Uke Fans,I’m particularly thrilled to have Chuck “Frets”
Fayne as the resident expert for “Uke Yak.” Over the years Chuck has assembled a
world class collection of Hawaiian and Mainland ukes, including some wonderful
one-of-a-kind pieces. It was Chuck’s collection that made up the majority of the ukes
in “The Ukulele-A
Visual History.” He’s also promised to take full advantage of all the
collectors he knows in the rare instance when somebody throws him a curve ball.
PLEASE NOTE: If you want a response to your question please send a clear jpeg of the front and back of the entire ukulele.
You may Search the Uke Yak,
or Ask Chuck a Question now!
Yak away!
Jumpin’ Jim
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(Chuck
"Frets" Fayne has answered the following 4831
questions.)
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 Question asked by:
Raul
Subject: Vintage Hawaiian Uke
Question: Hi Chuck! I just picked up this Uke
from an antique store earlier
today. It's your typical early,
hawaiian made ukulele complete with
the Coat of Arms Seal(w/ HAWAII
underneath it) on the front of the
headstock and a Tabu Stamp on the
back. It also has "June 1924" and
the letters "HA"(sharing the right
line of the H w/ the left line of
the A) carved in the soundhole and
the "HA" again on the lower of the
back of the headstock. Can you tell
me anything about this uke,
possibly who manufactured it? Also,
about how much would a uke like
this be worth? Thanks!!
Answer: Raul...Without a label or a mark of some kind it is almost impossible to tell. It is a standard ukulele of the 20-39's because of the tabu stamp. As far as a maker it could be anyone of 20 makers at the time. Its still worth 300+ dollars and probably plays very well. Sorry, I couldn't do more but there were just too many that looked exactly alike...chuck
- Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Question asked by:
Jon Detka
Subject: Mauna Loa Uke - Thanks for the info.
Question: Chuck,
Thanks for all of the great info on
my new little Mauna loa banjo uke
friend. One last set of questions.
How much should one expect to spend
having a new head put in a little
banjolele like this? I am starting
to look around for a shop to do the
repair. I would really like to
learn how to do it myself. Are
their any good suppliers you
recommend? Is this an easy job for
a rookie with a good shop sense?
Also, interestingly I did some more
searches and found a shop selling
the same uke for way more than I
spent. (I spent $25) If it is
repairable for cheap I will be
pretty jazzed. :-)
Link to the expensive one like
mine:
http://www.umanovguitars.com/store/details.asp?prodid=3248&cat=650&path=
This one looks like mine but in way
better shape. Am I correct with the
like-ness.
Thanks again for all of your help.
jd
Answer: Same uke...If you are really handy you should be able to do the job. There are many sites that sell banjo uke parts. Its a matter of measuring it and stretching it. They make stuff easy for us now. Let me know how it comes out..IT is a good little uke and 25 is like stealing ...... Good luck and thanks for writing in..chuck
- Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Question asked by:
Jon Detka
Subject: More Info on Mystery 'Mauna Loa' banjolele
Question: Hi again Chuck.
Re: The mystery banjolele. Could
not get a decent shot of the
artwork between the pegs but here
is a description.
The words say 'Mauna Loa' and
there is a palm tree and a guy in
a long canoe.
jd
Question asked by: Jon Detka
Subject: Mystery Banjolele
Question: Chuck, I was hoping you
might be able to provide some
history/info on a banjolele that
I just picked up. Does it look
like it can be repaired? (torn
head). Any good info/links on how
to do the repair? materials? Any
idea of the make or age? Any
other cool knowledge you can
share?
Answer: Jon...any chance that
thing between the tuning pegs is
part of the name of the uke. If
so, it might be the start of a
clue. I need closer pictures.
thanks...chuck
- Monday, July 21, 2008
Answer: Mauna Loa was a cheapie brand made by Lyon and Healey. I wouldn't spend a lot fixing it up....just put it in shape and play it. hope this helps..chuck
- Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Question asked by:
michael
Subject: general
Question: Hi Chuckster. Not a question, just
a comment on a film you probably
all have seen but i just managed
to catch recently. "STANLEY'S GIG"
it's a 2000 release, and schlocky
and all, but I cried anyway. But,
for ukies, it's great since the
soundtrack is all Ian Whitcomb
(love him or hate him, i know..)
and the main character is a uke
player who wanders through the
film with a beautiful martin
soprano. the background radio uke
lessons are also very interesting
and a little helpful as well. I
don't know how well it did, but
it's for sure a uke lover's film.
Just wanted to share.
Answer: michael...thanks for the update...always welcome.....chuck
- Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Question asked by:
Jon Detka
Subject: Mystery Banjolele
Question: Chuck,
I was hoping you might be able to
provide some history/info on a
banjolele that I just picked up.
Does it look like it can be
repaired? (torn head).
Any good info/links on how to do
the repair? materials?
Any idea of the make or age?
Any other cool knowledge you can share?
Answer: Jon...any chance that thing between the tuning pegs is part of the name of the uke. If so, it might be the start of a clue. I need closer pictures. thanks...chuck
- Monday, July 21, 2008
Question asked by:
Carolyn Lewis
Subject: C.F.Martin Ukulele
Question: Hi Chuck, I inherited this
ukulele,I would like to find out
it's value. You can see it has a
crack, I've allways been told to
repair would take away from the
value is this true? Does the
auotgragh add to the value. Tell
me what you can. Thanks
Answer: Did you also inherit the front of the uke. .I see no crack and I have no idea what you are talking about when you say an autograph. The people who have been telling you it will take away from the value by repairing the crack are in fact telling you that if you leave it alone, it will crack more and more and eventually you will have a ukulele that is completely worthless. Who ever gave you that information is clueless. Lets start all over from the beginning. It is imperative that you you repair the crack. It is very important you send me a picture of the whole front of the uke as it is the only way I can tell which model martin ukulele it is. Please make clear what a signature is in your definition. I'll be glad to tell you all I can when you send me all I want. chuck
- Friday, July 18, 2008
Question asked by:
Liz Williams
Subject: strings for vintage martin
Question: Hi Chuck - I so enjoy the uke-yak
forum and your expertise - not to
mention your sense of humor. Thank
you for sharing your expertise.
My question is about strings for a
Martin 1933-35 Style O soprano.
Specifically, are there any strings
(types or brands) that might damage
this uke? I've read many opinions
about this, but so far, no facts.
Can you help?
Answer: I can't imagine any string (except for a metal string that would damage a ukulele. I would write to the Martin company and order a set of soprano strings. That will solve your immediate problem. If you want a softer sound you can also order strings from Kamaka. I like their strings a lot. If neither of these work, write back. c
- Friday, July 18, 2008
Question asked by:
steve
Subject: uke history
Question: more detailed photos of 1930s uke
Answer: Sorry...never saw that decal before. Perhaps someone out there has and will write in. Just when I think I have seen it all (only kidding) ..something comes along....thanks for sending it in. sorry I can't help...c
- Friday, July 18, 2008
Question asked by:
Alun
Subject: Whats it worth
Question: Hi Chuck,
My mother has just been given a
Swanee Ukelele, can you tell me
how much the instrument is worth?
I is in excellent condition and
fully working.
Cheers mate.
Answer: There were many ukes made using the name swanee. Can you send me a picture and I will do my best..chuck
- Friday, July 18, 2008
Question asked by:
Glenda
Subject: Martin Tiple T-28
Question: Hi. Great site and needed by people
like me!! My uncle has a Martin
T-28 Tiple made in 1976 #389281
with a hardshell case. He isn't
able to use the internet to find
information about his guitar. Can
you help me with info and give me a
rough estimate of it's worth? It's
in mint condition. It's very
beautiful. Thank you!
Answer: The T 28 was made first in l962. I don't know when it was discontinued. The value is dependent on the wind. If you find someone who wants one you could get as much as 1000+. The market is soft on Tiples and I'm not sure why. They are wonderful sounding. The only fault is that they have ten strings ( really only four)..it is a ukulele---And somewhat hard to keep in tune. I don't know what else you want to know about them, but if you want to ask specific questions I will give you like answers. thanks..chuck
- Friday, July 18, 2008
Question asked by:
Bert Stadnyk
Subject: Oliver Ditson Co. Ukelele
Question: Is this a Tenor Ukelele ?
10 string courses of 2,3,3,2
thanks,
Bert
Answer: Its a tiple..not a ukulele exactly, although when you are through tuning it it only really has four notes...just lots of strings. I have never seen a Ditson Tiple...first one. If I can help any more, please write. Look up Tiple on Google and you will find out exactly what it is. chuck
- Friday, July 18, 2008
Question asked by:
Garry Smythe
Subject: Stromberg Ukulele
Question: Recently sent you this pic of my
Stromberg Voisinet, the neck is
too narrow for my old fingers, so
looking to sell it, any idea of
its worth, I have just bought an
Avalon, wider neck nice sound
Answer: Try 750.00+ Its hare to tell, ..You have to find someone who is looking for a high end banjo uke. This is certainly it. It was worth a lot more about 10 years ago. good luck..try putting it on our marketplace on this site. Only uke nuts read it and they will be interested...chuck
- Friday, July 18, 2008
Question asked by:
William
Subject: What is this?
Question: Pic #2
Answer: The back of a uke. Send a pic of the whole front and I will try..chuck
- Friday, July 18, 2008
Question asked by:
Rick
Subject: Maui Music 8 string
Question: Quick question, I have a Maui Music 8 string,
T8DK 5-5054, do you know the year? Nice
player, beautiful uke by the way.
Answer: not a clue....chuck
- Friday, July 18, 2008
Question asked by:
uncle budd
Subject: popped bridge
Question: I got home from a longgg weekend
with the mom-in-law only to find
the bridge popped off my Johnny
Marvin Tenor!!! In a humid New
Jersey living room?! Why would it
pop off? Is this a job for a
luthier, or is there some amazing
glue I can stick it back with?
Help.
Answer: Have it done professionally. Always the best option. Bridge placement is very very important...c
- Friday, July 18, 2008
Question asked by:
Jonathan Vacanti
Subject: my uke
Question: can you tell me anything about this uke?
thanks
Answer: Mainland made to look like a hawaiian uke. Seen dozens of them. This one is very nice. Hope it sounds good. thanks..chuck...perhaps made by Regal, Chicago l940's
- Friday, July 18, 2008
Question asked by:
William
Subject: What is this?
Question: Hey Chuck...Hope all is cool with
you. Any Ideas on what this is? I
just bought it, so it is what it
is. It looks intersting to
me...either way. I'll follow with
two more pics. Love your show!!
Wm.
Answer: William.,,,please send large picture of the front of the entire ukulele. I will be able to tell more from that. Looks homemade and nice at that...c
- Sunday, July 13, 2008
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