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

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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: William Subject: What is this? Question: Pic #2 Photos:      Answer: The back of a uke. Send a pic of the whole front and I will try..chuck - Friday, July 18, 2008

Question asked by: uncle budd Subject: popped bridge Question: I got home from a longgg weekend with the mom-in-law only to find the bridge popped off my Johnny Marvin Tenor!!! In a humid New Jersey living room?! Why would it pop off? Is this a job for a luthier, or is there some amazing glue I can stick it back with? Help. Answer: Have it done professionally. Always the best option. Bridge placement is very very important...c - Friday, July 18, 2008

Question asked by: Rick Subject: Maui Music 8 string Question: Quick question, I have a Maui Music 8 string, T8DK 5-5054, do you know the year? Nice player, beautiful uke by the way. Answer: not a clue....chuck - Friday, July 18, 2008

Question asked by: Jonathan Vacanti Subject: my uke Question: can you tell me anything about this uke? thanks Photos:      Answer: Mainland made to look like a hawaiian uke. Seen dozens of them. This one is very nice. Hope it sounds good. thanks..chuck...perhaps made by Regal, Chicago l940's - Friday, July 18, 2008

Question asked by: Wicky Poarch Subject: looking for Question: Dear Chuck, I used to have a baritone uke and the sticker inside said "DORI". It had the best sound ever, but it is gone now. Have you ever heard of that, and do you know where I could get one? I've looked everywhere I know to look but can't find that name. Answer: sorry 'Wicky...not a clue..never heard of the name before. chuck - Friday, July 18, 2008

Question asked by: Christoph Pelgen Subject: Tiple maker?? Question: Hi Chuck, I bought a nice tiple last week. Don't have found any makers name etc., just a decal saying "patrician"(?) I searched the web and your wonderful forum, but none of the tiple pics has this little pickguard as mine. So, do you have any idea of the year it was made and perhaps the maker? Inside of the body, i didn't found a name or number. It is well made, needs just a little TLC.. Back has a center seem in different wood, there is a heel cap (?). If you need more pictures, I could send you any detail you need. Kindest regards, Chris (Germany) Photos:      Answer: Nice looking. no clue as to name. Older type..Martin copy..12 fets to the body and open tuners. Well made...hope it sounds good,. Have seen the name Patrician before but don't remember where. will look around and see what I can find. chuck - Friday, July 18, 2008

Question asked by: John Kern Subject: What is it? Question: Dear Chuck, I know nothing about ukulele's except for what I have been able to find online. This is my first one. I bought it for very cheap from someone through an online classified. I have really been enjoying learning a new instrument. The ukulele has such a different attitude compared with guitar. I love it. Anyway, Is this a decent instrument, and did I possibly find something worth passing on to future generations. Sincerely, John Photos:      Answer: Its a Luna as you know. Japanese made and not a bad uke at all. good uke to learn on , not much chance as an investment. But, if it sounds good, please pass it on. best..chuck - Friday, July 18, 2008

Question asked by: kamel Subject: koa ukulele Question: Hello professor Chuck! I hope you can help me . Do you have an idea what this ukulele is ( brand and model ) ? All i know it's a koa ukulele ... Thanks in advance for the informations you could provide .. the person who sold it to me said this could be a martin but there should be a stamp somewhere ( on the peghead ? ) - so i'm wondering ? Thanks and best regards from Paris ! Photos:      Answer: Not a Martin for sure. Pic to small to tell anything. I need a front on shot of the whole uke...Will try..chuck - Friday, July 18, 2008

Question asked by: William Subject: What is this? Question: Hey Chuck...Hope all is cool with you. Any Ideas on what this is? I just bought it, so it is what it is. It looks intersting to me...either way. I'll follow with two more pics. Love your show!! Wm. Photos:      Answer: William.,,,please send large picture of the front of the entire ukulele. I will be able to tell more from that. Looks homemade and nice at that...c - Sunday, July 13, 2008

Question asked by: Gwen Rosewater Subject: Washburn Uke Question: Hi Chuck, I am wondering the year and approximate value of my Washburn Uke. It has two fine cracks running from the bridge to the bottom front. Can't figure out how to post multiple images, but the back is in great shape, nice shiny finish. On the back of the head is stamped the number 705 and the words 'Patent applied for', and of course 'Washburn'. Many thanks, Gwen Rosewater Photos:      Answer: Gwen...Thanks for the many questions. As you can imagine I get a lot of requests for answers,..I try to answer them in order, not always successfully. I am answering yours now because of the urgency. Your uke is the next to the top of the line..It is Koa with the gold leaf vine. I have not seen on offered for sale in a while and I am just taking a guess at this time. The market is wacky but this uke in repaired condition is worth about 1000 dollars. thanks and I hope this eases the anxiety...chuck - Monday, July 7, 2008

Question asked by: Nick Sharpe Subject: tiple Ka Question: My grandfather had bought a 10 string ukulele (tiple??) in the early 70's in Hayward California. The Manufacturer is K. Yasuma of Magoya Japan. i understand the company is no longer in business since the 70's. It is in perfect condition. It would be interesting to know what it is worth, but more importantly how do I tune it?????? I have no idea. Thanks so much Chuck Nick Photos:      Answer: See other answer about Yasuma on this page. It is my favorite instrument made by Yasuma. Quality all the way. you tunt\e it like a uke. Look up Tiple on Google and you will find the tuning. IT is nothing more than a four strings instrument tuned 2 3 3 2......If you have trouble, write me and I will give you detailed instructions. its easy...great sound...chuck - Monday, July 7, 2008

Question asked by: James Hannon Subject: old ukulele Question: I saw an old ukulele in an shop that was made by Stevens Seabourne. It had rope trim around the sound hole and the edge of the body. Did this company make this ukulele or is just a selling company label. The wood appears to be dark Koa. Thanks for any words of wisdom. Answer: Never heard of it, but will check and see what I can find out. Don't think its a maker but more a distributor. thanks...chuck - Monday, July 7, 2008

Question asked by: Jonathan Vacanti Subject: What do you think of this Uke? Question: Hi Chuck, Can you tell me anything about the value of my Uke? Thanks, Jonathan Photos:      Answer: It is a mainland made uke made to look Hawaiian. It was made in the 30-40 and it worth about 300 bucks. nice uke....chuck - Monday, July 7, 2008

Question asked by: Syuan Subject: Vintage Martin Stamps? Question: Hi Chuck, Long time reader, first time poster here. This is just a general question about vintage Martins: did they all have stamps in the soundhole or headstock? I'm asking because I found one on Ebay that has the headstock gold decal but doesn't seem to have a headstock or soundhole stamp - could it be genuine? From my browsing, I couldn't seem to find an answer about that, most websites mention that there should be a stamp on one of those 2 places. Oh, here's the Ebay listing if that would help: 150258885043. Thanks! Answer: It does not need the stamp on the headstock if I has the decal. However, no stamp in the sound hole may indicate a replacement back. No way of telling without a good luthier seeing if the back has been off. Martin is very strict about the stamping in the uke. My guess is there is a possibility it is an employee uke but I don't think so. I would not buy it without the sound hold stamping. chuck - Monday, July 7, 2008

Question asked by: Joe Subject: Camp Uke Question: Hello Chuck, I have here a camp uke in what I believe to be excellent condition. I found it stored in this bag in my grandmothers closet. I was wondering if this was an original case? Any Idea of the value? Thank you for your time and expertise. Photos:      Answer: Joe..it is the top of the line in Camp Ukes. The vine makes it. Its a beauty, best I have ever seen. Value, at least 500 not a penny less. good luck.....Go back and look in the closet again. She had great taste. thanks...chucj - Monday, July 7, 2008

Question asked by: Deanna Subject: 1950 handcrafted Ukulele Question: I am trying to find out how much my ukulele is worth. there is a sticker inside that says EST 1950 Yasuma Hand made by Yasuma Musical Inst., co. Model number TU-1 made in Japan. If you have any information on this i would be grateful. It is in mint condition there are absolutly no marks on it at all. Thank you. Answer: Yasuma was a company that copied Martin Ukes. They did a hell of a job. I have had many of their ukes and they are all quality pieces. Yours is a style one tenor and worth about 600 dollars. thanks..chuck - Monday, July 7, 2008

Question asked by: Susan Bowyer Subject: double kook-a-la-lee Question: I ran across a double-necked Swagerty kook-a-la-lee in an estate sale today and got if for a song. I have not seen any like this in any of my web surfing. Is it rare? Answer: It is quite rare. I have only seen a couple of them. There is a site designed just for the beach ukes. Please try to find it. My guess its worth a few hundred dollars and maybe more. thanks...chuck - Monday, July 7, 2008

Question asked by: Steve dunkelberger Subject: 1930s uke history Question: My dad just gave me a soprano uke that he said his father bought in Hawaii in the 1930s, when he was with he Merchant Marines. It is clearly old and not particularly well made. (Wooden string guides, but steel frets) All it says on it is "a Genuine Hawaiian Style Uke the H Nau model" on the head. There is nothing written in the sound hole or anything. Here is a photo. Know anything about suck an instrument or where I can get more information about the history of this Uke? Photos:      Answer: Steve. Thanks for the picture, I hope you have recovered from the the position you had to be in when you took the picture. In almost 5000 answers it is the strangest perspective I have ever seen...NOW...send me a picture of the whole front, back and anything else you think might help. Please no more ski jump pictures. Chuck - Sunday, July 6, 2008

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