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

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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: Marcus Macdonald Subject: WHAT TYPE OF BEAST??? Question: Hello Frets, I really enjoy reading your expert analysis of our four stringed friends. I have no real info, other than these pics. I am considering buying this one, it seems intriguing...I currently play an old Royal Hawaiian that I absolutely can't listen to enough! Kumalae made simple, great sounding instruments. All the best to you from Prince Edward Island, Canada, Marcus Photos:      Answer: I looks lika Favilla Teardrop or a Lyon and Healy..Need to see the front and I can tell...chuck - Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Question asked by: Ray Schiller Subject: uke info Question: Can you give me any info about this baritone uke? Photos:      Answer: Ray...It might help if I could read the decal on the headstock. What does it say? Thanks...chuck - Monday, October 15, 2007

Question asked by: Mark Meiri Subject: Kent ukulele Question: Hi I'm interested in getting an entry level uk. and I also love vintage instruments. There is currently a Kent baratone on e bay the seller says it's from the 20's. I can't find info in kent. Any thoughts? I just need a fair player. Thanks Mark Answer: A Kent would be a fair player. I understand they were made for schools. I have seen them on and off for about 30 years so they have been around. NO idea who made them, but they are made in usa. best. chuck - Monday, October 15, 2007

Question asked by: George McMillan Subject: Old Regal Question: Just purchased yesterday at a yard sale. From looking at your previous questions I believe it's a Regal. It has tuning pegs and the back is slightly rounded. Would you be able to place an age on it? Also approximate value. I'm not sure what the wood is but it's very nice looking. and sounds good too!. Thanx Photos:      Answer: Its hard to say but the wood is almost certainly Koa. Not too many Regal Koa ukes. The trim is certainly Regal. The value would a be 200+.,..nice score. Made in the 30's...best..chuck - Monday, October 15, 2007

Question asked by: Adam Subject: Weird Harmony Question: Just bought this beauty on eBay... listing mentions it's all wood (no plastic fretboard), yet no idea how old. Only Harmony logo is on the back (picture attached). Any guesses to the age? More pictures can be found on eBay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=200155204255&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=010 Best, Adam Photos:      Answer: Made in the 50's...Nice back of the headstock. How the rest...best..chuck - Monday, October 15, 2007

Question asked by: Milan Subject: Another Rutan!! Question: Chuck, I just got this off of eBay. It was titled, "Nice Vintage Uke Ukulele Grover Tuners Hawaiiana". I'm into it for $180 with new strings and a little refurbishing. Needless to say, it plays and sounds incredible and is LOUD! I do have a question, it doesn't look like it's made of mahogany or sapele. Did they make any ukes out of walnut? This one looks like walnut. Thanks Photos:      Answer: Milan...never saw one like that....its a beaut;y. can't tell from the pic what the wood is, it looks like rosewood. Thanks for thinking of me and I will await its arrival......just wishful thinking. great find...hope someone out there knows what the wood is. its not mahogany, its not koa , its not fruitwood...leaves on a few thousand to choose from.....nice to hear from you..chuck - Saturday, October 13, 2007

Question asked by: kevin douglas Subject: new hawaiian yuke Question: chuck - i currently own a new martin 5k and a flea to travel. i am essentially a guitar player who has fallen in love with the yuke. i am going to hawaii next month and wanted to ask you what uke makers i should look out for, and since it is my 40th bday - what yuke should i buy for myself? what would be a good investment? Answer: ken potts...k p ukuleles. look him up and tell him I told you to call. I love his stuff. Once your there, look around, there are many great makers...too many to list. look them up and if you have time go visit. best way to do it...say hello from me...chuck - Saturday, October 13, 2007

Question asked by: Henri van Wandelen Subject: Ebay Oddball Reso Uke Question: Hi Chuck, Ebay #230179493131 Have you ever seen a critter like this one? Could it be homemade? Thanks, Henri Photos:      Answer: I would guess it is home made. Sure is strange. Wonder what it sounds like. Its not a traditional resonator....yours?..write in with a report. chuck - Friday, October 12, 2007

Question asked by: George McMillan Subject: Kaholas Uke Question: FYI - Came across this after your last post this AM. Oct 11, 07 Kaholas & Co. Soprano Ukulele, most likely made by Gretsch , c. 1925 Kaholas & Co. Model Soprano Ukulele, most likely made by Gretsch, c. 1925, probably New York City, natural varnish finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard. This is an unusual ukulele that despite being labeled "Ukulele'O'Hawaii, Kaholas & Co. Highest Grade for Tone Quality and Workmanship" is nearly identical to "Gretsch American" stamped instruments and was certainly made in the same workshop, either in Brooklyn or Chicago. It is a moderately fancy mahogany uke with 4-ply wooden top binding and soundhole ring, and a prominent volute on the back of the headstock that is a Gretsch trademark. Tuners are the same deluxe Grover "barrel" patent pegs with celluloid buttons found on period Martins and Gibsons, and this rates as a well-made and good-sounding 1920's uke. Retrofret.com Photos:      Answer: I have heard the Kohalas/Gretch story before. Still not convinced. Kohalas is best known for ukuleles that are oddly shaped. I have never seen a vintage one that looked right. Gretch never made ukes like that and its hard to think that they would. If anyone out there has more information, I would welcome a post. best to ya...chuck - Friday, October 12, 2007

Question asked by: Timothy G. Burley Subject: pick-up recommendation... Question: Howzit, I am currently using a Dean Markley pick-up permanently mounted.(internally just behind the bridge). While this works well alone, if I play with friends, their instruments tend to resonate through my uke resulting in feedback etc. Any suggestions for a better pick-up that will minimize this problem? Also, can you briefly 'splain the difference between active and passive? Mahalo, Tim B. Answer: Timothy. I will publish your question in the hopes someone out the will have an answer. I know nothing about electronics...I'm just an old fashioned plucker....my expertise is limited to ukuleles, not at all pick-ups. If you want a quick answer, ask this question on the bulletin board...those guys know everything. thanks for writing in...chuck - Friday, October 12, 2007

Question asked by: Chris Foot Subject: low G string recommend Question: Hello again Chuck, I am playing a Mele Tenor Uke. The C string is wound, and I'd like to replace the nylon G string with a low G string, and assume it has to be wound too. What do you recommend? Thanks Chris Foot Photos:      Answer: A set of low g strings from Kamaka. Still love those strings and you don't have to have wound strings...Its all a matter of taste. Give them all a try and go with the strings that make you sound the best. see yas..chuck - Friday, October 12, 2007

Question asked by: chris Subject: tiple Question: Hi Chuck, Wondering if you've come across anybody playing the tiple. I haven't seen one in decades. Chris Foot Answer: One of my favotite instruments. A bitch to keep in tune but a favorite among jazz greats in the 20's. You will find them on John Bernunzio Vintage instruments, Gruhn Guitars, Mandolin Bros. from time to time. Just keep looking one will pop up. I you get one you will know what I mean....thanks for writing in..chuck - Friday, October 12, 2007

Question asked by: demetri Subject: kamaka Question: high chuck, What year is this label from ? and how much should this uke be priced at? Thanks Photos:      Answer: what a treat to see that uke. It is a beauty. It dates from the early 30's and the price should be a hefty 1500 bucks in that condition. Great uke...Wish I owned it. That was Kamaka at its best. The companion piece to that is the 1928-35 pineapple uke, also a killer player. Thanks for sending the picture, its been a long time since I've seen that uke...best chuck - Friday, October 12, 2007

Question asked by: Thomas Subject: kamaka strings Question: I recently bought a Kamaka Tenor on ebay {a great uke}. It is strung with wound 3rd and 4th strings. Is this common? I would like to purchase an extra set of strings, however the local Kamaka dealer does not sell Kamaka strngs (which Kamaka recommends]. Should I string it a good quaility set of Tenor strings with a wound 3rd or combine two sets to make the current set up? Answer: Kamaka is still in business and has a web site. Go to the site and order the correct set of strings. They are still my favorite strings...I know there are recent additions to the string world, but I like the lightness of the Kamaka strings. They make a few different strings for the tenor, its as matter of preference. I don't like the wound strings personally, but that is just me..I do a lot of picking and I don't like the squeak. best to ya...chuck By the way...What Kamaka dealer doesn't sell Kamaka strings? Sounds like bad business....what say you?..chuck - Friday, October 12, 2007

Question asked by: Daryl Shick Subject: Action Question: Chuck,my question :I've got a old akaii uke to make it good to play action needs to be lowered what should i do. And if professional work should be done do you know good fellows in SYDNEY N.S.W thanks Daryl Shick Answer: Daryl...don't know anyone in Sydney, but if you find a good violin luthier he will be able to do the job. I'm in Melbourne and if you want to give me a hoy I will try to help from here. good luck..chuck - Friday, October 12, 2007

Question asked by: edouard vandenkerckhove Subject: kaholas & co Question: > Hi, > > A good friend of mine have buy a "supposed" vintage >ukulele and we try to find the most informations > as possible about it and the factory where he come from. > There's no sign on the pegs head but there is a label >glued inside wich said; Hawaii O ukulele,KAHOLAS & Co > > > > Do you know some thing about that? > > Best regards, > > Ed ( A uke brother from Belgium) Answer: Hi Ed. this is uke brother chuck from Australia. Kohalas was a hawaiian brand made in the 40-50's. It is unusually shaped. The bottom is much larger than the top. They are considered a good ukulele and I know little else about it. I hope John King sees this and fills in the blanks. thanks for writing and write any time. chuck - Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Question asked by: New Uker Subject: Question: Just got an old "Roca" uke off ebay. The label inside says made in Valencia,Spain. I can't find any info. about this uke so far. It's a soprano with a spruce top,looks like maple sides, not sure, but probably a mahagony neck,and nice,book-matched back of maybe maple.The old uke looks pretty rough with lot's or scratches and dings. I'm thinking of trying my hand at refinishing it, but before I do,I'd like to have a clue as to how old,or how valuable it is!! Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Randy Answer: Never heard of it. Most Latin instrument makers make a four string instrument that looks like a ukulele but is not. It is usually a quarto. Please send me a pic and I will do the best I can..chuck - Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Question asked by: Lesley Subject: Gretsch Question: Chuck, I sent you pics of this mystery blond top Gretsch baritone uke about one year ago. You said you were pretty positive it was a tenor guitar. You could not find anything on it. I looked and looked for another like it and finally found one at Intermountain Guitar and Banjo you said you know them good. This is a very rare instrument. Please compare the pics I sent from Intermountain of the uke they have and the one I have just sent you. Intermountain says its a baritone not a tenor guitar. Thought you would find that interesting for uke yak history and see if you still think thats a tenor guitar by the recent pics I sent of other bari. They vary only in dots and color label off only by 2 #'s You must get a million questions so you don't remember that one. You seemed like you didn't know why I was asking again? What do you think after comparing them? Leo said maybe a 50's Gretsch catalog would show it if there is one in exsistence? Add this to the Gretsch file. depth 3 1/8", 8 1/4 upper bout,7 1/2" waist 11" wide 31"long 19 3/4 scale. Looks similar to the blond top Vega Solo Lute body shape. Thanks, Lesley Photos:      Answer: Thanks for the information. If the boys at intermountain think its a baritone, I will go along with them. They are very knowledgeable when it comes to ukes. Nice instrument and I would guess very rare. chuck - Friday, October 5, 2007

Question asked by: Dasher Subject: Ditson Style 3 Ukulele Question: Hi Frets: This ukulele is on eBay under the number 320163682337. I think it was made by Martin. It is certainly a dead ringer except it doesn't have the fret markers; but some of the Martins didn't either. Somebody else is telling me this was made by Ditson, not Martin. Who's right? Thanks Photos:      Answer: It was absolutely made by martin. You are correct. Martin would never have allowed anyone to make an exact copy of a uke they designed. Your friend needs to do some research. thanks for writing in...chuck - Friday, October 5, 2007

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