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

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Question asked by: Jeffrey T. Smith Subject: Chicago ukulele information ,History , makers, players,etc. Question: Dear Chuck, Jim Beloff told me too ask you if you had any information on ukulele history of Chicago. I am of aware of quite a few of the makers,publishers, etc. Maybe you know where I can go to find out. I plan on writing an article about this for the Chicago magazine. Mahalo, Jeff. P.S. Can I send you a "got uke?" t-shirt I make? Please send me your size and mailing address. THANKS! Jefe' Answer: Jeffry, I am compiling a list of the chicago makers. The list is endless and the names have all but vanished from the records. Regal, as you now was the leading manufacturer and made most of the product from Chicago in the early years. They sold to many distributors and there is where the problem arises. It is difficult to tell the maker from the distributor. If you want to do a Chicago piece, more interesting than the makers is all the people who were claiming to have made ukes. I will do the best I can and get the list to you. Will talk soon.....chuck - Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Question asked by: Sharon Subject: uke by Ray Smeck Question: Sorry, I said the uke had 6 strings. It only has 4. Red and black sticker on back of handle says, genuine mahogany. Stamped Signiture of Ray Smeck over music and The Harmony Co. Chicago Answer: Sharon, picture please. Your description could fit more than one roy smeck uke. A pic will tell everything. thanks...chuck - Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Question asked by: Sharon Subject: want to know Question: I have a Roy Smeck uke. It is genuine mohogany (sticker of gold) and red on back. The name of Roy Smeck Uke,The Harmony Company of Chicago,Illinois on the face. All are printed on the front with music bars across his name. It is 4 strings. I don't see information on the inside. Answer: Sharon, Picture please. I can't tell from your description. It fits too many roy smecks ....A pic will tell all...chuck - Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Question asked by: JOE HUSTON Subject: HONU UKULELE Question: I RECENTLY SAW A BEAUTIFUL UKE WITH A LABEL INSIDE THAT READ: "HONU UKULELE - DESIGNED IN KALIHI, HAWAII - HAND MADE IN CALIFORNIA". CAN YOU TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT THE BUILDER AND/OR HOW TO REACH HIM/THEM? THANKS, JOE Answer: I can't find the maker. I am posting this in case someone out there knows who it is. Thanks for writing in. I will continue to search for it. chuck - Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Question asked by: Mark Subject: old uke Question: Hi Chuck, Here's a pic of the whole uke. Like I said it came from Montgomery Wards 1941 postmark. the headstock is hard to read it may say Consort? Looks like a musical staff with a Large C and something else I cant make out. Thanks, Mark Photos:      Answer: Pic too dark to tell. Its a classic regal shape. Please send a lighter pic so I can help more...thanks...chuck - Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Question asked by: Andy Subject: Choosing a Uke Question: Chuck,wanting to buy a uke but so many. Can one buy a good uke with good sound and craftmanship for a price around $300- $400? Tenor. Answer: Andy... Try Bushman Jenny. JOhn Bernunzio has them on his web site.. Bernunzio vintage instruments. Don't know if they make a tenor, but good reports. reasonaable. chuck - Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Question asked by: Cliff Bonnar Subject: Harmony Ukulele Question: Hi Chuck, I just sent you an e-mail asking for some info on my Harmony. I just wanted to send you more pictures showing my Harmony Uke. Thank You very much... Photos:      Answer: The uke was made during the WW11 era as evidenced by the trim. I have not seen another exactly the same. Its a great looking uke and I'm sure there are a lot of Harmony collectors that would want it. I will be glad to help you. I am going to some research on Harmony and see if I can find it listed somewhere. Best.,..chuck - Monday, January 22, 2007

Question asked by: Michael J. Locey Subject: Martin 1M ID Question: Hi Chuck; re; your response as to how old the Martin 1M is, you said it could be 60's or 70's; the photo shows the stamp inside without the "made in USA"; doesnt that mean it is not a 60's and later edition? Answer: NO USA stamp...My mistake. Its earlier than 60's or 70's. If the decal is on the front....l930's...Stamp on back of peghead.....20's probably. Best Martin style Martin ever made. Too bad they didn't make this one again instead of the Style's 5's....Somehow I dont think they still get it. I would be surprised if they sold 200 ukes at approximately 4000 each. But I have been very wrong before. If I had everything else and nothing but money, I would be tempted for the collectable value, however for that kind of money I can buy two superior ukes that really won't cost as much. Best and thanms....chuck - Monday, January 22, 2007

Question asked by: Pete Subject: Harmony baritone tuners Question: Answer to question on replacing Harmony baritone tuners. Check out tuners at stewmac. I think they are the same as the original ones used by Harmony Answer: Pete...thanks for the help...always appreciated...chuck - Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Question asked by: mLKauai Subject: arthur godfrey bari Question: How good are those Vega Arthur Godfrey baritones?... or not? mahalo.. Answer: real good.......great sound and not really expensive. thanks and happy new year....chuck - Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Question asked by: Peter Fox Subject: gibson tenor strings Question: Hi Chuck, I just got a gibson tenor uke. The few times I had her up and running, she has truly produced a great sound. I would like your advice on string length since its over all size is 24.5 should I be using concert or tenor strings and do you have some suggestions for getting pins to stay in place I seem to get it working and then they take off like bottle rockets. Please help, thank you Peter Answer: get the pins with the notch in them so the string can't really pull against the pins. If its a tenor uke, I would strongly suggest that you use tenor strings. That is why they are named tenor strings. The concert strings seem to work best on the concert uke and so on. One more suggestion, if you wear a 33 pair of pants, usually a 42 is not going to fit well....best....chuck - Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Question asked by: Scott Collier Subject: tuning machines Question: Ok Chuck, this really isn't a collectors question per se, but... I have a nice Lanikai tenor that I love but I hate the tuning machines, they stick out the side like so many today. I would like to replace them with ones that stick out the back. Is this possible? Answer: absolutly....take the uke to a good luthier and explain the problem. There are hundreds of tuner sets made today, many will fit your uke......see yas...chuck - Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Question asked by: Dennis McKenna Subject: My next Uke Question: I'm not very good for playing two years now but would like to purchase a good sounding less- expensive Tenor. I like my little Mahalo Concert size. Any suggestions? Answer: Get a Mahalo Tenor is the first solution that comes to mind. If this doesn't work, write back...lots to choose from today, but why not stick with what's working....chuck - Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Question asked by: Daryl Shick Subject: brands Question: HI Chuck I just need some info on uke brands that are good but don't cost the earth.Was looking at that mother pearl REGAL REGARDS FROM LORD HOWE ISLAND DARYL Answer: What mother of pearl regal regards from lord how island.....?????? chuck - Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Question asked by: Don Wiseman Subject: Vox Humana Soprano Question: This is a uke built in Rotterdam in the 1950's by a company specializing today in custom guitars. It is an arch top, arch bottom, with a radiused fret board. It has "f" sound holes, tail piece, etc. The is an old, very well done repair in the heel.Very ure tone, but a little thin. I have added a Grover bridge and brought it up a lot. Love to get a Farquar for it. Seen many of these? Any further knowledge> Photos:      Answer: saw one other 25 years ago...beautiful uke and very rare. Wish I had more knowledge , perhaps a yakker will know..thanks for sharing..chuck - Saturday, January 6, 2007

Question asked by: Scott W. Englund Subject: New use for an old Supertone Question: No question here, just thought you'd get a kick out of a new use for an old Supertone. Photos:      Answer: its great...does it play 5'2 on the hour...best...and thanks...chuck - Saturday, January 6, 2007

Question asked by: Michael Masutani Subject: Martin TenorUke serial number 44012, Question: I know nothing about ukes and I see this for sale. I'm sure many also have seen it. Any idea on the value of this piece? Photos:      Answer: the pic is so small I can't make it out. But it is not a tenor uke, its a tenor guitar....send bigger pics...chuck - Thursday, January 4, 2007

Question asked by: Tom Subject: Kamaka Value Question: Chuck, I’ve recently come into possession of a Kamaka Uke. I don’t own a digital camera, but after some searching on the internet I came across the photo that I have attached. My Kamaka looks exactly like that one with the exception of the tuning pegs, mine are a simpler tension style, just carved wood. I was told by the previous owners that it was purchased in Hawaii in the 40’s. The one in the photo is listed for sale at $1200. Do you have any thoughts on the value range of mine? Thank you, Tom Photos:      Answer: Its a style 2 1928 kamaka pineapple uke. It could be a style 3 if it has the same binding up around the back. The price seems reasonable, especially if yours has the case. It is, in my opinion, the best of the Kamaka ukes. If I had it, and I want it, I would just play the hell out of it. Thats what its designed for. If you sell it, try placing it on the Marketplace on this site. Costs nothing and you can place a picture. Its not an auction but a sale bulletin board. Give it a try. Thanks for writing in and thanks for the pic. I will keep it in my files....chuck - Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Question asked by: William Subject: Old Banjo Ukulele Question: I've attached a picture of a banjo ukulele that needs a major set up. I picked it up for $23.00 Can it be dated; and is it worth a new bridge, skin, and geared grovers? Thanks a million, William Photos:      Answer: 1930 stella and a nice on at that. It is definitly worth setting up, Its much higher quality than most of the stella banjo ukes built at that time. Do the job, it doesn't look too difficult and you will have a really nice piece. If you are going to sell,I will offer you a profit. double your money. Dont do it..I'm only kidding, sort of....chuck - Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Question asked by: Mihcael Moulton Subject: Dixie Leader with Picture Question: Hi again. I asked about this uke marked Dixie Leader back in 1999 and am still on the lookout for more info on it. I attached the picture. Any idea of its age or maker? Thanks for any info! - Michael Photos:      Answer: haven't a clue...perhaps someone out there will know what it is. Interesting sound hold, it looks like you could stuff a turkey in it. Hope we find out something, any chance of sending a lighter picture...thanks ...chuck - Wednesday, January 3, 2007

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