Steve Carlson

**salleyann** · Oct-31-2011, 6:52am

Anyone know how long he signed Gibsons?

**UsuallyPickin** · Oct-31-2011, 8:27am

Good question .... I have an 88' and a 90'.. currently there is an ad on Ebay for a 96' F5V said to have his signature....I look forward to knowing this bit of Gibson history... R/

**salleyann** · Oct-31-2011, 10:43am

I thought the 95's & 96's were signed bu Balian and Weber, maybe not.

**MikeEdgerton** · Oct-31-2011, 12:13pm

There's a thread around here with some dates but I can't seem to find it. This one was humorous though.

**salleyann** · Oct-31-2011, 3:39pm

I have a '91 A-5G with his signature and I thought this was about the time he left Gibson.

**dwne** · Oct-31-2011, 4:03pm

...and I have a Carlson-signed A-5G dated May 22 1992.

**MikeEdgerton** · Oct-31-2011, 4:50pm

Every thread with the word Carlson in the subject line can be found here.

Every thread with the words Steve and Carlson in the message body can be found here.

**AlanN** · Oct-31-2011, 4:57pm

I *had* a Flatiron F-5 Artist, signed by Carlson in October, 1985 (85100106)

**dleaman** · Jan-08-2012, 1:33pm

I have a 1987 Flatiron F-5 Artist that I bought new in May of 87. I had Steve Carlson sign the label on the usual line, and I had Dennis Balian sign the same label on the lower edge. I had Dennis sign it because we grew up together in West Chester PA and he was a good friend of my brother (also named) Steve. Dennis was an incredible skier which is one of the reasons he moved from Pennsylvania to Montana. My Artist is in near mint and sounds great.

**fatt-dad** · Jan-08-2012, 5:05pm

my 84 A5-1 Flatiron is signed by Steve Carlson. I think there are a few 83s with his signature. I'm not aware of signed pancakes.

f-d

**Steve Carlson** · Jan-09-2012, 5:18pm

I left Gibson at the end of 1993. Hope that helps.

Steve Carlson

**Josh Kaplan** · Jan-09-2012, 5:41pm

Wow. Your work has many admirers here. Thank you for your innovative approaches to making mandolins.

Josh

**Andrew B. Carlson** · Jan-09-2012, 6:45pm

Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton

Every thread with the word Carlson in the subject line can be found here.

Every thread with the words Steve and Carlson in the message body can be found here.

Gotta love that particular search.

Hi Steve. Nice to see us admired so much.

**rico mando** · Jan-09-2012, 8:32pm

Originally Posted by Steve Carlson

I left Gibson at the end of 1993. Hope that helps.

Steve Carlson

I have a 91 gibson A-5g Signed by you . she is my baby and i love it . Thanks steve

**Steve Carlson** · Jan-09-2012, 9:26pm

What serial #? '91 was a great year for me. Myself, Bruce, and the core crew were able to take mandos back to the red shop, out of the guitar plant, and get back to business. A-5 and F-5G's always some of my favorites. Love the color and overall look. I'm surprised not to see more (or any) A-5L's pictured in these pages. My favorite pics here are of the H-5 mandola.

Best,
Steve

**fatt-dad** · Jan-09-2012, 9:34pm

Here's a photo of the A5-1 you signed in 1984. It's the photo from when George Gruhn had it listed (and I bought it):

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The back of this mandolin is truly spectacular (well the sound and playability too)!

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I'm very happy with my Flatirons. I have an '84 1N too:

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f-d

**Mike Black** · Jan-09-2012, 10:00pm

Here is your January 13th 1992 F5 Classic with Virzi.

**rico mando** · Jan-09-2012, 10:13pm

Originally Posted by Steve Carlson

What serial #? '91 was a great year for me.

Best,
Steve

april , 22,91 # 1136049 I will try some pics . maybe we should start a group . owners of carlson signed mandos

**Bernie Daniel** · Jan-09-2012, 10:21pm

Originally Posted by Steve Carlson

What serial #? '91 was a great year for me. Myself, Bruce, and the core crew were able to take mandos back to the red shop, out of the guitar plant, and get back to business. A-5 and F-5G's always some of my favorites. Love the color and overall look. I'm surprised not to see more (or any) A-5L's pictured in these pages. My favorite pics here are of the H-5 mandola. Best,
Steve

Taken literally that means you only made one H-5? I know I've e seen pics of several from that time period -- but perhaps only one was signed by yourself? Or perhaps I'm reading it too literally?

In any case they are beautiful instruments for certain. Were they built to the Loar H-5 plans or did you have to measure a 20's H-5 and develop your own plans?

**Steve Carlson** · Jan-09-2012, 10:23pm

Funny thing . . . I was just talking to Ren yesterday about Virzi's. I could be wrong but yours may be the only one out there. We might have made two, but I don't think so.

When I look at these pictures, especially the back grain, book-matching and color, it's like being there for me.

'83-84 were also memorable years (I guess they all were). Flatiron moved from making 16 'flats' a week to 10 flats and 6 carve tops/weekly.

Best,
Steve