Flatiron festival fff owners, who signed yours?

[bhaltom]

Any F5 Flatiron Festival owners (Likewise any Gibson owner) have signed instruments from the factory?

Mine, serial number:10219020 is signed inside on top, need a mirror to look, not sure yet who signed it bc I can not read it clear enough but it was suggested Sim Daley or Charlie Derrington? Not sure?

If so, who signed yours?

[Big Joe]

Charlie did not sign the top woods. Only Sim did this on the ones made in Nashville. Charlie was pretty particular about signing anything.

[mandopete]

Aren't they usually signed on the label?

BTW- 1995 Flatiron F5-SB signed by Bruce Weber (on the label).

[Big Joe]

It the labels are signed, that is where they are usually signed. However, Sim liked signing the underside of the tops and did so on some of them. If they had signature labels he would have signed there also. Hope this helps explain.

[Ken Berner]

As a note of interest, my '93 Flatiron A5 Artist was signed on the main label by Steve Carlson, but another label located beneath the treble f hole bears signatures in ink, of about fifteen other Flatiron luthiers. Two of those, Steve Burtch and Bruce Weber are still in Montana at Sound To Earth. My '99 Weber Beartooth is signed under the top, in pencil, by the six or so at STE at that time. Bruce signed the main label. For those who crafted your instrument to be proud enough of their work, to sign the mandolin, is a nice touch.

[mandopete]

...but another label located beneath the treble f hole bears signatures in ink, of about fifteen other Flatiron luthiers.
How do you see this? Are you looking in with an inspection mirror?

[bhaltom]

I looked with a Dental tool...

[Ken Berner]

Mandopete, the label below the treble f hole is glued to the inside of the back and is as visible as the main label itself. Ken

[mandopete]

Okay, my '95 has neither a 2nd label or any writing (on the top) that I can see (with a dental inspection mirror).

How did they get 15 names on yours?

[Tom C]

I have to check the inside top of my '95 Performer. (Maybe a '96 -CRS). The main label is not signed. It's from Belgrade Mt -not Bozeman.

[Big Joe]

Belgrade is a suburb of Bozeman...as if Bozeman were large enough for a suburb. Ok, it's a small community about three miles north of Bozeman.

[Rick Banuelos]

Belgrade is about 10 miles to the west of Bozeman. It's a tiny little thing, but it's getting bigger every day, it seems. If you fly in to "Bozeman", Belgrade is your actual destination. It's a bit funny how evenly apart the towns are spaced along the interstate; drive 10 miles from Bozeman (population 35,000), and you're in Belgrade (population 8,000), 10 more miles and you arrive in Manhattan (population 3,500), 5 more to Logan (Pop. 44, so not even a town), and 5 more to Three Forks (pop. 4,000).

Three miles north of Bozeman is the Springhill dance hall, which it would behoove any bluegrass fan to visit at least once. It's remote, old, and it's a charming venue. Springhill has a population of about 25.


That's what I call big city life.

Interesting to hear that we once had six luthiers. Now, we have a whopping 10.

[bhaltom]

I hope this works, here is a pic of the inside of my mando with the signature under the top. Who is this?

[bhaltom]

Oh, forgot, the above image is of a F5 2001 Flatiron festival.

This does not look like Sim Daley? What ya think?

anyone else can show a pic?

[Tom C]

So, was this the same facility but different label? Was this a move after Gibson bought them? -I still need to get a mirror to view bottom of the top plate. By the way, I'd never get rid of this mando. Even with the integrated neck.
It has the perfect scroll. It seems most builders, the button is raised a bit much, this looks more like a racing tire. -If that make sense. -I'll post pic soon. I love the tone, chops, neck profile. The mids sound a bit muddy compared to my other mando but it can be played harder.

[bhaltom]

??rad Q???s
Feb 2001

Anyone? I put a mirror to this to help it read the correct way.

[bhaltom]

serial number:10219020 to the photo above...

[wsm]

I am not sure who signed it but I flipped the image to see if it helps.

[mandowilli]

My 96 Festival F says Belgrade and is signed by Bruce Weber.

[man0mando]

here it is a little lighter - i still can't read it though
dave

[bhaltom]

"Charlie did not sign the top woods. Only Sim did this on the ones made in Nashville. Charlie was pretty particular about signing anything."

As this Mando was made in Nashville, I still do not think Sim signed this but if not Sim Daley then who is this? Does anyone know?

I will try to get a better pic.

[bradeinhorn]

I think it quite clearly says - "Unard Quans" Must have been old Uni.

[Big Joe]

As I said before, Sim signed them often with "Simeon Daley". No big secret.