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

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page

Question asked by: mike reese Subject: Standing Pic Question: Chuck, Thanks...now I know to send add'l entry for each pic. There will be 2 more to follow. When I talked to Martin, they told me they changed tuning peg design in 1927 and I read somewhere that they went to decals in 1930. If you need anything else. let me know. Mike Photos:      Answer: Mike...Im sorry to say I forgot what you originally wanted. Please write again and I will go my best. nice uke..chuck - Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Question asked by: Mika Waller Subject: Question: I've been contemplating the purchase of a Martin Style "0" for quite some time. From a sound and playability standpoint, are some vintages more desirable than others? Are these instruments fairly consistent, or does the sound vary greatly from one to the next? Cosmetic condition aside, what should I look for in a Martin Style "0" if I can't play it first- hand? Thanks for your insights! Mika Answer: Mike...I think the best sounding of the Martin soprano is the earliest stle 1 with the wooden pegs. Martins, in the 0 and 1 model, are usually fairly consistant as far as sound. I would avoid, at all cost, the martin S.O., their most recent offering. Rubbish....I tend to stick to the older models (pre 1950)....I hate breatking in a uke. Style 0 and 1 have the clearest sound. As they added more trim, the sound gets weaker. Hope this helps. I would really try to get to play your purchase first. I know its difficult at times but if it is a good instrument, the buyer should let you play it first. You wouldn't buy a car without driving it.....best of luck..chuck - Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Question asked by: Jeff Mercer Subject: re;Frank Abrams' question Question: Hey, Chuck, as always hope this finds you well. As to Frank's enquiry about Wendell Hall banjo uke tuners, there is a Hall up on Ebay at the moment, & the seller has thoughtfully posted a good pic of the tuners..Frank, you could contact the seller & ask if there is any markings on the pegs, but as Chuck remembered, they appear to be the large- barrel Grovers..ebay 290304435115..hope this helps..P.S, Chuck, really glad to hear you got through the fires unscathed..I had several musical buddies very close to affected areas, but all, through sheer luck ( and wind direction ) made it through, too.. Answer: Jeff...as always many thanks and yeh, it was a little warm here. So sad so many lost everything ..But aussies are tough blokes...they will return...thanks for the info..always appreciated...take care pal...chuck - Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Question asked by: Ted Neel Subject: effect of a cutaway Question: Chuck, I own a couple of ukes and am in the market for a new, high- end tenor. Do you know if the sound quality of a uke is effected by being a cutaway, or if it has a pickup in it? Thanks. I'd also appreciate any thoughts you might have as to the relative merits of KoAloha vs. Kamaka vs. G String, etc? Ted Answer: Ted, if you go back to the uke yak question page, you will see, below my picture, a link to cole clark guitars and ukuleles...Look their Jack Tenor...I was at the factory yesterday playing one and they are spectacular. Let me know how you get along. They are a cutaway and have a pickup and are sharp and clean...c - Saturday, March 21, 2009

Question asked by: Joe Subject: Reverse chord search Question: Hello Chuck, great site, and advice, thank you ! At http://4stringchords.com/, the writer of March 6th can input finger positions in the 4 spaces below the fretboard, and find their chord. --joe Answer: Thanks for the kind words and the suggested site. Always appreciated. c - Friday, March 20, 2009

Question asked by: Frank Abrams Subject: Ludwig Wendell Hall Tuners Question: Hi Chuck. I'm restoring a Ludwig Wendell Hall Banjo-Uke and need to know who made the original tuners? The ones on it are friction replacements. I believe the originals were geared tuners. Were they made by Grover? Planet? or some other make? Can someone please let me know. Thanks, Frank Answer: Frank...I'm putting this up because I don't have a hall anymore. I need someone who has one to take pictures of the tuners and send them to this site. I will then put them up. I seem to remember they were clunky grovers. Someone will write...chuck - Friday, March 20, 2009

Question asked by: P.V.Nasby Subject: Add or detract in value Question: I recently sold a well used Martin 3k soprano form the early 1920s that had a repair side crack but was great player. Before the new owner left, he played my style 1 with pegheds and asked me the put them on his "new" 3K. I did and we were both very pleased with the results. Is this a sin or did I add value to his uke by making it more playable. The tuners on it were not original but the larger black Grover style. Answer: I don't think you hurt much. I hope you kept the original tuners. I have never worried when the instrument I was altering, was a player....Its whatever feels best and is easiest to play. see chuck - Friday, March 20, 2009

Question asked by: shayn davis Subject: johnny marvin tenor uke Question: I have a johnny marvin ukulele with the airplane bridge..The case is cloth but is worn.The uke is in very great shape but I am not sure what the value is...I got a offer on ebay for $500. Is that a good price.I think that it was made in the late 1920's or early 30's.I would like to find a buyer but again I do not know what to ask... Answer: I think 500 was a reasonable offer. If it is the mahogany model that's fine. t They made one of Koa wood and its worth a lot more. If you don't know the difference, take it to a good music store and ask. You might be able to get a few bucks more, but If I had it and I wanted to sell it and somebody offered me 500...they would have just bought a uke...Try putting it up on the marketplace on this site and I would guess you get what you want. It's free and so is the picture..good luck - Monday, March 16, 2009

Question asked by: Carol Rose Subject: concert or tenor martin Question: Hi Chuck, Love your sense of humor. Wish I had it. Quick question. If you could have only one, which would it be, a Martin concert or Martin tenor. Thanks. Carol Answer: Carol...thanks for the kind words. A Concert. Much easier for me to play and I love the range. Remember, its only my opinion. chuck - Thursday, March 12, 2009

Question asked by: eastmountain Subject: Regal Soprano Ukulele Question: I just got this Regal soprano uke at an antique mall for $25. The back was coming off, but it was easy to re-glue. I put Aquilas on it and it sounds great. I've never seen this style paint-on rosette before, and the top appears to be solid (laminate layers not obvious at the sound hole). Could it maybe be birch, stained like mahogany? Also, what do you think it might be worth? Photos:      Answer: Mike...it is a stencel uke from the 50's It is stained maple and worth about 200 bucks. I like them and always have. No surprise its sounds good. Good luck and thanks for writing in...c - Monday, March 9, 2009

Question asked by: Chris Subject: figure out chord names Question: Hi Chuck, @ qustion of mr.chuck (I already answered him): one of the best chord making programms I found is chord alchemy. You can figure out chords by reverse search. You got an empty fingerboard diagram and add the dots/position of the fingers and the program gives you the chord. This program is not expensive and could be used for many stringed instruments. You can define the tuning or choose an already installed instrument.. Check the net for www.tonalalchemy.com. This i not my program, I just use it as a customer.. Kind regards, Chris Answer: thanks chris...all help greatly appreciated. I'm sure the the info will be used by many...best..chuck - Sunday, March 8, 2009

Question asked by: mark jenkins Subject: uke Question: A friend asked me to look this one up. perfect shape blonde wood uke with Chicago label, patent# 627,412 looks perfectly new. plastic fingerboard, no wear. ADF#B stenciled on the face, red/orange trim, nylon strings, straight neck, looks like it was never played. how can I find the value of this? he wants to hang it on his wall for a decoration! It sounds good to me! Please advise, Regards, Mark Answer: I need a picture to be sure. It sounds like a Harmony ukulele from the 50's. Value about 100 bucks. thanks..chuck - Friday, March 6, 2009

Question asked by: MrChuck Subject: How can I figure out chord names? Question: Hi Chuck, I've not posted for a long time but I keep tabs on all this good stuff. I have a question. Is there a site where I can input the fingerings of a chord that I have found on the fretboard & then have the site spit out the chord name? Even better - by tuning? Thanks Mr.Chuck PS: I have a Fluke Aloha Uke - lovely! Answer: I am not familiar with a site like that. I would suggest that you go to the on line store on this website and buy a book of chords from Jim Beloff. I'm sure you will find exactly what you are looking for. Thanks for writing in..chuck - Friday, March 6, 2009

Question asked by: mike reese Subject: Pre 27 Martin Uke Question: Hi Chuck, I tried to send more photos, but I guess they didn't come thru. The OA measurement is 21" and the body itself is 9-1/2" x 6-1/2". As to age, it is my understanding that Martin changed from stanped name to decal in 1930 and that they changed from ebony friction tuning pegs to a plastic or bakelite knob in 1927. I don't know if I'm setting up the photos correctly. Hopefully they will all upload. Mike /Users/hmr/Desktop/Uke/Uke1.jpg /Users/hmr/Desktop/Uke/Uke5.jpg /Users/hmr/Desktop/Uke/Uke6.jpg Photos:      Answer: I don;t know if it has a decal on the headstock, but if it does it is c1950 standard style 0....You have to send a different uke yak entry for each picture. I will be glad to comment more when I can see the whole front of the uke as if it was standing up...which it will have to be. Thanks mike....Not much happned in 1927. They changed the fingerboard to rosewood, ebony nut and bridge saddle..prior to that they were maple. they still have very tiny dots then...later went to the larger dots and put the decal on the headstock and no longer branded the name on the back of the headstock. - Friday, March 6, 2009

Question asked by: Mitch B Subject: Lisa ukulele Question: Hi Chuck,I got another plastic uke.This one is a Lisa.It is like the Fin-Der but has metal tuners.Do you know who made these?Is it worth anything? I paid about $15 for it. Photos:      Answer: I havent seen this before or if I have my senior brain has misplaced the information. I would guess it would have the value of a Finder. About 150 bucks and a few more for the box. thanks..chuck - Friday, March 6, 2009

Question asked by: Frank Abrams Subject: Any Luck On That Old Concert Uke? Question: Any luck in identifying this uke? Thanks as always, Frank Photos:      Answer: No luck so far. Looks like so many instruments and makers, there is not one thing to identify it. Nice wood, a little crude, trim and headstock look like Regal, but I don't think so. I am putting this up in the hopes someone out there in yak land will know. If anyone has any ideas, please write in. If I had it in my hands perhaps I could get a better idea. I have had alot of instruments that look like the one you have. I didn't know what they were either. Will keep looking.....see ya Frank..chuck - Thursday, March 5, 2009

Question asked by: mike reese Subject: Pre 27 Martin Uke Question: Trying to get some idea of market value. Mike /Users/hmr/Desktop/Uke/Uke1.jpg /Users/hmr/Desktop/Uke/Uke2.jpg /Users/hmr/Desktop/Uke/Uke3.jpg /Users/hmr/Desktop/Uke/Uke6.jpg Photos:      Answer: What are the measurements , please send me a picture of the whole front. Why do you say pre 1927?...I need the total measurement from top to bottom..I will then try to help you..chuck - Thursday, March 5, 2009

Question asked by: David Subject: Gretsch ukulele Question: Hi Chuck - Wondering what you might be able to tell me about my uke. As you can tell from the pictures, it's a rather fancy ukulele - lots of binding and the beautiful abalone inlay on the front of the headstock. I'm assuming it's koa although I didn't realize the Gretsch made any koa ukes. Any ideas when it might have been made and what kinda value it has? Photos:      Answer: David, I have on only seen three of these ukes. I had one, Akira Tsumura had one and yours. It is the top of the line Gretsch and your correct, it is Koa. A very rare ukulele. It was made in the 50's and has a value of whatever you can get. I got 1200.00 for mine and still regret selling it. Nice to see, it brings back many memories of when I got mine. I was told I was buying a gretsch ukulele and I pictured the normal one everyone sees. What you have it what showed up. I remember it like it was yesterday. One is pictured in the Tsumura guitar book which is now out of print. But if you get a chance to see a copy, you will see your ukulele. Best to ya.... - Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Question asked by: KAREN Subject: Texas Uke Question: record cover Photos:      Answer: I've never seen that record cover. Google it and see what you can find.... - Sunday, March 1, 2009

Question asked by: KAREN Subject: Info on my Uke Question: This ukulele was found in an old Texas farmhouse. The brand is Barclay. It came with an old Fender pick that was taped to the case. That is still intact. Inside I found the cover to a record called Read, Listen, Learn. It says Don Sellers presents Don Rainey...Tenor Uke. It shows the chords to "Red River Valley" and tells you how to stroke the Uke. The front part of an old matchbook that says "Pinkie's Liquor Stores" serving West Texas was found inside. So I'm thinking whoever played this had a good time doing it! At least until he woke the next morning! LOL I would greatly appreciate any info you might have on this Uke. Thank you!! Photos:      Answer: Karen...the Barclay uke pops up now and then. I don't have a record in my files of who made it, but it was probably made by Harmony or Regal in Chicago 1940. They were a uke made for the masses rather than a professional job. Other than that, I am in the dark now as I was 35 years ago when I saw the first one. How does it play . Hang on to the pick....chuck - Sunday, March 1, 2009

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page