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 (40 of 296) (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

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

Question asked by: Denise Harris Subject: Nunes uke Question: This is the actual Ukulele used on the cover of the Sundance catalog in 2004. Can you give me information about it, when made, worth? It says made in Los Angeles on the inside label. The back of the instrument is contoured. Thanks! Photos:      Answer: This is a very rare style 3 Leonardo Nunes Radio Tenor. It was made in the 20's+ In my estimation, this ukulele is the best player of the Hawaiian made ukes. I would not take less than 3000 for it if it were mine. My birthday is 19th September and if you send me the uke I will then be in the position of not taking less than 3000 for it. I'm sure you understand. Wrap it well....thanks for writing in....Only kidding, you don't have to be careful boxing it, it has a case. chuck - Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Question asked by: Marvin Mayville Subject: My Martin Uke Question: I believe that this is a Style 3 Martin. On the back of the tuner pegs, "C.F. Martin - Nazareth" is punched into the wood. Do you have any idea how much this ukulele is worth? I really appreciate your website, Thanks Photos:      Answer: I cannot tell what the wood is. The pic is too small. It is the second incarnation of the style 3 Martin. It is worth, if it is Mahogany, about 3500+ It is referred to as the "touching bow tie fret markers"...Nice uke, rare and nice to have the case. thanks for writing in...chuck - Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Question asked by: Steve Pepper Subject: Bobby Henshaw Question: Chuck a quick Google search revealed a very interesting site about Bobby Henshaw. The same picture as on the sheet music is on there as well as others. The link is too long to paste here but attached is a photo of his signature uke and an extract from the page is here: He also produced a commercial line of baritone ukeleles and tenor guitars, as well as Master Strings, under the "Bobby Henshaw" brand, manufactured in Sorkin, NY. These are found today in antique shops and on eBay. In promoting the brand, a booklet was published bearing Bobby's portrait, entitled Hints By Bobby "Uke" Henshaw for the Baritone Ukulele. The booklet in part said: "If any artist is qualified to say what a good instrument should be, it can only be Bobby -- and his choice is the Henshaw Uke. He know it's made of the finest quality woods and is true in every respect." Best Steve Photos:      Answer: thanks Steve ...all help gratefully received..keep in touch - Monday, May 18, 2009

Question asked by: Steve Pepper Subject: Tenor Guitar Question: Chuck Just a little more on Tenor guitars. Most Tenor guitars are steel strung rather than nylon strung. They also don't have the re-entrant tuning of a tenor uke, so you can use standard guitar strings 1-4. They are built and braced differently to to a ukulele, to take account of the extra strain of steel strings and many have a tailpiece or bridge pins like a standard steel strung guitar. Ukuleles are built more like a Spanish guitar style rather than say a flat top jumbo Martin guitar. Most (but not all) Tenor guitars have machine heads in preference to pegs. There are always discussions amongst the Tenor Guitar sites about which is the best tuning and there are several to choose from Chicago, Tenor, Modal, etc. They had their heyday similar to Ukes and were last produced in any number in the late 50s and early 60. Also like ukes there has been a resurgance in recent years and there are now a few makers offering them, but they are still not common. The best web site is www.Tenorguitar.com and there is loads of info on there. A lot of tenor banjo Folk players now use these in Irish sessions, as they can play their jigs and reels but have a mellower sound. In addition to the standard tenor guitar there was also a longer neck version caller a plectrum tenor guitar. This usually has a banjo style head (sometimes with pegs). I have one that looks like a "Vega". Thanks Steve Answer: thanks again - Monday, May 18, 2009

Question asked by: Steve Pepper Subject: Tenor Guitar Question: Chuck a little more on Tenor guitars. They are usually steel strung and therefore build is usually different to take the extra strain. Most but not all will have machine heads rather than pegs. Tuning is not re entrant like a uke and subject to much heated discussion between players. Some have much longer necks and called Plectrum tenor guitar. These usually have headstocks shaped like a banjo. Lastly in vogue in the early 60s but like the uke have bounced back. A lot of tenor banjo players use them for a different sound when playing jigs& reels in folk sessions. There is a good site at www.tenorguitar.com Steve. Answer: and again....your spoiling me. c - Monday, May 18, 2009

Question asked by: Howard Kolodny Subject: Ukulele Instruction Question: Chuck: Enjoy your column. Do you know how I can find ukulele teachers in the Washington, D. C., metropolitan area, including Maryland and northern Virginia? I've tried all the music stores around here and the places offering guitar instruction. No luck. Can you help? Thanks. Howard Answer: Howrd...If you go to the player directory on this site and look up wash. d.c. you will find someone who knows. Thats the way I would start. If you still have trouble..please write me and I will research it for you....chuck - Monday, May 18, 2009

Question asked by: Paul Lambert Subject: Ukulele origin Question: I have a Koholas and Co. ukulele that I bought at a flea market. It appears to have bone tuning pieces, but has plastic strings. I can't find any history anywhere. I feel the plastic strings are a replacement for the real ones. Can you give me any info? Mahalo, Paul lambert. Answer: The real ones would have been gut. Nobody uses gut any more...There are much better strings out there. Please see the online store on this site for suggestions for strings. thanks..chuck - Monday, May 18, 2009

Question asked by: Bill Subject: Harmony Uke Question: Hi Chuck! I don’t think my question went through the first time so I’m trying again. I found this ukulele and would like to know more about it. It’s just over 21 inches long and 7 inches wide. I think it is a HARMONY, but I’m not sure. The main wood is mahogany and the fingerboard is rosewood with three mother of pearl dots. The tuning knobs are black plastic. Does black mean prewar? The sound hole has a nice inlaid black and white plastic design of alternating color squares. There is also a plastic tortoise shell band around the head. The top of the head is a blond wood. Spruce? There are no markings on this uke as to manufacturer. Did all HARMONYS have decals? It came in a hard case by GEIB. The case is called the ECONOMO. I looked up the trademark and it was issued in 1949. So, I’m not sure if the uke is from that period or earlier. Any help as to age and value would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Bill Photos:      Answer: I would guess that this uke is a Regal. Chicago based company that was Harmony's rival. I can't rule out Harmony, but the sound hole decoration is Regalish. thanks..chuck - Monday, May 18, 2009

Question asked by: Elmer Subject: Age of Maui Music Uke Question: I recently purchased a pre-fire Peter Lieberman Maui Music eight string tenor from Jimmy Kojiro in Waikiki. It has a radiused fretboard and a pickup, The label inside says Serial Number 5- 12188, and Model T8KD. Since the picture was taken, I have had it adjusted, the pickup fixed, and had it VERY lightly cleaned. All the work was done by an experienced professional luthier. He said it has really been played alot. While I'll never know who played it so livingly for such a long time, could you tell me when it was made? It sounds wonderful and the koa on the back is amazing. Mahalo Photos:      Answer: I would write Maui Music and ask them the question. I have a feeling they know and I do not. I have trouble remembering my own age, let alone the age of ukes..thanks for writing and keep in touch - Monday, May 18, 2009

Question asked by: PUKULELE PETE Subject: TENOR UKE GUITAR Question: THIS MAY BE A DUMB QUESTION BUT IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TENOR GUITAR AND A TENOR UKULELE? ARE THEY TUNED DIFFERENTLY? ARE THEY THE SAME SIZE? Answer: Pete..there is a great difference. Firstly, one is a uke and other is a guitar. The tenor guitar came from the tenor banjo...it gave the banjo player an guitar he could play. The tenor guitar is much longer with a body size somwhere between a tenor and baritone ukulele. The neck is thin. The guitar is tuned like a tenor guitar or a ukulele. I always tuned mine like a ukulele because I have no idea how to play a banjo, consequently when I tried to play in banjo tuning it sounded like crap. It was not a dumb question, the smart thing to do was ask. Thanks for writing in..keep in touch...chuck - Friday, May 15, 2009

Question asked by: joey bradley Subject: Mills Brothers Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck, This is a picture of the very early Mills Brothers. Can you identify the ukulele that I think John, who died early, is holding? Thanks for all the interesting uke info. JB Photos:      Answer: Joey, its not a ukulele its a regal tenor guitar. I have had many of them and if you tune them like a tenor ukulele you will have on fine sounding instrument. If you see one for sale for under 1000 grab it. You won't regret it..thanks for writing in. chuck - Thursday, May 14, 2009

Question asked by: santosha Subject: frisco uke Question: Hi Chuck... It has been a loong time since the last time I asked you a question! And actually a long time not on the FMM forums...But I still play the ukulele and the uke that I will be playing for much of this year from my collection will be the Frisco uke. Great looking and sounding uke although alittle on the quiet side. My question is how many of these ukuleles did Mark Silber make? or are they still being made? Thanks Answer: Nice to hear from you. I don't know exactly how many were made but I believe it to be less than a hundred. YOu hardly ever see them offered for sale. I will write marc and see how many....will write you and let you know. don't be a stranger. write sometime. best to ya pal...chuck - Thursday, May 14, 2009

Question asked by: Lightnin' Wells Subject: Bobby Henshaw Question: Frets, I've turned up an early photo of the elusive Bobby Henshaw in uke action. It is from a piece of sheet music called Oh! How He Can Snore from 1920. He looks kind of like the Elvis of his day much unlike the later man reduced to pushing a peanut with his nose. Lightnin' Wells Photos:      Answer: lightning...thanks for sharing. Its a great picture, one I have never seen before. Keep in touch...frets - Thursday, May 14, 2009

Question asked by: Tom favilla Subject: Favilla -Marca Aquila Uke Question: Hi Chuck, On April 8th John Hyatt poised an interesting question about a Marca Aquila soprano Uke with white binding. I have never come seen one myself,but binding was only used on the top of the line ukuleles. A second indicator of the better quality ukulele was that the fingerboard extended onto the top of the ukulele and did not end where the neck met the body. Always happy to pass on a bit of information. Tom Photos:      Answer: Hay Tom...always happy to hear from you. YOu have never let me down when it comes to information. How are you and thank you very much as always for the help. Its nice to have friends...as always..chuck - Saturday, May 2, 2009

Question asked by: Chuck Sullivan Subject: Lyle Ritz Contact Question: Hey, Chuck-- I asked you a question on 4/20 about what strings Lyle Ritz uses on his DGBE tuned tenor, and I got a reply from the on-line store saying he doesn't know how to contact either Lyle or Jim Beloff. Help. Answer: If you go on the fleamarket musisc on line site, you will find an area to contact Jim...If not,He will for sure see this answer....chuck - Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Question asked by: Sharon Wachholz Subject: what to buy? Question: Hi-I have small hands and fingers. I want a beautiful sound and easy strings. i am a total newbie but love the sound and want to play! I am 60. What should I buy? Thank you VERY much! Answer: Sharon...I don't know how to answer..Its a personal thing...Go to a music store that has a selection of UKuleles and try them and see which one feels right. They are pretty muuch standard..Size of fingers doesn't matter that much. Let me know how it turns out....c - Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Question asked by: David Subject: the other shadow Question: Chuck, thanks for the rapid response and interesting info. This Kamaka is the uke that cast the other shadow in the picture with the cocoanut uke. It was new or mint when I got it in 1982 (a steal at $60 US). Many boat trips and campfire nights have damaged it considerably. A large crack on the lower side has been repaired. I think I still have the little chip from the heel of the neck. It once had beautiful tone, now it only sounds very good. Would you care to suggest a value? Photos:      Answer: Considering the condition.....300 dollars...thanks for writing in. c - Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Question asked by: Chris Subject: The Gibson hook and nut UB1 Question: Hi Chuck, I bought a lovely Baby Gibson, pre 1930. Unfortunately one of the hooks and the nut is missing. Do you have any idea, where I could find them? Anybody out there, who's selling a set? Kind regards, Chris Photos:      Answer: Chris...try Bernuzio Vintage Instruments in Rochester N.Y..Tell JOhn I told you to ask. You will find him online...thanks...chuck - Wednesday, April 29, 2009

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