Results 1 to 19 of 19

Thread: Gibson Flatiron F Serial #

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    86

    Default

    I have a Gibson Flatiron Festival-F
    Serial #10817020. What does that mean as far as date of bith etc,

    Once again I come to the Cafe for all my info. Where would we be with out you all?

    It is for sale in the classifieds by the way.

    Later

  2. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Nashville, TN
    Posts
    435

    Default

    August 17, 2001.......2nd mandolin built that day in Nashville.

    Charlie

  3. #3

    Default

    I wondered the same, I gave Paula a call at Weber. They built some of the Flatirons and are very helpfull. I'll post what she told me.

    Regarding my serial # of 96011424
    The serial number would be read as finished in 1996 (96) the month of January (01) and the 1424th completed in the Peformer Series "F" models to that date.

    I just seen that Charlie D. posted as I did. So his answer is more informative than mine.



    Gibson A9
    Eastman 804D two point, blonde

    Nothing is fool proof for a talented fool

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    86

    Default

    Thanks for the info. By the way I was just reading about the F9 design process in the Mandolin Mag and recognize the name. I am actually thinking of getting the F9.

  5. #5

    Default

    It's been really cool that Charlie and Big Joe participate here. They are the authoritative voice for Gibson. Ends a lot of debates.
    Gibson A9
    Eastman 804D two point, blonde

    Nothing is fool proof for a talented fool

  6. #6
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Salt Lake City
    Posts
    132

    Default

    Does anyone know how the pre-Gibson Flatirons were numbered?

    Is number 5, of a given model, the 5th one ever built, or just the 5th built that year?

    Charlie

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    86

    Default

    I had a Flatiron A style flat pancake type from the 80 s I bought over the counter. (No Ebay how did we get along) and I would guess it was # 5 ever. Back to you in the studio.

  8. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    4,881

    Default

    Charlie D...if 020 is #2 built that day how would # 20 be listed....?

    Willie

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Charles Town, WV
    Posts
    344

    Default

    200, as I understand it.

    My understanding of Gibson serial #s is: ymmdd##y, where ## is the number built that day, and the 1st y is the last year #, the last y is the first year # (for example 8mmdd##9 would have been built in 1998).

  10. #10
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Nashville, TN
    Posts
    435

    Default

    Willie.......

    10817200

    August 17, 2001 20th mando built that day.

    Charlie

  11. #11
    Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    4,881

    Default

    Thanks Charlie, I just wondered about that extra "0"...Willie

  12. #12
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Newport, NC
    Posts
    148

    Default

    As doanpoole said the first number in the serial is the year it was built (2001) The last number in ther serial number is the decade (2001). #Pretty smart way of numbering, I think.

  13. #13
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Nashville, TN
    Posts
    435

    Default

    Well, thank you Brian.

    Charlie

  14. #14

    Default Re: Gibson Flatiron F Serial #

    Quote Originally Posted by Charlie Derrington View Post
    August 17, 2001.......2nd mandolin built that day in Nashville.

    Charlie
    Hello, can you help me to identify when and where my Flatiron Festival F-2 mandolin serial # 6605399 was made. There is no prefix and only a 7 digit serial number. One Gibson rep told me its from 1996 and made in Bozeman and another rep said its from 2006 and made in Nashville.Click image for larger version. 

Name:	170.jpg 
Views:	250 
Size:	64.7 KB 
ID:	91044Click image for larger version. 

Name:	162.jpg 
Views:	298 
Size:	209.4 KB 
ID:	91045Click image for larger version. 

Name:	165.jpg 
Views:	267 
Size:	356.8 KB 
ID:	91046

  15. #15
    Registered User almeriastrings's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Almeria, Spain
    Posts
    5,442
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default Re: Gibson Flatiron F Serial #

    Try a bit further to the East....

    Nice looking back on that one, by the way. These can be quite decent mandolins. Very different from either the Bozeman or Nashville produced item, but comparable to many other imports, and better than many. Here's another example:

    http://www.themandolinstore.com/scri...idproduct=9330
    Gibson F5 'Harvey' Fern, Gibson F5 'Derrington' Fern
    Distressed Silverangel F 'Esmerelda' aka 'Maxx'
    Northfield Big Mon #127
    Ellis F5 Special #288
    '39 & '45 D-18's, 1950 D-28.

  16. #16
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Sarasota, Florida
    Posts
    298

    Default Re: Gibson Flatiron F Serial #

    It has much prettier wood than others of the same model I've seen, but AFAK the F2 Flatiron is produced in China. I've played a couple that sounded very decent, others that weren't so decent. I'd be interested to know who those "Gibson reps" are so I can steer clear of them.
    Striving for mediocrity and perpetually falling short.

  17. #17
    Registered User Stephen Cagle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Northwest Georgia
    Posts
    329
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Gibson Flatiron F Serial #

    The F-2 (I thought) was made over seas. 3 things give it away. The pattern in the head stock below flatiron, the hill button on the back (very pointy) and the label stating F2.

  18. #18
    Distressed Model John Ritchhart's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Mars Hill, North Carolina
    Posts
    1,036

    Default Re: Gibson Flatiron F Serial #

    Agree with Stephen. The Fleur-de-lis is diagnostic.
    We few, we happy few.

  19. #19
    Registered User almeriastrings's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Almeria, Spain
    Posts
    5,442
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default Re: Gibson Flatiron F Serial #

    I have always thought it was sailing a bit too close to the wind to have that Gibson OAI label in there....

    The confusion it is causing is self-evident. The only explicit "Made in China" statement is on a little sticker on the back of the headstock, easily removed.
    Gibson F5 'Harvey' Fern, Gibson F5 'Derrington' Fern
    Distressed Silverangel F 'Esmerelda' aka 'Maxx'
    Northfield Big Mon #127
    Ellis F5 Special #288
    '39 & '45 D-18's, 1950 D-28.

Similar Threads

  1. Flatiron serial number
    By 5string in forum Looking for Information About Mandolins
    Replies: 12
    Last: Jun-08-2018, 12:34pm
  2. Flatiron serial
    By bradeinhorn in forum Looking for Information About Mandolins
    Replies: 2
    Last: Jul-02-2007, 9:17pm
  3. Flatiron serial no. question
    By mando_dan in forum General Mandolin Discussions
    Replies: 5
    Last: May-03-2007, 9:14pm
  4. Flatiron serial numbers again....
    By harmonist34 in forum Looking for Information About Mandolins
    Replies: 1
    Last: Apr-23-2006, 8:44pm
  5. Flatiron Serial Number
    By Jonathan James in forum General Mandolin Discussions
    Replies: 1
    Last: Dec-06-2004, 8:50pm

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •