View Full Version : He who hesitates...
plunkett5
Jan-26-2004, 3:13pm
I saw this last night shortly after it hit and thought about jumping but didn't. I'd played a friend's similar model for some Irish jobs and loved it. Did I really miss as great a deal as it looked to me?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....IT&rd=1 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3700335978&category=623&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1)
Steve L
Jan-26-2004, 3:35pm
I'd say it ws a really good deal assuming the instrument is healthy and the seller honest. I have one of these I bought in the early 80's (mine is birds eye maple). I got it used about 20 years ago and paid about the same. They play great, but are somewhat quiet and neck-heavy. Still, for $400, it's a nice instrument.
MAS stroke me again. Besides 5 mandolins I do own already 2 mandolas, 4 folk short neck citterns (bandola-waldzither, laúd tenor, cuatro puertoriqueño, oud), a bozuk saz plus a 1929 vega tenor banjo and a 1930 Martin O-T18 guitar.... I love every one of them using them for my ceilidh band Nimloth (you could see some pictures of the instruments with spanish descriptions at http://www. nimloth.tk).... and now MAS made me mad again.... #I felt we needed a flatback bouzouki for the band.... where I play for some of our music a long monster called bozuk saz.... just for droning.... a bit....
So.... I am the fortunate mad guy who could not resist temptation and got the final bid.... but I also had my apprehensions I asked to the seller who answered with a short note only after I had already hit the buy me icon.... (I could not sleep last night trying to resist temptation..... I failed but now I have some answers.... and new questions to share....
according to the seller the instrument:
"It is a 3K bouzouki, serial#8048*** The warranty card says Sept 1984"
Rp... #it is that possible..... serial number and warranty date do not fit.... I have heard stories telling that earlier Flatiron OM design had problems that were solved after a overhaul the did in Montana... So I wonder among my axes I do own a 1988 Flatiron 2MW mando I do love by tone and volume.... so #it is really a quiet OM this koa bouzouki? Any opinions....
Another thing it worries me:
"It does not have a truss rod. The action is very comfortable, and the short scale is nice.
I do have the tailpiece cover. It is in the case.
There is a hump in the fingerboard, raising the 19th fret. With the bridge in normal position, some strings buzz in higher position, but #it is not otherwise a problem".
Rp....Would you suggest new fret dressing? any ideas.... please.....
saludos locos,
Lucho
Dolamon
Jan-27-2004, 6:35am
First and foremost - Congratulations. These are usually nice playing and nice sounding instruments. Koa instruments "normally" feel and sound a bit warmer and tighter and than equal instruments made of maple but are louder (normally) than one made of Mahogany. If you do have a problem with a high fret or a curve to the fretboard, it isn't a disasterous situation. Here (US) - factory trained Martin repairmen are taught a method of replacing (some) frets with slightly larger (thicker) tangs to straighten out the neck. This isn't an uncommon repair and - it is a worst case scenario. Most likely, a fret dressing and clean up will get your instrument playable up the neck. These are very comfortable to play and even with your large collection of instruments, will add a different texture to your playing.
Enjoy -
mrmando
Jan-30-2004, 12:35am
Oh man ... that is a STEAL.
The best Flatirons I have heard were koas ... unfortunately, they're not all equal. I have also owned a couple of koas that weren't as good as other koas I have tried but not owned Oh, well.
One can hardly get a Flatiron 1N or Cadet mandolin these days for $400, let alone a 3K zouk. $1000-1200 would be the normal price.
Richard Singleton
Jan-31-2004, 10:14pm
Congrats! I have a 1984 Flatiron 3k zook that I bought new from Elderly that same year for $440,and Mandolin Bros had a couple of that vintage about 3 years ago for $950. Mine plays, looks, and sounds beautiful and has aged nicely. Enjoy!
Wow, fabulous price! Congratulations are in order.
I bought a Flatiron 3MB 'zouk brand new in 1995 and loved the deep warm tone. (Interesting; the terms octave mandolin and bouzouki are both used on the labels inside the instrument.) Mine self-destructed; it couldn't handle the humidity in the Philadelphia summers. Although I have a dozen other mandolin and mnado-related instruments that fared just fine. The top and back developed ripple warping parallel and near the neck. And the action raised until it was about 1/2" high at the 12th fret. My authorized dealer used dessicant bags to de-humidify it which helped the top/back warpage somewhat and also filed down the top of the bridge so much that there is no more compensation left. This made it playable but it soon developed a buzzing sound so much that it sounds like a sitar. The action is way high for it to be fret buzz. I got disgusted and put it in the closet for years. I recently called Gibson in Nashville, explained what happened and they issue a return good number and asked me to send it to them for evaluation.
cpmusic
Feb-13-2004, 7:09pm
This is a little late, but what the heck.
Steve, that's a great deal! I remember hearing a few years ago that my Flatiron was only worth about that much and was disappointed, but like others here, I've since seen them going for a lot more. I've only seen one of the older koa models, but it sounded great and was holding up well. BTW, I think it does have a truss rod, just not an adjustable one.
Lee, that's sad and strange about your Flatiron. My 3MC is the same vintage, and though I live in a very different climate, I've never had a second's worth of trouble with it. Maybe it just likes dry air better? Who knows. I hope Gibson can get things straightened out for you.
lucho
Feb-28-2004, 10:55am
Hi there: just an update on this flatiron bouzouki that is coming his way to Chile.... just hoping to have it ready to use it for a local St Patrick festival in a couple of weeks. hre another steal I didn´t see, Just look another super steal on a flatiron mandola.... look and see.... what do you think?......
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....ory=308 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3704753058&category=308)
salu2,
bratsche
Feb-28-2004, 2:07pm
Hi lucho - I'll comment, since you "outed" me. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
I'm the one who couldn't resist on the 1N mandola. I think I was only the 4th person to even see it, and I said "wow, at that price, this one won't last!" I got it in my hands last week, and it's real nice. Nothing wrong with it at all except for the too-heavy strings that were on it. It's got a real sweet voice with lighter strings, and I'm happy!
bratsche
Congratulations bratsche.... superb deal. If you ever would like to trade that mandola.... keep me in mind in your awaiting list... I do own already a Flatiron 2MW mandolin I love and now a Flatiron 3K zouk on the way and I would like to complete the set for my ceilidh band Nimloth (http://www.nimloth.tk).... therefore, as I know you are more classically inclined maybe you could be interested in one of my mandolas, a vintage 1900's Breyer napolitan style mandola I don't play much in my group because I usually play standing up ...it has the great classical tone of the handmade instruments of that time.... just wishful thinking.....
enjoy the mandola.....salu2,