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

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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

Question asked by: A. B. Bonds Subject: Older Kamaka intonation Question: Have a mid-50's Kamaka soprano that just came back fromt he factory. With the modern (heavy) Kamaka strings, there is a lot of sharping due to stretch. What kind of strings should I hunt for? I find it hard to believe that the box sounded this bad when it was new. Answer: Kamaka strings are great....give them a chance...or take a look at the on-line store on this web site . We have a wonderful selection of strings. The Nylagut strings are terrific. best..chuck - Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Question asked by: John Mcpherson Subject: early ukes Question: Is there any value to a uke with a 20's to 30's label with white trim band around the sound box and hole? Answer: John...did it occur to tell me what's on the label. Your description fits about 2 million ukes....seriously. PICTURE PLEASE......cHUCK - Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Question asked by: Ray Fryoux Subject: Uke Repair Question: One of my Harmony Ukes has developed some serious weather checking and I was wondering if something like that could be repaired or refinished. If so, could you recommend someone who could repair it? Thanks. Answer: If its just checking, leave it alone. Its the finish not the wood. chuck - Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Question asked by: Erik Subject: Another lame question Question: Hi Chuck. Lost out on a Johnny Marvin "tenor" on EBay last night. Any other semi-affordable concert sized vintage ukes I should look for? Heard many good things about the JM... Answer: I would look for a Harmony Concert. They were well made and have a good sound. As far as vintage concerts, there wern't tons of them....Martin made a great one but they are expensive. Put your wants up on the marketplace on this site and perhaps someone will have one for sale..thanks...chuck - Sunday, February 18, 2007

Question asked by: ryan Subject: peter pan uke Question: here are four pics. i'm sending them seperate because i don't know how to compress them. i already had the uke fixed.i was just wondering if i made the right choice.-ryan Photos:      Answer: You definitly made the right choice,...never say another in concert size. nice uke..... - Thursday, February 15, 2007

Question asked by: Ray Fryoux Subject: Uke pick-up Question: I have some older concert sized harmony ukes. One with a removable saddle one with the one piece bridge and saddle. I would love to put a pick-up in them. Can you recommend a pickup and someone who can install it with out laughing at me when I ask them to do it? Thank you. Answer: If they laugh at you be sure and don't have them do it. They really don't know instruments. My favorite pickup is a saddle pick up and any GOOD luthier will know what you are talking about and not laugh. best..chuck - Thursday, February 15, 2007

Question asked by: ryan Subject: peter pan uke Question: i picked up an old uke at an antique/junk store for ten dollars. it is stamped "Rutan" in script on the front and "PETER PAN HAND MADE DE LUXE" on the back of the headstock.it is concert sized (15" scale) with white binding.the overall length is 23 1/2". it has the original bridge which appears to be identical to a martin. in fact i had to have the bridge and a loose strut re-attached by a luthier (he is an authorised martin dealer,) and he said the construction of the uke is identical to a '40s era martin.it has grover friction tuners with black knobs. i glued several de- lams with hide glue,and i fixed a 3/4"x1 1/2" hole in the side of the uke using the original pieces and an epoxy filler. i also constructed a nut as the original was missing.the body is mahogany and the fretboard is ebony.the 5,7,and 10th frets are inlayed with a single 3/32" dot.the headstock has the semicircular cutout.the rosette is 5 thin lines alternating white and black.it plays and sounds beautiful. having read the other entries about other peter pan/rutan ukes, i was wondering if they were sopranos,or concerts like mine. if not i figured you would like to know they are out there.i was also wondering if it was worth having the bridge and strut re- glued for 200 dollars. thanks- ryan cresco,pa,usa Answer: Rutan was a company that existed to rival the Martin company. They did a pretty good job of it. I have owned a few rutans but I have never seen one marked both peter pan and rutan. The only way I knew they were the same company was the headstock where it has the half circle cutout at the top. I have also never seen a concert size. Yes it is worth the money to have it properly repaired. I would say this uke is very rare. I have had thousands of ukes through my hands through 30 years and never seen a rutan concert. It is also interesting that the company mysteriously burned to the ground in ther l940's if I remember the years correctly. I would love to see a picture of it if you can take one and send it to me for my personal files and for the uke world as a whole. great find. please have it repaired. chuck - Thursday, February 15, 2007

Question asked by: Rose Subject: Banjo Uke Question: Hi Chuck. Wondering about the history of this little banjo uke. There is no brand or other markings on it. The tailpiece and tuners aren't orig. Any idea of its brand or vintage? Cheers Rose Photos:      Answer: my guess is that it is from the 40's. Its not rare. They made thousands of banjo ukes that looked exactly or almost exactly like this one. Its the tone your after..Get some strings and a proper bridge, and get to playing...thanks..chuck - Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Question asked by: Dana L. Richardson Subject: Your Soon To Be Published Book?! Question: Chuck, A few years back you put me on your list for getting your (then) soon to published ukulele book. I hope I am still on that list because I can still hardly wait to read it! I do hope you and your soon to be published book are well! Thanks for all that you do for the ukulele community! Dana Answer: Your still on the list...its with an editor now. Soon it will be available. thanks..chuck - Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Question asked by: poul Lange Subject: Martin style 0 koa? Question: Hi Chuck I recently got this Martin style 0. The seller thought it might be a koa model, but was corrected. But when I got it, the wood didn't really looked like mahogony - the color is much more like koa. Did Martin make a style 0 koa? And can you tell from this picture if this might be one? Can you tell from the style of the pegs what year it might be from? Thanks. Photos:      Answer: I'm sorry the message didn't come thru. Here it is. It is my understanding that Martin made no Koa o's however I have seen one recently. Yours is definitly not koa. It is classic mahogany. Koa is honey colored with distinctive grain. Mahogany looks exactly like what you have. It seems to have a decal on the front of the headstock. That would place it in the 50's somewhere. Thanks for writing in...chuck - Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Question asked by: PJ Subject: Tahitian ukes Question: We have three ukes given to use over the years by friends in Tahiti, 4 and 8 string models, one is left handed. I do not know how to play, but would like to learn, but I can't get them in tune the way our Tahitian friends do. Do you know of anyone in the Dallas area that knows anything about Tahitian ukes? Most that I have seen are strung with nylon fising line. The one in the picture is one a friend made for my son. Also, does the Dallas Uke Club still meet regularly, Maybe I could visit. Thanks PJ Photos:      Answer: I was in Tahiti recently and saw millions of tahitian ukes. The four string ones are tuned like a uke. You will find a uke tune setting on this site on the menu. Just follow your fingers. They are almost always strung with metal strings because they are rhythm instruments rather than solo instruments. The 8 string one is tuned exactly like a uke but in pairs . It they are not in pairs, I have no idea what it is and how its tuned....have fun..chuck By the way, I loved the picture. - Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Question asked by: Mike Peterson Subject: Gibson FM Style 3 Question: Chuck, I love your Yak, (kind of like your camel too...) I'm going to list this Gibson Style 3 on ebay, but don't have a clue about the year, or what the FM might signify. Can you give me any help on how to describe this? Thanks. Mike Photos:      Answer: I would walk a Mile for a camel but only a few feet for a yak. I answered your questions off line, but I'd like to post a pic of a very unusual uke for all to see. If you are interested in purchasing this uke, it is presently on ebay. It is one of the first style 3's I have ever seen that is not black in color. Look at this one, you might not see another...chuck - Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Question asked by: Jerry Carden Subject: Gretsch soprano Question: Hi, Chuck - Any idea when this Gretsch could have been made? I have not seen another with the binding surrounding the top, and just wondered if they are uncommon. The little sucker is LOUD! I have mailed additional pics to you directly, to aid with identification. Thanks! Jerry Photos:      Answer: They are not really common . I have seen a few. They are just a better model of the standard gretsch uke. Nice uke.....Hope it sounds good. chuck - Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Question asked by: Heck James Subject: uke hydration Question: Howdy, Chuck! Thanks again for your advice on mid-priced ukes. At the end, though, I broke down and bought a vintage Martin soprano uke via ebay auction. Couldn't resist. Now my question is: I live in a very dry climate (Arizona). Can you give me some tips on hydration? Want to protect my investment! Answer: I would take your uke and put it on the lawn and wash it down every day. That will keep it hydrated. I would do nothing except in the really dry weather, I would keep a bowl of water near the uke. That will allow the wood to absorb the moisture. best. chuck - Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Question asked by: Erik Subject: Wurlitzer Soprano Question: OK-here is a pic of a Wurlitzer soprano. The seller says 1940, but I think older--1920s or early 30s. It is a small bugger. Who made this thing? I'm thinking not Martin or Kumalae. Chicago? Asking 250. Seems high. Thoughts? Photos:      Answer: I think you hit on the nail....chicago, don't know the maker...1940's sounds like more the time. I have seen many varieties of this uke..enjoy..chuck - Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Question asked by: Steve Subject: Doug's Uke Question: Chuck I've cleaned up Doug's photo and sent it on to you. The headstock logo looks like the crest on either a Kumalae or a Nunes but doesn't appear to have either of their names behind this as you would expect. It isn't as waisted as my Kumalae and looks to have had the body and neck stripped of it's finish, which will adversely affect its value to a collector. Dunno if this helps or not. I'm sure you will get to the bottom of this either way. take care. Steve Photos:      Answer: From the headstock, it is a common hawaiian of which millions were made. I don't think its any of the big makers. thanks for the clean-up...chuck - Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Question asked by: Bill Subject: Identify baritone uke Question: I have a "Mellow Tone" baritone uke Model B-38 that was made by the Kasuga Musical Instrument Mfg. Co. Ltd. of Nagoya, Japan. It has what I believe is called a "rope trim" around the body and sound hole. What more can you tell me about this instrument's musical value? Answer: I lived in Nagoya Japan for 14 years..Ok I didn't.....However I know nothing about the uke or the maker. perhaps someone out there will know.....best to ya..chuck - Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Question asked by: Manuel David Subject: Lindell Ukulele Question: Greetings Chuck from Cajunland in Southwest Louisiana! I picked up these two Lindell ukuleles at a local garage sale for five bucks each and was hoping you could tell me something about them. They are both in excellent condition except each has a hole drilled in the back where they were screwed into the wall as decorations. You can see the holes through the sound hole of each. They both sound and play really well according to an acquaintance that has been playing since the fourth grade and is now in her forties. Since I have found these ukuleles, I can’t seem to put them down; these little buggers really slip into your soul when you’re not looking!! Told a lady from church about finding them and now we’re starting a ukulele band at church, they do make a joyful noise! Can you tell me anything about these ukuleles, when they were built, where, value if any, collectability…etc? Any info you can give me is greatly appreciated!! Thanks, Manuel Manuel David 311 East School Street Lake Charles, La. 70605 Photos:      Answer: Lindells pop up regularly. No one seems to know the maker. In my catalogue collection they were carried by many companies. I would guess a chicago company, harmony , regal or pdiddy's uke parlor. best to ya....chuck - Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Question asked by: Doug Subject: re: help with old uke Question: Chuck, looks like I'm having trouble sending pics, my files are too large. Can you send me an E-mail addy that I can send pics to? I'm including the headstock pic with this post. The emblem is a Hawaiian crest with "ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono" and the word Hawai`i under it. On the back of the headstock is a partial imprint of a "tabu" emblem (I assume this means it is an authentic Hawai`i uke). There is no sound hole emblem. The body and sound hole are ropebound. Photos:      Answer: get someone to take the pic that knows how to work a digital camera. There is no reason that you shouldn't be able to send a proper sized picture. Its so simple. That decal was used on every piece of hawaiiana ever made. The tabu is exactly what you think it is and the date is somewhere in the 29-30's.....chuck - Tuesday, February 13, 2007

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