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 (85 of 296) (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

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: Adam burger Subject: my jcd 5 Question: I was just wondering if you could tell me a little about a uke ive just aquired...My name is Adam Burger....I am 23 yrs old. I live in Pembroke Ontario... Two years ago I met A retired music teacher from Alberta.. I took an intrest in her ukuleles... I fell in love with it right away... she showed me the basics and lent me a 1970s JCD 3... I played the hell out of it. I even found a way to down tune it like a guitars drop D...anyways all the experamenting aside, i can play it well now. Ive even recorded for teletoons Sons Of Butcher season 2.. I got a phone call the other day for me to go and visit them... Anyways... she gave me her JCD 5.. I had played it before and realized it was a heck of a lot better than my JCD3.. She has bad artheritis in her hands and figured since she canot play much anymore She figured i would get better use of it...I love it... I wouldnt part with it for the world.. But ya... thats it in a nutshell.. If you could... could you please tell me about the JCDs and if its a rarity? I cant seem to find another.. was there many made? anyways if you could... write back... Adam Burger Photos:      Answer: This is the picture of the doan style 5...there is also a style 3. They are ones I have not seen before. Any ideas... - Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Question asked by: Jimmy Subject: kamaka saddle Question: I have what seems to be a 70's or 80's Kamaka soprano. There is a slight chip in the saddle under the third string. That string is hard to tune correctly and sounds dead sometimes. Is this chip causing the problem, and how can I replace or fix the saddle? Thanks. Answer: You can try putting some super glue in the chip and then sanding lightly until the saddle is even. If this doesn't work, you will have to have the saddle replaced and that takes a good luthier. best. chuck - Sunday, March 4, 2007

Question asked by: Stephanie Subject: Kamaka soprano Question: Hi Chuck, Can you please give me some information about this Kamaka soprano ukulele? Age? History? Value? When I bought it there was a crack along the grain in the left bottom part of the body which I had repaired. The sound of the instrument is lovely. Thank you. Photos:      Answer: Its the next to the top of the line in kamaka at that age. Its about l920-30's and a beautiful instrument. I don't care what you paid for it, its worth more. see ya ..chuck - Sunday, March 4, 2007

Question asked by: Sir William Subject: Electric Uke's Question: Chuck, I am interested in purchasing an electric Uke. Do you have any recommendations as to the best models that are currently available on the market? For sound, would it be better to take a top quality non-electric Uke and have a custom pick-up installed or buy a pure electric? Thanks. Answer: I would personally get a class ukulele and put in a saddle pick up..love the sound...chuck - Saturday, March 3, 2007

Question asked by: Terry Hennessy Subject: Koa Uke? Question: Dear Chuck, Hello again from Kangaroo Valley, Australia. I've had this this nameless koa soprano uke for about 20 years. It has the remnants of a paper label that includes "ii" (Hawaii?) but not the word "tabu". Relatively flat back. Can you identify it? Photos:      Answer: I can...It was made by Manuel Nunes in about l915. I know because of the ornament at the bottom of the uke. It is his. The binding is also very distinctive. You have a very nice and valuable uke ....Can you get me a pic of the remnants of the label. It is also missing the decal that the headstock once had. It said M Nunes or just Nunes. Nice uke....chuck - Saturday, March 3, 2007

Question asked by: Terry Hennessy Subject: Hardcastle Chicago Tenor Question: Dear Chuck Calling from Australia. Can you give any information about the age and value of this tenor uke. It has a domed back, and does not look like Koa. Thanks. Photos:      Answer: I have never seen one nor have I heard of Hardcastle. Its a beaut. I wish I knew. I will research my files and see what I come up with. Love it......Don't be bashful, just mail it to me. You know you want to......will get back...anyone out there know anything....Please write. chuck p.s. what is the material that is between the purfling and the wood of the uke. It looks like some kind of lighter wood or ????????? let me know.... - Saturday, March 3, 2007

Question asked by: Linda Subject: Gretsch American Question: Chuck I submitted this back in November but not sure if you ever got it. Just wondering if you can tell me more about my Gretch American uke -- date, worth etc? I bought it from an oldtimer at a yard sale about 25 years ago. A guy at a guitar shop offered me $100 for it -- is it worth more? Thanks. Linda Photos:      Answer: The guy at the guitar shop was either dumb or smart. The value of the uke is about 350.00+....It is in beautiful shape and complete with the original tuners. I will give you 200 and you shouldn't take it. Its the nicest example of a Gretch American I have ever seen. hope this helps.....chuck - Saturday, March 3, 2007

Question asked by: Steve Subject: Rutan/Peter Pan Question: I also own a concert sized Rutan like the one pictured in a previous posting. I bought it on the Ebay a couple of years ago, advertised as a soprano. Payed under two hundred bucks for it. It's a great player. Any idea of a dollar value of it, knowing that there are at least two of them out there? Answer: Its tough to put a value. Collectors are not that familiar with a Rutan Uke. I would guess that 300 would be a good price to get. These are the first I have seen and I would pay that fot it if I were still collecting. They gave Martin a good run for their money. thanks for writing in...chuck - Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Question asked by: Manuel David Subject: Morris Baritone Question: Chuck, thanks for the information on the Lindell ukuleles! I picked up this Morris Baritone over the weekend, would you know anything about Morris Ukuleles? Any info is always appreciated! Take care Manuel Photos:      Answer: Have no idea. have seen the name before, but no informations. It seems to be a mass produced piece and probably sold to companies to sell in their store with the store's name one it. best...chuck - Monday, February 26, 2007

Question asked by: Bob Rolinson Subject: Les Howels uke Question: did you get my picture and question about a Les Howels GHI uke please...i have been looking to see n answer but nothing yet...Thanks bobtheuke Answer: Bob...I wrote to you directly to ask for pictures I could see. The quality is very poor....Please get someone with a good digital uke and send me clear pictures of the front, back and back of headstock. So far it looks british, but I can't really tell. Will get all information I can when I can see it. best..chuck - Monday, February 26, 2007

Question asked by: joel Subject: identifying uke Question: i have a uke that my grandmother got when she was a child. she recieved it around 1910, and her sister also got one a few months later. the one pictured is an S.S. Stewart Collegian, and the other one is almost identical except it is made by Slingerland, I assume the drum company. i ended up with these 5 years ago after her passing, because i am the only family member with a musical passion for the drums, and guitar. and i want to know a little more about them so my son can own them someday, as he is an up and coming guitarist. any info would be appreciated. i will in another email send a top photo. thank you! Photos:      Answer: Joel....They are both ukes that were made by the thousands. They are good sounding and good value for the money. They were made in the 30's and your are correct, sligerland is the drum company...They may also have been the manufacturer, however the water gets mudddy around this time. YOu will see the same banjo uke with dozens of different names. It was not an expensive uke for its day...It was piced so the average guy could purchase it. As I said, they are a cut above the rest of the production models, they sound pretty good. good playing...chuck - Monday, February 26, 2007

Question asked by: Victrola Subject: How to know the age of a Kumalae Question: Hi, I have been looking at Kumalae ukes, and prices are all over the place. Are there different styles like with Martin? If yes, how does one know the different style or age? Thanks! Answer: send a picture I will tell you. There are too many styles to list. I'm too old. send me a pic, I'll send you an opinion..chuck - Saturday, February 24, 2007

Question asked by: Drew Jenkins Subject: Baron Bariton Ukulele Question: Hi, My dad has an old vintage ukulele that we're trying to identify. He bought it about 15 years ago from a music store that carried vintage/used instruments. It says Baron on the headstock and I'm unable to find anything with that name. If you could help, we would appreciate it. Thank you in advance. Answer: I wish I could help..Send a picture and it might be a maker I recognize that was sold by a different distributor. chuck - Saturday, February 24, 2007

Question asked by: Pete Subject: vita uke Question: Curses on you and Jim Beloff. If I hadn't read the Histoy of the Uke and wanted to learn how to play the little critters. I wouldn't have headed down the road of sleepless obsession. Trying to find and then morgage the farm to get my hands on as many of them that I cannot afford. Which brings me to my latest purchase. A much sought after, by me, Vita uke in terrific condition no cracks very few light scratches,original case, that beautiful ribbon mahogany back and in this case spruce veneer top. Please answer two ouestion. Were they all made with spruce veneer? And your estimated value of the one I just mentioned Thanks for your most sought after wisdom Answer: I have only seen one that was not spruce. The answer to the value depends on the case. If it is the original hard shelled case with the purple ribbon inside the whole lot would be worth 500+....Its Harmony's best effort. They also made a Vita guitar, tenor guitar, and mandolin. All the same quality....thanks...chuck - Saturday, February 24, 2007

Question asked by: Jim Sherman Subject: Wabash baritone Uke Question: I have a Wabash (decal) mahogany baritone uke my parents gave me new in the early 60s. It's normal shaped (I can send a photo if useful) in good shape and has always played well. I see from your yaks that it may be a reasonably good uke? A collectible? Anywhere to go re history? Tks Answer: it is a reasonably good uke. It is not really a sought after collectable,however there are not alot of them around. Regarding history, I know they were made in Los Angeles in the 60's. Not much else to report. I have one....chuck - Friday, February 23, 2007

Question asked by: Kay Subject: Yasuma Tiple Uke Question: Looking for tiple uke and have a line on a used Yasuma. Is this a good uke..from music store with good+rating...looking for $900. Thanks for the help Answer: It is a terrific tiple. It is a copy of the Martin tiple almost an exact copy. I had one and loved it. It depends on condition and if it has a case. 900 would be ok if it were in wonderful condition and had a fitted hard shell case. If no case see if you can get one thrown in. chuck - Friday, February 23, 2007

Question asked by: Kenneth G. Bailey Subject: Sam Chang Question: Aloha Chuck, Maybe your readers will enjoy this entry. eBay # 330091105772. There's no mistaking Sam Chang's work on this Soprano Koa labeled as a Richard Choy, "the Banjo King". Sam's legacy goes beyond Paul and Harold Summers labels. Answer: Thanks kenny...always good to hear from you. Yep..its Sam Chang. Not many made that deep a box. keep well..chuck - Wednesday, February 21, 2007

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