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Thread: Flatiron Pancake

  1. #1

    Default Flatiron Pancake

    Got to play a Flatiron N1 today for the first time. It was at Gryphon, and I was very impressed with the tone, playability, and evenness from string to string. I liked it more than every other oval hole in the store. Way cheaper too. If you edon't need to play bluegrass, it is a fabulous mandolin. I played mostly fiddle tunes on it. It was pretty loud too.

    They had some nice old Martin's too, but I didn't like the feel of them, and they sounded too sweet if that makes any sense.

    My Silverangel has the warm, woody, resonant thing covered, but if I had a bluegrass type instrument and wanted a compliment to it you could do far worse than the N1.
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

  2. #2

    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    I agree... I had been in the "carved top is better" mindset for the longest time. I have a Weber Bitterroot and a Gibby F9. I was wanting something "lighter" so I went and got a Poe Scout. I must say I am very impressed with the sound of the instrument. If there is anyone out there don't be like me when I first started and thinking "only carved/arched is best". As is with a lot of my other instrument purchases, I wish I knew then what I know now...
    Jeremy

    My Instruments:
    Weber Custom Bitterroot
    Martin D-28
    Burns Dobson Openback Banjo

  3. #3
    Barn Cat Mandolins Bob Clark's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    I've been a big fan of A/N flat-tops for a long time. I have my Crystal Forest and don't ever intend to part with it.

    I think these flat-tops are a great choice for someone just starting out, as quality can be had at a relatively low price. They will then have a keeper mandolin even when MAS kicks in and they buy an archtop for a considerably higher cost. There are lots of advantages to having a flat-top and a good arch top.

    Also, for the experienced player with a nice arch top, this can be an inexpensive way to have some fun, explore another sound, and keep the excitement going. Might not cure MAS, but sure can provide some inexpensive therapy.
    Purr more, hiss less. Barn Cat Mandolins Photo Album

  4. #4
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    Required reading - all 45 pages!

    f-d

    (yes, I love my pancake too!)
    ˇpapá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

  5. #5
    Registered User Petrus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    Someone's offering a "no name" pancake on eBay right now (though the header says Kentucky.) Cheap but no idea what make it is. No headstock logo and it doesn't look like Kentucky at all.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Kent...d/282316646560

  6. #6

    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    Quote Originally Posted by Petrus View Post
    Someone's offering a "no name" pancake on eBay right now (though the header says Kentucky.) Cheap but no idea what make it is. No headstock logo and it doesn't look like Kentucky at all.

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Kent...d/282316646560
    Ha! Description says 'not sure of the make' with the ubiquitous Kentucky in the title. My bet's on a kit instrument. Could be gold. Could be junk.

    Too bad the case looks good for the other thread looking for one for a Flatiron.

    C.
    Northfield F5S Amber #347 - 'Squeeze'
    Mann EM-5 Hollow Body - Gimme Moore
    Kentucky KM-270 - Not just for whisky
    Flatiron 1N Pancake - Not just for breakfast
    Epiphone Mandobird IV - Djangly
    Cozart 8-string e-mando - El Ch(e)apo
    Lanikai LB6-S Banjolele (tuned GDAE) - Plinky and the Brane

  7. #7
    Registered User trevor's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    I am always amazed at how much sound comes from such a small body.
    Trevor
    Formerly of The Acoustic Music Co (TAMCO) Brighton England now retired.

  8. #8
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    Quote Originally Posted by fatt-dad View Post
    You mean compulsive reading!
    Jim

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  9. #9
    Pogue Mahone theCOOP's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    That one on ebay looks fine to me for fhe price.

    I wonder what the case is.
    1983 Flatiron 1N - Pancake/Army-Navy
    2011 Eastman MD-315 - F-style
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  10. #10
    Circle of Fifths NewKid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandolinespieler View Post
    I agree... I had been in the "carved top is better" mindset for the longest time. I have a Weber Bitterroot and a Gibby F9. I was wanting something "lighter" so I went and got a Poe Scout. I must say I am very impressed with the sound of the instrument. If there is anyone out there don't be like me when I first started and thinking "only carved/arched is best". As is with a lot of my other instrument purchases, I wish I knew then what I know now...
    I ordered a Poe Scout too! I think it will compliment my Phoenix Bluegrass and look forward to getting it this Spring.
    2009 Phoenix Bluegrass

  11. #11
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    As you know, I have tried to be an advocate of the flat top for a while, to beginners torn between an arch top oval and an arch top ff hole, or an F body or A body, as if there is no other kind of mandolin but an arch top worth getting.

    Of course if I perceive its an informed decision, or a real bluegrass fan, I leave well enough alone.

    IMO I think a beginner with a modest budget can get an instrument whose quality would be almost un-affordable in an arch top.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

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  12. #12
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    I've really been wanting a pancake myself... it may be a while yet, but I to either want a Poe Scout or a Crystal Forest... wouldn't turn my nose up at a Flatiron by any means though!
    aka: Spencer
    Silverangel Econo A #429
    Soliver #001 & #002: A double stack of Pancakes.

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  13. #13

    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    Quote Originally Posted by theCOOP View Post
    That one on ebay looks fine to me for fhe price.
    Despite my tone above I have to agree with you. It could be an excellent bargain for a buck fifty. Too bad about no return policy because I'd love to A-B it with my N1 but I'm trying to sell a mando right now so buying another I might get stuck with would just complicate things.

    C.
    Northfield F5S Amber #347 - 'Squeeze'
    Mann EM-5 Hollow Body - Gimme Moore
    Kentucky KM-270 - Not just for whisky
    Flatiron 1N Pancake - Not just for breakfast
    Epiphone Mandobird IV - Djangly
    Cozart 8-string e-mando - El Ch(e)apo
    Lanikai LB6-S Banjolele (tuned GDAE) - Plinky and the Brane

  14. #14
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    Flatiron really struck gold, when they revived the "Army-Navy" design, with their excellent materials and work-person-ship.

    I've gotten 30 years of good service out of my Flatiron "bouzouki" OM, which is a steroid-ic "giant pancake," and about 20 out of my Carlson-signed 1986 Gibson A/N Custom, a fancied-up pancake with a headstock inlay copied from the 1920's A-3. Kinda wish that when Gibson shut down their US Flatiron line, they'd have kept the pancakes with a Gibson label -- and I don't mean the crummy "tourist" ones they used to sell at Opry Mills.
    Allen Hopkins
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  15. #15
    Registered User TDMpicker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    A new flat top nearing completion.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Terry
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  17. #16

    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    Little known fact. The Flatiron pancake was started in Boulder by Chuck Morrison before he moved to Montana and hooked up with Steve Carlson.

  18. #17
    Registered User djeffcoat's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    Never heard of an N1. Could it be a 1N instead?

  19. #18

    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    Quote Originally Posted by djeffcoat View Post
    Never heard of an N1. Could it be a 1N instead?
    Dang it, I can understand the OP not being familiar but I call it that all the time too and I have one.

    I guess that explains my amazement at the $199 MK thread where certain posters were continuously and correctly typing "MKLFSTB" over and over.

    C.
    Northfield F5S Amber #347 - 'Squeeze'
    Mann EM-5 Hollow Body - Gimme Moore
    Kentucky KM-270 - Not just for whisky
    Flatiron 1N Pancake - Not just for breakfast
    Epiphone Mandobird IV - Djangly
    Cozart 8-string e-mando - El Ch(e)apo
    Lanikai LB6-S Banjolele (tuned GDAE) - Plinky and the Brane

  20. #19
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    cool photo Terry!

    I'm sure that Flatiron used the, "Number+Letter" to designate the1, 2 and 3 series. The 45 page thread does provide some content on what the letter's mean. In conversation, real and on-line, I've heard both. I know what N1 means!

    f-d
    ˇpapá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

  21. #20

    Default Re: Flatiron Pancake

    Ok, whip me with a wet noodle.

    I own one and still can't remember MKLFSTB. My motto is if you know what I'm talking about, we is communicatin'
    Silverangel A
    Arches F style kit
    1913 Gibson A-1

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