Am I the only one that sees this? I think it's been there before; it's being sold through an auction house. Does anyone know about this particular mando (ebay item #3781487474-problems..phony auction house...fake...)? It looks good-too good.
Am I the only one that sees this? I think it's been there before; it's being sold through an auction house. Does anyone know about this particular mando (ebay item #3781487474-problems..phony auction house...fake...)? It looks good-too good.
"The older I get, the better I was!"
rick, there could be a real flurry of activity towards the end (and there generally is) of the auction.
the seller is the Guitar Center in Boston.
so many mandolins, so little time.
I think that could be a good buy for someone. I couldn't believe the Collings MF that went for I think around $2500.00 just recently!
Cabin Fever String Band, National Pike Pickers
F5-G went for $2550; pretty good deal!
I was watching them both closely-but my wife was watching me even closer
"The older I get, the better I was!"
You can get the same thing with a different label and a lighter sunburst finish, a.k.a. Nashville built Flatiron Festival F, for even less. Not sure why the market in those is depressed - when the Gibson price increases catch up I think their prices will rebound. Generally these prices seem lower - or is it me?
2006 Duff F5
2001 Martin D-18V
80 year old fiddle of undetermined ancestry
Right on KevinM! The Nashville Flatiron Festival F is one of the best buys out there today. Folks selling these are practically giving them away. The Festival F and F5-G only differ in a few cosmetic areas. They sell for a heck of a lot less than the F5-G. No wonder Gibson decided to quit making them.
Are the Montana made flatirons significantly higher in price /lower in availability?
"The older I get, the better I was!"
I've seen the Montana Festivals selling for close to the same price as the Nashville made Festivals. There seems to be a batch of Montana Festivals and Performers around.
These versions are very different in terms of construction and I prefer the Nashville made version over the Montana Festival. The Montana Festival has a Mortise and Tenon neck joint and the fretboard is integrated to the top of the instrument. The Nashville Festival F has a Dovetail neck joint, elevated fretboard and like all the Gibson F's, it is graduated to Loar specifications.
Both versions are very nice but given the design differences, I prefer the Nashville Festival. I've owned 2 in my day. Wish I still had the 2nd one! The Nashville Festival F is a best buy among USA made Mandolins. Hard to find a better USA made F in this price range.
Hmm I've played both types of Flatirons (Nashville and Montana) and to my ears I like the integrated neck over the dove tail neck joint. Other than the way the neck is joined to the body the only difference I can hear is the Montana Flatirons (I have had two)have a higher tone than the Nashville Flatirons which have a more traditional Gibson chop.Originally Posted by (pickinNgrinnin @ Feb. 17 2005, 19:02)
I liken the difference between a Montana and Nashville to that of a Taylor dreadnought guitar (with it's characteristic high tones) and a traditional Martin D-28 with it's dark and woody tone.
And since I own a Taylor 810 I guess I just like those ringing highs.
One day I am going to get a Gibson, but it will be a Master Model or a Distressed Model, as it stands now if someone were to offer to trade me straight up, my Flatiron Performer F for a Gibson F-5G... I wouldn't do it.
But with sound being so subjective... it really depends on each individual and what they like.
My Festival F is a Montana (signed by Bruce...woohoo!). It does have a "sparkle" to the tone that the Nashville's don't seem to possess. To me the later Festivals have a rich sound but it's a little muted for my tastes. Mine really cuts through on a break and it has a ringing, singing quality that I love.
Aw heck, I'm just biased.
Flatirons:
#Correct me if I'm worng. The later ones (Festival and Performer)built in Belgrade MT, have the integrated fretboard and the Artist has elevated. The earlier ones made in Bozeman MT are elevated -Signature series.
That's correct Tom C.
The integrated neck was a production cost savings measure used only in the Montana Festivals and Performers. The Signature Series had the elevated fretboards. Belgrade or Bozeman does not seem to be a factor - it a design difference between the Performer Series and the Signature Series.
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