Gibson VS Flatiron

[mandosonthemarsh]

Thinking about getting a Flatiron A or a Gibson A9. How do these compare in tone workmenship? Thanks. Yes I realize I need to play them both. I just want some additional input. Also, is there any noticable difference from the Webber era Flatiron VS the Gibson Nashville models?

[jim_n_virginia]

Every mandolin sound a little different but in general on the whole and I've owned both Flatirons and Gibsons and the tone and sound (in general remember) are very similar to my ears.

And just going on looks alone I'd rather have a nice sunburst Flatiron with binding than a plain looking A-9 as good as they sound.

I know sound is most important but looks is too why not have both is possible.

:mandosmiley:

[8ch(pl)]

I agree with Jim, they seem to have about the same value on the second hand market, but the Flatiron has a bit of an edge trim wise. I played a Gibson A9 and liked it very much. It had a bone bridge swapped for the original Corian one. I was unemployed at the time and wasn't able to afford it. I have become pretty attached to my Mid Missouris.

I have never played a Flatiron, both it and the A9 are rare in Nova Scotia. I would say that with equal sound qualities, the Flatiron is the one to get. Another nice one at about the same second hand value is a Weber Absaroka, I played one of these and was impressed with it as well.

[fatt-dad]

All of the Flatiron A's have mortise and tenon neck joints and I think the A9s have the more traditional dovetail neck joint. A9s have parallel tone bar bracing. Some of the Flatiron As have x-braced tone bars. A9s are simply adorned and the Flatirons come in various trim levels - some very fancy. I'm not sure about the top woods on the Flatirons compared to the Gibsons.

I have an 84 Carlson-signed A5-1 and I like it alot. I kept in in favor of a Muth, Stanley, Stiver, a dozen or more MIJ Ibanez, Alvarez, Arias and the like. I went to buy an A9 one time and it didn't trump my Flatiron. That said, it's my ears and my Flatiron.

Have fun shopping. I did!

f-d