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

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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: William Subject: Pics Question: Chuck...I've been seeing this for quite a while now. I don't know if you realize, but your site only takes in ONE pic at a time. Even when NUMEROUS pics are sent separately, and conscientiously tied to one question. Your responses can sometimes seem a bit condescending...like we are all REALLY stupid. I'm not sure that you are putting all of the pics together with the questions. I, personnaly, go way out of my way NOT to be STUPID, and I've had multiple answers to a single series of pics and a single question...some nice, some...where you still make me feel STUPID. I just want to let you know that we are doing our best on this end. As dtupid as we may appear, and usually are, there just may be a little bit of a glitch in the system somewhere. I still love the show...and please... bring on the abuse. (and advice, if time permits) Answer: There is a glitch in the system but not as big as the glitch in my system. I have a habit of being an asshole sometimes. You, and I'm sorry, got one of those days. I have many excuses but none that I would accept from anyone else. Please give me another chance and I will shut the south hole and use the north one. My apologies...chuck - Thursday, July 31, 2008

Question asked by: Adam Subject: Dating advice Question: Dear Mr Chuck, Please help me with my problem. I was recently dumped by my ukelady. Now I feel like a real ukeloser. How can I find ukelove again? Answer: You can't...once dumped is all you get from a ukelady. However a call to me personally might cheer you up. I haven't spoken to you in a long time...My best to you and your brokenstring........c - Thursday, July 31, 2008

Question asked by: Kent Carnes Subject: uke pics Question: Here is the front. Photos:      Answer: This one has me stumped. I'm not sure of the wood. I think you are right, its home made. Its a very large body for a short 12 fret neck. I wonder how it sounds. The proportions are not correct. I have seen many ukes like this that sound great, I hope this is one of them. Stick you finger in a poke around the top and see if the braces seem very thick. This is a common mistake on home ukes...write me ane let me know...chuck - Thursday, July 31, 2008

Question asked by: Kent Carnes Subject: Uke origin Question: Hello Chuck, These are photos of the uke I wrote to you about earlier, the J Nemes redwood uke. Thanks for your time, Kent Photos:      Answer: thanks f9or the pic of the sound hole, how about the pic of the whole uke front and back..thanks...chuck - Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Question asked by: Doug Roper Subject: Wendell Hall Uke Question: If I were to shop for strings for this particular ukelele (Wendell Hall TV Concert) what should I ask for. I sent the pixs before I read your reply. Answer: Being a vintage ukulele, I would write to Kamaka and order a set of concert strings. Always a good bet...chuck - Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Question asked by: Doug Roper Subject: Wendell Hall TV Ukelele Question: Chuck, I sent this information to Jim Beloff and he told me that you wre the person I needed to contact. I had inherited a Wendell Hall Ukelele from my mother. This particular one has the Regal Trademark with the crown at the top then Wendell Hall T-V. I believe this is the concert version. It has a crack on the face which had been glued. One of the Tuning keys are cracked and someone bound it tightly with wire. One or two of the screws holding the keys has the head stripped and it is minus the strings. Where can I find out the value, not that I want to sell it, and where can I find replacement parts that will keep as original as possible. Doug Roper roperdoug@bellsouth.net Answer: Doug...I would go on the marketplace and the bulletin board on this site and state your wants. You have to find someone who has a trashed one that will sell the parts. It is a concert and it was made by Regal.. In fine condition they would be worth to a collector 300 bucks. good luck...I wish I had better news, but if it was mine, and I understand the sentimental aspect, I would not spend a lot of money and it sounds like what you have to have done is going to be much more than the uke is worth in dollars and cents. Please write if I can help...Perhaps this question will spark a few parts. best..chuck - Monday, July 28, 2008

Question asked by: Raul Subject: Vintage Hawaiian Uke 2 Question: Hi Chuck! Thanks for the info. I had a few other questions for you. I would like to see this uke in playing condition. The nut has been chipped between the 1st-2nd string grooves, is that repairable? It also has a 2 hairline cracks on its bottom, is that an easy repair? It's missing a tuning peg and I'm not sure if I should replace them with modern friction tuners and if so, which one. Any recommendations on strings as well? I can't wait to play this uke... Thanks again!! Photos:      Answer: Take it to a good luthier and have it repaired. Nothing is sinister and they are easily fixed. Strings are a personal touch, I still like the old Kamaka Black....see ya...chuck - Thursday, July 24, 2008

Question asked by: Raul Subject: Vintage Hawaiian Uke Question: Hi Chuck! I just picked up this Uke from an antique store earlier today. It's your typical early, hawaiian made ukulele complete with the Coat of Arms Seal(w/ HAWAII underneath it) on the front of the headstock and a Tabu Stamp on the back. It also has "June 1924" and the letters "HA"(sharing the right line of the H w/ the left line of the A) carved in the soundhole and the "HA" again on the lower of the back of the headstock. Can you tell me anything about this uke, possibly who manufactured it? Also, about how much would a uke like this be worth? Thanks!! Photos:      Answer: Raul...Without a label or a mark of some kind it is almost impossible to tell. It is a standard ukulele of the 20-39's because of the tabu stamp. As far as a maker it could be anyone of 20 makers at the time. Its still worth 300+ dollars and probably plays very well. Sorry, I couldn't do more but there were just too many that looked exactly alike...chuck - Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Question asked by: Jon Detka Subject: Mauna Loa Uke - Thanks for the info. Question: Chuck, Thanks for all of the great info on my new little Mauna loa banjo uke friend. One last set of questions. How much should one expect to spend having a new head put in a little banjolele like this? I am starting to look around for a shop to do the repair. I would really like to learn how to do it myself. Are their any good suppliers you recommend? Is this an easy job for a rookie with a good shop sense? Also, interestingly I did some more searches and found a shop selling the same uke for way more than I spent. (I spent $25) If it is repairable for cheap I will be pretty jazzed. :-) Link to the expensive one like mine: http://www.umanovguitars.com/store/details.asp?prodid=3248&cat=650&path= This one looks like mine but in way better shape. Am I correct with the like-ness. Thanks again for all of your help. jd Answer: Same uke...If you are really handy you should be able to do the job. There are many sites that sell banjo uke parts. Its a matter of measuring it and stretching it. They make stuff easy for us now. Let me know how it comes out..IT is a good little uke and 25 is like stealing ...... Good luck and thanks for writing in..chuck - Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Question asked by: michael Subject: general Question: Hi Chuckster. Not a question, just a comment on a film you probably all have seen but i just managed to catch recently. "STANLEY'S GIG" it's a 2000 release, and schlocky and all, but I cried anyway. But, for ukies, it's great since the soundtrack is all Ian Whitcomb (love him or hate him, i know..) and the main character is a uke player who wanders through the film with a beautiful martin soprano. the background radio uke lessons are also very interesting and a little helpful as well. I don't know how well it did, but it's for sure a uke lover's film. Just wanted to share. Answer: michael...thanks for the update...always welcome.....chuck - Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Question asked by: Jon Detka Subject: More Info on Mystery 'Mauna Loa' banjolele Question: Hi again Chuck. Re: The mystery banjolele. Could not get a decent shot of the artwork between the pegs but here is a description. The words say 'Mauna Loa' and there is a palm tree and a guy in a long canoe. jd Question asked by: Jon Detka Subject: Mystery Banjolele Question: Chuck, I was hoping you might be able to provide some history/info on a banjolele that I just picked up. Does it look like it can be repaired? (torn head). Any good info/links on how to do the repair? materials? Any idea of the make or age? Any other cool knowledge you can share? Answer: Jon...any chance that thing between the tuning pegs is part of the name of the uke. If so, it might be the start of a clue. I need closer pictures. thanks...chuck - Monday, July 21, 2008 Answer: Mauna Loa was a cheapie brand made by Lyon and Healey. I wouldn't spend a lot fixing it up....just put it in shape and play it. hope this helps..chuck - Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Question asked by: Jon Detka Subject: Mystery Banjolele Question: Chuck, I was hoping you might be able to provide some history/info on a banjolele that I just picked up. Does it look like it can be repaired? (torn head). Any good info/links on how to do the repair? materials? Any idea of the make or age? Any other cool knowledge you can share? Photos:      Answer: Jon...any chance that thing between the tuning pegs is part of the name of the uke. If so, it might be the start of a clue. I need closer pictures. thanks...chuck - Monday, July 21, 2008

Question asked by: Neil Lawson Subject: resonator uke Question: Hi Chuck... Overjoyed to have stumbled upon such a great site.. - you'll be hearing a lot from me..! I've just bought a Chinese-made concert resonator uke with the 'Recording King' badge on the headstock. I believe this is the new name for the 'Johnson' brand, although I'm also aware that along with the 'AXL' and the 'Ashbury' they are all likely to be made by the same factories.. I'm used to the old 'D' tuning, but it certainly seems to respond better to a 'C' configuration. However, I still don't feel that it's playing at its optimum; can you suggest the ideal brand of strings to get this little beast sounding at its best? I've read of them being metal-strung, but would rather stick with nylon.. I'd just like a bit more power... Sorry I don't have a photo right now, but I'm sure you're familiar with these metal-minis..! Thanks, Neil Answer: Neil, thanks for the kind words, I wish I could help more. This is a question better sent to the Bulletin board on this site. Those guys are up on all things strings. I am not on their level. However stay tuned here..you never know what turns up...chuck - Monday, July 21, 2008

Question asked by: Bill DeMain Subject: Lyon & Healy Soprano Uke Question: Do you have any idea of its age? Photos:      Answer: 1930's and the slipping peg problem is better handled by a good luthier. There are many solutions. You don't want to replace the original tuners if you don't have to. If you do replace, don't forget to save the original tuners....they are important. best to ya and nice uke..chuck - Monday, July 21, 2008

Question asked by: Carolyn Lewis Subject: C.F.Martin Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck, I inherited this ukulele,I would like to find out it's value. You can see it has a crack, I've allways been told to repair would take away from the value is this true? Does the auotgragh add to the value. Tell me what you can. Thanks Photos:      Answer: Did you also inherit the front of the uke. .I see no crack and I have no idea what you are talking about when you say an autograph. The people who have been telling you it will take away from the value by repairing the crack are in fact telling you that if you leave it alone, it will crack more and more and eventually you will have a ukulele that is completely worthless. Who ever gave you that information is clueless. Lets start all over from the beginning. It is imperative that you you repair the crack. It is very important you send me a picture of the whole front of the uke as it is the only way I can tell which model martin ukulele it is. Please make clear what a signature is in your definition. I'll be glad to tell you all I can when you send me all I want. chuck - Friday, July 18, 2008

Question asked by: Liz Williams Subject: strings for vintage martin Question: Hi Chuck - I so enjoy the uke-yak forum and your expertise - not to mention your sense of humor. Thank you for sharing your expertise. My question is about strings for a Martin 1933-35 Style O soprano. Specifically, are there any strings (types or brands) that might damage this uke? I've read many opinions about this, but so far, no facts. Can you help? Answer: I can't imagine any string (except for a metal string that would damage a ukulele. I would write to the Martin company and order a set of soprano strings. That will solve your immediate problem. If you want a softer sound you can also order strings from Kamaka. I like their strings a lot. If neither of these work, write back. c - Friday, July 18, 2008

Question asked by: steve Subject: uke history Question: more detailed photos of 1930s uke Photos:      Answer: Sorry...never saw that decal before. Perhaps someone out there has and will write in. Just when I think I have seen it all (only kidding) ..something comes along....thanks for sending it in. sorry I can't help...c - Friday, July 18, 2008

Question asked by: Alun Subject: Whats it worth Question: Hi Chuck, My mother has just been given a Swanee Ukelele, can you tell me how much the instrument is worth? I is in excellent condition and fully working. Cheers mate. Answer: There were many ukes made using the name swanee. Can you send me a picture and I will do my best..chuck - Friday, July 18, 2008

Question asked by: Glenda Subject: Martin Tiple T-28 Question: Hi. Great site and needed by people like me!! My uncle has a Martin T-28 Tiple made in 1976 #389281 with a hardshell case. He isn't able to use the internet to find information about his guitar. Can you help me with info and give me a rough estimate of it's worth? It's in mint condition. It's very beautiful. Thank you! Photos:      Answer: The T 28 was made first in l962. I don't know when it was discontinued. The value is dependent on the wind. If you find someone who wants one you could get as much as 1000+. The market is soft on Tiples and I'm not sure why. They are wonderful sounding. The only fault is that they have ten strings ( really only four)..it is a ukulele---And somewhat hard to keep in tune. I don't know what else you want to know about them, but if you want to ask specific questions I will give you like answers. thanks..chuck - Friday, July 18, 2008

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