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

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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: marnie Subject: favor for a patient Question: I am looking for information on the value of an instrument. It is a Leonardo Nunes instrument, purchased in LA around 1924 for $50 (there is a little note included in the box that states the giver's recollection of the purchase- an installment plan and it included a couple of lessons). It had a crack in the front of it that was repaired in 1990 by kamaka hawaii inc. The restoration cost $200, I have the receipts and the cancelled check of the transaction. I know nothing about ukuleles, it was given to my co- worker who is hawaiian by a patient who was looking for help in appraising the instrument (I guess if you are Hawaiian it is assumed you know ukuleles). Some how, I being more search savvy found this web site and now the Canadian gal is looking for answers. I hope I took a good enough picture. I was noticing some of the critiques of other photos (justified I might add) but don't want to fall short. The body of the instrument (I don't know the proper verbage) is 23 1/2 cm long and 16 cm wide at its widest point. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Photos:      Answer: Marnie....the wood pattern is very interesting. Not sure what it is. Probally fancy Koa. Your uke is a high grade style 4 or 5 Nunes Soprano. I have not seen one on the market for a long time..It is worth in excess of 750 dollars. If it is for sale, the Marketplace on this site is a great way to advertise. free pictures and lots of people looking only for ukes. thanks...chuck - Sunday, March 1, 2009

Question asked by: mike Subject: marvin tenor uke Question: Mr Chuck was wondering if you can tell me if this uke is the regular mahogeny or the koa version im looking to sell it and dont want to misrepresent it is there a venue for selling youd recommend Photos:      Answer: Its hard to tell from the picture, but it seems to be koa. The tuners are not original and they would tell the story. Do you have the originals. Please send me a picture of the full front and full back of the uke and I will hslp you more..The venue I would recommend is the marketplace on this site. No charge, you can place pictures and only uke nuts look. Sounds perfect? - Friday, February 27, 2009

Question asked by: Frank Abrams Subject: Back, Old Concert Uke Question: Here is the back. The back of the neck appears to have been painted. Paint appears original. This is a high quality uke. Photos:      Answer: Frank...in order to be able to tell, I need pictures of the whole front and the whole back. Please also send me a pic of the tuners. They don't look original. And your not bugging me. chuck - Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Question asked by: Clay Smith Subject: Old Johnny Marvin Question: I have an old Harmony Johnny Marvin Tenor uke in rough but playable shape! It stays in tune and I love it! My question is can you tell the approximate date of it by the decal that's on it? I have never seen this decal before! I was given this uke in 1975. This is a great sight and thanks for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us who like ukuleles too! Thanks, Clay Photos:      Answer: Thanks for the kind words. Your ukulele ws made in the 40's - 50's. You will see the uke pictured on the top of this site on the home page. Johnny Marvin ukes were all good players. Keep strummin...chuck - Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Question asked by: Elaine Subject: Leonardo Nunes Radio Tenor Question: Hope this photo is better. The dimensions are 23 1/4 by 7 1/2 (at it's wides point). I appreciate your help with its value. I also haven't cleaned the finger prints as I don't know what to use. It is missing two small pieces of the inlaid. Photos:      Answer: Well , you have my favorite instrument. The player's player. The value to a player is priceless, to a collector 2500-3000 and well worth it...I would get gibson guitar and gently wipe it. Best...chuck - Monday, February 23, 2009

Question asked by: Dakota Red Subject: Kamaka Soprano variations Question: I'm curious if there's any "era- speficic" component to whether Kamaka Sopranos do or don't have that curved/fretless fingerboard extension? The one on the left is a "white label" era one [has this feature] and the other [gold- label] does not. Research on Kamaka's website hasn't illuminated this [perhaps obscure] question. Thx for any insight. D R Photos:      Answer: As you probably know , the white label is older. As to how much, nobody seems to know including Kamaka. They used labels and additions freely and still do. Its hard to pin down the Kamaka decorations, I never wondered, I just played them and marveled at how they have manage to keep their high standard for almost 100 years. Play it alot and enjoy..chuck - Monday, February 23, 2009

Question asked by: ambrose pottie Subject: more pics of my uke Question: Hi Chuck, here are more pictures of my uke as requested. Any idea what it is and worth etc...? thanks, Ambrose Photos:      Answer: I am almost positive that the uke is mainland made. But, what a hunk of wood. I would guess it is Regal from Chicago 1930's. Worth is a tough one. I have seen them sell for 300+...thanks for writing in...chuck - Monday, February 23, 2009

Question asked by: joe Subject: more pics of hump uke #2 Question: Hello Chuck Here's another pic of the Hump Uke. Can you tell if it's Koa and maybe Era. Let me know if you need more detailed pics. Thanks alot Chuck Joe Photos:      Answer: If it is Koa it is a poor grade and if it is Mahogany it is a poor grade. Era looks to be 50's...thanks for writing in...chuck - Monday, February 23, 2009

Question asked by: Gary Timmons Subject: Weissenborn Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck, An elderly friend owns this instrument. She wanted to know if I thought it was worth selling. I've built a couple of mandolins so her guess was I might have a clue. A buddy suggested checking out this site. Any suggestions who to contact regarding selling would be appreciated also I put together a page of additional photo's at http://sonic.net/~gtimmons/Weissenborn_Uke/ Thanks for your time. ---Gary Photos:      Answer: Gary..I don't know what "if its worth selling"...It just might be worth keeping. One of the better made instruments by world class maker. I sold mine, exactly like it for 2200 dollars. I still don't know whether or not I made the right decision. Its a whopper of an instrument...thanks...chuck - Monday, February 23, 2009

Question asked by: Herb Subject: Miami Professional Ukulele Question: Chuck, Hope all is well with you. I recently purchased a Miami Professional soprano ukulele. I searched the Uke Yak for info and understand that they were probably made by Stadlmair in the 1924-26 timeframe. The label on the inside does not mention Ukulele Hughes. There is no Stadlmair mark anywhere. Also the impressed stamp on the headstock is on the front rather than the back. I was wondering if there was any significance to these two items (no Hughes and stamp on the front) as far as early or later date of manufacture? Would you have an estimate on value in today's market? There are no cracks...just a few scratches. Thanks, Herb Photos:      Answer: Value is 300+..It is made by Stadlmair, ot sure of the date. Very good uke..enoy...chuck - Monday, February 23, 2009

Question asked by: Steve Subject: Martin Tenor tuners again Question: Here is a picture of the front of the headstock. Photos:      Answer: Steve...There is no movement at the bottom of my tuners..I would have a luthier take a look only beause the friction on the face of the uke can cause a loss of wood. No need to scar the uke...let me know what happens...chuck - Friday, February 20, 2009

Question asked by: Mitch B Subject: Fin-Der plastic ukulele Question: Hi Chuck,do you know anything about this Fin-Der plastic ukulele? This one is in very good condition and has the original box.Is it worth anything? Photos:      Answer: They were the rage in the 50's but being plastic, they were and are more of a toy. No matter what you do, they do not have the same sound as wood. Nice condition and worth, to a collector abour 200 bucks...thanks..chuck - Friday, February 20, 2009

Question asked by: Peter Galipault Subject: Shaffer Harptone Question: My friend has a very old uke that her uncle gave her. The label says it's a Schaeffer Harptone, ca 1913 or 1916, something like that. It's in pretty bad shape though. Some very serious cracks on the back side of the body, missing and mismatched tuning pegs and so on. In spite of all this, it is a very handsome instrument with some nice inlays on the fretboard and very pretty alternating, dashed bindings. Do you this is worth getting restored and if so, do you know anyone in the Boston area who could do it? Thanks! Peter Answer: please send a picture and I will help you...chuck - Friday, February 20, 2009

Question asked by: Allen Hopkins Subject: George Reese question - Harmony decal Question: There's an outfit that advertises on eBay that they make custom decals and reproduction pickguards for instruments. They're called T&R Vintage Pickguard Repro. Don't know what the price would be. I'll try posting a link to their eBay store [link]http://stores.ebay.com/T-R- Vintage-Pickguard-Repro[/link] If it doesn't link he can paste it in his browser. Answer: thanks Allen...Will post...always appreciated...c - Thursday, February 19, 2009

Question asked by: Elaine Subject: Nunes Radio Tenor Question: I was wondering if you knew where I could get this appraised. It's been handed down from within the family, I had an uncle who lived in Hawaii. I live in Illinois. It's marked Leonardo Nunes Radio Tenor. It's in good condition with no scratches, but it is missing some small pieces of trim in two places. Photos:      Answer: Hi...elaine...I must say, interesting picture. I can almost make out that it is a uke. I would need someone to take a clear picture of the uke front and please send me the overall dimensions. Please stand the uke up and take the whole front not from the bottom looking up the fingerboard. I am very familiar with the uke,but to give you a value, I need to see a clear picture...best to ya...chuck - Thursday, February 19, 2009

Question asked by: George Blum Subject: old koa soprano uke Question: Hi Chuck This is a koawood soprano uke that I recently acquired. Looks pretty old to me. Can you tell me anything about it? No makers marks or label anywhere. Has non- original black plastic friction tuners. I do have more pix if needed. Thank you, George Photos:      Answer: I believe it to be a mainland made instrument in the 40's-50's probbably ty Regal. Thanks for writing in...chuck - Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Question asked by: Bob Brosemer Subject: Tuning Pegs for Martin 1T Question: Hi Chuck.I have another question about my Uke. It's a 1920's to 30's Martin Tenor with Friction Tuning Pegs. It's been really hard to keep the thing in tune. I've tried tightening the screws but that doesn't seem to work. I tried contacting Martin directly but they don't make a direct replacement. I've found a Grover Champion peg that is very similar but it requires enlarging the peg holes in the headstock. Any suggestions? I really don't want to modify the Uke if I don't need to. Answer: I would put my wants on the bulletin board and marketplace on this site. Someone will know where fina replacement.It shouldn't be too hard. thanks..chuck - Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Question asked by: George Reese Subject: Harmony baritone uke Question: Chuck, I have a 50s or maybe 60s Harmony baritone uke I found years ago at a yard sale. It was a little tired looking so I (don't yell) refinished it. The Harmony label was flaking some, but I didn't realize there was any value to the instrument. It's beautiful, and the finish is very lightly applied so the mahogany grain shows plainly. Is there a source of reproduction or even NOS decals I could apply to return this old gal to perfect? I am happy with her as is, don't get me wrong. Just hoping to undo a 'dumb thing'. Thanks in advance Geo P.S. I don't have any pics yet, but can take a couple if you need to see the uke. Answer: I would put my request on the bulletin board and market place on this site also....good results....c - Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Question asked by: joe Subject: more pics of hump uke Question: Hello Chuck Here's some additional pics of my Hump uke. Thanks Joe Photos:      Answer: From the looks of the quality of the construction and wood, I think it may be a school instrument. I have not other idea, makers label is not familiar....chuck - Tuesday, February 17, 2009

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