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

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page

Question asked by: Wm. Subject: Beltone Mahogany Teardrop Soprano Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck...I thought I'd run this Beltone teardrop past you and your followers one more time. Someone once said that it may have been made in Japan, but I have not been able to find any info verifying this... I had only found guitars with a different style of logo. If anyone has any info about this uke...it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Chuck for all the help through the years!! Great show. Wm. Photos:                          Answer: Wm. Pretty sure it is not Japanese. Mainland made 1950's...Will put it out again and see what happens.,,.c - Saturday, June 26, 2010

Question asked by: Edward Mayo Subject: South Coast Ukulele Co Question: Not a question but just a comment regarding your endorsement of the instruments sold by South Coast Music. I purchased a cocobolo/spruce concert from them that was a prototype and that had been repaired after damage in shipment and it is phenomenal! I have over 35 from some of the best production companies and luthiers and this concert tops them all. Thanks for the reference. Answer: Thanks so much for the report. I'm sure Dirk and the gang at Southcoast will be pleased. thanks for writing in....chuck - Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Question asked by: Allen Hopkins Subject: 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

Question asked by: Brien Subject: Martin uke Question: I can't seem to find a martin ukulele anywhere locally. I've looked on the internet; ebay, guitar center, ect.. and they are all VERY expensive and overpriced. Where can i find a cheap one? Answer: go to our marketplace and look around. I'm not sure what you mean by overpriced and expensive. If they are all around the same price, perhaps that is what the market is today. Thanks for writing in...chuck - Monday, June 21, 2010

Question asked by: Eric Blumer Subject: 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

Question asked by: Rob Miller Subject: Other Question: OTHER Answer: Thats a hard question to answer... - Saturday, June 19, 2010

Question asked by: Gentry Allen Subject: ukulele Question: Hi, I have a Wendell Hall Master Ukulele. Made by Remo in CHicago. I was wanting more info on this instrument and a possible estimate of value. Im looking to sell it. THANKS! Photos:          Answer: in that condition about 200 to a collector...chuck - Saturday, June 19, 2010

Question asked by: Robert Pruitt Subject: Kumalae Uke question Question: This Kumalae soprano Ukulele was purchased in Hawaii during WWI and had ivory pegs originally. I know the head is a Style E but I wonder if you have a guess about the date the Uke was made and the model number? Do you believe it's made of Koa? What do you think the Uke is worth on the market at this time? Thanks - Rob Photos:                      Answer: It never had ivory pegs, it had white plastic pegs. It is a stsyle 5 and a nice one. It is definitly Koa and the value is about 750+..Nice to see one again...thanks for writing. in...chuck - Friday, June 18, 2010

Question asked by: Steve Pepper Subject: Shrine Uke Question: Hi Chuck here's a couple of pictures of the Shrine uke it has a repaired crack (visible) on the front soundboard, missing 1 original pegs but otherwise not in bad condition. It also has a case. the vendor wants £700 which may be too much but thinking of making an offer on it. Comments appreciated. Thanks Steve Photos:          Answer: Steve..that is about 1500 dollars USD and I think its high. Its got the original case which helps, but still....500 pounds would be nearer. good luck...good uke....You have to decide if you will get a better chance at a better uke. If not..Its your call......hope I helped, I think I confused myself. chuck - Thursday, June 10, 2010

Question asked by: Wm. Subject: Gibson TU-1 Question: Hi Chuck...Any ideas as to the year this one was made? The previous owner thought it was early 60's, but that was admittedly just a wild a$$ guess on their part. Thanks in advance! Love your show. Wm. Photos:                          Answer: Dear Wm...I agree, the deco script was used in the 60 but who knows how early. good uke, good luck...when I want to disquise the word ass I use the more obscure Touchas.....c - Thursday, June 10, 2010

Question asked by: Erica Subject: 10 stringed Ukulele? Question: Hello, I have recently been given this instrument. I was guessing that it may be a 10 stringed uke, yes? It seems to have a lot of nice mother of pearl inlay on the fretboard and head stock which you can see in the pictures. I was wondering if you knew anything about this particular brand and the instruments value? Many thanks, Erica Photos:                      Answer: Erica...its a tiple. Its really a four stringed instrument. The tuning is the same as a ukulele except instead of 1 2 3 4 its 2 3 3 2. The exact tuning can be found on- line. I find it difficult to explain. Its not mother of pearl its mother of toilet seat. Its plastic. I have seen the name before but know nothing about it. My guess at value 250+ dollars. good luck.. - Saturday, June 5, 2010

Question asked by: Joseph Hoh Subject: No name uke w colorful inlay Question: Duh, I obviously uploaded the Kay pictures instead of this. Sorry. I believe you may think that this is a Regal production model. What is the insurance value of such a creature? Thanks for your help. The info about the Kay is useful too. Photos:                  Answer: It is a Regal. Value about 250-300 bucks. thanks for writing in. chuck - Thursday, June 3, 2010

Question asked by: David Ginter Subject: The Gibson Uke Question: Trying to figure out what Gibson uke model and what year it is? I think it is a Uke-3 but I am not sure. I have looked everywhere for a serial number and have had no luck finding it on the outside. It is in great conditon. I hope you could help me find out more information on it. If you need more picture I can send more.. Thanks David Photos:                          Answer: David it is a style 3 gibson uke from the l920's...you won't find a serial number because there isn't one. best...chuck - Thursday, June 3, 2010

Question asked by: Steve Pepper Subject: Shrine Uke Question: ChuckI've got the opportunity to purchase the plain version of the Lyon and Healey Shrine uke (the one with the green binding) It is in reasonable condition with case and has one stable repair on the front of the uke.Any idea of what would be a fair price for this rare uke? Steve Answer: 500 dollars without seeing it. If you send a picture of front and back I can come closer. Good uke...chuck Hard shell case??? if so, add another 100 bucks. - Thursday, June 3, 2010

Question asked by: Rob Subject: 1920's or 30's Kamaka Question: Hi Chuck, It looks like my question of few weeks ago never got through but if it did and you've receieved it twice my apologies. I've read your column for a long time now but until now have never had reason to ask my own question. I've recently acquired this old soprano Kamaka and was hoping you could tell me a bit more about as I've only managed to find one other reference to a similar looking uke. From what I know it's a late 20's or early '30's model which is in surprisingly good condition. The headstock logo is worn but you can still clearly see that it says Kamaka Hawaii. There are a couple of tight hairline cracks on the back that are barely noticeable and the tuners look to be non original but are still the wooden violin style pegs. Have you any idea of teh value? Should I upgrade the tuners to more modern friction tuners or would that effect the value? Photos:                          Answer: Rob, it is a Kamaka from the teens or 20's. It needs a good cleaning, other than that it is in decent condition. I wouldn't replace the tuners with modern ones, I would look for another set of push tuners. Perhaps Kamaka can help you you. They are still in business and good folks. Value about 300 bucks. thanks...chuck - Thursday, June 3, 2010

Question asked by: Ron DeLacy Subject: Dandy Line Question: Wondering what strings to put on this. From nut to bridge it's the same distance as a ukulele, but it has 3 more frets (15). Has steel strings now, one of them broken, and it looks to me like the top two are the same thickness and so are the bottom two. I'm thinking uke strings maybe better. Whaddaya think? Photos:          Answer: Its a banjo uke...use ukulele strings. thanks...chuck - Thursday, May 27, 2010

Question asked by: kirk fuhrmeister Subject: baritone uke tuned as a soprano? Question: I have a Kamaka Baritone uke and would like to tune it like a soprano uke. What guage strings should I use? In inches please not mm! Thanks Chuck Answer: I'm not sure what you are asking. I would not tune a baritone uke up to sporano pitch. Buy a set of baritone strings, that is what the uke was made to take. If you mean, tuning it adf#b or Gcea, that is the way it should be tuned but with the proper strings. Thanks for writing in...chuck - Thursday, May 27, 2010

Question asked by: Joseph Hoh Subject: No name uke w colorful inlay Question: Hi Chuck, Found this no name soprano. Reasonably mint condition Has evidence of having been in the tropics--smell and bloom marks. I was wondering if you know it's vintage and it's present value? Many thanks for your help. Joseph Photos:      Answer: Joe, first of all it is not a no name uke, it clearly says Kay. If you smell blooms and see marks, perhaps you should talk to someone about that. It is a 40-50 KAY Soprano ukulele and is worth about 200 dollars to a kay collector. My guess is that uke has little history of being in the tropics...However I have spent a little time in the tropics and now know why I smell like blooms. Thanks for clearing that up...chuck - Sunday, May 16, 2010

Question asked by: Dave Bedell Subject: Martin Style 2 Question: Frets: I bought this nigh-perfect Martin Style 2 on eBay a few years ago. The seller said it was from the "20's or 30"s"; but, when I received it, there was an old receipt for the ukulele in the case. It's in pencil and very faded but it says Martin 2 w/case and the date, I think is 5/31/1928. I wouldn't question that except I've read that the Martin name was stamped on the back of the peg head until 1934 and the Martin decal did not appear until after WWII. It doesn't really matter, I guess, but I was born on May 30, 1928 and it would be fun to know if we're both 82 years old this month! Can you offer any explanation? Thanks. Photos:      Answer: Dave...The Martin decal was not always very reliable. I have seen them used on early ukes and the stamp on later ukes and no markings on others. This uke appears to be the small dot early model which should have a stamp. I cannot hold the ukulele in my hanads which would help alot. Regardless, its an early one but maybe not from the 20's. I know I have been of little help but the best I can do without seeing it in person....chuck - Friday, May 14, 2010

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page