Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

[kirkw101]

as goofy as it is to see performer on that label I think its legit. I bet some knucklehead at gibson had a bright idea and this was it.

[Nathan Sanders]

Here's a theory. Maybe someone had the idea of sort of a memorial to the original Gibson army-navy mandolin, referring to this one as the "px" in reference to the post exchange(?) where a soldier might have bought a new army-navy mando in 1917. I once had a Gibson Alrite mandolin from 1917. It was in rough shape and needed lots of work.

[Steve Carlson]

Here's a theory. Maybe someone had the idea of sort of a memorial to the original Gibson army-navy mandolin, referring to this one as the "px" in reference to the post exchange(?) where a soldier might have bought a new army-navy mando in 1917. I once had a Gibson Alrite mandolin from 1917. It was in rough shape and needed lots of work.

Thanks for the heads up on this "fatt-dad",

Good info and deductive reasoning in the reference above.

This instrument ties out specifically to the Performer Series. If recollection serves, the Gibson Reps were always complaining about price points. 'If only they were cheaper' I would here. And I was always at odds with the reps because very few of them actually sold anything on their own merit as a salesperson. The bulk of our Flatiron sales (after the Gibson purchase) were with already established 'Flatiron' accounts which the reps would 'visit' . . . when in the area . . . and we had to pay them a commission for this. It was an on going aggravation for me. So at the next Sales Meeting, the Performer Series accomplished for me . . . "OK, here it is, let's see you sell it". And nothing changed with the reps, and our good customers added to their Flatiron inventory the Performer Series. And Reps in a good Flatiron dealer area made more commissions.

Performer Flat, Performer A, Performer F. These were all less expensive instruments with perhaps the gigging musician in mind.

This particular instrument: #3982 made in September of 1988 was inspired by an early Gibson 'Alrite' mandolin with a 1917 date, that wandered into our shop one day. I had never seen one before. I'm not sure how many of this model were made as I believe the name 'Cadet' replaced it. Both names however, were intended as a homage to the 'Army-Navy' Gibson.

Note: In '88 there were no knuckleheads at Gibson that I knew of. Everyone was working hard to put Gibson back on the map and create a 2nd 'Golden-Era' of instruments in the Gibson legacy.

Best,
Steve Carlson

[fatt-dad]

. . . and now we know the rest of the story. Thanks Steve!

f-d

[Steve Carlson]

. . . and now we know the rest of the story. Thanks Steve!

f-d

. . . anytime.

Steve

[Nathan Sanders]

Thanks for the history Steve. As you can find in this thread, several Flatiron flat tops have gone through my hands, most of them from the 90s, but I did have one with f-holes from the 80s for a short time. And I still have my 1N. Great mandos!

[pickinNgrinnin]

How cool is it to have Steve Carlson posting to this epic thread???

[Tim Pike]

My 1987 2M Mandola - so very sweet sounding! Great thread, I hope it can keep going! And yes, how cool it is to have Mr Carlson on board!

[DerTiefster]

Funny, that Tim Pike mentioned a 2M mandola he'd found. I came across a '93 mfr. 2K mandola in AZ, some aridity cracks to be repaired (by the esteemed John Hamlett) and no case, so I'll be adapting a TKL 8852 from another cafe denizen for it. I'm looking forward to receiving it later this year. It's in good hands for assessment and repair now.

[PWS]

Hi guys!

I've just spent the last couple of days reading this thread--not constantly--but that's how long it's taken me to get to this point where I'm actually posting. And I'm posting, and indeed I've read this entire thread, because I am the proud owner of a new (only to me) '79 Flatiron 3 mandolin. It is quite the instrument and my skills don't do it justice but now I have the rest of my life to change that. It has a very interesting story:

I am a guitar player but I owned a cheap mandolin a bunch of years ago and had fun playing it until it fell apart and the dog got a hold of it. At any rate I was perusing the classifieds on the Acoustic Guitar Forum when I stumbled across an offering for a Mandolin and since I've always wanted to replace the one I had, I began to correspond with the fellow. He was from Bozeman, Montana and the story of the mandolin was that it was made for his father. Indeed on the label it says: The Flatiron Mandolin, Model: Flatiron 3, Serial 7906020 M. Tyers, Handmade in Bozeman, MT by Backporch Productions.

The fellow I bought it from's name was M. Tyers, a great guy who made the whole transaction very enjoyable. At any rate, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading up on all this stuff--I had no idea! And it indeed packs a punch in the tone department!

There are a few finish cracks but otherwise it is in incredible shape, I will post pics when I get a chance.

Have a great holiday season out there, you pickers and I salute you all!

Cheers, Peter

[fatt-dad]

I saw that mandolin and thought what a cool instrument. I'm so glad it's with somebody that will appreciate it. I'm pretty sure, in spite of all the fun I've had over the years buying nice mandolins I could live a very happy life with my 1N. It's a lifetime instrument for me, unless my son borrows it for a spell - ha.

I'm also glad you read this thread. Quite an archive, eh? I like the GHS A-250 strings on mine. You did see the posts about the recommended string gauges, eh?

Welcome!

f-d

[PWS]

I sure did. And then many references to it. A funny story is that when I got it, I hadn't played a mandolin in a long time and when I tuned it up (with help from Wikipedia) and strummed it, I thought, "hmmm, this will take a bit of getting used to this sound." After a bit I realized that I was an octave too low. When I (redfaced) brought it up to pitch all was well.

[jesserules]

Looks like Elderly just got a bunch of Flatiron pancakes in.

(No financial interest on my part, just a heads up in case anyone's looking.)

[Nathan Sanders]

Thought I would add a picture of the current collection, though the Weber is about to find a new home.

[Jim Garber]

Wow. This is one of the longest running threads on the Cafe. Approaching its 1000th post.

[fatt-dad]

I'm just reporting that I tried the D'adderio FW-74s on my 1N and thought them too heavy. It was more the feel than the gauge. So, I went with the Thomistik Mittel and love them! They are just great and have a wonderful feel and tone. I'm not sure they take away any (much) volume, but they do feel great.

A high cost string for a humble instrument though. . .

f-d

[fatt-dad]

yesterday at the beach. My '84 1N



f-d

[JeffD]

I recently sold my 3MW 1984 mandola. I sold it to a friend of mine, who loves it and plays it regularly. I get all nostalgic when I see it, though, all the places I took it, all the fun I had with it. He lets me play it now and again, and it just sounds wonderful.


I was part of a small syndicate, where we found this Gibson Army Navy in an antique (junk) shop, that looked in terrible condition. We had it professionally restored to playability and intend to sell it for just over what we have in it.

The Gibson sounds great. I have to admit it sounds more like my 1923 A2 than any Flatiron I have played.


I think that family of Flatiron instruments, the mandolin, mandola, and the bouzouki, is classic wonderful, and I sometimes regret selling it.

Wistful is the word.