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

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Question asked by: Ally Subject: UKE old one Question: Family hand me down ready to be sold on ebay. Im just wondering can you give me an idea on the age of it. Label located inside body, visible through soundhole, 'MADE IN AUSTRALIA BY/JMG INSTRUMENTS/PATENT PENDING 2869/46' Label on handle is Nicholsons Pty LTd Sydney "the music centre" has all strings and works fine case is old and bit tattery on outside but strong protecting still. Not sure if you can help but thought worth a try. Photos:      Answer: I see them once in a while down here. They were made by a violin maker who had an idea to make a little cave type area around the inside of the uke to trap the sound ans direct it towards the sound hole. A miserable failure. They came in their own odd shaped flight case. If you track down the patent number on the inside you will get information about the uke. I did, but I can't remember what year. This one looks in fantastic shape. It seems bigger than a soprano..should be 21 inches. Let me know..I'd keep it..its a real rarity. I would value it, in that conditon...700+.....thanks for writing in...c - Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Question asked by: Steve Pepper Subject: Ian Anderson Question: Chuck In response to bassclar's query re Ian Anderson's guitar he apparently plays a range of travel guitars. He is attributed to own one by Ozark, which I find strange as this is a fairly cheap range of instruments. The one on here is probably a "Taylor" of some description they make fine travel guitars. Travel guitars are tuned the same but built smaller so people can "backpack with them" Martin do one as well but its probably the same quality of the new uke made in Mexico i.e. not with a ten foot barge pole, I know I own one. NB did you get the pic I sent of the model 4 De Vekey you seem to have lost about 4 days of posts the other week? Steve Answer: Thanks for the info, I got the pics and believe I answered you question...Will check...If you don't see an answer, write again. Once I delete or answer them they are gone forever. Thanks again..chuck - Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Question asked by: Jim Bailey Subject: Uke ID Question: Hi Chuck, I was just gifted an uke for my house-sitting services. It was received by my boss from a friend several years ago. Looks nice & sounds nice. The head has "Kamalani" across the top. The back of the sound hole has "Fresh Ukuleles, Kimo of Kailua" burned into the wood. Its highly polished and seems to be good quality. I can't find any info on the internet. Ever heard of them? Thanks, Jim Bailey, Ojai, CA Answer: Have no idea...perhaps one of the uke yakkers will know. They know lots of stuff don't....Anyone Know....thanks...chuck - Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Question asked by: Manny Festo Subject: Tenor Uke Strings Question: I have a tenor Fluke, and I like to tune it down, to DGBE, and sometimes even a half-step lower. I'm wondering if you can recommend strings for best results. Thanks! Answer: manny....write this question to the the guys at bulletin board. They will know the answer....chucki - Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Question asked by: Dennis Arnold Subject: Taro Patch Uke Question: Hi again Chuck, Here is the back of that Taro Patch uke I asked about. As you can see, it does have the one- piece back, including the neck butt-plate, like many Hawaiian ukes. It is extremely well made, and the binding and inlay work is beautifully done. I'll probably clean it up and keep it, but I would like to find out more about it if I can. Thanks again, my friend Dennis Photos:      Answer: I wish I had more info...but no luck...c - Friday, August 22, 2008

Question asked by: Robert Davis Subject: Martin Uke Question: You ask for front and back but it only allows me to send one picture. It is a Martin that was a gift to me in 1950-51. I would like to know what year it was made (ie: is it much older than that or would it have been new then?) ...and perhaps it's value. I could send more pictures but in a phrase, it is in EXCELLENT condition. Not perfect but very close. The case is the original case but it is in only fair-good condition. Thank you, Bob Davis Photos:      Answer: It is a style 0 martin uke made in the 50's. It is in very nice condition and worth 500+. best..chuck - Monday, August 18, 2008

Question asked by: Brad Subject: Uke Case Question: Hi Chuck. Thanks for identifying my L&H Venetian. It came with a canvas case (green felt-like lining) which is dirty and stained. Have you ever heard of anyone trying to clean the canvas, and if so, how. Thanks. Photos:      Answer: i'D LEAVE IT ALONE...CANVASS JUST FALLS APART.....BEST...CHUCK - Sunday, August 10, 2008

Question asked by: Dennis Arnold Subject: Is this what I think it is? Question: Hey Chuck, I'm back again with the same old question. I recently acquired this uke and while I think it is a "taropatch", I am unsure as to the maker. It shows signs of being a Kamaka, but I wanted to show it to the expert for verification. Your thoughts on its origin and possible value? Thanks again for all you do for us lowly strummers... Mahalo nui loa, my friend Dennis Arnold Photos:      Answer: Dennis it is definitely a taropatch. I have never seen an island uke with the little piece at the bottom of the fingerboard. I would say its mainland make in the l930's...sure a beauty...love to see a pic of the back side on where the neck meets the body. that will tell me a lot. best..chuck - Friday, August 8, 2008

Question asked by: Brad Subject: Uke ID help Question: Hi Chuck. I'm not sure my first ques. went through, so I'm re- sending. I recently picked up this uke and the only identifying marks are "pat. apld. for" on the back of the headstock and the number 430 stamped inside. It has wooden friction tuners and a wooden nut. It came with a bottom loading canvas case. Thanks. Photos:      Answer: It is a Lyon and Healy uke made about 1930 ish. It is known as the "Venetian Uke" IN spite of their narrow size, they had a very good sound. nice uke..chuck - Thursday, August 7, 2008

Question asked by: bassclar Subject: what instrument is Ian Anderson playing? Question: I heard Ian Anderson perform this evening. I could identify his flute, but not his lute. Could it be a flat-backed mandolin?? (public domain image taken from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Ian_Anderson.jpg ) Sorry, I don't have an image of the back. Photos:      Answer: It is in the guitar family, not the mandolin. It is probably either South American or a modern reproduction of a early French guitar. How did it sound....chuck - Thursday, August 7, 2008

Question asked by: Hal Landon Subject: WOW!!!!!!!!! Question: Hoodathunk it? You say 600+. Do I go for the 6 or the +? This is an arena I know nothing about. Help me out here.......please and thank you. Photos:      Answer: 6....and see what happens. its nice to see on in lovely condition...best. chuck..stick it on our marketplace and see what happens.....still a winner after all these years...chuck - Thursday, August 7, 2008

Question asked by: William Subject: Question: "shut the south hole and use the north one" I like that one...Hmmm...maybe I should try that, since I too am a carrier. Your advice truly does transcend ukuleles. Bravo! (BTW...if you don't mind, I'll be stealing that line) Cheers to you Chuck!! Wm. Answer: steal away...multiple pics available on yke yak soon...chuck - Thursday, August 7, 2008

Question asked by: Robb Subject: UKE identification Question: Dear Chuck, I would like to know what you could tell me about this UKE as there is no label as to maker. I know it is probably from the 20's due to the case which came with it. Thanx, Robb Photos:      Answer: the only pic that came through was a piece of sheet music...give another try..c - Thursday, August 7, 2008

Question asked by: Terry Plauché Subject: Harmony Baritone Uke Question: Is there any way of determining the value of this instrument? Photos:      Answer: That Baritone is worth about 3009 bucks. Its of the best series of Harmony ukes. Good luck..I have one and love it...chuck - Thursday, August 7, 2008

Question asked by: Kent Carnes Subject: uke pics Question: Hi Chuck, Here is another shot showing how the back and side meet. There is no kerfing inside just butted up joints.One brace feels about 1" wide, another 3/4" and both 1/4" thick, I can't quite feel the bridge plate. The sound is nice,soft koa tone to it,( pretty sure the top is koa) the volume is medium. I have more pics if you are interested but your system will only take one at a time it seems. A mysterious little find from my local recycling center. Thanks for your comments. Photos:      Answer: No idea. looked at lots of similar construction and convinced its home made. wish I could help more..c - Thursday, August 7, 2008

Question asked by: Jed Wolf Subject: Baritone uke Question: Hi, I have a soprano 'Fluke" but I'm a Bass- Baritone singer I don't want to transpose.. If I had a baritone Uke and played chords for the soprano...is that what people do to sing lower? Answer: Seems like a good method to me. let me know know..c - Thursday, August 7, 2008

Question asked by: Hal Landon Subject: Inquiry Question: I have a Martin Soprano my wife bought me in 1964. It is in mint condition in original case. I am curious about how much I should sell it for. Photos:      Answer: In that condition 600+...nice instrument..chuck - Monday, August 4, 2008

Question asked by: Jeff Mercer Subject: Question: Hey,Chuck, a fella wrote in recently seeking info on a "Patrician" brand Tiple.It's one of nearly 50 trade names used by- no surprise here- the Harmony company, and the Patrician line of instruments was first offered in Sept 1938. They were one of their..ah.."affordable" lines, yet I had a Patrician Tenor guitar that sounded fantastic. Hope this helps, and hope you're keeping warm (was on tour in Victoria last week..FREEZING!!) Answer: Thanks as usual Jeff. I found Patrician finally but no mention to Harmony. Always appreciated. chuck - Monday, August 4, 2008

Question asked by: Mario Subject: 2 Peg Martin Question: Chuck, I rescued this Frat House survivor, but as you can see (if you got all 3 images) half the headstock is gone; it seems it was used as a door stop, as well as the House directory. I've been happily playing it with 4 strings, once I slid the bamboo sleeve to get all 4 pegs. Anyway, my Real Question: Twice on trips to the tropics, the bridge has popped off from the excessive humidity on the horse- hide glue. Short of trying to keep an entire room dry with a de- humidifier, is there a product that will stay inside the uke case to keep my Martin stable? Photos:      Answer: AT this stage..plain white glue..only got one image, but my favorite image of the last few years..thanks..chuck - Monday, August 4, 2008

Question asked by: Doug Roper Subject: Wendell Hall Uke Question: I'm not going to imply that you are stupid. Most people don't realize that most servers limit the size of attachments. I sent some earier which may have been too large so I resampled the images. Hopefull they come through. There was one question I forgot to ask. The neck is a little on the loose side. It appears that a wooden peg holds it in. Is this peg screwed in or glued in. How can I secure the neck? Answer: I am so relieved that you are not going to imply that I am stupid. I was losing sleep over the thought. Take the uke to a LUTHIER, he will be able to hold the uke in his hand and see the work that needs to be done. It would be stupid of me to suggest how repair work I can't see. chuck - Monday, August 4, 2008

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