Re: Flatiron Epiphone
Yeah. Gibson owns the "Flatiron" label, since they bought the company (wasn't it first called "Sound to Earth?"). They shut down domestic production of Flatiron mandolins, which they had been making in Nashville, and started having mandolins labeled "Flatiron" built in China, similar to the Epiphone brand that they first bought, then manufactured in a Gibson shop, then moved overseas.
The only relation between the new Asian Flatirons, and the US-made ones made either pre- or post-Gibson's purchase, is the label. The seller's pretty honest about this one's origin, and it is labeled "Epiphone." I have no direct experience to comment on the quality of Flatiron vs. Epiphone F-model mandolins, but they're both built in China now.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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