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

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Question asked by: Seppo Piisola Subject: Kamalia uke Question: Hi Chuck! What do you know and say about Kamalia ukulele? It is told to made by Kamalia Kamaka Hawaii at about 1920... What does that mean, relative to current Kamaka? If it is reasonable by condition, what sould I pay for it? I couldn´t get a photo Sepi Answer: Sepi Never heard that Kamalia was made by Kamaka in the 20's. I would write the Kamaka company, they are still in business, and ask them the question. They keep wonderful records and will answer you. Look up Kamaka on the net and you will find them. let me know what happens...chuck - Sunday, May 18, 2008

Question asked by: Jack Dan Subject: Tabu stamp, Aloha Hawaii crest... What is it. Question: Hi Chuck, just picked this uke up on e-bay. Beautiful sound despite the fine crack in the soundboard. I have read a lot of your answers and very interesting. Is this a Kumalae. Looks alot like Jeff Mercer's Uke (posted Feb 6). Decal is a bit different though. Has a hand written 248 on the inside... a valuable clue! Seriously though there are so many of these Tabu stamped Hawaii decaled numbers around... can you tell me the who, when and how much? Thanks, Love your work. Jack Dan. P.S. the tuning pegs are out of my harmony so don't let that throw you. Photos:      Answer: Jack it is definitely not a Kumalae. I am not sure what it is, but the tabu stamp, which I have never seen on a Kumalae, is early. Lighter strip on the butt is also a sign of an early uke. If I had it in my hand, I could do a better job. It is the wrong shape for Kumalae...too round. Nice uke, wish I could be of more help. Please send me a better picture of the decal...see ya....c - Sunday, May 18, 2008

Question asked by: Kim Subject: Uke Question: Any info on this pretty little thing? T.B Co. Chicago - What kind of wood is it? thanks! Photos:      Answer: Kim..its koa wood and I can't remember what T B stands for. I will remember it and add it to this answer when I do. It is made to look Hawaiian and isn't. I always like these ukes and found the little added piece of soundboard fun to look at and absolutely useless for playing. I will remember what T B company means some day when the mental fog lifts. best to ya..c - Friday, May 2, 2008

Question asked by: Herb Subject: Odd-Shaped Uke Question: Hi Chuck, I picked this odd uke up this morning at a flea market. It is not the highest quality instrument and there are splits but I am a sucker for something different and the price was right. It is 21 1/2 inches long and the fret board is Mother of Toilet Seat. The floral decoration, I believe, is a decal. The tuners are slightly unusual...see pic. Any help you can give me on who might have made it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Herb Photos:      Answer: Harmony made the body and perhaps Fred Rickter did the decals. Have seen a couple...I have always thought it's a Vita with a standard top. I like it allot and it has a very good set of tuners.,hope it sounds like a vita...best..c - Thursday, April 24, 2008

Question asked by: gary schireson Subject: pearson uke Question: Chuck,hope is well.Do you have a picture of a Pearson Uke? Best regards Gary Schireson Answer: gary...will dig around and find a pic. I do have one somewhere. I may have to get a pic made from a slide. I took the pics in the photographiprehistoricpredigital times. best. chuck - Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Question asked by: MatthewVanitas Subject: Advice on Wikipedia Question: Salom! I recently realized that the resonator ukulele could merit an article in its own right on Wikipedia, so I built up a shell (based on the Resonator Guitar template) and started plugging in whatever info I could get off the Net, and with advice from UkuleleCosmos. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reson ator_ukulele I've hit a wall, and still don't have as much detail as I'd like. Could you recommend any reference materials that the article should draw from? Have we left out any interesting historical facts about the reso- uke? Any builders (past or present) to add to the list? I suppose the list should be folks who built more than just a handful of one-off reso-ukes, but I'm open to suggestions. Thanks for any advice (or direct wiki-editing) from any reso-uke fans out there. Answer: I would get a hold of Greg Beeton in New Zealand and ask for his help.He make one great Reso uke....Keep searching, you will find info. Also post this question on the Bulletin board, those people are always interested in helping. Great bunch..You will find the bulletin board on the menu to your left on this site. thanks..chuck - Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Question asked by: decibelle Subject: pickup for a 50's martin tenor Question: Hi, Chuck i've been trying to figure out the best way to mic my uke for performances. i was able to buy a nice condenser mic, but it's always a hassle with trying to find the right settings to avoid feedback with my vocal mic...so i'm wondering...is it perfectly okay to install a pickup on my martin, am i being too paranoid about drilling a hole into it, or should i stick with the condenser mic and just be patient? i've tried the stickon types and the lavalier mics in the soundhole and neither have worked. and if inserting a pickup is okay, will it affect the sound significantly? thanks in advance for your expertise! /aireene Answer: If you have decided that you will never sell the uke then drill away...It will cut the value in half. Then again, there are people looking for an amplified tenor. Its your call. If you don't like the sound of one, use the other. Its the sound that is most important. Don't know if this helped, but its such a person choice, I don't feel qualified to make it for you...chuck - Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Question asked by: Sue Rice Subject: My mother's ukelele from the 1920's Question: Can you tell me the origin of this ukelele. It is in mint condition with inlay on front, all wood including the pegs. If you need it I can send more pictures. I couldn't get the other pictures to send. Photos:      Answer: The trade name is the Sammo Masonic uke. I can't, for the life of me. remember the name of the man who made it. It is Sam something and the name is a combination of his first and last names. He made two styles with different colored triangles in the headstock. I think the name is Samuel Morris. I will check and find out..thanks...chuck - Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Question asked by: Doug Oaks Subject: Martin 2k cracks Question: Hi Frets, Just received my Grandfather's Martin 2k with two cracks on the top. The one in the picture is the longest.Should I have it repaired? Will that affect the sound and value? I play it very little but its hard to keep my hands off of it. Thanks, Doug Photos:      Answer: You should have it fixed while it is still an easy fix. If you wait, it won't be...it will affect the value if you don't repair it,. - Monday, April 7, 2008

Question asked by: Joe Sikora Subject: Not so straight neck Question: Hi Frets, I have a Kent Ukulele, and it has warp in the neck. With a Guitar, I know what to do. How can I straighten the neck on my Uke. Thank you Joe Sikora Davenport IA Answer: Joe, because of the short length of a uke neck it is almost impossible to fix. Most times it is smarter to find a straight neck and use it. best..chuck - Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Question asked by: steve lillis Subject: Bob Henshaw Question: I found a Baritone Uke with a Bob Henshaw embossed label on the top. What is the approx. value if in good condition? Answer: Have not seen a baritone for a long time. measure to be sure....couple hundred if in good condition..thanks...chuck - Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Question asked by: Scott Subject: weissenborn Question: Hi Chuck, Jim B said I should contact you...I have a Weissenborn Style 3 tenor ukulele in solid shape...2 well repaired top cracks. What are these worth these days? If you'd like to see how I replaced the missing 4 inches of rope binding by making it by hand, send me your e-mail address and I'll shoot over the photos. I'm a luthier. All the best, Scott Answer: The larger Weissenborns I have seen are either Tenor guitars or large concerts. I would love to see a picture of a Tenor. Please send pics to this site they will reach me...interested....chuck - Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Question asked by: sean Subject: starting ukelele Question: Hello Chuck, I want to start playing the ukulele. I have seen Jake Shimabukuro play while my guitar gentely weeps and it has inspired me even more to play. I need advice on what good sounding brand of ukulele should i get that is priced under $100 and I wonder if the baritone ukulele is good for a begginer. Answer: Sean, please post this question just as it is on the Bulletin Board on this site. They6 have more information on uke prices than I do. Also will give good advise on the baritone vs other sizes. thanks for writing in...chuck - Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Question asked by: Grady Challis Subject: Banjolele Friction Tuners Question: Howdy! I have a Goldtone banjolele and it came with friction tuners, which are god-awful. I'd like to replace them with geared, but 1) I don't want to buy the wrong size, and 2) is this something a relative novice (as in, I have put on new strings but not much else) could do? Thanks a lot! Photos:      Answer: Take it to a reputable luthier, they will know..don't try yourself...chuck - Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Question asked by: Bill Subject: Martin Uke Question: Chuck, Here is the front of the Uke as requested. kinda looks like tiger koa Bill Photos:      Answer: It is Koa, not the most figured I have seen, but koa...chuck I found this answer in the unanswered question department. Don't know how it got there but I must have had a picture at one time. Sorry for the confusion, I will contact the tech dept and see whats going on...chuck - Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Question asked by: Joel Brodsky Subject: which/how much? Question: Hi Chuck, the wife and me are headed back to the big island and kauai for 10th yr anniv. after being married on the big island in 1998. Ive been playing uke now for a couple of yrs(playing guitar for 40 though) and Im crazy for it--love the uke and the whole culture of uke-dom. Since we're going back I feel it a must to get a uke from hawaii, you know it feels like the right thing to do. definately want koa. In kapa'a we're staying around there for a while, there is bounty music-do you know them? I want to spend not more than $500- 600-looking at kamaka, koaloha,island any other suggestions? I play a martin so and as you know it's just so-so. Mahalo and hang loose!!!!!!!!!!!! Joel Answer: kamaka........personal opinion.... - Friday, March 21, 2008

Question asked by: Herb Subject: Asian / Australian Ukes et al Question: Chuck, I have a friend who is going to Southeast Asia soon. He is going to be looking around for guitars and said he would look for ukes for me as well. Are there any Asian / Australian make ukuleles that are worth looking out for? Thanks, Herb Answer: in australia....cole clark...have him get in touch with me when he gets here.....will help...write me on this site...chuck. - Friday, March 21, 2008

Question asked by: matt Subject: restring a martin tenor Question: I want to restring my dad's Martin tenor uke ca1940s and bought some D'addario J54 strings. I can't find a tutorial for restringing a uke with bridge pegs. The one string I removed had a knot with some pipe-cleaner type material around it. Any suggestions? Also any info on cleaning or value would be great. Thanks. Photos:      Answer: Matt. if you look at the pins they should have a little groove in them. That is the part that points toward the top of the uke when the pin is in the hole.. Tie a knot in the string at the bottom, stick it in the hole and line up the groove so the string comes out and goes up the fingerboard. IF you gently push the pegs in , the pressure of the string against the peg will keep it in the hole. All that and I could have shown you how to do it in person in about 1 second. I hope it was clear. Don't clean the uke. I don't know what you mean, but just wipe it down with a soft cloth and perhaps a little gibson guitar cleaner and nothing else.. Value 1000+ in this weird market...best..chuck - Friday, March 14, 2008

Question asked by: Bill Subject: Koa Martin Question: Sir, I Chanced upon this nice C F Martin soprano Ukulele and would like to know its value. It is Koa wood, friction pegs, Original canvas case, binding looks rosewood, 21 inches tall, excellent condition. It fits the style O configuration. I’m betting 1920s. What do you think? Thanks for any info you can provide. Bill Hackman Photos:      Answer: It looks like a style 1 koa martin,..I would love to see the front. I know what the backs of all ukes look like, however the fronts can be a surprise...Please send pic of the whole uke front..thanks..chuck - Thursday, March 13, 2008

Question asked by: virginia oman Subject: here's photo of swanee banjo uke Question: Here are photos of front, back and headstock of my Swanee banjo uke. Outside of round head is encased in wood. Only tuners and strings have been replaced. Would like to know LOCATION of where these ukes were made, and approx year. Thanks Frets. Photos:      Answer: thanks for the picture..I have nothing to add except it might be British. Sorry and now get to playing. Knowing where it came from will not help its sound. Looks like a winner...chuck - Monday, March 10, 2008

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