New Flatiron mandolin

[BillHoughton]

I went to a local music store today to look at a used Goya mandolin. Now I know why it hasn't sold in the last month: the neck is warped. Not quite a banana, but NOT straight, resulting in...heavy...action and hurty fingers.

While I was there, I was, of course, looking around. There were some new entry-level instruments, so I tried them out, including a Flatiron F-body. I was surprised to find a very mellow tone - one of my goals in looking at a mandolin in addition to my Contessa - and sweet action.

I don't know the model, alas; I know it must have been made in a faraway land. What are opinions on the new Flatiron instruments?

[MontanaMatt]

I don't think it was new... it might have been made in Bozeman, MT.

[rcc56]

Gibson is not currently showing any references to Flatiron mandolins on their website. However, the Epiphone website is currently showing a Flatiron Festival model F-2 [?????] that is an F-5 style "all solid wood" mandolin. It is surely an import. From where? Who knows. It is listed on the website as an out of production model.

Apparently Henry J. thought it might be a good idea to start making some Flatiron mandolins in Asia, then changed his mind after they made a few of them. I have not personally seen one.

http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Blu...-Mandolin.aspx

[MikeEdgerton]

The famous epi-flats have been around for a few years and there have been many discussions regarding these "new" Flatiron mandolins. The biggest fear for the community was that unscrupulous sellers would sell the newer imported models as old models and over the years that has proven to be true. Here are some past threads that discuss the instruments.

[Mandoplumb]

I have played one, the only one I’ve seen. It was closer to an Epiphone mandolin than a real Flat Iron either before or after Gibson bought Flat Iron. As I said my opinion is based on one example for what that’s worth.

[bradlaird]

Many Flatiron players (of real Flatirons) have bemoaned the deliberate destruction of the brand. I am one.

I saw a so-called Flatiron, a late version, that was merely a mandolin shaped object. The difference between Lloyd Loar F5 and a "The Loar" is similar to the difference between the Bozeman F5s and the thing I witnessed that bore the same name. Maybe "The Loar" was some sort of karmic justice.

I am not knocking entry level mandolins. They have a good purpose. I just hate to see the confusion by continuing a "name" on something so clearly inferior. (It sorta happened with the Ford Mustang, the T-Bird and other muscle cars in the 80s. My sister had a "Mustang" that was pretty much a piece of junk.)

[MikeEdgerton]

I love the "shaped object" term. I have a friend that refers to Telecaster shaped objects. Very apt description.

[Jeff Mando]

(It sorta happened with the Ford Mustang, the T-Bird and other muscle cars in the 80s. My sister had a "Mustang" that was pretty much a piece of junk.)

I had a 1966 Ford Mustang and I loved it, but even back then it was a glorified Falcon with a little more style and options available. But, you're right the later 70's Mustang II, and others, etc. was much worse, IMHO.

[John Rosett]

The famous epi-flats have been around for a few years

Don't you mean "Flatiphone"...?

[MikeEdgerton]

I don't know who coined the Epi-flat term but that's the one I remember.

[allenhopkins]

I've also heard "Flatasians," but not in favor of what could be an ethnically-based "dis."

[jdchapman]

Asian isn’t an ethnicity. It’s half the world’s population. I’ve played and owned plenty of Asian mandolins happily.

The only epi-flat I’ve played was better than terrible, but only on par with a lower level Eastman, Kentucky or Loar.

[bradlaird]

I had a 1966 Ford Mustang

I got a 1964 Mustang in '64. Only problem was it was a Matchbox car. Cost me 55 cents.

In defense of the "late", imported Flatirons... They are (probably) better than the first mandolin I had which was $49 bucks from the J.C. Penney catalog back about '75.

Just for any Flatiron folks who might discover this thread in years to come I have a lot of Montana Flatiron info on my site here:

http://www.bradleylaird.com/blog-art...-flatiron.html and here:

http://www.bradleylaird.com/blog-art...tiron-bro.html

[Br1ck]

I feel for you real Flatiron owners. Gibson sells an import Epiphone 1965 Texan guitar. I have a 1965 Epiphone Texan, the real deal. People sneer until I play it.

[allenhopkins]

...I have a 1965 Epiphone Texan, the real deal...

Gibson J-50 "slope shoulder" with a different headstock, basically. Sweet guitar.