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

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Question asked by: Darren Subject: Gibson Banjo Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck- I recently acquired a Gibson Banjo Uke with the Trapdoor. It has all the original parts, including "the Gibson" tailpiece. It had a serial number of 11111A-13. Any idea what year this means? I read somewhere that the Banjo Ukes made before 1925 was numbered in the 11000's. Help! Answer: I can't help...I have written to a friend who is Gibson expert. I will let you know what he turns up...chuck - Friday, February 19, 2010

Question asked by: Kennrth G Bailey Subject: Fred's mystery uke Question: Aloha Chuck, Fred's inquiry about his mystery uke got the old wheels in motion. Here's what I know about possible makers. In my uke closet there is a Style 4 soprano made by The Honolulu Music Co. Limited. The red and yellow lable in the sound hole reads "Royal Hawaiian Koa Ukulele". There is a Tabu stamp on the back of the headstock. I also found a Style 0 like Freds, but with a Honolulu Music Co. label. The headstock is quite similar to Fred's. The Tabu stamp is also on this one. His bridge and tuners maybe replacements. Mine are both all Koa. I can't find any historical mention of The Honolulu Music Co., but there are references to a Hawaii Ukulele Manufacturing Co. 1926- 1930 and a Hawaiian Ukulele Co. 1916-1917. My AA batteries are dead. But if you or Fred want pics, I'll follow thru asap. Mahalo nui loa, Ken Bailey Answer: As usual, thanks for the info..How are you and when did you start spelling your name Kennrth..classy...chuck - Friday, February 19, 2010

Question asked by: Bob Isaacks Subject: Favilla Ukulele Question: Chuck: I just acquired the Favilla Ukulele pictured. Condition is 98% (It looks like new) Vintage, probably 50's or 60's Gold emblem on headstock,stamped Favilla Bros. New York N.Y. U.S.A. in sound hole. Could you give me a ballpark estimate of its value?/ Thanks, Bob Isaacks Photos:                      Answer: It seems to be a Baritone. Value....300-400..thanks - Friday, February 19, 2010

Question asked by: Kris Bergeson Subject: ukulele Question: Hello, I was wondering if you could tell me something about this ukulele? Can you tell me its approximate age, maker, the wood, and what was used in the purfuling? Thank you very much for any help. Kris Photos:                          Answer: hard to tell alot from the pics. I appears to be a Regal from the 40's chicago. The wood appears to be Mahogany, but I'd need better pics to tell. thanks for writing in...chuck - Friday, February 19, 2010

Question asked by: William E. Walker Subject: Harmony H566 Question: Do you have any info about the Harmony H 566 model Uke. Answer: None...don't know what it is...chuck - Friday, February 19, 2010

Question asked by: Miles Bourne Subject: Harold Summers Uke Question: Chuck, Here is a Harold F. Summers Soprano that I was told was from the 1930s. The tuners don't stay in tune for too long. They slip a little. Not sure if that can be repaired. Do you think this is a collectible uke? I was thinking maybe I'd have new tuners put on it so it could be played. But that would destroy the fact that this is an all-original. Should I leave it alone as is and keep it original? She's got a blemish on the right side but she's still perty to me. Thanks Photos:                          Answer: I think if you hunt you can fine a set of original tuners. Those are common. It is a collectable uke should be a good player. The Summers brothers made very good ukes. If you are going to keep it, then do what you have to do to make it sound better...thanks..chuck - Friday, February 19, 2010

Question asked by: Kenneth G. Bailey Subject: Weissenborn Question: Aloha Chuck, Attached is another recent addition to the herd via the unblinking eye of Jeff Turner. Won this Weissenborn Style 4 on auction at eBay just the other day. The uke market may be flat, but there are still good collectables at a reasonable price out there. I am remiss at updating the website, but it will get done. Mahalo, Kenny Photos:      Answer: Thanks Ken...Beautiful uke and as I remember great players.....see ya.aloha pal - Friday, February 19, 2010

Question asked by: Fred Subject: re: maker and woods used? Question: Hello Chuck, I Recently purchased this soprano uke. I Was told that it probably is made by Ukulele Mfg. Company of Honolulu. Could not find any info. on this company. Someone told me that it also could possibly be a KUMALAE uke. Finally, the seller thought Koa and maybe Mahogany is used. Can you tell what woods were used? Or, is this impossible to tell from the photos? Thanks so much for any info. on this uke! Photos:                          Answer: Fred..hard to tell..mahogany or koa..looks alot like each. It is hawaiian made by the shape of the heel cap. I don't think its Kumalae..a little too rough. Without a name it could have been made by anyone...how does it sound. thats the most important thing. thanks for writing in...chuck - Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Question asked by: William Subject: New format? Question: Whatever Y'all did to add the pics up front, it seems to be working out nicely. I really like this new format. Thanks, William Answer: thanks william...us too...keep writing in...c - Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Question asked by: sarah Subject: aloha guitar Question: hi chuck, i have been given an elderly aloha guitar, as pictured. was bought new in New Zealand in 1940 and may be a few years older than that, perhaps. came with a second higher nut so it can be played hawaiian steel style, along with a slide and some picks. as you can see, it has only half the original tuning keys. on the head is a hawaiian coat of arms and motto. it has excellent close action and sounds great. can you tell me anything about the guitar, and about aloha guitars generally? there is no label or signature inside it. i thought at first it was made of koa wood, but on closer inspection it may be mahogany- can you tell, from these photos? do you know what year it was made? any other information would be greatly appreciated. thanks very much for your help! Photos:              Answer: Sarah, as you can probably imagine Aloha was a popular name for musical instruments. There was an Aloha company, however I don't think this is the company. My guess is 40-50s by the style of the guitar. Many companies made them and from the pictures I cannot tell the wood. If you give me a close up of the wood I can help. Nice and desirable instrument. Play it alot....chuck - Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Question asked by: Todd M Subject: Gibson uke 1 Question: Chuck, can you tell me what I have here? Here is what I know, 1. Inside #'s of 1676 47, and uke1 2. On the back the neck is stamped the # 2 What is the approx. value of this uke or more accurately, if you were in the market to buy this item, what would pay? Any info you could give me would be greatly appreciated. THANKS. Photos:                          Answer: Todd...it is a late model style two gibson from the 30's60's. It a the New Gibson Script. It is really a beauty and if I were in the market for a good Gibson I would pay up to 700 for this one. nice score. - Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Question asked by: Doug Prichard Subject: Martin Tenor Ukulele Question: CHUCK A VERY NICE ELDERLY LADY FRIEND OF MINE HAS PUT IN MY CARE TEMPORARILY A MARTIN 1-T (TENOR UKULELE) CIRCA 1936-1950 IN PRISITNE CONDITION. SHE IS INTERESTED IN KNOWING WHAT ITS VALUE MIGHT BE (AS WOULD I AS I MIGHT WANT TO BUY IT FROM HER). SHE HAS OWNED IT SINCE ABOUT 1950, BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN OUT OF ITS ORIGINAL CASE IN OVER 25 YEARS. IT HAS ONLY A FEW MINOR SURFACE SCRATCHES, PARTICULARLY WHERE IT HAS BEEN STRUMMED AND WHERE THE ZIPPER OF THE CASE HAS RUBBED UP AGAINST THE BODY. EVERYTHING (NUT, PEGS, BRIDGE AND SADDLE) LOOKS ORIGINAL. IT HAS RECENTLY BEEN RE-STRUNG. THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS WERE USED TO ATTEMPT A PROPER DATING: “CF MARTIN & CO. EST. 1833” SCRIPT GOLD DECAL WITH BLACK TRIM ON HEAD STOCK (INDICATES POST- 1933) “CF MARTIN & CO. EST. 1833 NAZARETH, PA.” STAMPED ON INSIDE BODY BACK BRACING RUNNING PARALLEL TO STRINGS MOHOGANY BODY & NECK; EBONY NUT; NICKEL-PLATED TUNING PEGS WITH BLACK BUTTONS; PIN BRIDGE WITH IVORY SADDLE; PINS ARE BLACK INLAID WITH MOTHER OF PEARL ROSEWOOD FRETBOARD WITH WHITE FRET POSITION DOTS ON FRETBOARD AND SIDE IN 1-2-1 CONFIGURATION AT FRETS FIVE, SEVEN AND TEN EIGHTEEN STANDARD T-FRETS WITH TWELVE CLEAR OF THE BODY (INDICATES PRE-1950) BLACK & GOLD SOUND HOLE TRIM DECAL; TORTOISE SHELL CELLULOID BINDING (INDICATES POST-1935) ANY IDEAS ON WHAT IT MIGHT BE WORTH? WHAT STRINGS WOULD BRING OUT THE BEST SOUND? THANKS. Photos:                          Answer: Doug..It is a standard early but not the earliest tenor uke. I had a value of aboutr 1200 dollars and especially in that condition. The string you are going to have to find out for yourself. I have always used martin strings and been very satisfied. Nice uke....go for it...chuck - Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Question asked by: Chris Tarman Subject: Mouna-Loa uke Question: Hi. I picked this ukulele up the other day and was wondering if you could tell me anything about it. I'm guessing it's mainland-made and from the '20s or possibly '30s, but I haven't seen this label before. The label inside says "Mouna-Loa Brand Ukulele" and has a place for a model number which was left blank. Any info would be helpful. It is a LOUD little thing! Photos:              Answer: Chris...Mouna-Loa was a popular brand (maker unknown), in the 30's. From the covered heal cap (one-piece) I would say this is Island Made and a clean exmple. Not an expensive uke but a fine example of a cheapie. Good score...chuck - Sunday, January 17, 2010

Question asked by: Shelise Subject: Kamaka Ukulele Appraisal Question: I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD TELL ME HOW MUCH THIS UKULELE IS WORTH. IT WAS MY GREAT- GRANDFATHER'S FROM EITHER THE 50'S OR 60'S. ITS BEEN IN ITS CASE FOR YEARS. YOUR REPLY IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. MAHALO Photos:                          Answer: Shelise....In great shape 350-400. Fine instrument...One of my favorite players.....good luck ..chuck - Thursday, January 14, 2010

Question asked by: Erik Hauri Subject: best uke pickup Question: Hi Chuck, I've got here a 1950 Martin T-15 "tiple" 10-stringer; what sort of pickup can you recommend for this one? I've installed several systems in guitars, just never a uke. It already has a hole at the endblock that could be enlarged slightly for an endpin jack. thanks! Erik Answer: Eric, a good under the bridge works best. I have one under a gretch tiple and its a boomer. thanks for writing in...c - Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Question asked by: Samm Burd Subject: Unknown Uke Question: Hi Chuck! My boyfriend is a huge music man and he has a uke that he got straight from Hawaii, but he also has another that he found and restored. Problem being, he cannot find out the year or exact type, since there is no visable serial number. It definitely is a martin style 1 because of the number of inlays on the fret board. he feels it is a late 20's to early 30's. there is no decal on the front of the headstock but the c.f. martin stamp is on the back and in the sound hole...can you help?? Photos:                      Answer: 1930's martin style 1...there were no serial numbers on these instruments - Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Question asked by: Dennis Ecklund Subject: Ukulele Banjo Question: Ok Chuck, I have a challenge for you ... can you identify who made this old banjo ukulele? This is on my list of restoration projects for the year. It has about a 13- inch scale, making it a soprano. There are no markings anywhere on it, except it has a Waverly tailpiece. Photos:                      Answer: Dennis...I wish I had an answer for you. Many companies made this exact model. The headstock is an early one making it in the 20's. I could be anything. thanks..chuck - Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Question asked by: Ryan Subject: Royal Hawaiian Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck, Very interested in anything you can tell me about this ukulele I recently bought. I wonder when you think it was made. Also, I find conflicting information online as to who made it(perhaps Kumalae?). On the decal inside it reads "It's a Royal Hawaiian Ukulele". It is a great player. I would never sell it but wonder how much it is worth. I paid $150 (American) with the original case. Thanks for uke yak, I enjoy learning from you! Photos:              Answer: Ryan...Kumalae made them in the 40's to be sold in the lobby of the royal Hawaiian Hotel. Common but great players...good score 150 a bargain...chuck - Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Question asked by: Rene Subject: Paul Summers uke Question: Hello Paul Can you tell me anything about my friend's uke? We're interested it it's value. It has no cracks and is in very good condition and has the original case. Her great aunt brought it back from Hawaii, not sure when. Thank you! Photos:                      Answer: Rene...very fine uke made by the summers brothers in about the 30's. I can't tell about the size from the picture but if it is longer than 21 inches it increases the value. In fine shape and would bring 750 dollars maybe more..The original case is a bonus...let me know the length and I will add it to your answer. thanks...chuck - Friday, January 8, 2010

Question asked by: bob stepno Subject: banjo uke-mots fingerboard Question: Longer last post with only one image didn't seem to go through. I'm interested in knowing what kind of bridge this uke originally used. Fingerboard is thin and doesn't taper much. Width less than 1 1/4 at the nut; less than 1 1/2 at 15th fret. Seems to need higher tuning to keep strings from bending off edge of fretboard. Thanks, and Merry Christmas... Answer: Bob..I have no idea..no pic....Banjo ukes and their parts not a specialty. Please email John Bernunzio and Bernunzio vintage instruments and send him a pic , he can help...sorry...chuck - Friday, January 8, 2010

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