Flatiron Festival A

[rchon]

I'm looking at a used Flatiron Festival A. Any comments on this instrument, built in 1987? Owner is asking $1,000.

I'm wondering about the tone, etc., and how it compares to the higher end Flatiron A's. Also, I'm a bit concerned with the apparent lack of a truss rod and wonder whether this has ever been an issue with Flatirons. (I'm currently playing on a 1915 Gibson A with a warped neck and am anxious not to ever deal with something like that again.)

I'm interested in any comments on this model instrument.

Thanks in advance.

[John Flynn]

I like Flatirons. I may buy one. They not only look and sound good, they have a "coolness factor" equal to any other brand, IMHO. My thoughts on the truss rod are: 1) It may have a non-adjustable truss rod. Perhaps one of the resident experts can tell us. One way to tell is wrap a towel around the neck and then put a really powerful magnet to the back of the neck. If there is a metal truss rod, the magnet will glom right to it. The towel is to keep the neck for getting gouged. A really strong magnet can bang hard on the back of the neck. (personal experience)

2) Truss rod or not, if that neck is holding solid since 1987, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Truss rods aren't as critical on mandos as they are on guitars.

[Mark Franzke]

I have an '83 A-5 2 (Artist model signed by Steve Carlson), that I wouldn't sell or trade for anything. I am pretty sure it has a truss rod, just not adjustable. It has an amazing tone, and plays like butter. I had it refretted recently and had wider frets put in and had the fretboard radiussed. There was a slight rise at the 15the fret, where the neck joins the body, that was taken care of when sanding the fretboard. The neck is very straight and the action is perfect.

[Markelberry]

I have a 84 Flatiron A-JR tone bars, everytime I walk by Ihave to pick it up I love the sound and playability. It is definately a KEEPER!