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

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Question asked by: mary carkin Subject: How to identify a martin uke Question: Just purchased a martin uke..21 inches long...12 frets....small wooden tuning keys....no decal...stamped on the back..what is it and whats it worth. Answer: Best guess...1920's( because of the pegs)..style 1 or 2 ( because of the 12 frets)..Possiblly a style o...but most likely not because of the violin pegs..Not used much on style 0's. Depending on condition, style 0.1.2...the value could be as little as 300 and worth as much as 1200..want to know exactly?...send a pic to my private email..cfayne@bluep.com.au thanks for the question...chuck - Friday, December 8, 2000

Question asked by: Nick Massey Subject: lyra uke Question: How does a Lyra Baritone Uke compare to a Gretch of the same period. It doesn't..The Gretch is far superior. I have never been a fan of the lyra Uke. No real reason, just not a fan..But as I have said a million times before, it is the ear that determines the value of the ukulele, not name, wood, quality of building....just the sound..If it sounds good..Play the hell out of it and forget who made it. frets Answer: gaze upward.......for all the answers.....boy thats deep... - Friday, December 8, 2000

Question asked by: Paul Doeling Subject: rosewood martin uke Question: Did Martin use rosewood for fingerboards. Answer: yes...only ebony in the style 3 and 5. chuck - Friday, December 8, 2000

Question asked by: paul Kraus Subject: ukes Question: not so much a question as a statement. Answer: Paul is giving yet another endorsement for Tony Graziano in Santa Cruz. ca. I hear alot about Tony lately. I saw some of his earlier instruments and thought they were lovely. Perhaps he is another Luthier that we should take a look at. I'm hearing some good stuff. Please, those of you who own one of Tony's ukes, share your opinions with us...chuck - Friday, December 8, 2000

Question asked by: Rick Hirsh Subject: inherited uke Question: It has a sticker that says Kamaka. Answer: Too bad about the sticker...if it didn't have one, I couldn't answer anything..However, I need a picture to tell you..Kamaka made more varieties than almost any all the other companies put together. The value could be from 150.00 to 15,000 dollars. I really need a picture...Please send me one at cfayne@bluep,com.au thanks..chuck - Friday, December 8, 2000

Question asked by: Scott Baldwin Subject: La Melodia Uke Question: Who made it and when...has trim top and bottom and around sound hole and up the fingerboard. Answer: I have seen the La Melodia before. My best guess is Regal or Harmony..always a safe guess since they made almost everything in the 40's. Not a bad looking instrument, however, I have little playing experiencd with them. If it sounds good play , if it does not sound good...play it until it does...frets - Friday, December 8, 2000

Question asked by: sherri El Sheikh Subject: Herk Favilla B-2 Uke Question: When was it madfe and whats it worth? Answer: Made in the 50's...worth 250.00 in excellent condition..Baritones are the least desirable of all the uke sizes...Favilla build a war canoe. It is a very heavy ukulele. If you already own it, play it..if you don't already own it ...pass it....chuck - Friday, December 8, 2000

Question asked by: Steven Zaborski Subject: rosewood fingerboards Question: Ssome of Steven's fingerboards are naked.no finish...what to do...what to do??? Answer: light sanding, steelwool, and a coat of a watco light weight finish..let dry...light steelwool and a coat of light wax...wipe very well and play it. The nest best thing is to do nothing and let the oils in the hands do the work....strange to have unfinished martin fingerboards.....hope O've helped..... - Friday, December 8, 2000

Question asked by: Stuart Grais Subject: martin style 1 Question: what is the year of a style 1 martin ukulele with the decal on the front and the stamp inside...no u s a.... Answer: Best guess is l940's...Hard to tell...It is certainly no earlier. Wish I could pinpoint it , but with the absence of a numbering system, it could be between the 30's and the 60's....chuck - Friday, December 8, 2000

Question asked by: Tim Gabbard Subject: care and feeding of a martin uke Question: how do I keep it in good shape.. Answer: Tim...think of your uke as a piece of furniture...( Don't sit on it) Any oil based polish without stain, unless you want to cover scratches is good.)...I use a very very very light carnuba wax...wax on and quickly wax off....Gibson makes a good finish restorer. My very favorite is to go to a Violin maker and buy a bottle of the oil they use on Violins. Just make sure the wood doesn't dry out on the surface. The oil from your body is great also..but be careful...don't let anyone see you do it. I mean of course the oils in your hands....the more you play it the better the wood will be. chuck - Friday, December 8, 2000

Question asked by: J.D. (John Dumitru) Subject: singing treholopee Question: 2. They asked the following question: Hiya, I just cleaned out the garage and found this lovely instrument that someone gifted me way back when. I'm curious about it's history and current market value. Thank you. J.D. Answer: Made by the Swagerty company in the l950's...any value? - Friday, December 8, 2000

Question asked by: Name:Ed Stander Subject: Vega Banjo Ukes Question: I've just come across a vega little wonder banjo uke. Are these rare beasts, or simply nice banjo ukes from a great banjo company? Cheers - Ed Answer: They are not rare beasts...they arfe quite common, however, they are one of the better made common banjo ukes....frets merts - Friday, December 8, 2000

Question asked by: Don Williams Subject: :Finish Question: They asked the following question: Hey Chuck, Is there a good product to use on my Gibson Uke. Something to protect the shine without changing the tone. It is in good shape and I would like to keep it that way. Answer: Gibson makes a finish restorer...it is pretty good. I prefer a little very very very light weight carnuba wax..very very very light pressures and wipe clean. I am not a fan of soap and water, which might esplain why I live in the trailer in the back of the yard. I would also go to a good violin shop and ask for a good oil and ( usually linseed oil) based cleaner. I find them to be terrific. However, the best way to keep a good finish in the uke is to play it. The natural oils from the human body seem to be the thing that works best. If you ever see one of the older hawaiian ukuleles that has been played to death, the finish is always lovely. Human touch...Please stay indoors when you are rubbing the uke all over your body, otherwise they will take you away...If the uke gets dirty and you want to just spruce it up ( or mahogany it up, depending on the wood)..just use the gibson restorer and not too much....good uke...good luck..good playing...chuck - Thursday, November 30, 2000

Question asked by: blues boy roy Subject: lindell ukes Question: . They asked the following question: Chuck,I recently bought a Lindell Uke and then saw your reply about their value . I was pleased by my good fortune at finding one , and the one I found is in excellent condition. It has a nice bright tone and is fun to play . My question is about it's similarity to a Harmony Roy Smeck Uke I play .They both have a plastic fretboard , identical headstock shape , same bridge and similar tuning machines . The body is slightly different in shape and the Harmony is made of all mahogany . I don't know what kind of woods the Lindell is made of but it is not Mahogany and the top ( soundboard ) looks to be cut thinner than the Harmony . I've seen alot of these Harmony Ukes and they are fairly cheap to buy , about $30.00 . Did Harmony copy the Lindell to mass produce ? I like the sound of the Lidell Uke better and it is made better. The sunburst finish and logo are sharp . Do you think Roy Smeck played a Lindell and convinced harmony to copy it with his endorsement . I'm real curious and a big Roy Smeck fan (over 300 lbs.) Thanks Roy Answer: This will come as a sursprise to you..Most of Roy Smecks fans were over 300 lbs...thats whey his concerts were so small...Congrats on you lindell uke...I think , after seeing now a few of them, that lindell was made by regal. I'm pretty safe in saying that...most ukes of that time were made by Regal. Roy had an ironclad contract with harmony and endoersed their line especially in the vita style. I don't think he has anything to do with the manufacturing or infuenced it in any way...enjoy your lindell...chuck - Thursday, November 30, 2000

Question asked by: lou miller Subject: fifty dollar ukes Question: I´ve seen a 50 $ ukulele at a local music store. I don´t know what it is, but I want to check it out. What do I need to know ? Are all ukuleles nylonstringed ? Are there steel string versions ? Answer: You need to know if you like the sound. No all ukuleles are not nylon stringed, however they should be. There are steel string versions and I think they sound horrible. Its not the cost of the uke that determines its worth..It is the sound that it makes. I play a uke that I paid a dollar for at a flea market. It sounds horrible...But it is like swinging a real heavy bat before you go up to the plate...when I put the dollar uke down and pick up the 2 dollar uke...I sound like Lyle Ritz...Yeh sure..You can learn on anything that will stay in tune. good luck....frets - Saturday, November 11, 2000

Question asked by: CHUCK FAYNE Subject: GREAT MAKER Question: I have asked in the past that you out ther in uke yak ville send in names of makers you like. Have gotten some response but this time I have one of my own to pass on. Answer: blackbear@nwinfo.net (Duane Heilman)..For those of you who roam E Bay you have seen his work. The Halloween Uke, the Picasso Uke...and some very beautiful classy ukes. I was taken by a Uke he made a couple of years back and wrote Duane and asked him to make me a resonator, Koa bodied Uke. I have it now and it is wonderful. Duane does not have a catalog, because he does not make the same uke over and over again. He does however, take special orders. He will send you pics of past ukes he has made. For those of you who are looking for fine workmanship and great sound...give him a try. I get nothing from this but the satisfaction of passing along quality information...I will do one of these every month. This is a personal opinion and not necessarily the opinion of Flea- mkt-music. chuck fayne - Saturday, November 11, 2000

Question asked by: Dave"Ukematic"Hegstrom Subject: gummy pickup Question: Dave bought a pickup called the Shadow. "It works well but the sticky gum crap to attach it with sucks." so says dave..."the gum junk is messy and also prevents the pickup from getting it's best sound. because of the sound muting of the gum. My question...do you have any suggestions regarding this topic. The Uke is great but the gum crap that holds the pickup on keeps falling off. It kinda bugs me after a while. Answer: Dave..Dave....It seems to me a simple solution could be to chew the gum and then take it and the pickup and stick it to the bottom of a chair. Has it occured to you yet that this is not a great piece of equipment? One call to John Zhender ( the h is silent)..tell him you are a friend of mine,( although we have never met)..I feel close to a guy in your sticky mess....and ask him about a saddle pickup. He will tell you how you can install one in your Ukulele. No gum, no sticky crap, no glue, great sound..happy Dave....by the way....is Ukematic your given name? Frets is mine....see ya - Saturday, November 11, 2000

Question asked by: CHUCK FAYNE Subject: why some don't get answered on uke yak instantly Question: no queston..see below Answer: Some questions don't get answered right away, because sometimes I get lazy and sometimes I just need a little more information. When that happens, I will write you directly and ask you to answer me on my private e mail. Then, when I have what I need, I will answer it. I need your help on this one...I have two necks...perhaps I should explain...I have a martin neck and a Gibson neck that need bodies. If anyone out there has a body they would like to sell....give a hollar. Thanks again to all of you who write in...It never ceases to amaze me what people ask. I love each and every letter....some make me laugh, some make me think, but all make me feel good. Its great to know that so many people read this colum and write in again and again. Thanks to you all and keep it up...chuck - Thursday, November 9, 2000

Question asked by: John Subject: getting started Question: John wants to know if he should buy a cheap uke to learn with or save enough money to buy a better uke in a year or so. John is a college student... Answer: Don't wait. You don't need an expensive uke to learn to play. Buy one you can afford and get Jim Beloff's beginning books and start learning now. The sooner the better. You can find the books on this site in the products dept. You will know when its time to step up...and who knows, you might fall in love with the uke you get and play it forever. good luck and get going...the times they are a wastin.....Leonard Cohen and frets fayne... - Thursday, November 9, 2000

Question asked by: Jan Dille Subject: uke plans Question: Where do I get the plans to make a uke and can I cut it out with a Rotozip....?? Answer: If I were going to make a uke, and I am not...I would get a clunker and take it apart and see how the thing is made. You say they have a uke school in Hawaii but it is 400 bucks and they don't pay for airfare or lodging. You can buy a hell of a uke for what that is going to cost. As far as cutting it out with a Rotozip...in order to answer that question I would first have to know what a Rotozip is. I am of the Jewish School of Manufacturing. I call a friend of another faith who owns tools. helpless, hopeless but not friendless..frets - Thursday, November 9, 2000

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