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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
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(Chuck
"Frets" Fayne has answered the following 5919
questions.)
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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
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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
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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
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Question asked by:
Larry
Subject: armadillo ukelele
Question: do you know anything about the
value of this 10
string 'armadillo ukelele' it had
an armadillo as the back. it is
numbered 001. guys asking $100.
is this a deal?
Answer: I know what you are talking about and I can't for the life of me remember what they are called. They are a South American made instrument (duh)...guess that because thats where the Armadillo's are from....I will remember it soon. As far as the price, I have no idea, but I think 100 is a good deal. You say it had an armadillo...what does it have now. It's kinda hard to scrape the armadillo off once its on. They are usually 5 sets of 2 strings and that makes it hard to tune it like a ukulele. If the formation is any that gives you 4 sets, 3223 2332 etc then it can be tuned like a uke. Good luck and remember, for repairs take it to a Vet. Chuck (I think its called a Churango)..but then I think alot of things are called Churango.
- Thursday, April 12, 2007
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Question asked by:
Chris Davis
Subject: electric pickups
Question: What's a good electric pickup and do I have to
drill my ukulele? Thanks in advance.
Answer: There is an external pickup being made today. I am not sure of the maker. I will look around and see. They are not as good as the internal, but they will do the job. If you contact John Bernunzio at Bernunzio Vintage Instruments in Rochester New York, he may know the answer. Thanks...
- Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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Question asked by:
Paul Petrucelli
Subject: Gretsch Soprano
Question: Hello Chuck,
I have this mahogany Gretsch.
Recently had some cracks cleated
& glued, and action adjusted at
the nut. No markings inside, and
has no side kerfing on the
inside.
Do you think this is from the
30's-40's or 50-60's?
How much do you think this is
worth?
Thank you for the info., and Uke-
on!!
Photos:
Answer: It is a standard Gretsch from what I can see from the pic. They are worth alot more than they sell for in my opinion. They are a great sounding instrument. I have seen them sell from 300-400 and I believe they rank with the best. Have had many and all good. Thanks...chuck
- Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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Question asked by:
Pete
Subject: specific example for Chuck
Question: Chuck to give you a specific
example of a price comparison. A
rarer L&H soprano bound top and
back and sound hole with kite
inlay from the 20's will not fetch
the same price as a plan martin
soprano from the 50's of which
there are many more of. Why is
this elightened one? thanks Pete
Answer: The Martin name is Magic. I think Lyon and Healy are wonderful and I would advise you to buy all the inexpensive L&H ukes you can. Put the in a closet and wait. People are dwawn to the Martin name. Thats why the Martin soprano S O sold and the only reason. They stopped selling when people realized that the name is not enough. A piece of junk is a piece of junk. Thanks see ya...chuck
- Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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Question asked by:
Jared Vandersaal
Subject: White Label Kamaka pickup
Question: Chuck, I recently purchased a
soprano Kamaka White Label on
Ebay and when I received it I was
surprised to find out it has a
pickup. Did Kamaka ever install
pickups on Sopranos back in the
White Label days? (See Pic) If
so, how does it affect the value
of this uke? Thanks in advance
for your Help!
Best,
Jared
Photos:
Answer: I can't see the pickup that well, but my guess is that it is a modern addition. Kamaka may have sold pickups but it's not part of the flyer I have. I can't imagine that it lowered the value. I would love to have a Kamaka amplified. How does it sound. Keep it. chuck
- Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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Question asked by:
TP
Subject: Unmarked KOA Uke
Question: Hi Chuck, Thanks for your recent responses to
my questions.
Any idea who or what company made this one?
It's claimed to be '50's vintage, solid koa.
Any thoughts on value?
Thanks in advance!
Photos:
Answer: Looks mainland..copy made to look hawaiian but not. Have no idea, sort of has a regal head. But then so did King George. Thanks for writing in...chuck
- Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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Question asked by:
Dan D
Subject: Favilla B-2 6 string?
Question: Chuck, Know anything about a 6
string baritone strung like a
guitar? Did Favilla build it?
Maybe Tom F could add some history.
ebay item # 190093946265
Answer: Dan, Favilla did make a little 6 string guitar. I will post this and Tom Favilla, I hope, will answer the question exactly. I had one for years and it sounded pretty good. Send me a pic...thanks..chuck
- Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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Question asked by:
Mike Benefield
Subject: Antique Store Find
Question: I bought this soprano koa ukulele
in an antique store two weeks ago
for $50. A friend of mine says
that it's a Supertone, though we
couldn't find an exact photo match.
Any idea what it is? What it's worth?
Photos:
Answer: It may be a supertone..can't tell, but I can tell you something. That small extention on the fingerboard dates it to the 40's and supertone did do that. There are also other companies who did. I never could figure out exactly how to use it. Let me know if you do. Nice uke.....chuck
On further examination of the pics, I think that is a regal headstock. If not, certainly a Chicago made instrument.
- Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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Question asked by:
Daryl Shick
Subject: Cleaning
Question: Hi Chuck some questions for you 1
cleaning dirt and built up grime
off old timber uke info do's +
don'ts 2 when you do valuations
is it in u.s.a dollars ? thank
Daryl Shick
Answer: Go to a music store ( a good one) and get some Gibson Polish and cleaner. Good stuff. When I quote bucks its USA. Thanks...chuck
- Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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Question asked by:
Dan
Subject: pictures requested
Question: Requested Maker/Vintage/Value on
this Uke. Addl images to follow
Photos:
Answer: I need you to answer a question. On the back is the little part that covers the area where the neck attaches to the uke. Is that piece part of the back or a separate piece? That will give me the clue to your answer. Chuck
- Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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Question asked by:
bob
Subject: tiple bridge
Question: From your answers on this site I
believe I have a tiple. "The
Vernon" is the only marking on it.
It is not in the best shape. In
fact, it found me just prior to
being shipped to the dump. It is in
need of a bridge. It is a 10
string, 2-3-3-2 pattern. Do you
know where I might find a bridge
for this instrument? Thank you, bob
Answer: Its a tiple and I would advertise on market place that you want a tiple bridge. any one will work, they are all about the same. thanks..chuck
- Wednesday, April 11, 2007
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Question asked by:
Jay Kallman
Subject: Martin Ukes
Question: Hi Chuck,
Was directed to you by Craig
Robertson. (what a nice guy) He
thought you would know the value of
the 2 attached Martin Ukes if I
wanted to sell. can you advise.
Thanks,
Jay
Photos:
Answer:
- Saturday, March 31, 2007
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Question asked by:
Vicki Reno
Subject: Martin ukulele
Question: Hi Chuck,
There was a Martin "Tenor Delux"
uke advertized on ebay ...
described as having a "gold, raised
Martin insignia on the headstock
and a "burned in" CF Martin stamp
inside..w/ special mother of
pearl/ebony bridge pins". Did
Martin make a special "delux tenor"
as I've described, or is this a
conjured up version of a regular
Martin Tenor uke?
Thanks,
Vicki
Photos:
Answer: Vicki, Please send me more pics...the whole uke and one of the bridge...thanks..chuck
- Wednesday, March 28, 2007
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Question asked by:
Herb
Subject: Schoenhut Ukulele
Question: Hi Chuck, Are you familiar with a
child's ukulele marked Schoenhut?
Would you know who made them?
Unfortunately it is not in my
possession so I can't send a pic.
Thanks and regards, Herb
Answer: Schoenhut was a company that made children's toys, furniture, pianos, etc. Very popular stuff. I have see a couple ukes and they really are toys.Have not heard of one in a long time. Thanks for writing in. If I can help, please let me know...chuck
- Thursday, March 22, 2007
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Question asked by:
Pete
Subject: uke values
Question: Chuck, thank you for your helpful
information in the past . I'm
trying to get and understanding of
how ukulele values are
established. The brannds that are
bought and sold often are not to
tuff. Like martin sopranos and
kamakas, all sizes. But the harder
to find ukes like lyon and healy
tenors and gibsons that almost
never come up dont seem to fall
into the same pricing laws
whatever that is for examble I've
have found L&H Washburn sopranos
that are not easy to come by can't
fetch the same price as a martin
soprano which there are lots
of.Can you help Thanks Pete
Answer: I can only help if you find something and and I can see it. There are Lyon and Healy ukes that will fetch many times the price of a martin soprano. The lyon and healy shrine trimmed in abalone sold for upwards of 15,000......So, the only answer I can give you is show me the uke and I will tell you what is worth. It is useless to try to talk about them because there are so many variations. Write when you find one...chuck
- Thursday, March 22, 2007
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Question asked by:
Bill Klemme
Subject: unnamed baritone
Question: This looks like it's in decent
shape, but I want something that
will last, and especially, sound
good. I want to play it a lot but
am still learning.
Are any ukeleles that are unnamed
worth more than $50? This was made
in Taiwan (or at least the hardware
on the tightener mechanism showed
that). Should I spend a bit more
and get one that is known to have
good sound and build quality?
Thanks,
Bill K
Photos:
Answer: I doesn't look all that bad. If you decide on your top price, give me a bell and I will try to find out whats around. In the meantime, go to the marketplace on this site and look around and put your wants up on the list. Someone will contact you.....They always do. Hope I can help...chuck
- Thursday, March 22, 2007
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Question asked by:
Alan Smollen
Subject: plastic Harmony soprano fretboards
Question: Hi,
Would you know of a supplier of
such? Other than looking for ebay
items?
thank you
Answer: You just got to look. I don't know anyone who has a stock of them. Also,go on the marketplace on this site and state your wants. Somebody has one for sure. Let me know what's happening. chuck
- Thursday, March 22, 2007
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