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

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page

Question asked by: Pete Subject: His grandmother's Stella Question: Whatzit? Answer: Your lucky..your grandmother gave you her Uke...My grandmother sold me hers. We were a very close family. She sold it to me at cost. Stella was the Harmony Company. Their best instrument was the Leadbelly Guitar. They also, from time to time made a decent uke. The Vita Uke- pear shaped with seal shaped sound holes- Johnny Marvin uke and a few others. I need a little more information to tell you about yours. The original owner of the name Stella was the Oscar Schmidt company..know best for their wonderful gold leaf decals on autoharps. Quite a claim to fame. I have seen a couple of stella Baritone ukes and it matters when it was made. If you want to send me a pic of the logo on the headstock or the label or a nice picture of your grandmother, I will do my best. till we meat again....Porterhouse chuck - Wednesday, June 28, 2000

Question asked by: walter Subject: la pacific and does size count. Question: wants to know about La Pacific. Answer: Wakter,,,Size does not count. It doesnt count when it comes to ukes either. You have a tenor. Sort of, however, it will be tuned as a tenor. If it can take it-go slowly- you can tune it like a soprano with a low 4th string. If not, one octave lower....ADF#b...GCEA...and the alternative tuning..last four strings on a guitar. I have a couple of tenors that I have to adjust, because I don't like the low tuning and I am afraid that the high tuning will pop the bridge. By the way, you might want to play "pop the bridge at your next outdoor party." Its like the pinata..excepct you hang a guy and everyone tries to knock out his false teeth...Pretty early in the morning for that...Anyway back to the serious question about your uke. It is a cheapie, however that never means anything when it comes to the tone. Tune it up carefully and be careful not to get the strings too tight, You should be able to press the strings down at the last fret and have them touch the fret wire easily..thanks for the quesions, I hope in all of this I have answered at least one of them...chuck - Wednesday, June 28, 2000

Question asked by: brand "slim" cedrone Subject: tenor sized banjo uke Question: Slim wants to know where to find a banjo uke the same size as a tenor guitar. Answer: Most banjo ukes were the same size...small....There were however, a few that were bigger. Gibson, in the models...ub2, 3, 4, 5. Epiphone, Ludwig Wendell Hall...The Wendell Hall may be your best. A real pro's instrument. The pop up all the time..watch the ebay and put an ad in the marketplace on Flea-Mkt- Music....in the wanted section. Let me know if you get anything...chuck - Thursday, June 22, 2000

Question asked by: David Subject: gibson ukes Question: Martin Vs. gibson... are they as good? Answer: Some are, some are not. I have had gibsons that have a very quiet sound. Mostly the soprano's. The larger ukes compare with the martins. The soprano's do not. All instruments vary as you know, but the Martin seems to be the most consistent. I have two Gibson tenors..a style 3 tenor and a sunburst tenor from the 20's..They will have to pry them from my arthritic crampy hand...which, if you did not know, is my real name. Frets is only a nickname. Where martin ukes are as good as martin guitars, the Gibson ukes are not the same. Unlike the Martin ukes, the high grade gibsons seem to be the best. You ask..."How good are Gibson Ukes?" the answer is very good. see ya...cramps fayne... - Wednesday, June 21, 2000

Question asked by: blues boy roy Subject: fender uke Question: roy has a uke made in the philippines that is shaped like a fender. Answer: Small world, I have a fender made in the Philippines that is shaped like a uke. They just can't seem to get a handle on the musical instrument market. The uke you own is a very common tourist uke. They made millions of them..You own one. As I remember, they are quite crude and dont sound very good. The headstock is interesting, however, that headstock dates back centuries...Early martin guitars had the six on a side tuners. But few of those early martins were made in the Phillipines. Enjoy it. thanks for the question...chuck - Wednesday, June 21, 2000

Question asked by: christopher cassels Subject: prison uke Question: tell me about prison ukes. Answer: Yes there were many prison ukes made during the 30's and 40's. I have owned a couple myself and although crude, they played quite well. Of course, you can only play the blues on them, but then prison life is suppose to be limiting. You ask if they made as many of them as they did license plates...the answer is no. They are too hard to screw to the bumper of your car. hope I have helped. bake me a uke shaped cake with a file in it....from the inside lookin out...frets - Wednesday, June 21, 2000

Question asked by: jon garland Subject: lots O" binding Question: Jon sent me an email asking the value and for information concerning a very ornate hawaiian instrument with a label that said Genuine Koa Wlld, made in Hawaii..Ukulele export company. Answer: I asked for pics and boy did I get them...The pics are of a quite deep, very ornate Ukulele of beautiful red Koa. I had a feeling and it was right. Gas...only kidding. It is a Royal Hawaiian Uke. The Royal Hawaiian Uke was made for the hotel of the same name and sold in the lobby. They were made by Kumalae and in my estimation, some of Kumalae's best work.. Certainly the best wood. It is missing a bridge. Me too...opps just found it..under the couch...Don't try to make one yourself, go to the local luthier and have one made. You will find pics of the royal hawaiian uke in the Blackburn book 'Hawaiiana...you can use any uke in the book as an example of the bridge you want. It was made in the 30's, leave the cracks alone unless they are all the way through and I know nothing about your Lindell uke. As far as the value of your uke...As fancy as it is 500.00 would not be outrageous..hope i've helped. frets - Tuesday, June 20, 2000

Question asked by: kimo Subject: scratchin a gibson Question: what is the value range for a "The Gibson Uke" Answer: They are very good players. As far as the value range, it depends on so many things...They made 4 main styles and dozens and dozens of special order pieces. Gibson made sopranos, tenors, baritones and everything in between. I would have to know much more about your instrument to give you an exact figure. But if it is crack free and in decent shape, it could be worth between 250.00 and 3500.00. I can't imagine that helped at all. Please send me a pic if you can or a detailed description...In the dark till then...chuck - Tuesday, June 20, 2000

Question asked by: greg Subject: glue Question: what is the best glue to reattach a bridge. Answer: I use orafix for my bridge. Sometimes it stays in for weeks. For your uke, I would take it to a luthier and have it done properly. You probably don't have the type of glue needed to make it stick. Don't take a chance.....chuck - Thursday, June 15, 2000

Question asked by: Hal Brolund Subject: Michigan banjo uke Question: Do I know anything about a Michigan Banjo Uke? Answer: I have seen them before. They were not made by the Michigan Uke company. They were probably made by one of the larger Uke companies of the 30's and 40's. Probably Slingerland or Regal. They made the majority of Banjo Ukes. It is not a top model, however the resonator always makes it a little bit better. Stick gut strings on it. Let me know how it sounds...chuck - Thursday, June 15, 2000

Question asked by: Irene Subject: graduation uke Question: Irene wants to get her sona uke for High School Graduation> He used to play the Clairnet. Answer: Your Lucky...I asked for a car when I graduated from High School. Yes a Fluke would be an excellent choice. The are easy to play and sound great. and VEEEEERY cool..If he is used to playing the Clairnet, watch him closely..Don't let him try blowing on the end of the Uke. It is useless and when it doesn't work he is liable to quit..Your other choices in a beginner uke is to try to find a good used quality uke. Your music stores are the best place for that or on the Market Place site here on Flea-Mkt- Music. Thanks....Prof Fayne - Thursday, June 15, 2000

Question asked by: Jan Malmberg Subject: first uke Question: What is a good first uke for a Sixty Year Old beginner. Answer: I would look for a sixty year old guy with an extra uke. Take what ever it is. My suggestion would be to haunt the music stores and find a used quality uke. Also, please try the market place on this site, and let all know that you are looking for a uke. You just might get a response. It is a much better idea than trying to find out which of the new ukes is best. You will pay the same and have a quality uke. I'm not sure about equal quality in a new uke. I would look for a Favilla, a Gretch, ...Not the top of the line, but certainly good players. Some of my best friends are sixty year old players....Keep strumming...chuck fayne - Thursday, June 15, 2000

Question asked by: JENNIFER THOMAS Subject: LINCOLN UKE Question: Jennifer wants to know about a Uke made by Lincoln. it has mark or CU-3. Answer: Did Lincoln make a uke? It is a little known fact, but when Lincoln was assisinated, he was wearing a racoon hat. They have been looking for the Uke, he must have owned, ever since. Nice that it has finally popped up. Lincoln uke...thats a new one on me. But the curious part is the stamping CU-3..That would mean Concert Uke style 3. I have asked Jennifer to send me pics and will answer in more detail when I get them..Looking forward to the photos..four score frets - Thursday, June 15, 2000

Question asked by: CHUCK FAYNE Subject: TYPO Question: NO QUESTION JUST AN OBSERVATION Answer: IF YOU READ THE QUESTION BELOW THIS ONE THE WORD SEND SHOULD BE SENT. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION I HAVE NOTICED ON MY KEYBOARD THE "D" KEY AND THE "T" KEY ARE INTERCHANGED.....DATS THE PROBLEM...CHUCKO - Thursday, June 8, 2000

Question asked by: todd cranston-ceubas Subject: philippine uke and maxitone Question: IF YOU READ THE ANSWER BELOW YOU WILL REALIZE THAT MY MACHINE SEND FRAGMENTED ANSWERS.. Answer: TO SUM IT UP...THE PHILIPPINE UKE IS JUST A TOURIST QUALITY UKE AND YOU SHOULDN'T PURCHASE A MAXITONE UKE IN FAIR CONDITION. SORRY FOR THE GLITCH...CHUCK FAYNE - Thursday, June 8, 2000

Question asked by: todd cranston-cuebas Subject: philipppine uke and a maxitone Question: todd has a philippine uke with the tuners on one side of the headstock. La Filipina Guitar Factory. He wants to know if it can be a quality uke. How much should I pay for a Maxitone Uke in fair condition? Answer: First the Philippine uke. I have seen those ukes before and they have always been just a tourist for a maxitone uke in fair quality uke. I have never seen a Uke of quality from the Philippines. What should you pay condition?.... You shouldn't....thanks for the questions ... sorry I don't have better news..chuck - Thursday, June 8, 2000

Question asked by: Tim Subject: Kamaka again Question: White label...polynesian charm on headstock....stamped l969....asymmetrical headstock.. Answer: Thats what I love about the Kamaka Co. They always keep you guessing. First the little polynesian figure. It is called a Tiki and yes, they did use it on some ukes....mostly the concert. The white label is the 60's-70's sometimes....... The asymmetrical headstock..right time and right size..the concert. I have seen one tenor with that headstock. I think the date, 1969 might be close if not right. Kamaka dated the very early pineapples, but by code rather than a date. The label said l928, so I guess we can be sure the lable is from l928. I rest my case..and it's uke...see ya....CHuke - Thursday, June 8, 2000

Question asked by: Paul Parden Subject: vita uke Question: Paul has a friend who wants to buy his vita uke It is in a hard shell case. How $? Answer: Paul...the case is more interesting than the uke. You almost never see the hard cases. They are quite rare. Now on to the Uke. The Vita uke is one of the best sounding ukes of its time. It is a rare combination and the uke sounds like its in prtty good shape. If it is crack free and has no other bad stuff, I would not let the uke and case go for less than 450.00. If your a player, you should play it one more time to make sure you want to get rid of it. frets fayne - Thursday, June 8, 2000

Question asked by: peggy hardcastle Subject: name those strings Question: What are the names of the 4 strings on a baritone uke? Answer: Dear Peggy...bottom to top, and this is little known information..the names are..Doc, Grumpy, Sneezy and dopey. Just kiddin' from bottom to top..DGBE..just like the last four strings on a guitar. The fact that you have not played in years doesn't matter. Its like riding a bicycle...except few uke players fall down while playing. You'll remember. Now get to it...Chuck - Thursday, June 8, 2000

Question asked by: paul lowe Subject: kamaka and smeck Question: A gold foil KK Kamaka pineapple and Roy Smeck..tell me about them Answer: One is a Uke and one is a uke player. The gold foil label The Kamaka,as described, was made in the l950's thru 1960's. It is a good instrument. Quality..The roy smeck uke was made by harmony. It is not very collectable...however, they can sound pretty good. The roy smeck was made in the 50's also. Now all you need are cowboy drapes for your bedroom and the 50's will come alive. thanks buckaroo...chucko - Thursday, June 8, 2000

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page