Flatiron Pancakes: How many models?

[telepbrman]

I was wondering about the Flatiron Mando's, pancakes, camp, or Army Navy style...you know what I mean, anyhow, I recall the following:

Flatiron N1: Basic Mando.

That's all I got, now I did some Google, and saw a bunch; yet I want the pro's here at Mando Cafe to post the correct info and keep it simple. Ok, thanks, dy.

[PCypert]

There's a nice concise site for the Gibson Era Flatiron Pancakes. Basically the later set had three distinctions. These were solely cosmetic appointments with the 3 series being the top. There was, I believe a different classification in Flatiron time that ties into color and other things in the naming.
Paul

[fatt-dad]

There's the Cadet, and the 1-, 2-, and 3-series flattop mandolins. The letter designation after the number relates to either the wood or the color. There are also the pre-Gibson and the Gibson era Flatirons.

f-d

[Nolan]

How much are those pancakes worth? Is $300 too much?

[fatt-dad]

If you don't buy it for $300.00, I will. Just make sure it's not an Opry Mills version of the pancake.

f-d

[Paul Kotapish]

If the instrument is in reasonable playing condistion, $300.00 is a good deal.

I think that the Army-Navy/pancake model is one of the great bargains out there. They are wonderful for lots of different styles, they play easily, and they are rugged.

BTW, does anybody know about where to find a decent hardshell case that will fit that model? Several of the standard A cases I've tried are too narrow across the bout.

[keithd]

Paul,

I believe Mid-Missouri has hardshell cases made to fit their instruments; you might try one of those...

Keith

[8ch(pl)]

I think the Mid Missouri instrument may be scaled down a bit. It is not as round in profile as is the Flation, which I am told is dimensionally identical to the Alrite and the Army and Navy models. Mid Missouri's have a tiny nakehead style peghead which is barely larger than the tuning machines.

On another note, what about the Flatiron with F holes that is in the classifieds. First time I've seen an image of that one. Were they common or is this a special order instrument?

Pray for those recovering from the hurricanes.

[Onesound]

Honestly, it's really hard to understand why no one has ever re-intoduced these wonderful instruments. I bet a lot of us who have been around awhile got our mandolin start on a Flatrion pancake. I still wish I had the maple backed one I had owned. It's tone was iparticulary good for Irish fiddle tunes and classical pieces. The Mid-Mo is similar in concept, and they do sound really good for the money, but just are not as unique tonely.

Curious if the Stewart-Mac Campfire kit builds a decent replica. Anyway, if a ressurected Pancake ever shows up on the market at a reasonable price (by todays standards) I'm gonna stand in line to buy one.

[8ch(pl)]

I've only seen one Flatiron and it was a Mandola, many years ago. Are they all X braced?

[delsbrother]

I've only seen one Flatiron and it was a Mandola, many years ago. #Are they all X braced?

I seem to remember looking inside a pancake mandolin back in the day and seeing big beefy transverse bracing. If I'm wrong I'm sure the pancake brotherhood will correct me..

In fact somewhere in my "shop" I have a tracing of the top with the bracing pattern I observed, as well as a plexiglass half-template and an MDF outside form (I was planning on making a maple one).

BTW I'll be putting all of this up on eBay for $600 BIN shortly.

[108 Mile]

I had the Flatiron 3 with F holes many years ago 79/81 somewhere in there. The store owner said at the time it was rare! I kick myself for all the stupid things i have done...

[Joey Anchors]

If anyone is interested in a top built pancake mandolin check out Crystal Forest mandolins.

Terry built me a custom five string to my specs and he did an amazing job!

[MarkELynch]

This old Flatiron catalog should answer the OP’s question about the available models.



Mark

[Chris Daniels]

This old Flatiron catalog should answer the OP’s question about the available models.

Mark

Which interestingly enough doesn't include the f-hole model mentioned by squamish5 when he/she resurrected this 13 year old thread!

However, one can be seen in the second pic below, which are excerpts from an early 80's pre-Gibson Flatiron pancake-only catalog:





The catalog also includes their Mandolas and OMs, specs for all three, pics of Dawg and Jesse McReynolds playing one, other player quotes, accessories, etc. It's a PDF so I'll figure out a way to post whole thing without having to take screenshots.

C.

[108 Mile]

Hahaha! I didn’t look at the age of the thread.... my apologies!
But there it is in the last picture my little F hole ... thanks for finding a pic of it
Charlie

[lucho]

I was wondering about the Flatiron Mando's, pancakes, camp, or Army Navy style...you know what I mean, anyhow, I recall the following:

Flatiron N1: Basic Mando.
.

In the early years before 1983.... all of them were labeled with the letter N or AN.... Later, they used a number (1-2-3) describing incresed ornamentation (decal, etc.) with letters describing the woods used for the back ( WM= wavy maple; K=koa, etc.) Also they made mandolas and octave mandolins called bouzoukis with the same Army Navy shaped design. https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/a...chmentid=51112

[fatt-dad]

Perhaps you should read The Thread?

f-d

[pelone]

Fatt-dad...."The Thread" went on and on for 47 pages? Is that some sort of record? If I found a pancake for 300 dollars I would snap that puppy up!