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jim_n_virginia
Apr-10-2004, 4:38pm
I know the Flatiron company moved to Nashville when Gibson bought them but why are some mad in Belgrade and some Bozeman? Did they move into a bigger building or something and then get bought out by Gibson?

pickinNgrinnin
Apr-11-2004, 7:35pm
Actually, Gibson bought the Flatiron operation in 1987 but they did not move to Nashville till December of 1996. I believe they started in Bozeman in the early 80's and then moved a bit down the road to Belgrade. Not sure how close the move to Belgrade was to the buyout by Gibson.

Call Paula Jean Lewis at Sound to Earth - she will have the answer for you. 1.888.886.7598

JiminRussia
Apr-13-2004, 9:55pm
I keep seeing Flatirons on E-Bay that calim to be pre-Gibson, but have serial numbers beginning with "9". I thought that the pre-Gibson Flatirons all had serial numbers begining with an "8" and Gibson began their production runs with serial numbers starting with "9". Is that correct or not?

jessboo
Apr-13-2004, 10:44pm
All Montana flatiron serial number started with the year then the month then the day. the last two numbers were what mandolin it was off of the line that day. Gibson bought them out in late 87. When I see a Flatiron made in 93 that says Pre-Gibson. I just shake my head and say REALY.

JDARTGOD
Apr-14-2004, 11:23am
80116029

For "Gibson Era Flatirons", a serial number is broken down like this:

The LAST digit and the FIRST digit are the year of manufacture.

The 2nd/3rd digit is the month.

The 4th/5th digit is the day.

The 6th/7th digit is the number of instrument that came off the line that day.

SO, with the above serial number:

It is a 1998 (Gibson) Flatiron, "officially" manufactured on January 16th. It was the second instrument off the line that day.

Hope that helps with the Gibson Era Flatirons.

Tom C
Apr-14-2004, 11:41am
My 1995 performer F was made in Belgrade. But when I see this year or later for sale the seller almost always says just Montana. I saw a 1996 where the seller said Bozeman. They must have just been wrong.

fatt-dad
Apr-22-2004, 9:00pm
Dear NG,

Sorry to jump in late. But can someone cipher my serial number:

84060327

It is on a Flatiron A5-1 signed by Steve Carlson.

Thanks in advance.

F-d

jim simpson
Apr-23-2004, 5:35am
JDARTGOD,
Does the serial # formula also apply to Gibson's made around this time?
Jim

AlanN
Apr-23-2004, 6:09am
Label states June, 1984; yours is the 327th A5-1 made. I had 85100106, 106th F-5 Artist made, a dandy mandolin.

fatt-dad
Apr-23-2004, 8:25am
Jessbo says year, month, day, off the line. Does this then mean my serial number:

84060327

could also be June 3, 1984 - no 27 off the line for that day? I suggest this in light of AlanN's reply. BTW, this is a great mandolin that is really on my not-for-sale list.

jessboo
Apr-23-2004, 8:32am
Jim, No this would not apply to the Gibsons of the era they had their own way to read the serial number that is like what JDart discribed whitch is the way you read Nashville made Flatirons and Gibsons.

Greenmando
Apr-24-2004, 8:00pm
Here is part of my letter to Paula over the new years weekend and her responce:

If you have any info on my mando it would be nice. I think it was made in 1996, the serial # is 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.

Mike Bullard
Apr-26-2004, 10:01am
How about 9207675... Faltiron F-5 Artist signed by Bruce Weber.