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

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page

Question asked by: Richard Troughear Subject: Suzuki and Tabu Ukes Question: Dear Chuck Can you tell me the approximate vintage of these two ukes. One is a Suzuki No.4, all solid wood, spruce top appears to have been stripped of original red varnish (new tuners, bridge and nut). The other is a piccolo uke with inner brand "Tabu Made in Hawaii" and with a silver logo on the headstock. The tuners seem to be replacements. Photos:      Answer: The Suzuki is worth about 200 dollars. The little Tabu uke is quite collectable. Tabu is not the manufacturer. It is a warning used to let others know this is a genuine Hawaiian Uke. The size of the uke is rare and very sought after. I would guess the age to be 19 teens to the 20's. value....400+...thanks for writing in...chuck - Friday, June 15, 2007

Question asked by: Andrina (aka Dolly) Subject: Identify elderly ukulele Question: Just thought that seeings as you have a large number of ukuleles passing through this website you may be able to help me? I have just been given an elderly ukulele it is a "Johaan Kea" Laughing Water model. I am not sure of how old it is but do know it has been very well played. The decal under the strings says it is "MADE ON THE ISLANDS". Do you know of this ukulele, where it came from, age, history etc? I would be very grateful if you could assist. Photos:      Answer: I have looked for the name and cannot find it. It looks an early Kamaka but it is the wrong shape. I know of a couple makers that were making this shape early on. I am posting it in the hopes that someone out there will know the history. It is an interesting ukulele. If you are able to help, please write in. Thanks...chuck - Sunday, June 10, 2007

Question asked by: Wendy Matthews Subject: Radiotone ukulele Question: Hi Chuck! What do you know about Radiotone archtop ukes? Thanks! Answer: Radiotone was a name used by a couple makers. It, as I remember was not popular in the soprano size but more so in the concert and tenor. If you can send me a picture, I think I could do a better job. Thanks for yakking....chuck - Sunday, June 10, 2007

Question asked by: Dennis Ecklund Subject: Mystery Banjo Uke Question: Hi Chuck. This mystery uke banjo rescued from an estate sale will be my next restoration project. After an extensive image search on the Web I was still unable to identify it, so I'm posting here to see if you can give me a clue to who made it. Any info you can provide will be very much appreciated. It has a 20-bracket pot with a Waverly tailpiece. The tuning pegs are long gone, but they were the skinny post variety with shafts that measured about 1/8th inch. It has bar frets in a laminated fretboard that apppears to be ebony laminated to maple. The fretboard matches the headstock overlay. I've posted a page of detailed images on the Web. You can view them here: http://www.ecklunds.com/frets/old_g ear/mystery_banjulele/mystery_banju lele.htm Photos:      Answer: Dennis, get a copy of the Gruhn Acoustic Guitar book and you will see examples of the headstock shape. Vega used as did many others. Without a name somewhere on the piece, it would be hard to pinpoint. The waverly tail piece was used by all makers. It seems to be well made and I would love to see a picture when you get it finished. Thanks, chuck - Sunday, June 10, 2007

Question asked by: richard Subject: banjo uke Question: I bought this old banjo uke off ebay a while back. I love the crazy clunky sound, and I'm wondering how unusual the all metal body is, and if you know who made it? From the writing on the skin, it looks like the original owner's from Binghamton, NY, if that's a clue. Here's the ebay site & pix. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d ll? ViewItem&ih=016&sspagename=STRK% 3AMEWA% 3AIT&viewitem=&item=260080076864&r d=1&rd=1 Thanks for your sleuthing, which reminds me: any good luthiers in the NYC/NJ area to tune this baby up? Photos:      Answer: I have had a couple of these in my collection. It has always been a puzzle as to who made them. It was thought for a while that National made them, but only because of the all metal body. I'm not sure they were made in the United States. They all have the sound you talk about. Is there a spot on the uke that it says Pat Pend' If so, please let me know. One of mine did and the other did not...best to ya...chuck - Sunday, June 10, 2007

Question asked by: greg eklund Subject: value? Question: Hey Chuck any idea on the rough value of this Kamaka I bought at a flea market? The label is a blue Kamaka label and the neck is significantl;y darker than the body of the uke. Any idea as to the age and value would be greatly appreciated. thanks Greg Photos:      Answer: greg...Please send me some pics, (lighter) of the neck, headstock and label. I can't see any of those things. thanks...chuck - Monday, June 4, 2007

Question asked by: Kevin Subject: uke strings Question: Hi Chuck I have an old Kumalae Uke and was wondering since I am a purist to install new real gut strings made in Italy for my soprano Uke. Would you get rid of the black modern nylon strings in exchange for the gut strings? I personally like the look of the gut strings. Is the sound better and richer with the gut strings? Or? Thank you for your reply! Kevin Answer: Its apples and oranges. Only a personal preference...I like the gut strings ,but only for a short time. It is a heavier, duller, but more authentic sound. I like the Kamaka strings alot and have used them for many years. So let your ear answer your question......chuck - Sunday, June 3, 2007

Question asked by: Milan Subject: Unbranded Martin Style Question: Greetings from Las Vegas. I just got this uke on eBay for $200. Item 110128380936 if you want to see all the photos. It IS a 1920's Martin Style "0" with NO stamp on the inside, NO decal on the front of the headstock and NO trademark embossed on the back. It has a "VARSITY" decal on the back of the headstock. How rare is this uke? I don't think it is an employee-made Martin because why would an employee build a Style "0". Please let me know what you think. As always your input is much appreciated. Photos:      Answer: Milan, I hate to tell you this, but I am almost 100 percent positive that this is not a Martin style 0. Nothing went out of the Martin factory without a name. That was a rule. I have seen hundreds of Varsity ukes. It was a common name used by dozens of companies. It is not the name of a manufacturer. Your uke is one of the hundreds of copies of Martin ukes done by many companies. If it were a real Martin the collectors would have jumped on it and it would have sold for many times the 179.00 it did. The Rutan company made a martin copy that will fool most. But the absence of any I.D. is the tipoff. I have handled many employee ukes and they were still marked. An unmarked anything is just a uke. If you really want to make sure, you can send the uke to Martin and ask them to take a look at it. They will know in a second as I would if I had it in my hand. There are tipoffs when an instrument is a Martin. I hope it plays well and wish it were. Best, chuck - Sunday, June 3, 2007

Question asked by: carol sussal Subject: supertone uke Question: What is a Supertone mahogony uke from the 1920's with black and white decoration around the sound hole worth? What about a 1950's Harmony, plywook, probably lightly painted green with decoration on top worht? Thanks. Carol Answer: 175 on the Supertone and about the same on the Harmony. Thanks for writing in and I hope they sound good.,....chuck - Friday, June 1, 2007

Question asked by: becky Subject: tonante 402 Question: I just purchased a tonante 402 ukulele at a flea market for $10.00. I don't know anything about them. Can you share what you know? How do you tell if it is a soprano or tenor. Do you use nylon or steel strings on them. It came with 3 strings that were steel, but I am not certain they are ukulele strings. Someone may have use guitar strings on it. Thanks for any info =) Answer: Becky...the difference between a soprano and a tenor is...a soprano is about 21 inches long and a soprano is about 27 1/2 inches long. I would need a picture to tell you what you have, I am not familiar with the name..please send a pic..thanks...chuck - Friday, June 1, 2007

Question asked by: JIm Subject: Old Uke Question: Hi Chuck, I came across this old uke a few months ago and was wondering of you have any idea of the maker. I'm new to ukulele playing and wanted to try one of the older instuments. This one sounds really nice and is light as a feather. Any ideas and guess on age of this old uke? Thanks for your help. Jim Photos:      Answer: Jim....can't make out pics...too dark..try again. I know its mainland now hawaiian...chuck - Thursday, May 31, 2007

Question asked by: Kevin Subject: old ukulele Question: Hi Chuck I came across this old uke and was wondering of you have any idea of the maker. I was told it might be a Manual or Lenoardo Nunes ukulele. Any ideas and guess on age of this old uke? Thanks for your help. Kevn Photos:      Answer: It is definitly not a nunes ukulele and it is not Hawaiian. It is one of the thousands of ukes that were made to look hawaiian by a multitute of companies in the 30-50's. The headstock looks like regal as does the trim...Sorry, I wish it was a nunes but I hope it plays well. thanks..chuck - Sunday, May 27, 2007

Question asked by: bob rolinson Subject: gibson ub with metal strings Question: here s the pics Chuck.....its a trapdoor 9 inch head uke which DID have metal strings Photos:      Answer: although its very much the size of a banjo uke, it falls into the family of tenors and more specifically into the catagory of trap door banjo's. Gibson made a trap door version of almost all of the styles they produced. They are neat. I had a trapdoor the size of yours and immediatedly strung it with gut strings. I like my fingers. It was used in the years of rag time and honkeytonk and hence the reason for the trap door. With that open you could hear it in Guam...nice instrument...have fun...I have not seen many of them...its scarce to say the least. best...chuck - Sunday, May 27, 2007

Question asked by: Kay Subject: Martin tiple Question: Found one! Serial #24500. Great shape, though someone added a rhinestones to the headstock and a mandelin tailpiece. Now what can I use to gently clean and condition the machine heads and the wood body? Wouldn't it be fun if we could trace these things like we do family history? Answer: Kay...I would be getting rid of the mandolin tailpiece and find a bridge that was intended to be used on a triple. You have to use longer strings and the instrument is so hard to keep in tune anyway, why compound the problem by having the scale length altered. The rhinestones are wierd but don't bother me that much... Go to a good music store and buy some Gibson Guitar cleaner and use that. It will work beautifully. Congrats. chuck - Thursday, May 24, 2007

Question asked by: Don Wiseman Subject: Dale Small is in ukes now Question: No question, just information. Dale Small, one of the world's top banjo luthiers (his Lindberg banjo is in the Smithsonian) has retired from 4 string banjoing and now is into baritone ukes. He has an Oscar Schmit which he has sanded down, unbowed the neck, leveled the fret board, put in larger frets, added an ivory nut and bridge, and has re- arranged the interior bracing for better vibes. He has also added a simple but clever arm rest to keep flesh off the sounding board. It sounded great in New Orleans this weekend. Who knows what will happen next. His art banjos now sell for between $4000 and $70,000 dollars. Just got a strange but wonderful Yosco banjo-uke conversion (11 1/2" head, arch top, soprano neck) which blows all others away. Also got a top notch Gretch. This from a guy who hates most banjo ukes. Pictures to follow. Answer: thanks for the info...always appreciated...chuck - Thursday, May 24, 2007

Question asked by: steve jeter Subject: Wabash baritone Question: I just bought a Wabash baritone. It has a normal ukulele shape , bridge has been re-done. Is this just a beater, or a item to collect. I havent ever heard of Wabash. Any value guess? Thanks Steve Answer: Never heard of a Wabash Baritone. I have had the normal shaped soprano and the box shaped one...Made on Los Angeles as far as I know 50's...best...Not a lot of value but collectable as a novelty...chuck - Thursday, May 24, 2007

Question asked by: DAN Subject: MARTIN TENOR DECAL Question: HOPE YOU GET THE PIC THIS TIME. A 1939 FOR REAL ALL ORIG MARTIN TENOR UKE. WHAT IS UP WITH THE DECAL? LOOKS LIKE BACKIN ON DECAL HAS PROBLEMS. DOES IT RETRACT VALUE AND IS IT COMMON? UKE IS IN EXL COND. HAVE MORE PICS IF YOU WANY. THANKS DAN Photos:      Answer: Don, I wish I could help...Can't tell you about the decal. It does look strange, but that may be an after market tag. Hope you find something...Nice uke...chuck - Thursday, May 24, 2007

Question asked by: bobtheuke Subject: Picture of UB Question: A 1923 ub 11159A-13 with 9 inch head...Came with old metal strings...were they used that way in the dance bands do you think Cheers Bob Photos:      Answer: Have no idea. Can you send me a pic of it straight on so I can see what the front looks like..As long as your sending that, sent a back view. I'm not sure what you have....chuck - Thursday, May 24, 2007

Question asked by: Terry Plauché Subject: Harmony Uke Question: I believe it is a baritone uke, but I'm not sure. It appears to be mahogony. The inside label states the Model No. as RB-352. There is another number on the label that states "5-78" (date of manufacture?). It also states "Made in Japan". Any info on the uke would be greatly appreciated. Terry Plauche Mobile, Alabama Photos:      Answer: I knew Harmony had ukes made in Japan...first one I have ever seen. Interesting...Have no records about them but that is the Harmony script logo. best...chuck - Thursday, May 24, 2007

Question asked by: Heck Subject: Banjo ukulele Question: Chuck-- Found a little ole' banjo ukulele recently. Want to get new strings for it. I see banjo ukulele strings for sale on the net, but is there actually a difference between regular uke strings and banjo uke strings? Or can I just use any old set of uke strings? Answer: Use a strong set of strings..Kamaka or orignal Martin. They will give you the best sound on a banjo uke...stay asay from metal if you like your fingers...chuck - Thursday, May 24, 2007

Previous Page

Jump to page:      of 296

Next Page