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jaizbones
Jan-24-2004, 2:32pm
I have a Gibson Flatiron Festival-F
Serial #10817020. What does that mean as far as date of bith etc,

Once again I come to the Cafe for all my info. Where would we be with out you all?

It is for sale in the classifieds by the way.

Later http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

Charlie Derrington
Jan-24-2004, 5:59pm
August 17, 2001.......2nd mandolin built that day in Nashville.

Charlie

Greenmando
Jan-24-2004, 6:01pm
I wondered the same, I gave Paula a call at Weber. They built some of the Flatirons and are very helpfull. I'll post what she told me.

Regarding my serial # of 96011424
The serial number would be read as finished in 1996 (96) the month of January (01) and the 1424th completed in the Peformer Series "F" models to that date.

I just seen that Charlie D. posted as I did. So his answer is more informative than mine.

jaizbones
Jan-24-2004, 7:26pm
Thanks for the info. By the way I was just reading about the F9 design process in the Mandolin Mag and recognize the name. I am actually thinking of getting the F9.

Greenmando
Jan-24-2004, 9:37pm
It's been really cool that Charlie and Big Joe participate here. They are the authoritative voice for Gibson. Ends a lot of debates.

Charlie Ayers
Jan-25-2004, 9:52am
Does anyone know how the pre-Gibson Flatirons were numbered?

Is number 5, of a given model, the 5th one ever built, or just the 5th built that year?

Charlie http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

jaizbones
Jan-25-2004, 10:22am
I had a Flatiron A style flat pancake type from the 80 s I bought over the counter. (No Ebay how did we get along) and I would guess it was # 5 ever. Back to you in the studio. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

Willie Poole
Jan-29-2004, 6:36pm
Charlie D...if 020 is #2 built that day how would # 20 be listed....?

Willie

doanepoole
Jan-29-2004, 6:46pm
200, as I understand it.

My understanding of Gibson serial #s is: ymmdd##y, where ## is the number built that day, and the 1st y is the last year #, the last y is the first year # (for example 8mmdd##9 would have been built in 1998).

Charlie Derrington
Jan-29-2004, 8:39pm
Willie.......

10817200

August 17, 2001 20th mando built that day.

Charlie

Willie Poole
Feb-06-2004, 11:54am
Thanks Charlie, I just wondered about that extra "0"...Willie

Brian T
Feb-08-2004, 12:51pm
As doanpoole said the first number in the serial is the year it was built (2001) The last number in ther serial number is the decade (2001). #Pretty smart way of numbering, I think.

Charlie Derrington
Feb-08-2004, 12:58pm
Well, thank you Brian.

Charlie

2 fake knees
Aug-31-2012, 11:42am
August 17, 2001.......2nd mandolin built that day in Nashville.

Charlie

Hello, can you help me to identify when and where my Flatiron Festival F-2 mandolin serial # 6605399 was made. There is no prefix and only a 7 digit serial number. One Gibson rep told me its from 1996 and made in Bozeman and another rep said its from 2006 and made in Nashville.910449104591046

almeriastrings
Aug-31-2012, 11:52am
Try a bit further to the East....

Nice looking back on that one, by the way. These can be quite decent mandolins. Very different from either the Bozeman or Nashville produced item, but comparable to many other imports, and better than many. Here's another example:

http://www.themandolinstore.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=9330

Dave Cowles
Aug-31-2012, 12:03pm
It has much prettier wood than others of the same model I've seen, but AFAK the F2 Flatiron is produced in China. I've played a couple that sounded very decent, others that weren't so decent. I'd be interested to know who those "Gibson reps" are so I can steer clear of them.

Stephen Cagle
Aug-31-2012, 12:04pm
The F-2 (I thought) was made over seas. 3 things give it away. The pattern in the head stock below flatiron, the hill button on the back (very pointy) and the label stating F2.

John Ritchhart
Aug-31-2012, 12:28pm
Agree with Stephen. The Fleur-de-lis is diagnostic.

almeriastrings
Sep-01-2012, 12:30am
I have always thought it was sailing a bit too close to the wind to have that Gibson OAI label in there....

The confusion it is causing is self-evident. The only explicit "Made in China" statement is on a little sticker on the back of the headstock, easily removed.