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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
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(Chuck
"Frets" Fayne has answered the following 5919
questions.)
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Question asked by:
Bill Hanlon
Subject: Uke Identification Question
Question: Hello! I’m an antique toy
collector (www.usdimestore.com)
and know absolutely nothing about
ukuleles. However, I have always
liked them and thought I might
try learning to play one. I’m 62
years old and have never played
an instrument, so I hope it is
not too late! I recently
purchased some antique toys and
the seller threw in a ukulele. I
would now like to know if it is
an old one. And, its value if
possible. I tried to find a
similar one on the various uke
websites but haven’t had much
luck. To me it looks like a
Harmony, but there is no decal
and it looks like it never had
one. It is 21 inches long and 7
inches wide. The wood looks like
mahogany with perhaps a rosewood
finger board with three mother of
pearl spots. The top is a blond
wood, perhaps spruce? There is a
nice black and white plastic
design around the sound hole and
there is a thin band of mock
tortoise shell (mottled plastic)
around the body on top. You might
be able to see it in one of the
photos. (OOPS! I guess I can onlt
attaach one photo!) Tuning knobs
are black plastic.It came in a
cheap case by Geib of Chicago.
The case is the ECONOMO model and
there is a little metal disc
inside the case stating this.
Funny thing, I’m also a toy
designer and historian. In 2000 I
reproduced the TONETTE for a
company and Jeff Geib, grandson
of the founder, still has the
original mold. A few months ago
we reproduced the Fitchorn Song
Flute. Another mold Jeff has.
Well, I hope you will be able to
provide some info on my uke. It’s
in great shape, but seems on the
small side to me. One other
thing, the back of the uke seems
to bow out and is not flat like
the top. Is this normal? Thanks
so much, Bill Hanlon
PS-
I just wrote my first song check
it out on youTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Djc020STONg
Photos:
Answer: Bill it appears to be a Regal and a nice one at that..You don't need another uke, it is perfect to learn on and play. I might suggest the song books on this site. Jim Beloff and Liz have thought of everything to make it easier. Have a trip arount the on line store...The uke was made in the sixties and in the same city as the case which is collectable as well. good luck and let me know how it goes. thanks...chuck
- Saturday, July 18, 2009
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Question asked by:
Erin
Subject: Your Book
Question: Chuck, any idea when will your
book be out? I have my order in
already but just wondering. Thanks
Answer: I've been lazy..but you question got me working again. thanks...wish I had a date but not yet. thanks again...chuck
- Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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Question asked by:
Doug Oaks
Subject: uke ID
Question: Hi Chuck, Any way to tell who
made this uke? Owner says it was
purchased in Hawaii in the 50s
from an antique shop.
Best,
Doug
Answer: Doug...no picture...please try again.
- Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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Question asked by:
Pukulele Pete
Subject: banjo uke
Question: Hello Chuck, heres a better
picture of what i think is a
Stromberg Banjo uke No name
anywhere.The bone nut is 1 3/16".
It's a high end uke.Do you know
the what maker, age, value?On the
head is written "USS CASE" and
it may have been at Pearl Harbor
on December 7th. Great website!
Thanks
Photos:
Answer: Pete....can't tell the maker. many used the inlay in the headstock. My guess its worth 250 without identification. thanks...chuck
- Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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Question asked by:
Al Anderson
Subject: Grandma's tiple
Question: 2nd attempt
Answer: Al...still no pictures. please try again..chuck
- Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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Question asked by:
David
Subject: Arthur Godfrey Vega Baritone
Question: Dear Chuck, Take a look at my
first baritone--a real beauty
with rich tone, obtained recently
from Ebay. No cracks, a few minor
scratches, straight neck, funky
saddle that I will replace. I'm
playing all my stuff in new keys,
or transposing the fingerings to
play on D, G, B and E strings.
The fretboard has beveled edges.
(So I have a hard time
controlling the E string. My palm
hits the string, or it slides off
the fretboard.) The work on those
bevels is a little cruder than
the rest of the uke. I wonder if
that was part of a fret-job, or
is it original? Also, I can't
easily tell if the back and sides
are solid like the top, or
laminated. Thanks for your
thoughts. Uke on! David
Photos:
Answer: Nice uke...I wouldn't have thought that the sides would be made that way. I would take it to a good luthier and tell him your problem I'm sure he can shave or sand the edges so they won't be so rough. keep in touch...chuck
- Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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Question asked by:
steve clines
Subject: Made in Germany/US Zone - Value & Maker info?
Question: Can anyone provide additional
information about the maker, style,
and possible value (low to high)
for the Uke in the pictures? I
have no clue when it comes to
musical instruments, but thought it
looked neat. There is a label on
the top of the neck that reads
Orpheum. As you can see from the
pictures, it's currently not
capable of making music, but if
it's worth reviving, I may do so.
Thanks for you help in advance!
Photos:
Answer: Steve...Orpheum is a name used by many different retail outlets. I have no idea. Can you send me a better picture. What is that thing above the bridge. thanks....chuck
- Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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Question asked by:
Ann
Subject: 1928 Kamaka Uke
Question: Hi Chuck, I hope this picture
will help. Sorry about the
quality. Was taken with my phone
camara. Any direction will help.
Again I live in San Diego. Thanks.
Photos:
Answer: It appears to be a style 1928 kamaka pineapple ukulele, with the original case. It is worth 350+ and the case is worth 200. I can't see the condition from the picture, however this is the price if the uke is free of bad stuff. thanks for writing in....cshuck
- Wednesday, July 8, 2009
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Question asked by:
Renzo
Subject: Kent Baritone
Question: Cant find much info on Kent
brand..Was it a Harmony Brand?
Bridge & neck look the
same/different headstock. Appears
to be solid mahogany body/rosewood
fretboard & bridge. I'm guessing
its from the early 60's ?? 30 in.
overall/10 in. lwr bout/7.5 in.
upper bout/1 3/8 nut width More
info? thanks
Photos:
Answer: I have seen the Kent brand before. I believe it was made by Regal, a Chicago based company from the 30's on..thanks..c
- Tuesday, July 7, 2009
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Question asked by:
G. Maloney
Subject: l. nunes ukulele
Question: I have an opportunity to buy this
ukulele and was wondering what
amount would be reasonable to
spend. It has wooden tuning
pegs. The label says made by
Leonardo Nunes Tone Material and
workmanship.
Photos:
Answer: I cannot see the uke and I need to. Nunes made so many styles and the price is determined by which one it is...send another pic,...this wont download....c
- Tuesday, July 7, 2009
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Question asked by:
Raymond
Subject: Fin-der tuner peg
Question: Chuck,
I bought a Fin-der plastic
soprano at a vintage guitar store
yesterday with its original
colored strings. I took them off
and put Martin strings on it.
The second string will only
tension to D sharp. Is it
possible to fix or replace the
loose tuner? Attached a picture
that shows the purple body.
Thanks Raymond
Photos:
Answer: raymond ,...you will have to write around and see what you can do. Bernunzio vintage instruments ( on line), may have some information...hope this helps...chuck
- Sunday, July 5, 2009
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Question asked by:
Doug Oaks
Subject: uke ID
Question: Hi Chuck, Any way to tell the
maker of a tabu marked uke? Has
wooden pegs and the Hawaii decal
but so do a lot of other ukes.
Thanks,
Doug
Photos:
Answer: Your right...many uke makers used the tabu brand. Summers bros is the most likely guess. You will probably never now who made it.....the trim is also used by many makers. beautiful uke....thanks
- Sunday, July 5, 2009
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Question asked by:
mike
Subject: help me identify this uke
Question: hey chuck,
i bought this uke recently, it says
"williams" on the headstock and has
"williams, los angeles" stamped
inside the soundhole.
haven't been able to find out much
about it, and was wondering if it
was worth restoring.
would appreciate your help, thanks!
Photos:
Answer: Mike...it is not a valuable ukulele but it is quite unusual to see one. They all had different colored nuts and saddles. Little is known about them, but they do pop up now and then. It is worth restoring. The ones I had were good players. They also made a pineapple shaped one. Please let me know how it comes out, I have always wondered what happened to mine. best..chuck
- Sunday, June 21, 2009
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Question asked by:
Gay Maloney
Subject: Leonardo Nunes
Question: I have an opportunity to invest
in this ukulele for my son.
About how much is this ukulele
worth? I don't want to overspend.
Thanks!
Photos:
Answer: Can you send me a picture? If you did, it didn't come thru...try again.
- Sunday, June 21, 2009
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Question asked by:
Janice
Subject: Ukulele
Question: I have a ukulele. It has a paper
label inside is partly torn off the
label reads G
CONSERVATORY
UKULELE
The rest of the word staring with G
is missing.
It needs to be repaired. but I was
wondering if I can do it self or if
it is worth having a professional
repair it.
Answer: Please send me a picture of the uke and the label. I will try to help...chuck
- Sunday, June 21, 2009
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Question asked by:
Howard Kolodny
Subject: Banjo Ukes and Favilla
Question: Hi, Chuck. Got a couple of
questions about banjo ukes, but
first there's one about the age
of a beautiful Favilla baritone I
just acquired. Inside the sound
hole, there is no label, but
there are stamped the
words "FAVILLA BROS. on one line
and below that are the words "New
York, NY, USA". Can you tell me
approximately when it was made?
My next two questions concern
banjo ukes which I've become
very fond of lately. The first
one is a soprano size with a non-
detachable resonator with two "F"
holes in it. On the back, just
above the tuning pegs, in a
horizontal diamond, are the
letters "N.M.S. Co." Can you
tell me anything about this
company? The second banjo uke is
a tenor of heroic dimensions.
The body is 11" in diameter, 3"
deep, and 30" in overall length.
No resonator and underneath is a
five-pointed star and the
word "MONA". Can you tell me
anything about this company?
Your help and experience are very
much appreciated. Thanks. Howard
Answer: Howard...information is easier with pictures. Please try to group the three together and send me at least a pic of the front. I can help you if I can see them..thanks..chuck
- Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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Question asked by:
Bill Bailey
Subject: Paul Summers uke
Question: I pick this Ukulele up at a local
antique mall and I have a few
questions to ask you. The ukulele
is labeled Paul summers, It has
Moana and crest on the front of
the head stock and a tabu brand
on the back. The uke has a small
crack on the back and a small
separation on the back seam that
needs to be repaired. It has rope
inlay around the sound hole, the
top edge ,down the center and on
the edge of the finger board. The
back is equally flamed as the
front when it comes the Koa wood.
The patina is awesome. I can send
more picks but there is only room
for 1. If I have it repaired do I
have it cleaned and or polished?
I collect violins and I prefer all
original finish with maybe a light
cleaning but for uke's it might be
different. I have a violin maker
friend who could fix it for me. Or
do you recommend a uke maker? If
I was going to sell it would I do
better with a fully restored uke?
what is It worth? It looks to has
been played a lot that might
suggests it has good tone.
Thanks Bill
Photos:
Answer: Nice uke...I would leave it as it is. If you have to have it repaired, I would have no problems with a violin luthier for just crack work. If it was internal work on the guts of the uke, I would go to a guitar luthier or uke luthier if you could find one. It is an older summers (1918) circa. The should be worth more than they are. If it has a decent tone 500+ in this wacky market. If you are going to sell it, I would put it on the marketplace on this site. It is viewed by ukeies only. Best exposure you can get. Good luck with the uke. As for the cleaning, I would ask your violin maker for a good , very gentle cleaner and no elbow grease. Leave the patina as it is and only remove a little surface dirt. best and thanks for writing in..chuck
- Tuesday, June 16, 2009
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Question asked by:
Ann
Subject: Kamaka 1928 YUK
Question: I have this UKE that is
collecting dust. It is in good
shape, and I have its original
case. Which is surprisingly good
shape considering its age. I live
in San Diego CA and have no idea
where to go to sell it. I don't
play myself. I would learn
because I love the sound, but
unfortunently I wasn't born with
the gift of...(whats the saying?}
melody?! lol Anyway if you could
maybe direct in the right way I'd
appreciate it. Thank you. Ann E.
Photos:
Answer: could you send me a pic of he whole uke..I will help...c
- Thursday, June 11, 2009
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Question asked by:
Al Anderson
Subject: Grandma's Tiple - back
Question: Trying again....
Answer: Sorry al....still no pictures. I wish I could help, but I know nothing about sending the pics. Contact the webmaster on this site. Anyone out there that can help Al.....
- Tuesday, June 9, 2009
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Question asked by:
Norb Shebish
Subject: Uke identity?
Question: I bought this uke at an estate sale
for $1.00. A label inside reads:
"Barclay W151 Made in Japan
exclusively for Targ & Dinner,
Inc." Is this a toy or a real uke?
It's 21" long. Thanks.
Photos:
Answer: Its a real uke..how does it sound......chuck
- Sunday, June 7, 2009
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