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

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Question asked by: Matt Rappaport Subject: concert ukes Question: who makes the best concert uke today? Answer: Matt. If you have read my column before, you know I have favorites. Kamaka makes a killer concert. David Hurd ( Ukuleles by Kawika) , and Black Bear Ukuleles are at the top of their games. I'm sure there are others, but these are my favorites. Kamaka and Kawika can be reached by typing in their names.Black bear is blackbear@nwinfo.net. I have examples of all three and would be hard pressed to decide on which one to keep..They are all fantastic. If you out there in uke yak land have your favorites, please send them in. All input greatly appreciated. thanks - Saturday, January 22, 2000

Question asked by: ELMOSO Subject: MARTIN OHHHHH Question: WHATS IT WORTH? Answer: Frank has a style o martin with a hairline crack in the side and replaced tuners..wants to know what it is worth and how to sell it. It is worth around the 350- 450 range depending on the rest of the condition...I would suggest listing it on the Flea Market site under the heading Marketplace..It is the uke all uke players should eventually own. It is the simplist and best sounding of all the martins ( only a personal opinion..but a good one.) If some one out there wants to start at the right place..this is it...Frank also wants to know why a 5k is worth so much..It is because it is the top of the line. Abalone trimmed and very much sought after by collectors...It is rarer than all the other models and yes they did make the 5k in other sizes..They are even rarer..I don't think they sound any better, but many things sell because of how they look rather than their intended purpose...I have had many 5k's and would take a style 1 martin with friction pegs any day for the sound. As a matter of fact, my personal player is a style o ditson martin uke. sounds like a orchestra...Why???? who knows.. hope this helps you..chuck fayne - Saturday, January 22, 2000

Question asked by: ben elder Subject: ooooops.,.i made a type Question: none just a correction.... Answer: For those of you interested in the washburn book...i listed the website incorrectly..it is www.edwardrhamilton.com ( you must add the r)..or www.hamiltonbook.com....thanks ben..BEN...HOW ABOUT A LITTLE ARTICLE ON WEISSENBORN..THE MAKER..UKES AND HAWAIIAN GUITARS...SURE IT WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO ALL OF US...THANKS FROM ALL IN THE UKE YAK WORLD..FRETS... - Saturday, January 22, 2000

Question asked by: jim duron Subject: replacing strings Question: how often should strings be replaced and what are the benefits if any? Answer: I replace strings when they break..I think this is a good time...Other than that, I almost never replace strings. I like the sound of broken in strings. I look for ukes that I can purchase just for the purpose of getting the old strings. I hate breaking in new strings..If I have to put new strings on, I prefer Kamaka Black...I find with new strings there is that awful break in period when the strings have to settle...they stretch , they contract and change pitch...so I very rarely, if ever, change strings...and the same to you..Happy New Year... - Saturday, January 22, 2000

Question asked by: J.Jasso Subject: schnozolla uke Question: J. was just presented with a Jimmy Durante plastic uke. Having never seen Jimmy Durante play a uke, "J" wants to know..what gives? Answer: "J" if I may call you that...I own a Betty Boop uke and I have it on good authority..Betty never played a Ukulele...I think it was just another sales ploy...In the Plastic uke world, there are hundreds of people featured on them and very few were players. Its a good one...keep it...they are hard to find...Good night Mr Calabash...where ever you are....frets - Thursday, January 20, 2000

Question asked by: CHUCK FAYNE Subject: ,MISTAKE Question: WRONG BOAT? Answer: IN ONE OF MY PREVIOUS ANSWERS I CALLED THE SHIP FROM PORTUGAL THE RAVENSCRAFT...IT WAS IN FACT THE RAVENSCRAG....THE RAVENSCRAFT WAS A DINGHY THEY PULLED BEHIND THE RAVENSCRAG... FILLED WITH PEOPLE WHO MADE MODEL AIRPLANES. I ALWAYS COMFUSE THE TWO OF THEM...SORRY FOR THE ERROR....FAYNE.... - Friday, January 14, 2000

Question asked by: frank york Subject: hall for sale Question: how much is a willard hall worth? Answer: Frank, a Willard Hall would be priceless...It would be unique..I think you mean Wendell Hall. Value about 250.00 depending on the condition. They are usually made of a bad grade or Koa wood and are not very good players. However they are collectable. Wendell was a good player and arranger from what I am told. Willard told me and we all know how reliable Willard is...The 250.00 price would be for one in almost mint condition..You can subtract from there depending on cracks, scratches, dings, dongs and dead witches...hope this has helped. Is the case hard or soft? A hard case is more better for a quick sale. If you want to sell it why not put it on the marketplace on this site?? good results await you...thanks for the question and hope we've helped...frets fayne - Friday, January 14, 2000

Question asked by: Jim Abbott Subject: amplify AMPLIFY Question: What are the best ways to amplify a ukulele? Answer: I like an unamplified uke for singing along. I like an aplified uke for solo work. The best amplification I have found is first: The old De Armond pick up that attaches to the body with a rubber band. It has a very true sound. The next best is turning the saddle into the pickup, that however puts a hole in the uke. If given a choice, I really prefer the pure sound of an unamplified uke. I feel the same way about a good guitar and a good wife..Fortunatly, I have been blessed with both...I think at times she would like to find my volumn knob...but that is another story..hope this helps...chuck - Friday, January 14, 2000

Question asked by: Bil; Bingham Subject: nunes Question: What is the timeline for the nunes family>? Answer: Manuel Nunes came to Hawaii on the Ravenscraft, a ship sailing from Portugal, in l889. He, A dias and Jose Espirito do Santo. were all instrument makers or furniture makers from Portugal. They brought with them examples of their native instruments. Groves Dictionary of Music will help you alot. Go to any library, it will be there.....anyway, The three of them really invented the Ukulele. They found koa wood and altered the shape of their native instruments until they had the ukulele and the taropatch. I realize that this is a sketchy, fast version of what happened, but it will help..I have written a chapter on the hawaiian Ukulele for a book that will come out later this year in hawaii. The book is called" Hawaiian Antiquities and Collectables" Twelve or so experts in different fields all wrote a chapter. I will let you all know when the book is available...Leonardo Nunes moved to the mainland ( los angeles california) and began making instruments in the late 20's or maybe even the early 30's. The nunes ukulele stoped with Leonardo. None of the rest of the living family seemed to have the talent of Manuel and Leonardo. In my estimation, they made the best of the best. The Leonardo Nunes Radio Tenor Ukulele, is the sweetist sounding uke ever made. The family stopped producing ukes in the early l940.s..There are some ukes that were not produced by the family, but bear the label. But they are really easy to spot. They are quite crude.They used both machine tuners and tuning pegs. It depended more on the instrument than on the time. I hope I have helped..look for the book..It will have alot of stuff you want...thanks Frets Fayne - Friday, January 14, 2000

Question asked by: Randy Coverstone Subject: felt picks Question: He knows they are felt, because he felt them...couldn't resist. Being upset at not winning the "First to spot the felt pick Trophy" Randy offers the following: Answer: Advise...check out Roy T, Cone's site http://www.c- com.net/~roycone/roy_sup.html... I think you can also find him by just typing in Roy T. Cone..Thanks randy, and there is no prize for being the second to site the felt pick..Just the pride that must accompany such an amazing accomplishment. That in itself should be reward enough. Thanks from all us feltless, fingerpickers. fretting no more...chuck - Monday, January 10, 2000

Question asked by: Curtis Takahashi Subject: stringing us along. Question: No question...just a good tip Answer: In response to my plea for string endorsements, curtis offers the following: He uses GHS black uke strings on his tenor. He also uses a hybred set of strings on the uke. The G string is a wound classical d guitar string. the c string is a nylon classical g. For the other two strings he uses the remaining strings from his set of GHS black...As curtis puts it..just his two cents for 'UKE2K. We really appreciate your two cents worth and it is worth many times that to all of us who will benefit from your information. Thank you very much from all of us...Frets Fayne - Monday, January 10, 2000

Question asked by: Jim Abbott Subject: stabbing a canoe Question: could I take a stab at the value of a green harmony painted uke with a canoe scene..good original condition? Answer: Yes...about 150.00-200 depending on the number available at the time...it is a common ukulele but in wonderful condition, it will be easier to move. There are collectors of painted ukes out there..Why not put it up on the Flea-Mkt...marketplace...see what you get...Thanks for writing...This price, by the way, could probably apply to most of the harmony ukes of this ilk..they made hundreds....chuck fayne - Monday, January 10, 2000

Question asked by: PAT CHILTON Subject: Weymann uke Question: Can you tell me if it has any value? Answer: I wrote pat asking for a more detailed description than she originaly provided and armed with that additional information here goes. You have a collectable ukulele. Only collectors will know of the brand..Weymann was primarily a banjo builder and it is questionable if they made any of their own ukuleles. It is known that kukmalae made some for them as did martin. The one Pat described was not made by either of those makers. It is a finely made instrument and as I said it has value but only to a collector. It is probably worth, in real nice condition...350.00 to 400 dollars. They don't pop up that often...I suggested she learn to play it and have a good time...thanks chuck - Monday, January 10, 2000

Question asked by: BEN ELDER Subject: WASHED OUT WASHBURN BOOK Question: NO QUESTION JUST A TIP...BUT FIRST..FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW BEN ELDER..ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE HIM..HE IS THE LIVING AUTHORITY ON A RARE TYPE OF INSTRUMENT..THE WEISSENBORN LAP STEEL ACOUSTIC HAWAIIAN GUITAR. MADE BY HERMAN WEISSENBORN AROUND THE TEENS AND TWENTIES...HE IS ALSO THE AUTHORITY ON THE WANNABEE MANUFACTURERS OF COPY INSTRUMENTS. THE WEISSENBORN IS AN INSTRUMENT BEING MADE POPULAR TODAY BY BEN HARPER. AS WELL AS BEING ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS, HE IS AN ALL AROUND GOOD FELLOW WITH A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE, NOT LIMITED TO HIS SPECIALITY..HE IS ALSO A DISC JOCKEY, PLAYER, COLLECTOR AND WRITER. I USE HIM( IN THE NICEST SENSE) WHENEVER I AM STUCK..THAT IS OFTEN..HE IS NEVER STUCK FOR AN ANSWER. YOU CAN REACH HIM HERE THRU THE UKE YAK..I'LL GET THE MESSAGE TO HIM AND IF I DON'T,....ITS OBVIOUS HE READS THE YAK...WELCOME BEN..AND THANKS... Answer: NOW THE TIP...BEN AGREES WITH ME ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE WASHBURN BOOK. THE BOOK HAS BEEN REMAINDERED AND IS AVAILABLE FOR 9.95 ( INSTEAD OF 29.95 PAPERBACK) FROM EDWARD R HAMILTON BOOKSELLERS (WWW.HAMILTONBOOK.COM or( WWW.EDWARDHAMILTON.COM) SOMEWHERE IN CONN. I PERSONALLY THINK ANY PRICE IS HIGH, BUT THE COLOR SECTION IS WORTH YOUR CONSIDERATION...IF NOTHING ELSE YOU WILL OWN A COPY OF A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO IF YOU PLAN TO WRITE AND MANUFACTURE A BOOK...THE UKES PICTURED IN THE COLOR SECTION ARE REALLY WONDERFUL...THANKS BEN FRETS FAYNE...THIS THANK YOU IS TO A MAN WHO HAS MADE A SPECIALITY WRITING ABOUT A FRETLESS INSTRUMENT...STRANGE THIS INSTRUMENT WORLD. - Monday, January 10, 2000

Question asked by: CHUCK FAYNE Subject: Y 2 K Question: No question. Just a report. Answer: Just to let you know we down here in Austsralia sailed into the year 2000 withougt a hitch...However my 2k is missing....Y?....keep em commin' Best to you all and a healthy new year....frets and the gang.... - Thursday, January 6, 2000

Question asked by: Silk Subject: KoAloha VS.Kamaka Question: Silk feels that the KoAhola uke rivals the Kamaka and wants my opinion. Answer: I have never owned a KoAloha uke myself, however, I have played them, and though I enjoyed the experience, to compare them, let alone call the rivals ,is stretching it to say the very very least. It would be like me fighting Sonny Liston. I would look good on the stool...only. I can only think of a couple of Ukes made today or yesterday that even come close to the Kamaka, and they cannot be called rivals. You must remember that Kamaka has been making quality Ukes for close to 75 years and that quality has remained the same and in the newer models... is better. Those of you who have been reading this colum for a while know I am a real Kamaka fan..I will now tell you my favorite Kamakas...The pineapple of the l928 series, The eight string tenor made today and the simple soprano of the 60's. These rank with the best of them...Thanks for giving me an opportunity to vent...frets fayne - Thursday, January 6, 2000

Question asked by: silk Subject: red tuner hunt Question: Where can I get one plastic tuning peg for a polk-a-ley-lee? Answer: I would look for a person who is only using three of the four strings on their polk-a-ley-lee. This is a problem..You could appeal to those out in uke land by using the yak ( which you are doing at this minute) ..you can also go on the bulletin board, and you can attempt to run a wanted ad in some of the guitar magazines. Short of these suggestions and of course the goofy one at the beginning of this answer, I havn't a clue. I will tell you this. If you are collecting ukes, you will eventually run into another polk ( too tired to type the rest) with red tuners, then you will have too many...I realize I havn't helped you at all, but perhaps some good soul out there who has an incomplete set will be generous enough to offer you a peg...If I had one I would give it to you..frets - Thursday, January 6, 2000

Question asked by: Brand "Slim" Cedrone Subject: Washburn Question: Slim bought a 24 1/2 inch Washburn Mahogany Uke. Wants to know what it is, and best tuning. Answer: "Slim"..It is a tenor ...or so say Washburn. The Lyon and Healy Stamp is the correct stamp for the uke. At the time they were one and the same. You are right..it is not a toy. This is a serious instrument. I tune my tenors with the low g string..All the other strings stay the same. Do not tune them down an octave. There is a Washburn book available if you want to know more about the company. It is called Washburn ..over a Hundred years of fine stringed instruments. by John Teagle.. My susggestion is go to a library and check it out..or borrow on from a friend who bought it...don't buy it. It is a poorly produced book..difficult to read and it falls apart almost instantly. It has a few wonderful color pictures. Too bad the rest of the book is not of that quality. They were my favorite makers of all musical instruments. Slim, this one is a keeper..or remember ...my birthday is only 9 months away...chuck - Wednesday, January 5, 2000

Question asked by: CHUCK FAYNE Subject: FURTHER ANSWER TO TIM Question: TIM ASKED ABOUT FAVILLA Answer: SORRY TIM...IF YOU LOOK IN TOM WHEELER'S BOOK, AMERICAN GUITARS AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY...ON PAGE 41 YOU WILL FIND THE HISTORY OF THE FAVILLA COMPANY...THE BOOK IS AVAILABLE IN MOST FINE BOOKSHOPS AND LIBRARYS....SORRY FOR THE OMISSION...CHUCK - Tuesday, January 4, 2000

Question asked by: Tim D. Subject: questions Question: What can I tell about Ron Yasuda of Honolulu. How can Tim find out more about Favilla. Tim also reports on a felt pick sighting. Answer: I am not familiar with Ron Yasuda. Tim tells us Ron recently retired from Kamaka and Tim owns one of his ukuleles and it is a beauty. Tim, my advise would be to call Kamaka and see what you can find out about Ron...I know this, if he worked for Kamaka, he knows what he is doing. Kamaka still, after about 80 years, makes a quality instument. Tim also saw a bunch of felt picks at the UkuleleHouse in Honolulu..Congratulations, you win the " First to sight a bunch of felt picks contest" we run every year. No prize, just recognition. We will add your name to the perpetual trophy along side greats like: The Elder Ben, Roy Acuff, and who could forget "whats his name"...just kidding..I will look into Ron Yasuda as we are always looking for new makers. Please send me a picture of the uke. Thanks for writing...chuck - Tuesday, January 4, 2000

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