Mandolin trade, opinions

[Zemper]

Im trading my 99 F5-g in great shape, see pics, for a '94 Montana made, Weber constructed Flatiron F5 artist, X braced and in perfect shape. Im including 450$ in the trade... Seems very fair on both ends as they both are very high quality instruments, just curious about your 2 cents both on the quality of the Flatirons of that era and construction and the fairness of the trade. BTW the Flatiron Artist (http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=11027&query=retrieval) im trading for is on the classifieds. Thanks for all your help and the classifieds helped me so much.

Dennis, the seller of the Flatiron, was absolutly great, if anyone is looking for a bitteroot he has a great Weber Bitteroot (http://www.mandolincafe.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=11026&query=retrieval) for sale for 1850$ that everone I've spoken to seems to think would be a great buy on a terrific mando.

P.S. # If you're curious as to why Im looking to trade, I'm a huge Bruce Weber fan, and have heard great things about X Braced mandolins, as well as mandolins from this genre and construction. Thanks again, Adam Aftab

[Zemper]

Any opinions, it would be really helpful.....

[jim simpson]

Zemper,
I have yet to play a Flatiron that I didn't like. I would prefer that you had to opportunity to do a direct comparison with your F5-G and the one your looking to get. The deal sounds alright as long as what you are getting is appreciably better(to you).
Good Luck.

[Zemper]

hey man I couldnt agree more but we all know how trades go, everyone wants to have their part in hand, understandably..... Thanks for your opinion, anyone with direct experience?

[mandolooter]

Im with Jim...it would be nice to compare em side by side for a few days but whatever floats your boat best is best for you. This may sound a little dumb to some, but money ain't everything and sometimes your heart is hard to follow when it goes against the "grain" so to speak, but I still like to follow mine most times and in the long run Im usually happy with my decisions long after the loss or gain of money is long forgotten. Keep the one you like best and don't stress the deal part. 2 more "sense" of info to be taken or ignored...

[Zemper]

Hey, I could not agree more, Im happy with the trade although I cant be sure until I play her obviously, but investment wise out of mere curiosity, are montana/weber made flatirons worth 3500 or at least 500 more than a 99 F5-G? I mean it seems so, since Bruce only made a limited number, and over time I'm sure it will appreciate more in value than a generic F5-G (not that f5g's are generic in any way, but I mean builder wise) but what do you guys think, worth the extra 450 (500 with shipping etc.) and the 3500 total tag investment wise?

[Mace]

I sold a similar Flatiron F5 Artist four or five years ago for $3250. Both parties were very pleased. I think the same applies here.