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

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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

Question asked by: Laurel Beckman Subject: CMO uke Question: Dear Chuck, I recently received this uke: it's label says "handcrafted on the big island of Hawaii by CMO, 1999". I can't find anything online about this maker, and a local shop says it is koa wood. Can you tell me anything about the uke, it's quality, or it's maker? thank you very much, Laurel Photos:      Answer: No Idea...nothing comes up under the name CMO..Will check and add to your answer if I find anything. thanks for writing in...chuck - Friday, January 8, 2010

Question asked by: david clumpner Subject: Illinois ukulele banjo, ca 1920s Question: Hi Chuck, have yet to learn how to send pics but I have a very old Illinois banjo uke in pretty decent condition. any ideas what they bring and if u are interested? thnx, david ph 206 355 9332 Answer: Cheapie made in the 1940's..Cant tell you more without seeing it. I am not interested but perhaps someone on the marketplace on this site will be. see ya....c - Thursday, January 7, 2010

Question asked by: Mel Presswood Subject: What is it? Question: Model Number 5-17T, Serial number 80475. It's a Martin ... but what is it and what's it worth? This has been sitting in the closet for longer than I can remember ... and I'm 62! Photos:     Photo 2    Photo 3    Photo 4    Photo 5    Photo 6     Answer: Mel its a tenor guitar...Not a uke..Its worth 700 in good condition.... - Thursday, January 7, 2010

Question asked by: Mel Presswood Subject: What is it? Question: It says Martin on the back of the headstock. But what is it and what's it worth? Photos:     Photo 2    Photo 3    Photo 4    Photo 5    Photo 6     Answer: Its a style two taropatch in bad shape...value 300 dollars - Thursday, January 7, 2010

Question asked by: Mel Presswood Subject: What is it? Question: What is it and what's it worth? No manufacturer markings, model number, or serial numbers anywhere on the item. Photos:     Photo 2    Photo 3    Photo 4    Photo 5    Photo 6     Answer: It appears to be a Martin Tiple...Not great shape...500 - Thursday, January 7, 2010

Question asked by: Dan Baxter Subject: uke ID Question: Hi, this is the front shot of the unidentified uke that apparently I sent you only a shot of the back. What'ya think, Nunes? Harmony? Stratavarius? Photos:      Answer: Regal 1960's Chicago...Thanks for writing in.....c - Thursday, January 7, 2010

Question asked by: Eric Subject: Kamaka Ukulele Question: I found this site linked in a forum I was reading. I was wondering if you might be able to tell me more about my ukulele and what it might be worth. I don't know much about it and bought it at a thrift store a few years back. I can send more pictures or any other information if needed. I believe it to be dated from 1954- 1969 based on the inforemation I read on the kamaka site. Thanks in advance for any help. Photos:      Answer: Eric..Kamaka pineapple uke 1960's...one of my favorites. worth 400+ on a good day with favorible condition. Lovely uke, I you play it....chuck - Thursday, January 7, 2010

Question asked by: Thom Subject: GIBSOB UKE-1 Question: Hi Chuck: Searched the board here and years ago you placed Gibson Uke 1 (The Gibson-20s-30s years) at between $250 and $500. One here at a shop that I like priced at $375. I know, I know, no picture--but is that a fair range? Should I count the number of frets? Finish seems normal wear and tear, not cracks, etc. Thanks and Happy New Year. Answer: thom....seems fine since I can't see it....c - Sunday, January 3, 2010

Question asked by: Israel Subject: Swagerty's double neck Question: Please sir, what can you tell me about,where can I find information on and where can I find parts?? Thank-you...Lost Answer: run swgerty through google, you will find a couple collectors......c - Sunday, January 3, 2010

Question asked by: Thom Bray Subject: Harmony Question: Sorry, Chuck: no pic because I don't own it yet. At a local shop I played a Harmony "Vagabond", painted a light greenish color, with festive Bavarian style operetta images of young maids in Bavarian costume, cows, what looks like the alps, etc. The tuning pegs look new. Plays like a dream, bright and banjo-ee, decal looks c.30's? Do you know this type? Is it 30s, do you think? Price is $125. Rasonable? Answer: If its in good shape its a great buy. Made probably in the 50's...thanks for writing in....c - Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Question asked by: Milan Subject: Harold Summers Soprano Question: Chuck, first of all a joyous Holiday Season to you and yours. Here's my latest find. I just got this on eBay and am into it for $170 including a new set of Worth strings. I feel like a bandit for getting it so cheap but I'll just have to live with the remorse. Except for two small finish cracks on the top along the grain lines, very common with older Koa ukes and some very slight finger wear on the first two frets, it's in mint condition. My main question is what is it's age? It has an orange label that reads: Harold L. Summers genuine Waikiki Koa Ukulele, Made in Hawaii, paradise. Also a little yellow slip of paper that reads: J-573 Also what do you think it's worth? It plays and sounds incredible and no, you can't have it. Photos:      Answer: milan...yes I want it....50's and about 350 bucks. Good score....could be earlier but it looks 50's.....best of the holidays..c - Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Question asked by: Jay Smilyk Subject: Old Martin Uke Question: Can anyone help me date this Martin missing one peg but trying to get a estimate value and date. Was going to take it up to Martin in the spring. Thanks, Jay Photos:      Answer: very early style one. bridge and saddle are the tell tale parts. 1920's and depending on condition, 500-700. The best player martin ever made. The peg should be easy. Contact John Bernunzio at Bernunzio Vintage Instruments. Tell him I told you to get in touch. good score...chuck - Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Question asked by: Mort Janko Subject: ukulele Question: Dear Chuck, Sure appreciate the quick response. Im sending you another couple of pictures. I got as close to the ukulele as I could. You may have to down size the pictures when you receive them. Again, thanks alot and happy holidays! Mort Photos:      Answer: Same to ya...Still have no idea who made it. It is a baritone. thanks...chuck - Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Question asked by: Mort Janko Subject: ukulele Question: My dad gave me this ukulele in the early 1950's. It's in pretty good condition. Has all the strings. No mrkings on uke, but in the cheap case it has the marking economo, GEIB, Chicago. Has been hardly used. Measures 10" by 29". Can only send one picture at a time. The first picture is of the front, and I will attempt to send a picture of the back. Just curious if this ukulele has some value. Thanks. Mort Photos:      Answer: Mort..nice case Geib is a very good brand. I can't tell much from the pictures which came to me very small. It looks like a baritone but I would have to see it up close to give you more information. thanks...chuck - Monday, December 21, 2009

Question asked by: Russ Kemner Subject: restore or leave alone Question: I found this old uke, looks like a camp uke. There is no makes label, only the pat apld for stamp in the back of the head and a hand carved "Buster Apr 29 1923" Attached are photo's there is also a you tube vid at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ibKgLfcnnc or you can type camp uke sonny daze in the search bar. Can I replace the sound board nut and bridge without devaluing this? Is there any value or is it just junk. What exactly is this (camp uke?) Photos:      Answer: Russ...thanks for the back picture. Good that I know what the front looks like. Its worth restoring, it was made in the 30's by one of the best makers ever..Lyon and Healey .....you won't devalue it at all. best...chuck - Monday, December 21, 2009

Question asked by: Mark Snavely Subject: Style 2 Kamaka Pineapple Question: Hi Chuck. What I was hoping you could help me with is an estimate, in your opinion, of what price my uke should sell for in todays marketplace. Is a style 2 uke in this condition fairly common, or very rare? I would appreciate your thoughts on what you think its worth. Thank you Mark Snavely Photos:      Answer: mark...any kamaka in that condition is fairly rare. I would say that you can ask 1500+ for it. Nice uke...chuck - Thursday, December 17, 2009

Question asked by: Marlee Subject: Tuning/Tuners Question: Hey, I am getting a new Uke and have decided to get a Royal 8-String tennor and my friends say to tune it to E A C# F# because they sound great like that, I have been looking around but I cant get much information on how to tune it (e.g do you tune the E strings an octave apart) or what electronical tuners are the best for this style of tuning. Could you shed some light on this for me? Photos:      Answer: This is a question for the bulletin board on this site. Those guys know these types of answers...I don't. Thanks for writing in..chuck - Thursday, December 17, 2009

Question asked by: old smelly bob Subject: catgut uke Question: Chuck-a-duck,i found this hangin' on the dog kennel...is it a harmony? i think it might be the rare catgut model. what's it worth? should i send a pic of the other side? SNARK!! this is yer annual xmas letter to let you know we luv-ya-man! i hope your recent pre-frontal work went well....OSB Photos:      Answer: Dear Mr Odor. Its nice to know some things don't change. Your still nuts. I always look forward to your questions, they challenge me.....I wish you and yours all the best for the next year. Looking forward to your next question. Love to you all...chuck - Thursday, December 17, 2009

Question asked by: Ong Teong Hoon Subject: China Made Ukes Question: Hi There is, of late, quite a lot of China-made Ukes. How do they compare in terms of performance ? The prices are very competitive but I'd rather pay for quality. Answer: I know nothing about China made ukes. Sorry. There are so many and I can't keep up with them.....c - Tuesday, December 15, 2009

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