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

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page

Question asked by: Marc Stein Subject: Martin style 4 uke Question: Mike wants to know about his Martin Uke. Answer: Mike, I really need some kind of pic or detailed descriptiion to be able to answer your question..However untill that gets here, I can tell you one thing, You do not have a Martin style 4 uke. They did not ever make a style four..I have no idea why, but they skiped that number. The only Uke I have ever seen that was referred to as a style 4, was a uke I owned. It had a style 3 fingerboard and a style 2 body with abalone. I believe that an employee made it. please write again with more information...frets - Friday, August 11, 2000

Question asked by: Mike Adams Subject: refinishing.. Question: Will it devalue a uke to refinish the back? Answer: I understand that the blemish on the back of your martin 0 uke is from a piece of tape...It is always preferable to try to remove the stain with rubbing compound( very light grade) and see if you can remove it that way..The answer to your question is YES..It will devalue the uke to refinish the back..Purist are nuts...the word original adds value to the uke..Don't refinish unless you really have to...thanks for writing...chuck fayne - Friday, August 11, 2000

Question asked by: paul culkin Subject: long scale keech Question: Paul wants to know about a long scale keech uke...when they were made and how rare are they. Answer: Paul, lets take the last part of the question first...I have never heard of a long scale keech except once from my dermatoligist. It took about six weeks to get rid of it. sorry, I lost my mind. I have never heard of a long scale keech..I would appreciate it if you would send me a pic on my private emai..cfayne@alphalink.com.au. I have no idea what colors and styles were available. I have seen quite a few different banjo ukes, but if yours is a ukulele, i have never seen one. Write again with a little more detail..thanks ..frets - Friday, August 11, 2000

Question asked by: adam davis Subject: washburn uke Question: adam got a washburn uke and wants to know about it. Answer: As you already know by the stamping in the uke...it was made by lyon and healy in the l930's. It is a fine instrument by a fine maker...The one you have is the bottom of the line, but don't let that worry you...It would be the top of the line for almost every other maker of the time. It is a very good player...You say it has a hairline crack on the back...Leave it alone unless it begins to widen..My advise..Play it,. It will thank you a million times over....thanks ..chuck fayne - Thursday, August 3, 2000

Question asked by: howard finkel Subject: what to buy Question: What should I buy... Answer: Of the ones you listed: kamaka, koaloaha, maue...my suggestion would be Ukuleles by Kawika ( david hurd)...if not him...then Kamaka...they still make the best around for the money....If 80 years of great instruments means a good reputation...then Kamaka has it. ...worth the wait...thanks for the question and remember..stay in touch for all the stuff thats fit to print...frets - Thursday, August 3, 2000

Question asked by: DEENA Subject: P'mico Question: what is it?...did I pay too much? Answer: 120.00 is not too much for this uke..the trim up the fingerboard and the trim around the uke makes it more than the common uke. The rope binding is nice too...only done on the better ukes..P'mico stands for the Philadelphia music company...They were not the makers. Regal was the maker and P'mico was the distributor. I think you did very well. Now you must play it. drop everything and play...you say your 43....well i guess you got a few good strummin years left...."from the home where old uke players go" its frets... - Thursday, August 3, 2000

Question asked by: CHUCK'FRETS'FAYNE Subject: OFF LINE FOR A COUPLE DAYS Question: DUE TO THE COMPUTER GREMILINS, I WILL BE OF LINE FOR A FEW DAYS WHILE THEY TRY TO SCARE THE DEMONS OUT OF THIS BOX THAT DOMINATES MY LIFE...PLEASE DON'T STOP WRITING AND ASKING...I WILL BE BACK AS SOON AS THEY FIND OUT WHATS GOING ON...THANKS FRETS Answer: STAY TUNED FOR FURTHER INFO..... - Thursday, August 3, 2000

Question asked by: jay greer Subject: cutaway tenor Question: where can I find a cutaway tenor uke. Answer: Ok..Take your tenor uke and a hack saw...couldn't you just see that commin"? Contact Duane Heilman at Black Bear Guitars...tell him I told you to write and he will make one for you...I say that without knowing if it is true or not, but I would push him...He is a great Luthier..I own a couple of his pieces and wouldn't part with them. Quality all the way...You are gong to have to have one made, because there are very few vintage cutaway ukes. If this doesn't work for you, write me again and I will have more for you. frets - Friday, July 28, 2000

Question asked by: Linda Sams Subject: arthur Godfrey in a box Question: Linda found A Maccaferri islander uke in the original box. The Arthur Godfrey model...Its a cool find. The fact that it is in the original box is good. There are nuts who collect boxes. The man who designed and made these ukes was a master luthier who made some of the most important instruments, however, it was to be his plastic ukes that made him his fortune. So to answer " Mrs Robinsons's famous question...PLASTICS??the answer is yes...I wouldn't look to this instrument if I were going to give a uke concert, but as a piece of history and a great lookin wall hanger..it has value...about 200 with the box. I hope you did well...chuck Answer: see above....the lazy uke yak prof... - Friday, July 28, 2000

Question asked by: remco houtman Subject: terada & co Question: Am I familiar with a Terada Uke? Answer: Remco...thats what so wonderful about ukes..You never hear of the discovery of a car that nobody has ever heard of...But the Uke....that happens every day. I have never heard of the terada & co. Uke. I hope someone out there knows. You say it looks like a Martin O..I would be most interested in seeing a pic of this uke..Please send me one...The uke also says made in l912...That is quite early for a labeled uke. I think you only have part of the label...It is suppose to say TE-RA- DE-BOOM-TE-AYE.....UKE COMPANY...NOW THAT MAKES PERFECT SENSE....ANYONE KNOW WHAT THIS IS..PLEASE WRITE US...I WON'T SLEEP A WINK TILL I FIND OUT...CHUCK FRETS, TOSSES AND TURNS...FAYNE - Monday, July 24, 2000

Question asked by: dave talsma Subject: how did I become so fabulous Question: what is my background and how did I learn so much about the ukulele? Answer: Dave, you say you are surprised to find out I live in australia. Perhaps it wouldn't be so much of a surprise if you knew my clothes are here. I thought for years I lived in austria....Now I realize why people looked at me so strangly when I yoddled and wore leiderhosen...Who knew...I just thought I was on the cutting edge of fashion. I learned about the Ukulele as I went along. I got my first uke when I was seven and my first set of strings when I was 41..So I had alot of frustrating years trying to figure out how to blow a note. My interest in the Ukulele came because of my background. I am a graduate ethnomusicologist. A long word for out "out of work" But the education came in handy when I decided to enter the world of Musical Instruments...I am a wizz for 15 seconds on all instruments. Its that 16th second that gives it all away...I was a composition major early on in my career but when I found out that people buy music that is pleasing to the ear, I immediatedly looked for another profession..the Ukulele was the natural transition. I began to collect and study them...Which brings me to today....I now do what I love..I talk about Ukuleles with wonderful people who want to know more than just how to tune them..I have met the best people in the world thru this little hunk of wood, metal and string....I have never met a uke player I didn't like. I know it sounds like something someone else said, but he copied me....Will copied almost everything I ever said. I hope I have answered your question...which would be amazing..I don't even remember your question...Nice to hear from you again Dave...Keep them cards and letters commin....Remember, anyone can learn to play a guitar, but it takes a real nut to want to wander the earth with a uke under their arm...pass the word along...Uke can save the world..just play it...chuck - Monday, July 24, 2000

Question asked by: mary Lou Subject: Dandyline banjo uke Question: What is it.?? Answer: It was made by Harmony company in the 1940's--1950's...Value 100 bucks.The partial label on the back once said "Standard Uke" This was a little label used primarily by the Harmony company. I have seen others, so yours is not the only one. ( now theres a brilliant remark)...hope i've helped and thanks for using uke yak...the place you go for the real ukepoop....chuck - Friday, July 14, 2000

Question asked by: mike wells Subject: kk keiki kamaka Question: what is it...KEIKI KAMAKA Answer: It is a Kamaka made in the 60's that was either assembled in part of made in Japan. It is not made of Koa...I have never been able to tell for sure what the wood is, however I think it is Mahogany. Not an expensive Mahogany. I have also found them to be pretty good players and different from the standard kamaka. They are quite rare...I haven't seen alot of them. Check the label and see if it makes reference to Japan...some did and some didn't..For further information, you might write the Kamaka factory...they are still up and working in Honolulu...Let us know if you find out anything else...enjoy your Kamakasan...fayne - Friday, July 14, 2000

Question asked by: RICHARD JAMES Subject: nahenahe uke Question: should i buy a nathenahe uke??? Answer: Richard. I only know the uke by reputation, but the reputation is good. I have no idea what it is worth...what are they asking.???if you get it, would you please report to us what you find. thanks...chuck - Friday, July 14, 2000

Question asked by: CHUCK FRETS FAYNE Subject: LOOKING FOR BODIES Question: DOES ANYONE HAVE A GIBSON BODY? DOES ANYONE HAVE A MARTIN BODY? I NEED ONE OF EACH IN A SOPRANO SIZE..IF YOU HAVE ONE OR KNOW OF ONE PLEASE E MAIL ME. I HAVE THE NECKS....THANKS EVERYONE... Answer: FRETS...FAYNE......PLEASE SEND US YOUR NEW UKELELE FINDINGS..NO MATTER WHAT THEY ARE...WE ARE ALWAYS INTERESTED IN NEW INFORMATION..THIS IS NOT ONLY A QUESTION SITE..BUT AN ANSWER SITE...SEND US YOUR ANSWERS FIRST AND I WILL THEN SUPPLY THE QUESTIONS...SORT OF JEPRODY FOR UKES...THANKS AND KEEP EM COMMIN' FRETS FAYNE - Friday, July 14, 2000

Question asked by: Ron Curry Subject: I need strings Question: Ron has his ukes set up for a low g string. I personally find this uncomfortable, however I am not a uke. Ron you can get strings by writing Kamaka in Hawaii and they will mail you want you want. For the low g string..use a guitar d..it works pretty well...Be careful...with a low g string you might trip.....hints from heloise...frets Answer: I guess i answered this in the square above....too lazy to move it. - Friday, July 14, 2000

Question asked by: chris Subject: Favilla???? Question: What can I tell chris about favilla? Answer: Mahogany, with decal on headstock and trim around sound hole. I can tell you that is the most reasonable model Favilla made and probably the best. Made in the l940's to compete with Martin, and they did a pretty good job. Lots of them around, which means they were pretty well made. Favilla made instruments into the 60's..They made everything from Guitars to special order instruments. No longer in business, but their instruments stand the test of time. Play it..it should be a good player...chuck - Friday, July 14, 2000

Question asked by: don falvo Subject: look for mr. goodbaritone Question: Don needs a baritone that won't cost him his house. Answer: There are many that pop up on the ebay. Since the baritone is the lest popular of the sizes, you should be able to find one that fits your needs and pocketbook. Be careful, most baritones are made like little guitars. Too heavy...ask lots of questions. Play it first if possible. Put a want add on the marketplace here on the flea-market-site...never know what you will get. keep strummin" frets - Friday, July 14, 2000

Question asked by: earl hoellig Subject: new martin ukes Question: New Martin Ukes...what do I know? Answer: 3000 is a big pricey for a new tenor martin...as a matter of fact outrageous...I would shop for a vintage tenor and pay a whole lot less and have a much better instrument. I hear, and I don't know first hand, that the new Martin's are not the quality of the vintage ones. My understanding is that they are being made or assembled in Mexico. That is not to say that they are not well made. I will reserve my opinion on that for when I play one. I am a purist. I go for the older pieces. There are , of course, exceptions to that rule. David Hurd at Kawika in Hawaii makes a wonderful instrument as does Harry Eibert in New York. These are both classy makers in the old sense of the word...also take a look at the works of Duane Heilman on Black Bear guitars....I have a couple of his instruments and they are terrific...I have a feeling that Martin is trying to capitalize on a market...a little to late...if anyone out there has a new martin, please write in and let us know how it is...thanks chuck - Friday, July 14, 2000

Question asked by: Dave Wasser Subject: Vinci Uke Question: What is it and did Arthur Godfrey play one? Answer: Don't know much about a Vinci Uke..as matter of fact I know less than that. Nothing. I do know that Arthur Godfrey played a Vega Baritone. Both the solo lute size and the standard Baritone. He endorsed the company and used their ukes. If you find out what a vinci uke is..call the louvre..they will hang it next to the mona lisa...She had great chops from what I have heard....why do you think she is smiling?....chuck - Friday, July 7, 2000

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page