Flatty/Pancake Shootout?

[Br1ck]

The Flatiron 1N I played was a very lovely sounding mandolin. Basic as can be, but that day it was second to only an A2z in a wall of mandolins. Really stood out.

[Chris Daniels]

Is this the Flatiron you mentioned in your first post?

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/112061#112061

If so it looks pretty nice.

That is a gorgeous birdeye back worthy of the 3M (i.e. maple, as opposed to 3K for Koa) series, which was the top of the line. Great price too. NFI.

i also like the plain old flatirons a lot. they used to be cheap. 300-400 bucks but they seem to get higher prices now.

I've seen one or two for around $450 in the classifieds within the last few months so they are still one of the best bargains out there. I absolutely adore my 1N.

C.

[soliver]

Yes on all accounts... I still have some money to save, but yes, that Flatiron 3M in the classifieds has had me thinking about this... it looks sweeeeeeeet. But it's all for naught if I don't have the money, AND if it has a flat fretboard (my deal killer).

I'm about finished up with a batch of armrests I'll be posting for sale soon so I hope to be ever so much closer.

[Joey Anchors]

Fresh from Terry over at Crystal Forest Mandoins

My Jazz 5 string

[soliver]

COOL JOEY!... I'm excited to hear it, so make sure you post some video or sound files!!!

[pheffernan]

But it's all for naught if I don't have the money, AND if it has a flat fretboard (my deal killer).

Maybe Lawrence would be amenable to a lower offer?

https://reverb.com/item/5269141-redl...od7H4Adg&pla=1

I'll bet Steve Smith (Steevarino) could tell you a bit more about #0096 from February 10, 2014.

[soliver]

Oh man that's tempting, but I'm still not even quite that far with my savings.... Terry charges $695 and I'm just barely over 1/2 way to that. Plus I'm REALLY not a big fan of a sunburst finish. That is an awesome price on a Redline though!

[Joey Anchors]

Another view and a better picture of the back

[Stevo75]

Here's mine. Still in the white but I believe Terry is about to start staining...

[soliver]

Will you guys quit torturing me!!!!

Just kidding... looks nice! I'm excited to see how it turns out!

[BBarton]

I second Bratsche -- Sawchyn Beaver Tail mandolin from Regina, Canada is a great value, especially with the low value of the Canadian dollar relative to US$. I had a Beaver Tail OM that sounded great, and have had three carved top/back Sawchyn models (an OM, which I still have, and two mandos, still have one and a good friend has the other). Peter is easy to deal with, and his fit and finish on all his instruments are top-notch.

[jtv]

Huh. I hadn't thought that I needed another mandolin, much less a flattop. After reading this thread maybe I do...

[soliver]

@Bbarton: I hadn't realized that Sawchyn was Canadian, but even with the favorable exchange rate, Crystal Forest's base price is still a fair amount lower (new at least).

Man this thread is really making me itch for it... oh wait, maybe that's just a food allergy...

Anyhow, I'm really aching for a Pancake now!

[Stevo75]

I'd get that Flatiron pancake currently in the classifieds (I would if I didn't have a Crystal Forest on the way). Looks like he just dropped the price. I've thought about getting it just to compare with the CF (I'm curious how similar they sound) but that seems a little silly...

[Joey Anchors]

I'd get that Flatiron pancake currently in the classifieds (I would if I didn't have a Crystal Forest on the way). Looks like he just dropped the price. I've thought about getting it just to compare with the CF (I'm curious how similar they sound) but that seems a little silly...

I love the back on yours and the fingerboard inlays!

[soliver]

Just saw this in the classifieds... seems expensive for a flatiron, especially given the 3m that was for sale for about $300 less:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/112857#112857

Hey Joey, any sound files on the 5 string yet?

[Joey Anchors]

Just saw this in the classifieds... seems expensive for a flatiron, especially given the 3m that was for sale for about $300 less:

https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/112857#112857

Hey Joey, any sound files on the 5 string yet?

Not worth posting.. haha. Working on a song that I can sound decent on.

[Cary Fagan]

I noticed there's a Sawchyn pancake for sale at Folkways Music, a Canadian store with a good rep. They also have a pancake octave and a mandola. I've never tried one. Just FYI

http://www.folkwaymusic.com/new-inst...mandolin-0517/

[bratsche]

Interesting. Maybe Folkways is a distributor for Sawchyn Beaver Tails? Mandolin says "in stock", mandola and octave are "on order".

bratsche

[pheffernan]

Oh man that's tempting, but I'm still not even quite that far with my savings.... Terry charges $695 and I'm just barely over 1/2 way to that. Plus I'm REALLY not a big fan of a sunburst finish.

Don't just stand there, bust a move: https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/113360#113360

[Charles E.]

Hope the OP is not sleeping, that won't last long.

[soliver]

Thanks for the heads up guys, I sent him a message.

[soliver]

Just heard back from the ad owner, it has a flat fretboard so I emailed Terry to ask if that was something he could change if I sent it to him.

[Korwen]

Hot dang, if you don't buy that let me know because I just might!

[bruce.b]

Normally that would cost several hundred, (three hundred? More?) dollars to have done. I'd guess it would be preferable to have a new one built to your specs.