tenor, but it is really a concert. only seen one of these also. So you can see, that I need a little more information to help...But you are on the way..the name is important. chuck - Tuesday, April 10, 2001

Question asked by: Larry Subject: BRUKO Question: I found my first BRUKO uke at a flea market for $20.00. Now I own three of them. Of course, they don't compare to the old Martins - but the rosewood, spruce model sounds as good as any you can find for under $300. It's a well built, solid wood instrument that is one of the GREAT starter ukes. ( I took exception to your Feb 4, letter to Kai Breustedt ). Answer: You are certainly entitled to your opinion and I welcome it. It is people like you that report the kind of news we want to hear. Personal touch with the instrument and satisfaction, will always be of interest. I don't remember my letter to Kai Breustedt of Feb 4th, but if you took exception...please return it..I have been looking for it...Nice to know where it went. Please write in often, we need opinions. Bill O'Reiley Fayne - Tuesday, April 3, 2001

Question asked by: Grover Cheek Subject: ukulele maker history Question: i have a uke that seems to be made of mahogany and says on the inside kaholas & co. hawaiian ukulele warranted 6-7-8 any info would be greatly appreciated THANKS! Answer: Kohales was a Hawaiian maker in the 30's and 40's. Probably best known for making ukes that were just a little off. If you held them up they didn't quite match side for side...Very big upper bouts and smaller than usual lower bouts. Played O.K. Not great. Your probably right, as I remember they were made of Mahogany rarely Koa. Hope I've helped.....by the way I don't match side for side either....Chuck Kohalas Fayne - Tuesday, March 20, 2001

Question asked by: Mary Womack Subject: Weissenborn Uke Question: Hi Chuck, I have a Uke that belonged to my grandmother. The lettering inside says H. Weissenborn, Los Angeles. Where might I find out more about it. How to clean it, restring it. Answer: - Tuesday, March 20, 2001

Question asked by: John Park Subject: domino uke Question: Dear Frets, How much would a domino uke in fair condition be worth? Thanks, JP Answer: John...there are many varieties of Le Domino Ukes..It would help to know which one. Just a ball park guess no matter which one it is...100 in fair condition.....I'm not sure of your definition of fair...Mine is..Playable, perhaps a crack and some wear....Knock off some more if it is worse....frets - Tuesday, March 20, 2001

Question asked by: Bill Farfan Subject: Kamaka Uke and lessons Question: Mr.Frets, I'm old new stock. I just bought a Kamaka Soprano Uke with a white lable and know nothing about it. Age, where made, value? I want to learn how to play this instrument, but I need a program (cd?Vhs?Book? Pamphlet?) Where do I start? Oldie Rookie. Thanks, Bill Farfan Answer: Bill...You bought a good uke...Now go to the on line store on this site and look at the selection of books available. You should start with the beginners book and you will be amazed at how fast you progress. There are also tapes, cd's and all you need to get going. Be sure and order a tuner...It makes it so much easier when you have the uke in tune. Write with any questions or problems you might have. Were open 24 hours to answer your question. Except for the hours we sleep.....Frets ZZZZZZZ Fayne - Tuesday, March 20, 2001

Question asked by: Jim Subject: Gretsch American Question: Frets, Here's the original question agian: I recently bought what appears to be an old uke that is in pretty bad shape. It's 20 1/2" long, all mahogany, wooden pegs (one missing), a few cracks, a bridge that may have been chewed by rats, and a coating of grunge that I think is corn oil. There is a brass lable inside that that says Gretsch American, and the back of the headstock is stamped with same. There is a nice inlay around the soundhole, black white black white black. The headstock is nicely proportioned, not at all like a canoe paddle. Is this uke worth restoring to its original condition or should I just put on metal tuners, apply more corn oil and play it? Answer: Hi..I think I answered part of this question before...the part about the corn oil....Is it worth restoring? Thats up to your pocketbook. Its a gretch...Not a bad instrument. If it is mostly there, I personally, would give it a shot. I don't throw anything away...Just ask my wife. My X wife is still here....( just kidding)...Don't get any more corn oil...I have a feeling that was not intended for ukuleles, unless you barbeque them...As they say down here" Throw another Uke on the Barbie"...Frets - Sunday, March 18, 2001

Question asked by: Sil Castillo Subject: Kamaka Pineapple Ukes Question: Chuck, I know you like Kamaka Pineapples from reviewing previous questions. In one of your comments you brought up the fact that Kamaka had some made of monkey pod and assembled in Japan. Also the "Ka-Lai" model was made. I own a vintage rope bound vintage model with the orange 1928 patent label as well as a white label with Schaller tuners. Anyway could you summarize the various models and what the "ballpark" (or should I say in your case "cricketpark") value is? I just got the rope bound vintage, without strings. You've said that ukes are meant to be played, so although I can hardly wait to get some stings (Kamaka black, right) I feel a little apprehensive about strumming a valuable museum piece. Thanks for the info. Glad you're back yakkin'. PS Yeah, I the guy with the Martin 1K and Bruddah Bu sez "Hi" too. Answer: Sil..just to straighten things out first before I answer your long and involved question....Ka-Lai was made by Kamaka for John Lai..However, Kamaka did not make them out of monkey pod.Of the ukes made by Lai personally, some were made of monkey pod. The Ukes Kamaka had assembled in Japan were all made of Mahogany. Now to the quetion If I understand your question correctly you either have a Lai with a l928 label or a rope bound Kamaka and also another Kamaka with a white label with Schaller tuners. If this is correct, please write me back and let me know. I need some more information about the ukes to give you a ball park figure. I don't know the shape, where the binding is, back or front or both, condition, ...and anything else you can add that would help me give you a price. I have said this before..With Kamaka, they could be worth as little as a couple hundred dollars to 25.000+. So, you see how much info I need. You also have the ability to include a pic with your question. I would suggest you get someone to take a pic and scan it in and send it to me. Thanks a bunch for writing. chuck - Sunday, March 18, 2001

Question asked by: Bruce Johnson Subject: Case for Martin Tenor Question: I have a Martin Tenor (17" scale length, 12 frets to the body) that I inherited from my Father-in-law, but I have no case for it. It is in almost mint condition, and I would like to keep it that way. I would love to find a genuine Martine case (if it didn't cost more than a house payment), but would also appreciate any hints on other brands. What is available out there? Answer: Bruce..I would advertise in the marketplace section of this web site in the wanted section. Other than that, you have to just call music stores. There are people today who are making cases. Any good music store will have a case that will fit. You want a hard shelled case for a Martin Tenor. Congrats, you got a good uke. Just in case ( ha ha) you don't find one, write back...I will research case makers and see what I can come up with. chuck - Sunday, March 18, 2001

Question asked by: Brand Subject: comment Question: Good-Morning! Glad to see that you are back,Chuck.Hope that you enjoyed yourself.You may want to reconsider some of the values that you assign to vintage ukes.While you were away a Martin 2K tenor sold for $9200.00 on auction,and a Martin 5K soprano currently has been bid up to $10,000.00,and the auction is not closed yet! "Slim" Answer: Good morning to you..I will take your suggestion...It seems a martin 2k is worth 9200 and a 5k is worth upwards of 10,000. Please don't take Ebay as the bible of prices. Its a game. I guarntee you if you want a 2k, one can be purchased for alot less that 9200 and the same goes for a 5k. They are available for less than 10,000. Ebay is an auction...an auction is a game...there are winners and losers. Some people can't stand to lose. If I remember the 2k..it was a wurlitzer. Any martin made instrument made for a different company has additional collectible value. As I said, don't take Ebay as the price guite for Ukes. I deal in the world of real prices and there are still pleanty of bargains out there. Granted, prices are over the top, but then what isn't these days. Thanks for writing..chuck I think I should claify a mistake I made. I read the 9200 dollar instrument to be a 2k Not a 2k tenor. 9200 for a 2k tenor is a bargain as far as I am concerned. Sorry to the friend who bought the uke. Please let me know if you come across any Koa Martin Ukuleles that are LARGER than a soprano...Sorry friend. I'll do a better job of reading in the future - Sunday, March 18, 2001

Question asked by: Jay Lockhart Subject: Herwin Uke Question: Chuck, My father died a few years ago, and while going through his things we came across a ukelele. I don't have much to go on but if you can help in any way I would be grateful. The uke is a Herwin, made by Richter Mfg, Co. from Chicaco, Ill. I dont't know the date, but I am guessing around 1930-40? Any ideas? thanks, Jay Answer: You have a uke made by regal for the Fred Richter company. Richter purchased them from regal and then decorated them. 30's and 40's would be the time frame. I have no idea who Herwin was. Probably, the music store that carried the ukes. Not a bad Uke. Regal Made literally millions of ukes..You have one of them..Now stop writing and get to playing. chuck frets fayne - Sunday, March 18, 2001

Question asked by: edmo Subject: Mid 20s 2k Question: what would be the value of a mid 20s style 2k martin uke. Answer: If you go by the Ebay report I got earlier ....9200.00...but the truth is, probably around 3000 in great condition with a case. You can wait around and see if you can get more., but the 9200 was a fluke. If it was not a fluke, I am going to buy all the 2k's I know of and sell them and write a Uke column...a dream of mine for years. chuck - Sunday, March 18, 2001

Question asked by: Guy Costanzo Subject: Mele Ukuleles Question: I recently purchased an all koa, 4- string tenor, double puka (or twin sound hole),from Mele Ukulele on Maui - and have these comments to add to those made by a few others on Uke Yak! First - I'm quite pleased: the wood is nice, it's bound top and bottom with ebony and there's an inlay around each sound-hole to dress it up a bit, the intonation's good, the sound is good, (a little quiet at the moment but it's gradually opening up). The workmanship, however, is not up to the standards of my Larrivee soprano, for example (which is superb), but then for the money ($400 USD) I don't think you can beat it. The fact that some assembly is done in the Philippines doesn't bother me - the uke plays very well and sounds good. It has Grover geared tuners (which they usually use on their tenors, I understand) which really do the job. I would recommend Mele whole- heartedly, but keep it in perspective and don't compare them with ukes costing much, much, more. I think they're very good value for the money. Answer: You've made my job easy on this one...nuff said...Thanks for the report..wish more would do it...chuck - Sunday, March 18, 2001

Question asked by: Johnny Petree Subject: Bruno Uke Question: I have a concert Bruno uke that my father played on the radio back in the late 30's and early 40's. It is made of mahogany, has ivory colored binding on top and around the sound hole. It is in mint condition and sounds great. Do you know anything about the Bruno and what it might be worth. It's not for sale because it's worth more than money to me. Thanks, I enjoy your site. Answer: Bruno , was at the time a very old company, however the ukes were made by harmony and regal. It is worth a couple of hundred dollars in today's market....in great condition...But as you said...its priceless.....thanks for the question...chuck - Sunday, March 18, 2001

Question asked by: Catalina Subject: Harmony ukes Question: Could you do a brief overview of cheap old Harmony uke models -- you mentioned you might. Everywhere I go I keep seeing the sunburst (refered to as tigerstripped) top with the white edges; is it plywood? $20, $40, $60, $100? Mahagony? The decal is cute. Should I snatch one up for my son to play? (To keep him from my Martin "O' and 2 style?) Answer: catalina...at my age I wouldn't attempt to give a brief overview of cheap old Harmony Ukes...There is no such thing as a brief overview...They made millions of them...To answer the second part of you question...pick up a harmony for 75 bucks and definitly keep your 2 year old away from the Martins. some day, trade him the harmony for the martins....after you have taught him to play them...frets - Sunday, March 18, 2001

Question asked by: Daniel Fujikake Subject: Older hawaiian ukes Question: Aloha Chuck, How have you been? I recently found a interisting vintage uke that, like many older ukes has no identification on it. It was quite well made and had an a "mustache" near the bottem bout. It wasn't a Martin and If it was a Nunes then it was one of the most, well made ones i've ever seen. There is a label inside that is from the Bergstrom store, but it looks like an after thought. I know they liked to relabel their products. I know this is tremenously difficult without a picture, I can try to get you one. Maybe you can just tell me if you've ever come across a traditional figure-8 rope bound koa soprano with a figure-8 head stock, but that was especially well made a and proportioned? Please take care and mahalo. Daniel Answer: Daniel...how nice to hear from you...If you visited me today , you would have to come to australia....it sure sounds like a nunes to me. It is possible that it is portugese made, but it doesn't sound like it from the description. I would like a picture very much...I am curious. As you know the early M nunes ukes all had the doodad at the bottom...It was one of his trademarks. An old hold-over from his portugese days. seeya....frets - Sunday, March 18, 2001

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