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

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Question asked by: michael lande Subject: on the richter scale and song books. Question: michael has a richter uke and wants to know about it...he also wants to know where to purchase song books. Answer: Fred Richter was an artist. He bought plain ukes from the Regal company and then painted and decorated them...Some were quite elaborate. The one you have, The Sweetheart, I believe was made in the 40's. You are right, it was made in Chicago. I like these ukes alot. Jim Beloff has one in his book on page 100. Second row second in. As far a song books..you might want to look at the selection on this site. Jim has put out quite a selection of great stuff. I am sure you will find what you are looking for. Other than that, you have to haunt the swap meets and old book stores. Hope I've helped...from high atop the richter scale..I remain..fretting...... - Thursday, June 8, 2000

Question asked by: Tim Derning Subject: 4.6.8.string tenors Question: Which is better? Answer: The more the strings the fuller the sound. The more the strings the more the strumming. The less the strings the more the picking. You want to know what I recommend. I have an 8 string Kamaka which is one of my all time favorite instruments. It is fast enough to pick and has the Kamaka sound. I also have a four string Martin tenor and love it for different reasons. It has the bright sound of a Martin and sustains forever. As a matter of fact, I played the Martin about two days ago and I can still hear it in the case. so much for now ...As you might have guessed, I need my rest. Chuck - Friday, May 26, 2000

Question asked by: Todd Novak Subject: Cracked Concert Question: Todd has a chance to buy a martin concert with a crack on the side for 400.00 and wants to know if he should. Answer: Absolutly...for alot of reasons. It is a Martin Concert. Value in good condition around 1000.00...A side crack is the easiest to fix and detracts least from the cosmetic look of the instrument.I would definitly grab this one. If you don't..let me know...I will...Great instrument, great size, great sound..great jumpin gehosaphat ( now I know the spelling on that one is wrong...but I tried...Grab it Todd..let me know if you get it and how it comes out...chuck - Friday, May 26, 2000

Question asked by: Rev. Eric P. Naquin Subject: Maybell banjo-uke Question: Tell me about it. Answer: Hi...Its a uke made by the slingerland drum company. The made millions of them. Yours is one. If it is in good shape..the value is about 150.00. It was made in the 30-50's...Try gut strings instead of metal...they sound better...at least to me they do...thanks for the question and keep in touch...chuck frets fayne - Friday, May 26, 2000

Question asked by: Shelia Subject: silvertone Uke Question: Need Advise... Answer: Shelia has a 60's Silvertone Uke.. Made for Montgomery Ward by harmony or Regal. No real value unless it sounds good..then its priceless...Strummin' is good for the soul...fayne - Friday, May 26, 2000

Question asked by: Reuben Fair Subject: uke value Question: Reuben has a Tangi uke and wants to know the value. Answer: The description of the uke sounds breathtaking....spruce top, koa sides and back, pearl on the headstock and around the soundhole and herringbone around the uke body. This is a high class uke. I hope it plays as well ..Tangi is a modern maker and a good one. I think you will be able to fine him in the Directory for Hawaii. My guess on the value of the instrument is " Costly" considering all the trim...Please let me know what you find out and I will also do some research to find out what I can. Sherlock Frets - Friday, May 26, 2000

Question asked by: Rebecca Subject: Mahelona Uke Question: Tell me about it. Answer: It is an early uke..Perhaps teens or 20's..The T.H. on the label means Territory of Hawaii..Before statehood. The only other Mehelona uke I know of is pictured in the Tsumura Guitar book and is in the shape of a violin. Not the book, the Ukulele. He was a decent maker from reputation, but few of his ukes exist for comparison. They remind me of early Nunes. Hard to think they didn't know each other. My guess on the value of the uke would be in excess of 750.00...because of the rarity an the age...and thats my final answer....chuck - Friday, May 26, 2000

Question asked by: Bill Glassford Subject: Martin Baritone Question: Where can I find a repairable martin Baritone... Answer: I don't know...My advise would be to go on the Marketplace, on this site, and let the masses know you want a wounded Baritone. You might be surprised. Let us know if you find one....chuck fayne - Friday, May 26, 2000

Question asked by: Greg McAllister Subject: supertone Question: Whats it worth? Answer: A Sears Supertone Uke with mahogany wood and black and white binding on the edges and around the sound hole...History...Little..made in the 50's by Harmony..Quality..Medium, however, yours has more value because of the binding...Reputation...Known to play around. Worth...150.00 Thats all the news thats fit to print....frets - Friday, May 26, 2000

Question asked by: jsimpson Subject: ukes.. Question: value of a plastic fingerboard Roy Smeck...My baritone, My Baritone, My kingdom.....Lyon and Healy Venetian... Answer: "j" WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT THESE UKES. He wants to know the collectibility of the Roy Smeck. The only one of these I ever saw bring money was Roy's original model...and then it was only 200.00. So there you have it. Not much value..The Baritone you asked about..without a label, or some identifying marks I have no idea what it is. It looks like hundreds of unpopular baritones from the 50's...I like the sound of a Baritone..so play it. The Lyon and Healy Venetian Uke is a different story. That is a real instrument. It has a messy repair on the front, but then so do I... I just use lots of sun screen and hope for the best. The value of that uke in that condition is about 250.00..If you had the front repaired professionally it would increase the value by 200.00... Hope I've helped and always remember the words of Tiny Tim" Keep you Venetian out of the sun" Its as if I can hear him saying it now. frets - Friday, May 26, 2000

Question asked by: chuck frets fayne Subject: marketplace Question: NO QUESTION...JUST A SUGGESTION Answer: THE MARKETPLACE ON THIS SITE IS STARTING TO PICK UP ALOT . LETS SUPPORT IT AND PUT UP OUR SALES AND WANTS. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I WOULD RATHER SEE SOMETHING WITH A PRICE, RATHER THAN TRY TO OUTBID SOMEONE AND SEE THE ITEM GO OUT OF MY REACH...JOIN ME ON THE MARKETPLACE..I PLAN TO USE IT MYSELF....CHUCK - Saturday, May 13, 2000

Question asked by: Larry Prather Subject: Lyle Baritone Uke Question: what about the company?? Answer: Japanese...modern...but O.K. You have said one important thing. After stringing it up and replacing the tuners it sounds good. Thats more than I can say for alot of expensive instruments I have seen....The sound, believe it or not, is the most important thing. Remember, don't play with yourself...start a group...You will never have as much fun..people who play ukes smile... frets.... - Saturday, May 13, 2000

Question asked by: Chuck Subject: Johnson Uke Question: What is it??? Answer: I pretty much have the same question. I saw one for sale recently on ebay...but was not impressed. Looks like what one would expect from a uke named Johnson...But you ask as a student uke....Perhaps it is O.K....I would shop around, there are so many ukes made today..I think you can do better. I would look for a better grade of uke in used condition as a starter uke..There is nothing like having an instrument that you cannot keep in tune and is not set up properly to play in tune. Go to a good music shop and look there first...chuck - Saturday, May 13, 2000

Question asked by: David Subject: cam puke Question: camp uke...is it koa by any chance? Answer: No...but it is nissa wood. A large prize to anyone who can tell me what nissa wood is. I think it means wood without any grain at all. David describes it as tight grain...They don't come any tighter..its so tight it disappeared. There is an up side..It was made by Lyon and Healy..one of the best instrument manufacturers in the world. The Camp Uke also plays well. They made about 3675 varities...so let me know which one it is. My favorite variety is the one with the resonator that looks like a toilet seat...Guess it has more than one use on a camping trip...build a campfire, get out a beloff uke book, and sing your heart out. Be sure and build the fire outside...frets P.S. you will find the top of the line camp uke pictured on page 89 of the Beloff book " The Ukulele, a visual History..... - Saturday, May 13, 2000

Question asked by: Howard Finkel Subject: Round Gretch Blues Question: I got one....how are they?? Answer: I have always liked the round blue gretch ukulele. Red or White tuners? Yeh, its worth something. About 150.00..but thats not what's important. You asked if they sound o k ? the answer is ...Yes they do...They play pretty well and they also look nice hanging on the wall..I like the finish...blue fading to green. String it up and give it a shot...you might just like it. chuck - Saturday, May 13, 2000

Question asked by: Jim Subject: Bluebird Uke Question: Tell me about it. It is a concert sized uke with the decal and word bluebird on the headstock. Mother of perloid headstock and neck and a label that says " Says....Approved national Asssociation of Musical Instruments and Acessories Mfrs. Answer: That label is the giveaway...It is made by harmony and in some rare instances Regal....they both used that little label...I have seen bluebird ukes before but not in concert size. It was probably made in the 40'50's and sold for about 10 bucks in its day. A litte more than usual because it is a concert size. It has always been interesting...there has never been another mention of the National Association of Musical Instruments other than that little label....Me thinks I smell a sales pley..I'd hang on to it...the size makes it sort of intersting...frets - Saturday, May 13, 2000

Question asked by: John Killin Subject: koholas Question: I'm not sure what the question is, but I will assume you want to know what it is and how much its worth... Answer: Kohalas was a bulder of ukes in the 30's. They were all lopsided. A trademark it seems. They usually have large hips and small tops...But two sessions of Ty-bo will straighten that out. They are pretty good instruments and must have been fairly well received because there are alot of them around. It has some binding and trim around the soundhole. All these things are good things. The value is around 250.00 depending on the condition. Hope I've helped...frets - Saturday, May 13, 2000

Question asked by: Leanne Bertino Subject: "The Giibson" Question: GoodwillGibson...how good is it? Answer: Leanne found a "The Gibson" style 1 uke at a Goodwill Shop. From her description it is a style 1...no trim, sound hole circles a small crack on the face. (The uke not Leanne).....Its a good uke and very much sought after...Made from l920-l940's...or thereabouts..Value, depending on the severity of the crack...350- 400 dollars. If you plan to sell it, try the marketplace here on the flea market site...good luck....thanks for writing...chuck - Saturday, May 13, 2000

Question asked by: Lynne Soulages Subject: Nunes uke Question: Whats it worth...? Answer: Lynne,I saw the pic you sent Jim Beloff. I cannot see the whole uke, however the pin bridge is interesting. Not used alot on soprano ukes. It is the plainest of them all and but condition counts for alot with Nunes. It is also one of the best made of all the ukes. It has a short fingerboard and no trim. They also subtract from top dollar. It was made by L Nunes when he was in Los Angeles. Its value is about 600.00 in today's inflated market. If there is something else I cannot see...like a special headstock..let me know, but for now that" my best guess. Nice instrument. frets - Saturday, May 13, 2000

Question asked by: MARK KETCHAM Subject: baritone gibson Question: tell me about it.... Answer: age....l950's because of the decal on the headstock sayint" gibson" If had said "The gibson" that is an earlier piece. But strangly enough that is not what is interesting. The baritone size is interesting. They were not a popular instrument for Gibson, hence their small production run. I will have to look up the number on the headstock. They usually reserved making an instrument for sizes above a Ukulele. The stamping inside of "UKE" is also interesting. You found a nice one, now play it...frets - Saturday, May 13, 2000

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