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

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Question asked by: CHUCK FAYNE HERE!!!!!!!!! Subject: Much needed trip Question: WHERE AM I GOING??????? Answer: I WILL BE OFF THE UKE YAK FOR ABOUT A MONTH. I AM GOING TO JAPAN AND THEN TO THE U.S. I WILL BE BACK AND RUNNING ON THE 17TH OF MARCH. PLEASE KEEP SENDING IN THE QUESTIONS AND I WILL ANSWER ALL OF THEM WHEN I GET BACK. I WILL BE APPEARING WITH JIM BELOFF AND A HOST OF UKE NUTZ AT MCCABES GUITAR SHOP FOR A UKATHON..UKETOPIA...CONCERT ON THE NIGHT OF MARCH 14TH..MCCABES IS LOCATED IN SANTA MONICA CALIFORNIA. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE INTERESTED, TICKETS GO QUICKLY....WILL TALK TO YOU ALL WHEN I GET BACK. THANKS AGAIN FROM ALL OF US AT UKE YAK FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.CHUCK FRETS FAYNE - Thursday, February 11, 1999

Question asked by: Bill Bingham Subject: Wendall Hall Ukes Question: Is it worth repairing? Answer: Bill has a Wendall Hall Uke that is not in good shape. You ask is it worth repairing. It is a hard question to answer..Is it Koa?..that is a factor. The Koa models are more valuable. Is it a collector piece?..yes...what is it worth? In good condition. 250.00 + . Depends on how much it will take to put it into good shape and what you paid for it. John Zhender at McCabes guitar shop in Santa Monica is a wonderful choice for the work. Will it have more value if it is fixed? I certainly hope so. I have known John for 30 years and never known him to repair an instrument and have it be worth less. Your in great hands and beard....Let us know how it comes out. Frets - Thursday, February 11, 1999

Question asked by: Tyll Hertsens Subject: archtop uke Question: Is there such a thing, and where do I get it? Answer: To my knowledge I don't know of an arch top uke, present or past. If you want one, I'm sure you can find a maker who would make one for you. You already own two or three Kawika Instruments, perhaps he would make you one. You asked about arch top tenor guitars.....many companies made them and Gibson was probably the best. You will have get yourself a copy of Acoustic Guitar Newspaper, and call around the better dealers. Start with John Bernunzio (bvi@servtech.com) and if he doesn't know, I'm sure he can direct you. Good luck and thanks for the question. Chuck - Thursday, February 11, 1999

Question asked by: Glen Tanii Subject: Jessie Ventura's Uke...only kidding. Question: Glen has a Ventura Bruno Baritone Uke and wants to know the history. Answer: I can only guess. I have never seen a ventura Bruno Uke. Bruno was a company that manufactured in the 30's and 40's and had Regal manufacture for them. They are a distant cousin of the original Bruno company that dates from the mid l800's. If anyone out there knows anything about the Ventura, please let me know or pass it along on Uke Yak. Thanks, Glen.....Chuck frets Fayne - Saturday, February 6, 1999

Question asked by: Sean Sharp Subject: Ludwig Wendall Hall Banjo Ukes Question: What are the different models and what do they sell for? Answer: There are three main models and a couple of variations. The basic model is chrome plated, with holes around the resonator. Type two is Chrome plated with crowns around the resonator. Type three is gold plaited with crowns around the resonator. They are worth from $1000.00 - $5000.00. I have only seen one of the two variations, it had a different fingerboard and different design on the peghead. Don't know the exact value, but a guess would be around $2000.00 for rarity. They date from the 20's and 30's. A wonderful instrument...not a bad job from a drum company. Hope you have one or find one. You will have lots of fun.. They are loud and the tone is true ( what ever that means...I heard it somewhere and thought I'd try it out." Let me know if the tone is not true....fayne - Saturday, February 6, 1999

Question asked by: Craig Croasdale Subject: Vega Baritone Uke Question: Craig just bought a Vega "Arthur Godfrey" Baritone "Standard Uke" and wants to know about the other Baritone Uke called "Delux" What is the difference? Answer: Craig. You have the smaller version of the two. The other one is called the solo lute. It has 17 frets and the fingerboard is slightly different. Other than that, they are the same. I always liked the tone of the Vega Baritone...It is a well made instrument and should give you at least 100,000 miles of trouble free driving, providing you don't hit anything. Service it regularly by playing it. Thanks for the question..I had that answer for a couple of years and nobody asked the right question until you. thanks...chuck fayne - Saturday, February 6, 1999

Question asked by: steve resnick Subject: vintage uke repair Question: Steve wants to know of a good luthier in the Ventura County area of Los Angeles? Answer: Steve, John Zhender at McCabes Guitar Shop in Santa Monica. Telephone number. 310 -8284497.. Please tell him Chuck Fayne said hello and I'll see him on the 14th of March at the Uktopia Ukulele Fest...at McCabes Guitar Shop. Welcome back to the Uke Fold....chuck frets fayne - Saturday, February 6, 1999

Question asked by: Libby Fabe Subject: Baritone Ukes..… Question: What should I buy? Answer: You say you want to buy a baritone...tell ya what I'm going to do.....( I just slapped my thigh like a used car salesman)...sorry about that, I got carried away. You own a kumalae sporano...fine instrument, however Jonah never made a baritone to my knowledge. You asked about Kawika...I would buy anything he made in any size. I think that much of him as a maker. I own a pineapple Uke he made for me and I am in love. I have visited his factory in person and was blown away by his dedication and craftsmanship. Your other option ,if you want to spend the money ,is a Martin. I still think they are very underpriced by todays standards. The other sized martins have shot off the map, however the Baritone is still a good deal. Shop around..there out there and they are beautiful sounding. Hope I've helped...if you need more info, don't hesitate to write. thanks chuck fayne. - Tuesday, February 2, 1999

Question asked by: Jim Whittington Subject: Johnny Marvin Tenor Uke Question: Jim wants to know value and tuning...… Answer: The value depends on which one you have. One is mahogany and the other is koa. If you have the Mahogany one and it is in great shape it is worth 350.00 +.....if you have the koa one...ask what you want...I have only seen a couple of them and they are real rare. Hope you have the koa one. D tuning is fine as it is really not a tenor at all, it is a concert. Still a mystery why they called it a tenor uke. Let us know which one you have, and play it. It really is a wonderful Uke and usually has remarkable mahogany wood. Thanks for the questions...ask again frets fayne - Tuesday, February 2, 1999

Question asked by: Bryan Mccahill Subject: Tenor tuning Question: Bryan acquired a Martin Tenor and wants to Tune it up to soprano tuning. Answer: Bryan, first of all I can't imagine why you would want to tune a tenor up to a soprano tuning. Seems to me it would be easier to get a soprano uke. You defeat the entire purpose of a tenor uke. Lower, mellower sound. If you want a two piece tenor Uke, I would suggest you tune it up to a soprano. You will probably discover a really rough way to remove the top of the Uke I have never attempted to tune a tenor up to soprano. If you try, please let us know what happens....Chuck fayne - Tuesday, January 26, 1999

Question asked by: Mike Mannion Subject: Banjo Ukes Question: Are the Wendall Hall banjo ukes really worth in excess of 1200.00? What are the resonator Ukes and am I familiar with the Ukes used on the Matlock Television Show? Answer: Mike, the answer to your question is the Wendall Hall top of the line model is worth in excess of 5000.00. The bottom of the line models are worth between 1000.00 and 1500.00 depending on the condition, original case, original tool, etc. The Banjo Uke used on the Matlock show, if I remember correctly, was a Wendall Hall. I remember another kind, however, I do not remember what it was. You want to get a good resonator uke to learn to tune, strum and play. I would suggest you shop around for a playable sturdy middle of the road, either vintage or new banjo uke and see how you like it. To purchase a top of the line, Lyon and Healy, Gibson, Paramount, Bacon, Wendall Hall, or any of the other wonderful resonator banjo ukes....will cost you an arm and a leg....then how would you play? Contact some of the dealers who are linked to this site and ask for their assistance in finding a reasonable banjo uke...learn on it...then take the big plunge and go for the best....That way you will have both your arms and legs and a be a great Banjo Uke player. thanks for the question..chuck frets fayne - Tuesday, January 26, 1999

Question asked by: Jeff Solf Subject: Price of recently purchased vita uke Question: Jeff wants to know if 150.00 is a good price for a vita uke. Answer: Jeff tells us that it has a cheezy home made replacement bridge..He wants to know: Should he get the bridge replaced? Are there reproduction or original parts available? Do I think 150.00 is a fair price for the instrument? Can this job be easily accomplished by his local shop. The answers are: YES...YES...YES...Depends on if you local shop can....Yes if they can...no if they can't. Regardless, you did well. It is certainly worth the money you paid. One of my personal favorite instruments. Fayne - Tuesday, January 26, 1999

Question asked by: Joe Lynch Subject: Gibson Banjo Uke Question: What is it worth? Answer: I asked joe to send pics or a better description and he sent me pics of a Gibson (20's) trapdoor melody banjo. It is often called a trapdoor banjo uke, however It really is a melody banjo. It is distinctive by the trapdoor in the back of the banjo, which was suppose to amplify the sound. Hoever, it did not work as well as expected. Gibson put out a complete line of trap door instruments...banjo's of all sizes...Westwood Music in Los Angeles, has on the wall, a large collection of this type of instrument. They are insteresting ..if you are in the neighborhood, drop by and say hello to Fred..tell him Chuck Fayne said to drop by. Thanks for the question....c frets fayne - Tuesday, January 26, 1999

Question asked by: Chris Wojda Subject: Collectable Ukes Question: Can you name the 5 most collectable Ukes… Answer: Chris purchased a Martin Baritone Uke and loves it. He wants to know the collectable Baritone Ukes and the 5 most collectable ukes in all styles. I'm not sure about collectable Baritone Ukes, but the best of the vintage would be: Martin, Gibson, Favilla, Vega( solo lute Arthur Godfrey Model) and a second Martin.....Can't really think of a good 5th example. As for the 5 most collectible Ukes any style, let me start by saying that I will not go into the unobtainable rare Hawaiian Ukes that almost never, if ever, come up for sale. Within the parameters of what is available. Martin Style 0 soprano, Martin style 3 Soprano, Harmony Vita Uke soprano, Kamaka Pineapple early model, Leonardo Nunes Ukes all styles. This is not an easy question to answser because there are literally thousands of collectable Ukes. But the five I have given you are all very much sought after by collectors and players alike. What are they worth? Even harder question, because it depends on so many things. condition, trim, rarity, availability, etc. My guess is that you will pay anywhere from 350.00 to many thousands for different examples of any of these five. As for the problem of the friction tuner which easily becomes out of tune....try gently turning the screw in the end of the tuner until it stops. Sometimes, investing in a new set of tuners is the only answer. Hope I've helped. good huntin' chuck frets fayne - Tuesday, January 19, 1999

Question asked by: Michael Moulton Subject: "Dixie Leader Bari Uke" Question: What is it? What is it worth? Answer: Michael...I have no idea who made it for sure. But a safe guess would be the Harmony or Regal company. They made most of the Ukes for the different distributors in the U. S, in the l930-60's. I know for a fact that Dixie Leader is not the name of any known manufacturer. I would have to have the Uke in my hands to give you a better guess. As to it's value, even more difficult. My guessis, if it is well made and sounds good, I would not be surprised to see it for sale for 150.00. If anyone out there in bariland has a dixie leader bari uke and can help shed any light...please write and let us know. Frets - Tuesday, January 19, 1999

Question asked by: mwf taylor Subject: Kumalae Ukulele Question: MWF wants to know about Kumalae Ukes and Kay Banjo Ukes… Answer: Dear "M" If I may call you "M". Joseph Kumalae was the first mass producer of Ukuleles in the early years of the Hawaiian Ukulele. He was an ivory carver, turned instrument maker. He also made decorative gourds called calabashes. He claimed at one time he could produce 3000 ukes a month. Knowing the Hawaiian pace of life, and God Bless their approach, that could mean he emloyed 3000 employees. However, for a company who pumped out the ukes, the quality is there. They made at least 6 different styles, all different in trim..Identical in size..soprano. One example of a concert exists but it is the only one I know. His business boomed when he won the Panama Exhibition of l9l5 with his uke design. His years of productivity were l912-l940's approximately. The Kay company was in business in the l930-1960's and under many names. It would take forever to explain the company to you. I direct your attention to a book "American Guitars, by Tom Wheeler" available in fine music shops everywhere, and you will know more about the kay company than you ever wanted to know. Briefly, they were a medium priced company who made a decent instrument. Not great but not bad. Hope I have helped...chuck frets fayne - Monday, January 18, 1999

Question asked by: Steve Freeman Subject: 1960 tiple Question: What is the history of the tiple? Answer: Steve, I will answer some of what I know about the history of the tiple, however, if you consult the Longworth Martin Book, you will learn alot more. The tiple is the first cousin to a South American 10 stringed instrument, that was played with gut strings. It was primarily a rhythm instrument. In the l920's William J. Smith, instrument manufacturer, came to Martin and had 12 Tiples made with the stamp. William J. Smith on the back of the peghead. He convinced Martin to manufacturer them and since Martin had alot of bodies the right size, they decided to make the tiple. They made some changes in the South American Cousin, the most important of which was the addition of metal strings instead of gut and the difference in tuning made for a very full sound and was the ideal instrument for the ukulele player who wanted a more guitar like sound. It sounds nothing like a guitar, however the fullness was what sold it. I recently sent Jim Beloff a piece of sheet music with a picture of Wendall Hall playing a Martin Tiple. One of the original Smith Tiples is pictured in the Jim Beloff book, The Ukulele, a Visual History. Martin made the tiple in the same numbering system as the guitar. They stopped with the style 28...I do not know of a style 45...Wish I did. Anyway, I love the sound of the tiple..have one and play it all the time. I hope you enjoy yours. Thanks for asking about a fascinating instrument. chuck frets fayne Ps..contrary to popular belief...it is pronounced Tiplay...not tipple....I find it hard to say tiplay...so I continue to tipple. Chuck - Sunday, January 17, 1999

Question asked by: Heather Subject: Marxochime...Violin Uke Question: What is it and what's its value? Answer: I have seen heaps of these things. They always seem to be in good condition with the original box and instructions. I think that is because people bought them because they were cute and intersting, and then realized they couldn't play them. Tuning them, with all those strings was an impossibility, most people can't bow a string and make it sound well ( best example, a kid learning to play the violin) and then on top of it you have to pluck something at the same time. I know a four armed sideshow attraction who finally gave up, and think of the advantage he had. Anyway to answer your question, I think they were made in the 30's and 40's...they make great wall hangers. Before, E-bay...the bidding network, I would have said they wern't worth anything, but the bidders out there have proven me wrong. Today , possibly 50-75 dollars because of their novelty appeal. This is not the only unplayable instrument Marochime company made. The names of the others escape me at this time, however one of the may be called the tremelo...it has in addition to the million strings a sliding bar arrangement, much like the way hawaiian steel guitars are played. As I remember, much easier but not much better sounding. Sorry I dont have better news, but if I were you, I would become proficient on the instrument, that is if you have nothing else to do...keep in touch and let us know how it works out. chuck frets fayne - Saturday, January 16, 1999

Question asked by: Brian Sugerman Subject: Key-chord tenor guitar. Question: What is it? Answer: Brian has found a Kay Key-Chord tenor guitar. You will be able to see this instrument in the Gruhn Guitar book...It was made by the Kay Company in the l930's and 40's...I believe they say later, however I have advertisements from this period..It was advertised, "For the person who does not have the time to learn the fingering," It has a contraption that sits over the keys and when you press the buttons they cover the appropriate keys and give you a chord. Seems to me like more work than learning to play the thing. It is a fascinating instrument, great shape and if you take that silly key-chord arrangement off, not a bad sounding either. I have always wanted one and never had a chance to buy one. I'm glad you got yours, I don't think many of them survived. Many years later, Arthur Godfrey came out with a very similiar thing to be used on a Ukulele..Enjoy..thanks for the question. Frets - Tuesday, January 12, 1999

Question asked by: Desmond Luck Subject: carl ed...harold teen ...uke Question: Does it have any antique value? Answer: Desmond..Thanks for answering my additional questions regarding your uke. Yes..It does have antique, collectible value. It has become the most popular comic uke ever made. George Gruhn featured it in his Guitar book and there have been many pictures of it featured in other books. Jim Beloff's book "The Ukulele, A visual History." has two variations pictured. You are correct, Carl Ed was the cartoonist and responsible for Harold Teen. You have found a real gem. I have them and don't find them to be great players, however, they are really cute and fun to hang on the wall and look at. Desmond's uke is pea green. They also came in yellow and red. Now that you have one, you have an obligation to find the other two colors. They should only cost you about 1000 to find them both. Happy hunting thanks for the question...chuck frets fayne - Monday, January 11, 1999

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