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

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Question asked by: H.C. Subject: moldy uke Question: H's roy smeck uke has mold spots and he plays it, it smells moldy. Which do I like better Kamaka or Kawika. Answer: Well..this is a first. a moldy uke. If it smell moldy when you play it, my suggestion would be not to play it. Perhaps it is one of those roy smeck cheese ukes. All kidding aside, and you have no idea how difficult that is, I have no idea what to do about a moldy uke. The first idea would to get some of the mold remover they sell for showers. I think a small amount used in the uke should fix the problem..I would not like to make a choice between kamaka and kawika...too hard...you can't go wrong with either....thanks for the question...charles stilton frets fayne...head cheese - Thursday, August 24, 2000

Question asked by: Kai Hawkes Subject: The duke Question: Kai has a l920's Duke Kahanamoku Uke and a Lyon and Healy camp uke. Answer: 70 bucks for the round Lyon and Healy was a good deal even though I don't know which model..They made about a dozen different ones. The Duke Uke ...you say was made in the l920's. I doubt it..I think much later. l940's...If it is from the l920's you have a very valuable uke. I am not sure of the value of the uke. They were tourist ukeS..not very good quality..but everyone who visited the islands in the 40's brought one back. He was a real folk hero. Still is. His ukes usually bring about 200 bucks on Ebay but then so do Jumper Cables...so there you go thanks..duke fayne - Wednesday, August 16, 2000

Question asked by: ray ching Subject: chang... Question: What do I know about Sam F Chang..Ukulele maker? Answer: He made ukes in the 1930's..A little too heavy for my liking but he made a decent uke. He made many styles including an abolone trimmed concert. He was a neighbor of a maker named An Tao Kam. They shared information, because there are many similarities. That's what I know. I have a chang and rarely play it. It is not one of my favorite players. Roy Campanella was my favorite player. keep catchin. frets fayne - Wednesday, August 16, 2000

Question asked by: Wayne Creekmore Subject: How long is your uke? Question: Wayne wants uke dimensions. Answer: They varry from uke to uke. Here is a rough guide. Tonto....only kidding. soprano 18-21 inches long. concert 23, tenor 25, baritone 29 and up. As I said, they vary from instrument to instrument. This should help...frets - Wednesday, August 16, 2000

Question asked by: Vernon Miller Subject: Sounds and Sights Question: Vern is shopping for a uke and wants to know what to look for and what to listen for. Answer: Boy Vern...hardest question to date. Its such an individual thing that I'm not sure how to tackle this question. I know what you want but I don't know how to give it. As for look ,you want a substantialy made uke that is crack free, with a straight neck. As for the sound, if I were you, I would stick with the instruments that are known for their sound. Kamaka, Martin, Gibson, the modern makers....David Hurd, Harry Eibert, Black Mountain Music..etc...That way, until your ear developes, you know that you don't have a bad sounding uke. If you need help finding any of these people, please write me. I know what would satisfy your needs with no trouble at all. Order one of Jim Beloff's flukes...You can order it on this site. Go to "on line store' and shop...the fluke may be the best uke price wise and sound wise for a beginner as well as a seasoned pro. Hope all this helped. chuck - Wednesday, August 16, 2000

Question asked by: Todd Novak Subject: Martin Question: Todd's Martin has a maple nut and saddle. So does my horse. What is it? Answer: It is one of the earlier Martins. They had a light colored wood for the nut and saddle. I'm not sure its maple, but it could be. The uke should also have a wider headstock than the regular ones. No decal on the headstock and a stamping on the back. good playing to you...frets - Wednesday, August 16, 2000

Question asked by: Todd Novak Subject: Kamaka gold Label. Question: Todd wants to know the age of a pineapple Kamaka with a Gold Label. Answer: One of these days I am going to write a colum on the Kamaka labels. It is a very confusing system..The Gold Labels are older but how much older no one knows including Kamaka. They were used in the 50's ands 60's. The white ones were used in the 60's also..so there is an overlap that doesn't make sense. They used whatever was on the bench. I have said this before .... the only ones you can tell for sure are the l928 white and blue labels. Those are the earliest. The next are the blue ones with the pineapple on them.....about l940...Hope this answers your question..thanks cf - Wednesday, August 16, 2000

Question asked by: Tim Ficklin Subject: Chord Master Question: Are they still available...?? Answer: For those of you who are not familiar with the islander uke chord master. Its a little plastic dodad that attaches to the neck of a uke. When the buttons are pressed , they push down the strings and make a chord. For people who cannot make chords, its the only other alternative except having someone make chords for you. That also becomes expensive if you travel with your uke...that extra ticket and all..I used to find them all the time at flea markets. You have to remember, to the average guy on the street, they are pretty much useless. Look around , you will find one. Thanks for the question...chuck - Tuesday, August 15, 2000

Question asked by: Terry Lindoefer Subject: a whole bunch of questions Question: Whats the little tiki guy on some Kamakas? Terry would like to buy a Kamaka Concert uke. Can he buy safely by mail order? Should he play it first? Answer: The little tiki guy on some Kamakas is a little tiki guy on some Kamakas. I have no idea why some have them and some don't. They didn't cost any more when they did that. I don't believe they ever do it any more. It was a 60's thing. I understand you also have a fluke. Yes you can safely purchase a concert uke from Kamaka by mail..You can rely on their quality...Yes, you should play it first, but if you are going to do that, why don't you just bring it back instead of mail order. Just trying to be helpful. Kamaka is a wonderful choice. You can't go wrong. chuck - Tuesday, August 15, 2000

Question asked by: susan wilson Subject: kamaka and K*Aloha ukes Question: Tell me about them... Answer: I know the K'Aloha only by reputation. I hear they are good. I know little else. If there is someone out there who ownes one, please send in your opinion. Its better than mine. About Kamaka..How much do you have to spend? You can spend as much as you want. They start about the 300 dollar range and go up to the clouds...the l928 Abalone trimmed Kamaka can sell for 5000..My advise would be to write the Kamaka company and ask them to send you a catalog...Its about a 6 month wait( not the catalog) from what I understand, unless you are lucky enough to find one in a store or on some bidding site. good hunting. chuck fayne - Tuesday, August 15, 2000

Question asked by: sue wasser Subject: keech and other 5 letter words Question: Did the Alvin and Melvin Keech invent the banjo uke? Answer: Sue..Its Alvin and Kelvin...not Melvin...He hated being called Melvin..They lived in Hawaii and they were responsible for the invention of the banjo uke. In those days, they called it a banjolele...They made some mighty fine ukes.....thanks for the question...chuck - Tuesday, August 15, 2000

Question asked by: rick beauregard Subject: National Triolian Question: rick has a great playing 1929 triolian. The finish is gone. What is it worth? Answer: In good shape the uke would be about 1500+ range..without the finish 1000...its still a national after all....as you say, its not for sale...I agree, it shouldn't be. They are too tough to come by. play it...chuck - Tuesday, August 15, 2000

Question asked by: pat willey Subject: Holy Ludwig Question: My ludwig has holes, the plating is wearing on the arm rest, a screw in one of the tuners has been replaced with a hardware store screw, ....does that sound like 1000-1500. Where can I get a case and the tool to tighten the head. Answer: AHHHHHH where to begin..No it does not sound like 1000-1500..for that price it should be in very good to very fine condition and have a case and tool. Are you trying to buy or sell. Either way, it is too expensive. They are quite common...wait..another ludwig comes by every hour...or perhaps a bus...frets... - Tuesday, August 15, 2000

Question asked by: Brand Slim Cedrone Subject: Washburn Question: Lyon and Healy is one of America's oldest instrument manufacturers. They made almost all the instruments you can imagine..The Washburn and Lyon and Healy name overlap, however the earlier Washburn had their heyday in the l920's. You wanted to know if Lyon and Healys made after l928 were called SS Stewart. SS Stewart was a separate company and had nothing to do with Lyon and Healy. I'm curious where the question came from Write and let me know...fret wire fayne Answer: I did it again..sorry...BUT LET ME TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU ONE AND ALL AGAIN FOR WRITING IN TO UKE YAK..IT HELPS KEEP THE UKE WORLD ALIVE. PLEASE WRITE WITH YOUR WANTS, DESIRES, QUESTIONS AND DONATIONS. LIST YOUR UKES ON THE MARKETPLACE...ITS NICE TO BE BACK..ITS HELL WHEN THE COMPUTER GOES INTO THE SHOP FOR REPAIR...SEE YA....CHUCK FAYNE - Friday, August 11, 2000

Question asked by: Bruce Maxwell Subject: Kustom Kamaka Question: Bruce has a 6 string concert Kamaka with a spruce top, mahogany sides and back..black binding on the top and a Gold Label. He wants to know if this was custom ordered. Answer: Yes it was a custom piece. And you are lucky to have it. Of all the Kamakas made that particular model is my favorite. Even more so because it is a custom order. Bruce sent me a picture and it is a beautiful ukulele...play it often. keep in touch..send me a pastrami sandwich...missing Fairfax Blvd...chuck - Friday, August 11, 2000

Question asked by: dick white Subject: Gee dad it's a Wurlitzer Question: Dick has a Martin Uke with Wurlitzer pressed into the wood on the back of the headstock..Wants to know about it. Answer: Well Dick..You have a dandy..For a brief time in the 30's..Martin made instruments for the Wurlitzer company..Ukes were only one of these. I don't know which model you have, but it doesn't make much difference except for giving you a value. Please write me again with a full description...size, wood, trim, condition ...etc...Whatever model it is, it is a very collectable insturment. If you want to mail it to me as a present, please don't wait..as a matter of fact...I wont wait either. thanks for the question...chuck frets fayne - Friday, August 11, 2000

Question asked by: Dick Wilson Subject: 1000 dollar Kamaka Question: Dick has an opportunity to buy an 40 year old Kamaka 6 string and wants to know if 1000 is the right price. Answer: Dick...the answer to your question is its a little steep, but then they are worth it. I don't know if it is a 6 string tenor or concert. It doesn't affect the price much..it just would be interesting. Since it comes with a case, I would say..if you want one get it...Who knows when another will sail by..I personally like the Kamaka 6 string concert better than the Tenor..I like 8 strings on a Tenor. A very full sound. A six string tenor just is not as big a sound. Go for it. Kamaka's quality continues to amaze me. from the land down under. fretsaroo... - Friday, August 11, 2000

Question asked by: HARRY Subject: THE GUTS OF IT ALL Question: Harry has a uke that has a gut C string. He wants to know if there is a special reason for it. Answer: My guess is that the former owner had a gut C string when the original one broke. I have no idea if this was intentional or not. I will try it see what it does to the sound. You probably did not know that I am the man who can see sound. I think I should have written, "hear" what it does to the sound. I just did it and I cannot tell the difference. I prefer old gut strings when I can find them...Especially on Hawaiian ukuleles. I think they were intended to be played with gut strings..Its a softer sweeter sound. But when there is only one among regular strings...its not enough to affect the sound. It took guts to write me and I thank you...fruts.... - Friday, August 11, 2000

Question asked by: Howard Finkle Subject: tone king and ss martin Question: Howard...nice to hear from you again.. Howard has an ss stewart uke made of mahogany with a blue label. White black white binding on top. Howard, this does not sound like a uke made by martin for ss stewart. Very few ukes were madefor s s stewart. Martin made more tiples than anything else. If it were made by martin, it would look exactly like a martin..They made for Weyman, Wurlitzer, and many others. The thing they all have in common is for the most part they look exactly like a martin..The only exception is the Ditson Dreadnaught....It looks like a little d45 shape. Have I ever heard of a tone king banjo-uke. Yes..Do I know who made it..No...There were so many banjo ukes around in the 30-50's its anyones guess who the makers were. I wish I could help you more..thanks for writing...chuck Answer: I DID IT AGAIN..I ANSWERED IN THE QUESTION BOX. I WISH I KNEW HOW TO MOVE IT DOWN HERE...BUT LAZY RULES...LOOK UP - Friday, August 11, 2000

Question asked by: Jay Greer Subject: ray canfield Question: Who made the ray canfield uke? Where can Jay find one? Answer: Jay...you describe the ray canfield uke as spruce top maple back and sides. This is a new wrinkle for me. I have only seen one ray canfield uke...It was made by the schierson music company in the 40's..the same company that made hollywood ukes. It has mahogany top and sides and some other kind of wood for the back..don't know what it is..The fingerboard is green mother of toilet seat with (get this) real abalone inlays. The top of the headstock has pressed into the MOT... Ray Canfield. I have never seen the one you are talking about. I would have no idea where to get one. Ukes are like...Pimples..you find one when you least expect it. There is a slight difference, you never break out with a uke on your face...If ray sold them in the 50's you can bet there is still one around and if you are lucky you will run into it. good huntin'..fretezla - Friday, August 11, 2000

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