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

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Question asked by: John Wherry Subject: Frets Question: No fretboard...Old? Answer: Yes, it was a common practice on the older ukes to set the frets right into the neck..They didn't do very well, because they sunk into the wood and had to be replaced constantly. due to the lack of sophisticated drugs, many of the fret transplants were rejected. Yes, you do have an older uke or just a poorly made new one. In either case, it is the sound that counts..so start counting. chuck - Tuesday, July 6, 1999

Question asked by: Slim Subject: chicago type ukes Question: since when do Chicago style ukes have a rosewood fingerboard? Answer: Slim...Hundreds of ukes of the Chicago style were made of Mahogany construction with rosewood fingerboards. They are very common..There were literally hundreds of Chicago makers, some really wonderful..I have had regal ukes that rival may of the real top makers. I have found it a good practice not to disagree with Mike Longworth about much when it comes to Ukes. He pretty much knows it all....He's where we all go for info......good luck with your Walters...chuck fayne - Tuesday, July 6, 1999

Question asked by: Don Morrison Subject: roy smeck uke Question: tell me about your seal holes. Answer: Is the Roy Smeck Seal Holed Uke worth 150.00...Yes it is. It is one of the better made ukes of its time. Great sound..wonderful shape, and highly collectible. If you still know where it is, go get it for 150.00...If you don't like it, I will buy it from you...along with a legion of others. There are many seal holed instruments in the roy smeck line... guitar, tenor guitar, mandolin, uke, and the seal holed jews harp...only kidding about the harp...good strummin, hope you get the uke. chuck - Tuesday, July 6, 1999

Question asked by: Glen Tani Subject: Strings?????? Question: Can you put guitar strings on a Baritone Uke? Answer: Yes, but they will be much too long. Why would you want to? Why not buy a small guitar that is built to take the heavier strings? Let me know your thinking on this..I have never tried it...But I can't play the guitar very well..so I'm not tempted. However, for what its worth, my uncle was strangled with a G string...but thats another story...keep us posted. frets. - Tuesday, July 6, 1999

Question asked by: Greg Subject: Tangi Question: What do I know about the maker? Answer: He seems to be making a name for himself. I have never played one of his instruments in person, but reports are that they are well made. I plan a trip to Hawaii in the near future and will report in detail. If you paid 200 bucks you got a good deal on todays market. I look forward to you reporting about the uke. that's the way we will all know until we play one. thanks for the question and keep strummin" Chuck - Tuesday, July 6, 1999

Question asked by: John Gudmundson Subject: Stringing my uke Question: What strings should I use? Answer: John wants to string his tenor using baritone tuning. I am not in favor of it personally, I think that all ukes should be tuned the way they were intended. You loose something each time you try a variation. the only one that ever worked for me, was to tune the 4th string on a concert an octave lower to give me more picking range. As far as the strings to use...Kamaka seem to be the best for goofing around. You will only know if you like it when you hear it. I wish I could be of more help...From a traditionalist down under...frets fayne - Tuesday, July 6, 1999

Question asked by: Tony Subject: Del Vecchio Question: Found a DelVecchio electric uke and wants to know about it. Answer: I had one for years and they are quite rare. They are almost an exact copy of the guitar and play almost on the same level. I needed to string mine with gut to make it sound good. They are fun, and the company is still in business. I dont think they still make the Uke, however they do make the guitar. I'm sorry, I can't remember where they are from, I think Brazil, possibly Argentina and way down on the list is Fresno. I will look it up and send the makers name and address to you. keep writing so will I...chuck - Tuesday, July 6, 1999

Question asked by: Rainer W. Bisch Subject: Good Ukes Question: Who are the good makers.... Answer: IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, I WILL PUT OUT A LIST OF SOME OF THE BETTER MAKERS ...LOOK FOR IT...CHUCK - Tuesday, July 6, 1999

Question asked by: R.Bruce Subject: Willclar Question: What is this? Answer: One of the things I love most about Uke Yak is finding out how much I really don't know. Heres another example. I have no idea what a Willclar is...In the thousands of ukes that have passed through my hands, ...never a Willclar..However, I hear if you miss one....another will be along in about ten minutes.....From your description, it sounds well made and the two piece heel suggests Hawaiian however the name suggests anything but. I again asked those in Uke Land to write in with the answer to the burning question. "What is my Willclar"...thanks.Chuck - Tuesday, July 6, 1999

Question asked by: R.T. Subject: Lumanog Question: How should one prepare it for best taste and what is it. Answer: R.T. has found a Lumanog Uke and wants to know what it is. "R", if I may call you that...I have spent my lifetime keeping away from anything with the name Lumanog on it. This has been easy since I have never seen the name until today. I have no idea what it is and can only hope there is some Lumanog freak out there that will. Waiting with baited breath...( I use anchovies myself)...frets - Tuesday, July 6, 1999

Question asked by: Doug Subject: the length of your e-mail address Question: Is that all the letters they would allow you? Doug wants to know about a glee club banjo Uke. Answer: Doug, I am not familiar with the name. I know it was not a builder, only because I know most of the builder's names. When you say the name glee club is engraved in the head, what exactly do you mean. Inlayed, decal, impressed,...kinda of lost without a picture or better description. It, since it does not now have one, probably never had a metal ring between the resonator and the body. If anyone out there has any info on a glee club uke...please send it along. thanks, it never ceases to amaze me the number of new names that pop up daily. "Toast" that's the one that popped up today. best to you. chuck - Saturday, June 19, 1999

Question asked by: Mike Cosola Subject: Duke Kahanamoku Ukes Question: 1. what are they 2. when were they made 3. are they any good 4. do they still make them Answer: 1. souvenir ukes 2. all the time 3. no 4. yes chuck - Saturday, June 19, 1999

Question asked by: Mike Longworth Subject: Walters Uke Question: A Statement from the horses mouth. When it comes to ukes Mike is the lead horse in the parade. If you follow him , he will lead you to the correct answers. Answer: Slim Cedrone asked about a walters Uke and likened it to a Martin...Mike wrote, " I have a Walters uke and it is nothing like a Martin. This is the usual Chicago gype instrument. There was no mention on Martin records of making anything with Walters name. Mike, from all of us out here to you out there...good health...Chuck Fayne - Saturday, June 19, 1999

Question asked by: peter Thomas Subject: Graziano Ukes Question: Why didn't I include Tony Graziano in my list of good modern makers? Answer: Peter, I wish I had a reason for not mentioning Tony...I don't..I understand from your statement that you must like what he does. You state that he makes great, perhaps the best ukes at the present time....For Tony's sake, I hope you are right. He has alot of competition out there and I don't know If I could pick out the greatest maker today and I have played hundreds of ukes. However, if you think he is the best maker of ukes today..then he is....Tony lives in Santa Cruz and I am sure those of you who would like to find out if Peter is correct, will find him listed in the phone book. Please check out his work and then report back to us. We are always looking for places to send people who are looking for quality workmanship..Its lonely at the top...I know.....chuck - Saturday, June 19, 1999

Question asked by: Rufus Carswell Subject: slingerland maybell banjo uke Question: lots of them..... Answer: Rufus, has by his description, one of the top of the line slingerland banjo ukes. bound resonator, flower on back of resonator, mop dots on fingerboard, headstock has mop flower inlayed, ...all pointing to a nice piece. First the strings, I prefer gut...Kamaka if you can get them...Nylon if not. Metal sounds like a banjo.. Pick? If you need to ...go ahead. I prefer fingers...Protective case? Find the name of a good case maker and have a custom one built for the uke..You will have luck with calling a violin shop and asking them for the name of a person who makes custom violin cases..They will be only too happy to make you a case. You paid $137.oo for it and wonder if it is a good deal. I will give you that for the resonator and the tuners...does that answer your question? You did very well. I do not know who you should get in touch with in Atlanta Ga, however, a simple e- mail to bvi@servtech.com..will put you in touch with John Bernunzio...the man who knows more about musical instruments than anyone I know. Making him very interesting to anyone interested in musical instruments..but any other topic......He's your man...thanks, and enjoy your picking.....frets - Saturday, June 19, 1999

Question asked by: Lee Subject: Maxfield Parrish Question: Where are the Maxfield Parrish Ukes? Answer: Lee, Other than ukes I have been a passionate collector of Maxfield Parrish illustrations. He did very few illustrations that were not for a company. The few books he did were comissioned by the publishing companies themselves. If you have access to any of the great Parrish books, please look and see what kind of things he did. His main company was Mazda Lamps and bulbs. He is also best know for his illustrations of the Knave of Hearts ( Alice in Wonderland) and the wonderful ads and Calendars he did through the years. I am familiar with a few original pieces of art work he did. I hope the rumor you heard is true. I, in my many years of Uke collecting and with my interest in Maxfield Parrish would kill for a Parrish Uke. I hope one exists, but I have asked around among the friends I have in the Parrish world and they have never heard of one. If anyone out there knows of one, please write. It would be the Holy Grail for me. Thanks for the question..I hope we find out the answer...frets - Saturday, June 19, 1999

Question asked by: Charley Montroll Subject: fin-der uke Question: whats it worth? Answer: Charley wants to know if its ok to let a toddler play with a plastic fin-der uke? Charley, after watching the 2 year old play with the fin-der allowed the child to play with charley's -as he puts it- somewhat fragile Martin....Hopefully this is a person named Martin and not the Uke we all know and love. I would not let any two year old I have ever met, and I have had two of them myself, within teething range of anything metal,let alone a Martin Ukulele. Is the fin-der worth anything?....Not much...to someone who collects plastic ukes it may have a value of 50 bucks..They made millions of them. I agree with your statement that ukuleles are made to be played and enjoyed rather than just looked at. However, when it comes to a 2 year old, I wouldn't try the same reasoning with family car. Hoping your Uke survives, and your letter is one of the strangest yet, I remain...puzzled....chuck fayne - Saturday, June 19, 1999

Question asked by: Just Uke Yakin from Chuck Fayne Subject: fluke Question: where do I purchase one of these fine instruments? Answer: Right here on the flea market music site. Look at Products... if the pics are not yet up they soon will be. I have personally played one and love it. You will as well. Also, don't forget the marketplace to buy and sell those treasures. I'm always looking and you should be too. REMEMBER...THE FLUKE IS NO FLUKE....ITS A QUALITY INSTRUMENT. FRETS FAYNE - Saturday, June 19, 1999

Question asked by: Brand 'Slim" Cedrone Subject: Walters..... Question: What is this? Answer: Slim has a J B or G B Walters Uke. Looks like a Martin one or two. Three dots on the fingerboard. Sounds like it looks more like an O than a one or two. A martin one has dark binding and the two has white binding. I would need more info to tell you what you have. I would love to see a picture, because martin made for many people...perhaps, this is one. Please send a picture and I will answer. In the meanime, does anyone out there know about a Walters Uke? If you do, please write us. This is the kind of thing that interests me. Something in Ukedom I havn't heard about. Please send a pic and better description. thanks....frets. - Thursday, May 27, 1999

Question asked by: J.H.McCann Subject: slingerland banlo uke Question: Help....... Answer: J.H. ( may I call you J?)..wants to know about fixing up a maybell slingerland banjo uke. Most of the parts are available if you search the dealers in vintage instruments. There were Billions and Billions of slingerland banjo ukes made. That means there are Billions and Billions of parts around. I would contact John Bernunzio and bvi@sertech.com and ask him. He is a man who has more parts than he needs. He will also help you with the tension of the skin. John is an expert in tension. Tell him I sent you..he may not talk to you at all, but Its very expensive to call him from Australia. He'll fix you up. good luck...and don't forget to wash your neck...chuck fayne - Thursday, May 27, 1999

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