Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

**mandocaster** · Nov-14-2005, 9:44pm

They both have a glossy finish.

I ordered a set of LaBella mandola strings from Just Strings. They were the lightest non-Thomastic set available. The TI's are $41 and someone said that they were too short for a 17" scale mandola. The LaBellas have .019 wound A's, which is pretty wierd. I figure if the intonation is too different from the compensation of the bridge, I can replace them with loop plain 12's

**bratsche** · Nov-15-2005, 1:14pm

Originally Posted by

They were the lightest non-Thomastic set available. #The TI's are $41 and someone said that they were too short for a 17" scale mandola.

Urban myth? I use TIs (the 164 "alto mandolin" set) on my 17" Sawchyn Beavertail, and they fit just fine and sound great. #And $41? You must be referring to their "Mandola" set, which is for octave tuning. #That too would work on a 17", but probably not much longer, pancake scale. #BUT they would have to be used for octave tuning. #Trying to tune those to CGDA would be a kiss of death for a pancake neck/top - those strings are like ropes! #They are too short for what pankake aficionados would consider "normal" octave scales, but were made with European shorter scaled "mandolas" in mind. And, as noted, they're pricey - which is why I use D'Addario flat top mandola strings for octave tuning on my 17" Flatiron 1N instead (and again, wouldn't even use those for CGDA tuning - too much tension for this type instrument!)

bratsche

**mandocaster** · Nov-15-2005, 2:24pm

Where do you get your T-I 164's?

Have you tried the Labella mandola strings? I ordered the bronze wound version.

What is a good stock pick in today's uncertain market? What is the velocity of a European swallow.

**RolandTumble** · Nov-15-2005, 4:43pm

I put a set of TIs (I don't remember the number, or where I got them, but the seller, at least, called them a "mandola" set), onto my 17" Trinity College mandola (japanese), and they were barely long enough. The D strings just pulled the wrap into the nut slot once they were up to pitch (the other strings were fine).

However, this 'dola has a Gibson-style tailpiece, where the loop anchors are down by the endpin. The Flatiron pancake (scallop shell), tailpiece puts the loop anchor right at the edge, leaving just that much more string "free" to reach the nut. I've thought about replacing the TP with one that moves the anchors even closer to the nut, such as any of the Allens or the Orrico. But I'll prob'ly do that upgrade to my pancake mandolin first, since it gets more playing time....

**bratsche** · Nov-16-2005, 3:13am

I got my TI 164s from Mandohack Ted... he gave me a great deal on his last sets in stock, since he had had problems with people returning them due to size misunderstandings, so I guess those do occur... he did also say that he'd be able to reorder them on request (I don't know their current cost).

Roland - all my tailpieces are the 2-piece kind; even my Flatiron 'dola, fortunately (I don't think I'd have kept a clamshell on there, personally, as it would leave some nasty impressions in my arm since that's where it rests, which is the main reason I prefer smooth tailpieces!) and the 164s are fine with them. I just don't have to cut several inches off the top end, like I do most other brands. But the top D string wrappings (on the Sawchyn) clear the nut by around an inch or so. It'd be the same on the Flatiron, since they're so similar in size and design.

bratsche

Edit: #Re. LaBella strings - nope, haven't tried them - they aren't flat-wound, are they? #I found that all the finger-whooshing noises from round-wound strings just annoyed me too much, so I now just use flat-wound ones.

**mandocaster** · Nov-17-2005, 10:54am

AAARRRRGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!

I put the set of LaBella mandola strings on my new 1CH and one of the D strings broke (at the tuner) before it got to pitch. I don't feel any rough spot on the post or the edge of the hole. I am guessing that Just Strings does not have a pile of La Bella loop end singles lying around, but I will give them a call.

**Markelberry** · Nov-17-2005, 3:09pm

Anybody see the 82 2k on the auction site right now? Ummm!

**Markelberry** · Nov-17-2005, 3:12pm

WHen I purchased my 84 jr a cpuple months ago the original owner sent me the full Flatiron broshure from 84 with color pictures of all there models options pricing and gear articles from frets on rating its pretty cool.

**delsbrother** · Nov-17-2005, 6:15pm

Got a scanner?

**Markelberry** · Nov-17-2005, 7:22pm

yes we do,Ive never used it,but my sweetheart could show me.

**Eric F.** · Nov-17-2005, 11:05pm

Mandocaster, I have bought three sets of LaBella mando strings and broken so many that I've never actually gotten a full set on a mando. Supposedly they have fixed the issue, but I'm wary. I will say that I have been very happy with LaBella strings on my tenor guitar.

**Markelberry** · Nov-19-2005, 10:17am

Okay I think I have it. I thought you lovers of the flatiron might enjoy these from an 1984 broshure I have if you can see this and want more let me know. Mark

**Greenmando** · Nov-20-2005, 2:18am

I just spent the last few hours reading the 26 pages on the pancakes, time to go to bed now. After watching this thread for over a year I thought I should read it. Hmmm, I have already emailed that seller on that 2K.

**Markelberry** · Nov-20-2005, 1:43pm

Im just curious there is a 2k flatiron on e-bay seller claims its signed by Bruce Weber although I can see this nowhere on the label they claim all 2k mandolins were signed by him. All I see is hanmade in Bozeman Montana by backporch productions?

**Greenmando** · Nov-21-2005, 12:13am

Ok, is there a problem with this one? I see that even Fatt Dad withdrew a bid.

**Greenmando** · Nov-21-2005, 12:16am

Oh I see.

A: ALL BIDDERS! THERE IS AN ERROR IN THIS LISTING. THE MANDOLIN DOES NOT HAVE THE WEBER SIGNATURE I DO REGRET THIS ERROR AND YOU MAY CANCEL YOUR BIDS IF YOU WISH. BIGDENX

**delsbrother** · Nov-21-2005, 1:53pm

Thanks Markelberry! Neat to see the "official" explanations of the letter designations.. (Still haven't heard back from Paula Jean)

Interesting to see:

- Mandos, mandolas, and OMs - but no separate listing for 'zouks. Are we sure they made both (i.e. two different long-scale pancakes)? Or is one person's OM another's 'zouk?

- OMs only in level 3 ornamentation.

- Ebony fingerboards on 2s and 3s.

- Adjustable bridges and pearl inlaid logos as options.

You said you had some color photos too - were there any pancakes in those?

**Nathan Sanders** · Nov-21-2005, 3:39pm

Zouks are under OM. Look in the parentheses.

**delsbrother** · Nov-21-2005, 4:20pm

What I'm saying is I thought (based on previous posts here) that there were two distinct instruments: an OM and a Bouzouki (the 'zouk presumably having a longer scale). This catalog seems to say there is only one instrument - but people call them different names. At least that's how I read it..

**Nathan Sanders** · Nov-21-2005, 4:43pm

Ah, I understand.

**RolandTumble** · Nov-21-2005, 6:19pm

Interesting that the inlaid logo is an option. On my '81, the front of the headstock is nekkid, with "The Flatiron" stamped/branded onto the back of the headstock. I kinda like it that way....

**bratsche** · Nov-21-2005, 6:31pm

Even more unusual that an adjustable bridge is an option - for $15 more! #Yikes! #I would prefer the one-piece one hands down, any day - or even to have a couple of them if humidity changes demanded it (I never had that problem with a viola or violin, though).

bratsche