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Thread: Flatirons - festival, performer, artist, signature

  1. #101

    Default Re: Flatirons - festival, performer, artist, signature

    Fatt Dad, I own an '83 1n. Amazing chop and volume. Still don't know what makes these pancakes sing but man they are monsters. I am new to the cafe and cant figure out how to upload pictures I have saved on my computer. If you send me your email I can get them to you that way or will happily accept guidance from forum members to get me down the cafe learning curve. I am mainly a flatpicker that can easily navigate the UMGF site. The cafe is still a mystery to me. Much like the mandolin itself.

  2. #102

    Default Re: Flatirons - festival, performer, artist, signature

    Quote Originally Posted by brianf View Post
    Question for all you Flatiron users: What is your opinion on the integrated neck/fingerboard as compared to the non-integrated versions? Tone, playability, pop and volume?
    Zombie thread bump for this question. Thanks y'all.

  3. #103
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatirons - festival, performer, artist, signature

    I don't think it's as big of a deal as folks want it to be. Talking Flatiron Arch-top, they did the integrated fretboard on their Festival models - maybe Performer, not sure. My buddy has played a A5 Festival for decades and gets great sound/tone out of that mandolin. No problem hearing what he has to say in a large jam.

    Let's think of old Gibsons. Other than their F-5 models they all had integrated fretboards. The A4 with Virzi, the A2Z, etc. all had the integrated fretboard. The mandolin I'll carry to my grave (my 1920 A3) has an integrated fretboard and I love it!

    Folks now make all sorts of hybrids in the oval-hole a-model design. Neck joints at the 15th and elevated fretboards. Are they better? Not to me! I don't like them actually!

    I have both and disparage neither.

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

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

  4. #104
    Registered User Mike Arakelian's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatirons - festival, performer, artist, signature

    I have a 1991 Flatiron Performer A with an integrated fretboard. As far as tone and playability are concerned, the mandolin is awesome with a nice warm, woody tone and a nice chop. Compared to my ‘07 Sumi F5 Deluxe, it is not as loud, but that doesn’t hold me back in any of the jams I play in. The Sumi has been called a “banjo killer” more than once, so take that into consideration. If you find a “Flattie” with the integrated board and like the sound, neck, etc. you don’t need to overly concern yourself if it is loud enough. It will do just fine in most instances IMO.
    2007 Sumi F-5 Deluxe
    1991 Flatiron Performer A
    Martin D-35

  5. #105
    Registered User Saxon Moreno's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatirons - festival, performer, artist, signature

    This is a fascinating thread. I've read it through because a 1998 (I think, if I'm interpreting the serial number correctly) Flatiron F-5 "The Gibson Master Model" Style Artist has come up for sale near me. Where does this model stand in the pecking order of quality? The label states "Gibson Inc, Nashville" but how can I tell whether it's an import or actually Nashville made?

    I haven't been to look at this mandolin yet, I've only seen a photo.

  6. #106
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    Default Re: Flatirons - festival, performer, artist, signature

    I’m pretty sure they didn’t move to China until after 2003 (and maybe closer to 2007?), so the one you’re looking at should be the real deal. Anyone sign the label?
    Chuck

  7. #107
    Registered User Saxon Moreno's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatirons - festival, performer, artist, signature

    Thanks Chuck. There's no signature as far as I know (like I say, I've only seen a photo).

    Interestingly though, the label says "Style A-5 Artist" and this is visible from the photo, even though it's an F style. An honest mistake by someone at Gibson I hope, and not an horrendous fake!

  8. #108

    Default Re: Flatirons - festival, performer, artist, signature

    Quote Originally Posted by Saxon Moreno View Post
    An honest mistake by someone at Gibson I hope, and not an horrendous fake!
    I hope you're right Saxon, but please post pictures if they become available including pix of the label(s). Lots of experts here
    to help guide a purchasing decision.

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL

  9. #109
    Registered User Saxon Moreno's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatirons - festival, performer, artist, signature

    Thanks Len. I'm hoping to go and see it on Friday, so will take photos.

    I was half-joking really, but are there fakes knocking around? Is that something we have to be wary of? I know it's a problem in the guitar world, but it's so much bigger.

  10. #110
    Registered User Saxon Moreno's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatirons - festival, performer, artist, signature

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  11. #111
    Registered User Saxon Moreno's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatirons - festival, performer, artist, signature

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  12. #112
    Registered User ricklmf's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatirons - festival, performer, artist, signature

    Quote Originally Posted by Saxon Moreno View Post
    Click image for larger version. 

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    I think it is hard to go by the descriptions, at least in my case it is. My label says performer series, the headstock says Festival, so it is a festival in the performer series. the adds and descriptions show the Festival as having no binding, but the higher series the Performer has white binding. Mine clearly says Festival on the headstock but has the white binding.Click image for larger version. 

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    1989 Flatiron Performer
    2018 Martin D-18
    2014 Santa Cruz OM PW
    2008 Santa Cruz D/PW
    2009 Goodall TMHD
    2016 Martin 00042 Custom Shop

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