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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:
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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