Flatiron Mandolin

[krm4ut]

I've found some very helpful information on here regarding Flatirons. I was wondering if you could help me with a few questions on the one I have. I've owned this one for 3years now.

The serial number is 11114040. Does this mean it was made in 2001 and in Nashville? I know the tag says Nashville but I read that some could say this but been made in Bozeman. I've attached two photos. I also read on here that if you take out the endpin and look inside, if you see a tiny bolt it was made in Montana. I looked in mine and didn't see one so I believe this tells me Nashville.

Thanks much!

[fatt-dad]

I'd say 2001 and Nashville. Looks like a nice mandolin!

f-d

[krm4ut]

Thanks! I'm actually getting ready to sell it. I bought it so I could learn to play it but I just don't take the time. My fault. I figured the money will be put to better use for now. The more I think about it, the more sad I might be getting, I better quit thinking!
Thanks again for the info.

[F-2 Dave]

Looks just like mine. I have ser. no. 11115030 and have been told that it's a Nashville mandolin. If your's is anything like mine, it's a great mandolin.

[Kip Carter]

Thanks! I'm actually getting ready to sell it. I bought it so I could learn to play it but I just don't take the time. My fault. I figured the money will be put to better use for now. The more I think about it, the more sad I might be getting, I better quit thinking!
Thanks again for the info.

Be very sure before you pull that trigger... If you ever consider coming back it might be very hard to replace that one. She's beautiful. So if it is a good home she needs I have no doubt it can be found. But just be sure...
Kip...

[OldSausage]

Blah blah unbridgeable void yada yada years of regret etc. etc.

[Andy Fielding]

Thanks! I'm actually getting ready to sell it. :( I bought it so I could learn to play it but I just don't take the time. My fault. I figured the money will be put to better use for now. The more I think about it, the more sad I might be getting, I better quit thinking!...

Oh gosh, I sure hope you don't end up regretting selling it. As you may have noticed, this forum is full of posts from people pining over their particular instruments that "got away".

I've played a bunch of good mandolins over the years, but my Flatiron (also Nashville-made) has a sound all its own, and as far as I'm concerned, it'll "see me out" (as my wife's father would've said). These are mighty special instruments, so think hard before you leap.

[Phantoj]

I know the tag says Nashville but I read that some could say this but been made in Bozeman. I've attached two photos. I also read on here that if you take out the endpin and look inside, if you see a tiny bolt it was made in Montana. I looked in mine and didn't see one so I believe this tells me Nashville.

I have a Flatiron that is, I believe, a 99 by the serial number. It does have a bolt-on neck. I would guess there were Bozeman parts that got shipped to Nashville in various stages of assembly.

[fatt-dad]

Just for clarification, Flatiron did not make mandolins with a bolt-on neck. They did use the mortise and tenon neck joint, which uses a bolt as an internal clamp for setting the glue. If you remove that bolt, you will not free up the neck joint. It's not like Taylor (guitars) where the bolt is what holds the neck onto the instrument.

f-d

[Big Joe]

The mandolin in question is a Nashville Flatiron with dovetail neck joint. It was built on the same assembly process as the Gibson and is of equal quality. These are very nice mandolins.

As to the bolts used only for clamps, if you remove them the neck will loosen and will need repair. It may not take place immediately, but it will happen. We have had to repair a number of these over the years both with and without the bolts in place. The bolts do loosen over time and need to be tightened. Just be careful not to overtighten. You can rip the receivers out of the neck with not a lot of effort. When these necks hold... and most do.... they are fine. However, they are quite capable of coming loose and especially if the bolts are loose or gone.

[Phantoj]

Just for clarification, Flatiron did not make mandolins with a bolt-on neck. They did use the mortise and tenon neck joint, which uses a bolt as an internal clamp for setting the glue. If you remove that bolt, you will not free up the neck joint. It's not like Taylor (guitars) where the bolt is what holds the neck onto the instrument.

f-d

Thanks for the clarification... sounds similar to the neck joint on Martins below the 18 Series.