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

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Question asked by: Mario Quiros Subject: Stathopouplo Question: Is it really a banjo uke??...and does it have value??... Answer: Yes it is considered a Banjo Uke and a very good one at that. They are usually heavier than a semi truck but have a wonderful sound. Yes, they are made by the epiphone bunch..You asked about strings. I think you should be able to get it to sound good, however, perhaps with lighter strings than Baritone Uke strings. I would use soprano myself. It a desirable uke for collectors. If you want to sell it, consider the Market Place right here on Flea Mkt Music. I'm sure there are collectors out there who would want it. Thnks.. frets... - Thursday, November 18, 1999

Question asked by: WALTER Subject: camp uke Question: what is it, who made it, how much is it worth. Answer: Lyon and Healy made them in the 20's and 30'S, ..IT IS A UKULELE, and its worth depends on which one. They made about a dozen varities. They all have one thing in common...they make you want to find a uke that sounds good. They were almost all made of Nissa wood. I have never found anyone who knows what nissa wood is...I suspect Lyon and Healy made it up. I think it is the Aboriginal word for , "That from which plywood is made "....They run from very plain to bound with the gold leaf design. If you manage to get a higher grade, the tuners are wonderful. So there you have it Walter...thanks for the question..chuck - Thursday, November 18, 1999

Question asked by: CHUCK FAYNE Subject: BACL UP AND RUNNIN Question: I'M BACK FROM SIXTY DAYS ON THE ROAD..THREE SHOWS A DAY EVERY DAY BUT THREE. I AM POOPED. DIDN'T FIND ONE UKE..THE ONLY UKE I SAW WAS THE ONE I TOOK...BUT IT WAS LIKE HAVING A FRIEND ALONG. I WILL GET TO EACH AND EVERY UKE YAKER...HANG IN THERE AND THANKS FOR BEING SO PATIENT. Answer: HERE THEY COME......... - Thursday, November 18, 1999

Question asked by: Jim Beloff Subject: Question: Where's "Frets"? Answer: I just spoke to our uke man down under yesterday and he's doing fine. He wanted me to let you know that he should be back in the "Uke Yak" saddle on 11/15 and at that point will answer all the questions that have been accumulating since he's been gone. So, keep 'em coming. - Wednesday, November 3, 1999

Question asked by: CHUCK FAYNE Subject: out of touch Question: see answer Answer: I will be on tour doing a show from the 19th of sept to the 16th of nov. I won't be completely out of touch, but I won't be able to answer as regularly as I would like to. Please keep sending in the questions and I will answer as many as I can when I have access to a computer. You can all still reach me thru the uke yak or on my personal e mail...all emergencies handled first...kinda like a doctor. If all else fails, strum twice and call me in the morning. till I get back..aloha ...keep the questions rollin...frets fayne - Saturday, September 11, 1999

Question asked by: Brent Subject: banjo uke care Question: Is there any modern information on the care and cleaning of a banjo uke? Answer: You treat them as if they were a ukulele. The tuning is the same and Jim Beloff's books would make wonderful resource material for how to tune them and play them. Treat it the same way you would your 5 stringer but remember it is a uke and not a tenor banjo. chuck fayne - Saturday, September 4, 1999

Question asked by: joe Subject: lelelelelelele's Question: what is the relationship of the polk-a-lele and the surf-a-lele? Answer: too easy...siamese ukes separated at the neck. I have no idea, however, I think they, along with the swaggarty company, made everything....the resemble each other too much and you are right they have interchangable hardware...I wish I could remember some of the other lele names..I have had a few and always marveled at how good some of them can sound. They also take alot of space on the wall..fun stuff....see ya...frets - Saturday, September 4, 1999

Question asked by: kieth block Subject: silvertone baritone Question: Should it be this good? Answer: Thats one of the fascinating things about the uke makers. Some of those known for cheapies, now and then made some good stuff, and of course the reverse is true. You never know who was making for silvertone at that time. It could have been one of 10 different makers. You are a lucky man if you found a good Sivertone Baritone. If a good Luthier has a bad day he makes a mad instrument. If a luthier of lesser talent has a bad day, he just could make a good instrument. Consider yours a good mistake and enjoy it. frets.... - Saturday, September 4, 1999

Question asked by: Steve Subject: Lumanog Question: Lumanog Info. Answer: Steve has been kind enough to send the following information about the Lumanog Ukulele. A while back someone wrote into the Yak asking about a Lumanog..Well here's what you have ..It is a Philippine souvineer Ukulele of poor craftsmanship. They come in different colors. Steve gave the uke to some friends in Hawaii and they say the sound is not bad for a $10.00 Uke...Thank you Steve very much for passing on the information. I will now be able to sleep...Frets ( ZZZZZZZ)Fayne - Friday, September 3, 1999

Question asked by: CHUCK FAYNE Subject: FRETSBABBLE Question: WHY??????? Answer: ITS ABOUT TIME. IN THE NEXT WEEK I WILL WRITE MY ALMOST TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY LETTER TO ALL OF YOU OUT THERE IN UKE YAK LAND. I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW IN ADVANCE SO YOU WILL TELL ALL YOUR UKE FRIENDS. THIS IS WHERE I CONFESS ALL...MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH A BARITONE NAMED MARTIN....STAY TUNED.....FRETS.. - Friday, September 3, 1999

Question asked by: Bruce Dellis Subject: Polk-a-lay-lee Question: Is it from the Polk Bros appliance store in Chicago? Answer: Maybe...and Maybe not. I have heard that rumor before, but have never had any confirmation one way or the other. Since the store is out of business, and I have no written reference ...its as good a story as any. It beats the story that president Polk invented it...We all know he was an accomplished harpist...If anyone out there has any information for us about the polk-a-lay- lee..please send it in..it is vital to our national security and of great interest to Bruce. Thanks Bruce for writing. Yes, J C Penny did invent the penny whistle...see ya....chuck - Friday, September 3, 1999

Question asked by: Dave Phelan Subject: Bruno? Question: Have I heard of the Bruno Company? Answer: Dave, you found a nice instrument..a Bruno Tiple. If you can't find a mention of the Bruno company anywhere, you havn't looked anywhere. They were one of the largest manufacturers and disributors of musical instruments in the world. They date to the middle 1800's when they were, for a brief time manufacturing with the C F Martin Guitar Company. They formed a partnership with Martin in l834. It did not last long and in the late 1800's were manufacturing a run- of - mill series of guitars about the size of a Martin 2. As of this writing they are still in business but as a distributor for Ovation Guitars. They distributed ukes and related instruments by the tons. I love the label with the lighthouse..the one that is in your tiple. I hope I have helped, let me know how the the tiple sounds with you get it strung. thanks....frets - Friday, September 3, 1999

Question asked by: Debra Walker Subject: Giannini Uke? Question: Whts it worth? Answer: I played on Giannini Uke about two years ago and as I remember it I don't remember it. They seem to be popping up alot lately and most people I talk to seem satisfied. Baritones all seem to suffer from the same problem....too heavy...however I don't know your instrument well enough to say for sure. As to value, any decent baritone of good construction and quality woods should be worth in the 300 range. I checked with a friend and he said that I am probabably close with the price. He also suspects that the company is still in business and a letter to them might help alot. Let us know if you send a catalog..I'm interested also.....chuck - Wednesday, September 1, 1999

Question asked by: Earl Hoellig Subject: Help....I need parts..I;m the tin man Question: Earl needs sources for parts for banjo ukes...but then don't we all. Answer: Good question....Swap meets..go find busted up banjo ukes, buy them for nothing and steal the parts. Most of them are interchangable..or do it the civilized way...contact John Bernunzio at BVI@servtech.com..he has , skin, bridges, nuts, heads......Oh did I mention he is a forensic scientist in his spare time?..so be sure and specify you need these for a musical instrument or you never know what you will get...Frets( have you seen my retina? ) fayne - Wednesday, September 1, 1999

Question asked by: Tom Johnson Subject: I'll leave it to you Question: Exactly as written......Which uke would sound most like the 4 string tenor banjo? Answer: Tom...Congratulations..your question lept into the lead of my wierdest question list by a mile. It would be the cuisinistic equivilent of " Which bacon tasts most like yoghurt."....How did you ever come up with this question. Lost for the moment, however, I know you will write again and let us know what you really are trying to ask. By the way, just an observation on my part. golf shoes make wonderful ear muffs if you put the little spiky parts out. hoping I can help you further....chuck ( you finally stumpped me) fayne......I guess what I am trying to say with my loony answers is that I can't imagine the person who made a uke, strung it up, played it and when if it sounded like a tenor banjo didn't announce it to the world. - Wednesday, September 1, 1999

Question asked by: Paul Kraus Subject: Bobby Henshaw Question: Who is he? Answer: I don't know. It seems that the Ukulele was not only popular in the teens and twenties and thirties, but enormously popular. Exceeding the Guitar in popularity in some cases. I had a talk with Jim Beloff this morning and he reminded me again of the number of endorsers of Ukes, distributors and manufacturers that flourished in those years. Bobby Henshaw comes up once in a while and I believe him to be a player or a distributor, definitly not a manufacturer. His ukes are not bad ukes, just heavey. I wish I knew more, perhaps Paul Syhers, if he is out there in string land, would care to help..He is the guru of info..Paul if you are there , please help and write me personally, its been too long. Paul ...thanks for you question, I will continue my henshaw search and have all the answers some day. till then I remaim Clueless in Seattle.....chuck - Saturday, August 28, 1999

Question asked by: H L Jones Subject: Gib 1 Question: Tell me Oh wise one..... Answer: Wise here. Smart yes...a mind reader no.. I need more info. Gibson made style 1's in lots of forms, styles, and varities. Ukes, banjo ukes and banjos...please let me know what you have. pay particular attention to the writing on the headstock. If it is in script and says '[ The Gibson" it is the oldest and most desireable. Send a detailed description....type of teim, size, wood, condition, decals, look inside for stamps...many stamp collectors hid their collections inside ukes..only kidding...please write again and I will help all I can. I need info.....frets - Saturday, August 28, 1999

Question asked by: Daniel Fujikake Subject: Prinzi UKes Question: What can I tell about them? Answer: Daniel, I have never played one of them, howevever I have seen them on the Ebay. I was hoping to hook up with someone who bought one of them and find out their evaluation..They sure look beautiful. I hope they play as well. I am going to go back in to e bay and find out who got the last one and write them and find out how they are. When I find out, I will print it here in Uke Yak and send you a personal response. If you find out first or anyone out there has purchased one of them, please let us know. Good to hear from you, its been a while. frets - Saturday, August 28, 1999

Question asked by: Bob Lester Subject: singing treholipee Question: whats it worth? Answer: This instrument has always fascinated me. Not so much the instrument but I would like to know who thought up the name..It has nothing to do with anything. The answer to your question about worth is....somewhere between 150.00 and 300.00 would be a fair price depending on condition and length..it seems the longer the more expensive..if you know what I mean...You have to search for strings. If you write the martin company, you can sepcial order strings in any length. Be careful when you play it, you could put someones eye out. ( my mothers favorite warning about everything ) The place to sell this is not in the guestbook section of this site but rather the Marketplace. I am sure someone out there would want your singing treholipee...thanks...frets fayne - Wednesday, August 18, 1999

Question asked by: Mike Wells Subject: Sam Chang ukes Question: what is it and what do I know about it. Answer: Sam Chang was a maker of ukes in the 30's. He made a good quality uke. Story has it that he may have inhaled a little too much of his finish and it could have hastened his own finish. However, before he departed, he made quite a few good ukes. I have a couple of them and they are both good players. He had a little too heavy a hand for me..the ukes are a little bulky, however, they have a good sound. they are fairly pricy in todays market..hang on to it, especially when you play it. chuck - Wednesday, August 18, 1999

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