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

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Question asked by: Jim Ravoira Subject: Harmony Baritone Question: I purchased a Harmony Baritone Made in Japan RB-3225. It appears to have a 18.5" scale length. It needs a bridge I estiamted it from the fret spacing using a scale caclulator on stew mac. I thought Harmony went out of business in 74 it says 11-78 on the sticker. I was wondering if it was originally a GCEA uke? Any info? Thanks, Jim Photos:      Answer: Jim..The Harmony name is being used by two different companies today and they are both located in Japan. I have had many questions. I don't know if the bought the name or not...chuck - Monday, February 25, 2008

Question asked by: Graham Davis Subject: Shaftesbury uke Question: Hi Chuck - ever heard of a Shaftesbury Ukulele? I picked this one up at a thrift store and wondered about the history. Thanks, Graham Photos:      Answer: No idea what it is...but new names pop up each week. This is this weeks. Will check and see what I can find...thanks....chuck - Monday, November 26, 2007

Question asked by: Paul Douglas Subject: Hawaiian Ukes Question: Chuck: Could you recommend 5 or more Hawaiian Uke companies that produce what you would consider investments? Modern or a traditional Uke? Looking to buy new. Thanks for this Forum - it is GREAT!! Paul Answer: Kamaka, K P ukuleles, Lo Prinzi, to name three. I have probably left out many others. sorry to them...best..chuck I would be investing in vintage ukes that you can buy at a bargain price. Unless you leave the new ones to your heirs, it will be a long wait...best..chuck - Monday, November 26, 2007

Question asked by: Don Hotchkiss Subject: Hermanos-Ramirez Question: I would like some information on ukes made by Hermanos-Ramirez. I believe they are made in South America. Would like info on history, quality of construction and sound. Answer: Don, it might say ukulele but it is quarto. A South American version of a uke. I have had a couple by that company. Very good instrument. Haven't seen one in a long time...thanks...chuck - Thursday, November 15, 2007

Question asked by: Dennis Subject: Who made it? Question: Hi Chuck, I recently acquired an old soprano uke. There are no marks on it anywhere that I can find. The guy I got it from said he got it at a yard sale. He lives in Redondo Beach, Ca. It appears to be pretty well made, at least compared with some of my other ukes. I honestly don't care what it might be worth monetarily. I like it and I have no intention of parting with it. It has a very light, plinky sound that makes it just fun to play. I keep it here on my desk so I have a uke handy to strum whenever I might need a stress reliever. I'm sure you and your readers know how comforting it can be to have a uke handy at all times. While I don't care about its value, I would like to find out about its history if at all possible. Can you determine who might have made it, where, and when from the pictures I sent? If not I'll still enjoy it as much as ever. While I'm at it can you, or one of your readers suggest something I can use to care for the wood it's made of (mahogany), it seems kind of dry and I want to do whatever I can to make it last. Thanks for all you do Dennis "5 thumbs" Arnold Photos:      Answer: headstock is nice...how about a pic of the whole uke...chuck - Thursday, November 15, 2007

Question asked by: JIM MOORE Subject: web sight for uku cords and songs Question: CHUCK LOVE YOUR SIGHT BUT PASS THIS ON TO ALL OUR UKU PLAYERS THIS SIGHT IS WORTH LOOKING AT FOR FIRST TIME UKU PLAYERS WWW.UKULELE.NL/ I NEED TO KNOW A PLACE ON THE WEB FOR SONGS WITH CORDS AND TABS THANKS FOR THE GOOD ADVISE ON THE OLD BERGSTROM I GOT OFF THE EBAY SIGHT DOEST HAVE THE TWO PIECE NECK LIKE YOU SAID BUT IT STILL PLAYS SO SWEET THANKS JIM Answer: thanks jim...chuck - Thursday, November 15, 2007

Question asked by: Brad Walker Subject: Vita Tenor Guitar Question: I have this old Vita tenor guitar. The Roy Smeck Vita Guitar label is on the head stock. There are 5 holes in the head stock and also in the bridge. I'm not sure the fifth hole is original or if the banjo player who gave me the guitar put them there. He was going set it up as a banjo and thus did some damage to the neck grooving it under the edge of the finger board. I can fill the groove and even the holes but is worth the time and effort? I have no idea of the value of the instrument. The back had a crack that was repaired. It does not have a case. Thank you Brad Walker Photos:      Answer: He was trying to make a 5 string mountain banjo. Fill in the holes and put it back to being a tenor guitar. Great instrument. One of my very favorites. Yes, is worth the fix. Let me know how it turns out. thanks for writing in..chuck - Thursday, November 15, 2007

Question asked by: JIM MOORE Subject: banjo Question: I HAVE A TENOR I GUESS WITH FOUR STRINGS CAN IT BE TUNED LIKE A UKE ? THANKS JIM Answer: YES - Thursday, November 15, 2007

Question asked by: Remco HJ Subject: Martin taropatch Question: Hi Chuck, Maybe this is not the proper way to get in touch with you, but I didn't know any other way. I'm looking for a Martin taropatch, preferably koa. Do you have one for sale, or do you know of any for sale? Please reply to my email address, as this doesn't really concern the viewers of the uke-yak. Thanks, Remco HJ aka ukulelezaza Belgium Answer: I don't have one but I will post this and hopefully one of the yakkers will...Ask this question on the Market place and the bulletin board on this site. You will then reach all the uke players in the world. thanks..chuock - Thursday, November 15, 2007

Question asked by: Tark Hamilton Subject: string gauge recommendation Question: Hi Chuck, I got a tenor guitar with a 23.125" scale length. What sort of strings does it need for a uke style tuning? Thanks, Tark Answer: Tenor guitar strings...They will work and the tuning is fine..thanks...chuck - Thursday, November 15, 2007

Question asked by: JIM MOORE Subject: ukulele Question: CHUCK ON E-BAY ITEM#250179554815 THE GUY SAYS IT LOOKS LIKE A MAUUEL NUNES UKU IS THEIR SUCH A UKU BY THAT NAME HE SAYS IT HAS THE N M MARK ON END OF HEAD OF UKU THANKS JIM Answer: Manual Nunes is a very rare uke. It is possible but not likely that the one on ebay is a nunes. Wish it were. chuck - Thursday, November 15, 2007

Question asked by: Alan Holbert Subject: Banjulele Identification Question: Hi Chuck, Can you identify this banjulele? It measures 20" in length,The pot (at rear measures 6 1/2", the skin is 5 1/2" and the fret board from nut to pot measures close to 9 1/2". Plus I have another question for you which is the bridge leaves a deep impression on the vellum. Does this mean the vellum needs tighting or what? I cringe everytime I tighten the strings thinking I'm going to split the skin. Photos:      Answer: first you need to tighten the head before you split the skin. I have had many of these ukes and never knew who made them. Nobody seems to know. I had one that said Pat Pend......which lyon and healy used but it is not a lyon and healy. Wish I could be more help...best..chuck - Friday, October 26, 2007

Question asked by: JIM MOORE Subject: berstrom uku Question: CHUCK I FINALLY GOT THE BERSTROM UK FROM E BAY I GAVE YOU THE ITEM # 150168759560 TO LOOK AT IF YOU HAD TIME WHICH I"M SURE YOU DON"T BUT NOW THE QUESTION IS IT ONLY HAS 11 FRETS IS THIS CORRECT IF SO WHAT KIND OF UK IS THIS THANKS JIM JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHATS ITS WORTH Answer: Without holding the uke in my hands, I would say this is a vintage Hawaiian ukulele. The final test is if the neck is two pieces on the back near the body join. It looks right and the remnants of the label seem to be Bergstrom. 11 frets is not an unusual number for a Hawaiian uke. You got a steal if all this is true. If this uke is in great condition its worth 300 easy. Good score. chuck - Thursday, October 25, 2007

Question asked by: Tom Barrett Subject: tenor banjo/uke tuning Question: If I recall correctly, sometime ago you wrote about setting up a tenor banjo with uke tuning (GCEA). What sort of nylon strings would you suggest to do this? And can this be done on a 19 fret tenor as well as a 17 fret tenor banjo? Answer: It can be done on any tenor banjo. If you cant find a set of strings long enough, you go to a fishing store and try to duplicate the string gauge of a tenor uke. I have done this and believe it or not it works. You can order strings in long length from Kamaka if I remember correctly. Just write them and ask if you can buy extra long strings. I think most of the companies today will do it. People with very long necked swaggarty ukes have to get the strings somewhere. Its a matter of trial and error and it will eventually work...best and let me know how it works out...chuck - Thursday, October 25, 2007

Question asked by: Dave Harris Subject: SS Stewart tag Question: Chuck-- Here is a picture of the label. So you think the SS Stewart company actually made this as opposed to subcontracting out? I agree it is not a Martin, I think, because the dimensions aren't right. What do you think the binding is made from, too? And finally, this uke came to me from a player with a few ukes looking to sell, ball park figure on value? I appreciate all of your help. Thanks! Photos:      Answer: Dave, it is the label I thought it would be. It is distributed by ss stewart but perhaps not made by them. At this late date its very hard to tell. It is a good uke and I would guess if it has a great sound it would bring 250-300. More if it has a case. I would keep it for a player if you could. All of those I had were very good players....good luck..chuck - Thursday, October 25, 2007

Question asked by: Dave Harris Subject: S.S. Stewart Koa Uke Question: Chuck-- here is an SS Stewart Soprano uke. It came to me in a tagged bag from Smakula Fretted Instruments, a fine shop, I understand. Total length 21"; nut to saddle 13 1/4"; lower bout 6 3/16", upper bout 5", body length 9", nut width 1 5/16"-- I am assuming by these dimensions that this is not a Martin-made uke. It is stamped SS Stewart on the back of the headstock. It is double bound in black and yellow, seemingly ebony and ivory? The nut is ebony. The fingerboard is rosewood, the neck is mahogany. The top and back have some flame, and the sides have a very nice flame to them. The uke seems to b e original, although the tuners kind of throw me, I think the screws might have been replaced, but the rest of the tuner seems original, black plastic of sorts. The uke has been refinished, albeit extremely well, and has a small crack on the top, of the bridge, however this crack doesn't go through the top. The uke has no repairs in the body. It has a wonderful, warm tone and great playability. It is a joy. My questions are, who would have manufactured this uke? The binding in the sound hole lends me to think maybe Regal, perhaps in the 20s? What would the value of this uke be for sale purposes? Thanks for your time, and great site here! Cheers! Photos:      Answer: Dave..I would like to see the label. My guess is that it was made by ss stewart a fine company who had a habit of putting their name on the instruments they manufactured. B & J of New York had Martin make ukuleles and put in a ss stewart label from 1923-25. This does not look like the Martin of that era. I would, as I said, like to see the label. I can tell more that way. Thanks for writing in...chucjk - Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Question asked by: Lesley Subject: Guild Baritone Uke Question: Hey Chuck do you know anything about Guild baritone (Hoboken N.J.) from the 60's 31 1/2" long in very nice condition looks like mahogany. I know they built nice guitars I owned a couple of them. What would one be worth in fine shape with nice clean label inside? Thanks, Lesley Answer: Lesley, You have located this instrument at Inner Mountain Guitar and Banjo. I know Leonard and Kennert very well and I think in this instance , cince I have never seen one, I would go with their estimation. I wish I had something else to tell you about your instrument, but I don't. Thanks agai8n for writing in. - Monday, October 22, 2007

Question asked by: NinaC Subject: Kaholas vs. Kohalas Question: Hi Chuck, On 10/11 someone wrote in asking about a Kaholas & Co. uke and you responded regarding a uke called a Kohalas. Note the spelling difference. I think the confusion is here because these might be different brands of ukes. I had bought the Kaholas & Co. uke mentioned in the retrofret ad and returned it (the bridge was not original and it sounded just OK), but it definitely was not Hawaiian, it was mainland made. There was no Hawaiian heel. I'm wondering if you're possibly thinking about a different brand since the spelling is not the same. Maybe the one you are calling a Kohalas was built in Hawaii and you are just confusing the two? Answer: I an confusing the two I went back and read your question and I missed it completely. Sorry and thanks for point it out. Chuck - Monday, October 22, 2007

Question asked by: JIM MOORE Subject: BERGSTROM UKU Question: CHUCK JUST BOUGHT THE BERSTROM ON EBAY ITEM#150168759560 LOOKS TO BE IN GOOD TO EXCELLENT SHAPE JUST WONDERING HOW MUCH ONE LIKE THIS WORTH NOT TRYING TO SELL JUST WANT YOUR ADVICE YOU ALREADY TOLD ME TO LEAVE LABLE ALONE THANKS WILL GET JIMS BOOK THANKS JIM Answer: can;t tell without a pic...chuck - Thursday, October 18, 2007

Question asked by: JIM MOORE Subject: uku's Question: CHUCK WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BARITONE AND SOPRANO UK? THANKS AGAIN JIM MOORE Answer: s\Soprano 21 inches....baritone 29-30 overall length.. If you try to put baritone strings on a soprano, whats left over is a baritone....You should get Jim Beloff's book.. The Ukulele a Visual History. It is available on this site and will give all the important information.... keep pluckin chuck - Wednesday, October 17, 2007

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