New flatiron 3k bouzouki

[PatrickH]

Hello all,

I bought a Flatiron 3K off a guy from an online classifieds site. The seller claimed that he didn't play the instrument much at all in the 7 years he has owned it and he didn't think the original owner did either (the seriel number says it was make in 1989). The seller said it was in really good condition.

Man was I shocked to open the case today and find an instrument that appears like it was purchased in 1989, put in the case and left there until today. It is absoulutly perfect.

Anyway, I want to change the strings. The current strings on it are 2 - 3 years old and have a split octave G and D string.

Do I have to use a set with split octave stings on it? I would prefer not to. I have a set of D'Addario OM strings (.012, .022, .032 & .046) and a set of GHS Phosphor Bronze OM strings (set PF285 12-22-32-44). Do you think these would work well on it? If yes, which set would be better? If no, when can I get strings that will work?

Thanks

[Patrick Gunning]

On my Flatiron 3M bouzouki, I use the GHS set and it has always served me well. You do not need to use split-octave strings - the nut and bridge are actually slotted for courses in unison. If you want split octaves in the future, use 1 "A" string for the octave G course and one "E" string for the octave D course.

Congrats on your lucky purchase, they are amazing instruments. Heck, Thile still uses one as his main octave, and he could get just about anybody to build him a new carved-top one for free.

[Steve L]

Take a look at the slots in the nut and the bridge and see if they are both the same depth and width for each string in the lower courses. It's possible a previous owner had the instrument set up specifically for octave courses but also possible it was just strung up that way without any alterations. Worst case scenario is you would need to have 2 slots widened a bit. GHS strings are really close to what Flatiron recommended and are just fine. They used to package and sell their own strings.

Good luck with it...do you mind sharing what the purchase price was?

[PatrickH]

Good luck with it...do you mind sharing what the purchase price was

Not at all. It was $700.00 with hardshell case (in very good condition as well).

From what I have seen online, this seems like a good price.

[Steve L]

I think you got a great deal Patrick! Congratulations and good luck with it.

[fatt-dad]

Look inside the sound hole up at the neck joint and see if there is a sticker that gives the recommended string gauges. This is what they do on the pancake mandolins.

f-d

[steve V. johnson]

Congratulations, Patrick!

As others have noted, the nut/bridge slots are the place to find out if you can go to unison stringing without any
odd results. I hope they're set up for unisons for you, just so it's an easy change!

The .046 of the D'Addario set might be a little much, the GHS would, I think, be a bit better balanced to start with, just
so that you can get any idea of how your new Flatiron sounds.

Enjoy!

stv

[PatrickH]

Great suggestions all. Thanks.

[daltai]

My '84 Flatiron 3K bouzouki has a sticker (at the neck joint) that recommends .012, .022, .032, and .045. These are the gauges I usually use and I like the way it sounds.

Patrick M.

[steve V. johnson]

And... in case you want to do more experimentation, you can change out the tailpiece to an Allen cast one, so that you can
use ball-end guitar strings, as well as loop-end ones.

Enjoy!

stv