Page 44 of 52 FirstFirst ... 19404142434445464748 ... LastLast
Results 1,076 to 1,100 of 1294

Thread: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

  1. #1076
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Quote Originally Posted by atetone View Post
    I woke up from a nap this afternoon, searched ebay and did a Buy-It-Now on a 1994 Flatiron 1N with hardcase.
    About 10 minutes later when I fully woke up I realized what I had done, it dawned on me that I really don't know much about them. This MAS thing is killing me. I am doing it in my sleep now.
    So,,, since I now own one can anyone tell me anything about them?
    Please, please, say that I didn't make a bad mistake.
    No,,,,, just tell me the truth. I can take it.
    I love these long "historical" threads like this one. I had to look at the original post tho to realize why it was titled as it is. Funny.
    Last edited by Jim Garber; Feb-13-2015 at 11:28am.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  2. #1077
    Registered User Bruce Clausen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Vancouver Island
    Posts
    1,541

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Yeah, that is funny. We haven't heard from atetone here in quite a while. He told me once he had mandolins stuffed in the rafters at home. Unlike Bob A, who said he was tripping over mandolins as he walked around the house. You must have your own storage solution, Jim.

  3. #1078
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    I must have a solution... you are right! I think I may just rent a dumpster and start really clearing things out. :-)

    I remember when the Flatiron pancakes first came out. They were way ahead of their time. I am not so sure that there were many Asian imports then. There were also many fewer mandolin players than now.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  4. #1079
    Registered User Travis Wilson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    San Antonio, TX
    Posts
    101

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    As some of you may know (recent thread on the eBay sub-forum), I have recently come into possession of an '84 MW. It's a superb little mandolin. It's so cool, I find my guitar-playing son picking it all the time these days.

    To the point, I purchased this little axe for travel purposes, but the chipboard case is not satisfactory. I have explored some of the case and gigbag suggestions discussed on this thread, but many are no longer viable. So, what is the modern consensus for a good case or gigbag for this little pancake?
    Last edited by Travis Wilson; Feb-21-2015 at 2:55pm. Reason: grammar
    Thanks,
    Travis

    2006 Weber Gallatin, 1984 Flatiron 2MW, Wendler #194, Schwab #177

  5. #1080
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Belfast, Maine
    Posts
    44

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Dear Pancophiles,
    I'm looking at a Flatiron 3K to buy, but I'm concerned about a slight distortion in the top (less than 1/16" longitudinally, flat from side to side). I just posted in the Builders and Repair forum, but I thought I'd check with other pancake owners. Does your instrument have a bit of a sag? If so, has it remained stable over time? How much would be enough to warn you away from buying an instrument or lessen its value?

    Thanks!
    Bruce

  6. #1081
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    7,635

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    I guess we'd need a photo. Problem with the pancake is has very specific string gauge requirements. If the prior owners used the time-honored J-74s, they had too much string and the top or neck angle may be affected.

    So, you got a photo of the irregular area?

    f-d
    ¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

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

  7. #1082
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Belfast, Maine
    Posts
    44

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Here you go. It's a pretty subtle dip, but you can see about 1/16" of air under that straight edge. The top seems to have retained its slight side-to-side arch under the bridge. How does that look to you?

    Thanks,
    Bruce

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	FullSizeRender (1).jpg 
Views:	182 
Size:	26.8 KB 
ID:	131209Click image for larger version. 

Name:	FullSizeRender.jpg 
Views:	199 
Size:	28.8 KB 
ID:	131210

  8. #1083
    Registered User eastman_315's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    northeast ohio
    Posts
    243

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Quote Originally Posted by Travis Wilson View Post
    . . . I have recently come into possession of an '84 MW.
    Congrats on the MW! I really do enjoy my 1SH!
    Quote Originally Posted by Travis Wilson View Post
    To the point, I purchased this little axe for travel purposes, but the chipboard case is not satisfactory. <Snip> So, what is the modern consensus for a good case or gigbag for this little pancake?
    Mine came with the original chipboard case, too. I really never found a case that really fits the Flatiron, but eventually contacted Steve at Cumberland Acoustics to see what they ship with their Redline Traveller, a modern version of the Flatirons. He offered to sell me one of his cases so I bought it. As it turns out, the case he uses is a Guardian model made for the A-Style mando.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Flatiron_Case_web_1.jpg 
Views:	252 
Size:	217.8 KB 
ID:	131456
    I think the tag that was in the case labelled it as a CG-020-MA but I must have thrown the tag away.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Flatiron_Case_web_2.jpg 
Views:	314 
Size:	227.0 KB 
ID:	131457
    As you can see, the Flatiron does fit, just not that well.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Flatiron_Case_web_3.jpg 
Views:	291 
Size:	277.6 KB 
ID:	131458
    There is a lot of room over the headstock. I guess you could put a strap there.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Flatiron_Case_web_4.jpg 
Views:	304 
Size:	236.7 KB 
ID:	131459
    The body is also smaller than the case requiring additional padding for a reasonable fit.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Flatiron_Case_web_5.jpg 
Views:	249 
Size:	265.4 KB 
ID:	131460
    I trimmed a piece of bubble-wrap that had the big bubbles to lay under the mando and raise it up so the neck rested evenly over the storage compartment. I also used a large, rolled-up microfiber cloth at the bottom to keep the mando snug & secure from moving around in the case.

    Overall, this case does offer more protection than the original fiberboard one. It also looks better, too. :-) I suppose at some point I can try to create some sort of padding that looks a little better, but it is still pretty much of a compromise for a Flatiron mando.

    Anyway, I'm still on the lookout for a case that really fits my Flatiron!

    Take care,

    Frank

  9. The following members say thank you to eastman_315 for this post:


  10. #1084

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    I think I mentioned this earlier in this thread, but I had a Redline Traveler for a short time. I bought a Breedlove mandolin case for it, which fit very well. I believe it had a couple of small pillows included to help the fit, but overall I liked it a lot. Most of the Flatiron pancakes which have come through my hands have had the original hardshell case. I bought a Harptone hardshell for my original 1N back in the day when Harptone was still around and they made a case specifically for the army-navy style.

  11. #1085
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Richmond, Virginia
    Posts
    7,635

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    I'd proudly use the original chipboard case.

    f-d
    ¡papá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

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

  12. #1086
    Registered User eastman_315's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    northeast ohio
    Posts
    243

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Quote Originally Posted by fatt-dad View Post
    I'd proudly use the original chipboard case.

    f-d
    Spoken like a man who owns the super 5-latch version! :-)

    I'm keeping my "vintage" chipboard case in a vault to maintain its value . . .

    Later,

    Frank

  13. #1087
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Kernersville, NC
    Posts
    2,593
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    1N ebay auction alert:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flatiron-1N-...ht_2251wt_1362

    I've noticed 'the flatiron' headstock decal in black or white. Was this a year or model change?

  14. #1088
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Posts
    3,859

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Wilson View Post
    I've noticed 'the flatiron' headstock decal in black or white. Was this a year or model change?
    That '85 looks just like my '84, which yesterday received its first set of Thomastik-Infeld Mittels. It is an odd experience to spend 10% of the cost of an instrument on one pair of its strings.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
    2015 Black A2-z
    2010 Black GBOM
    2017 Poe Scout
    2014 Smart F-Style Mandola
    2018 Vessel TM5
    2019 Hogan F5

  15. #1089
    Registered User eastman_315's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    northeast ohio
    Posts
    243

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Wilson View Post
    I've noticed 'the flatiron' headstock decal in black or white. Was this a year or model change?
    Not certain but I think it has more to do with the model than the year. The basic models I've seen have the black name & the higher grade mandos have the white.

    Of course, I could be wrong.

    Frank

  16. The following members say thank you to eastman_315 for this post:


  17. #1090
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Kernersville, NC
    Posts
    2,593
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    That '85 looks just like my '84, which yesterday received its first set of Thomastik-Infeld Mittels.
    Interesting. Post a review. Hopefully they last a long while

  18. #1091
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Hamburg, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    1,247

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	image.jpg 
Views:	206 
Size:	176.2 KB 
ID:	132674

  19. #1092
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Hamburg, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    1,247

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    I bought the 1981 blond about six years ago on eBay for $100. The brace below the sound hole had come unglued and the top had cracked and sunken about a half inch. It also had a lot of stress cracks in the finish. I bought the chocolate 1986 a few weeks ago here for $150 plus shipping. It had some cracks that had been repaired and cleated and four cracks that ran the length of the top that were open. I repaired all of these with glue and cleats, but the cracks happened because the top shrank,mand it didn't come together with a clamp, so I glued it open, as the braces are solid. It has a 1/16" glued crack now, but it's all very solid. At first the chocolate sounded thin, but now they sound identical. I've shimmed both with ebony. I use flat wound strings from Ted Eschliman's JazzMando site. Excellent strings from La Bella. (I play jazz/swing.) The action at the 12th fret is now 4/64" (that's 1/16") for both mandolins, without buzzing. Outstanding. The tone is warm, very loud and direct, not as nuanced as my Collings, but with that slightly dead sound I want from flat wound strings.

    I've used the blond for years for traveling. The cardboard case slides right in beside my suitcase in the overhead compartment, unlike a regular mandolin's case, and doesn't interfere with other people putting in suitcases. I don't use a strap because this mandolin is so light and easy to cradle in my arms while playing. It interests me that the nuts on these are rosewood. I don't think you can find a better travel mandolin than one of these pancakes. Even though repaired, these are great mandolins.

  20. #1093
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Hamburg, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    1,247

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	image.jpg 
Views:	187 
Size:	253.6 KB 
ID:	132682

  21. #1094
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Hamburg, Pennsylvania
    Posts
    1,247

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	image.jpg 
Views:	169 
Size:	196.6 KB 
ID:	132683

  22. #1095

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Look what I picked up last week
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	2015-04-16 00.46.23.jpg 
Views:	176 
Size:	181.9 KB 
ID:	133151Click image for larger version. 

Name:	2015-04-16 00.46.35.jpg 
Views:	197 
Size:	198.5 KB 
ID:	133152

  23. #1096

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Oh, I should mention the above posted set of Flatiron Octave Mandolin strings were in the case pocket of my latest BIG PANCAKE, a 1995 3MC.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	2015-04-14 17.44.42.jpg 
Views:	189 
Size:	127.8 KB 
ID:	133153

  24. #1097
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,753

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    [QUOTE=Nathan Sanders;1394113]Oh, I should mention the above posted set of Flatiron Octave Mandolin strings were in the case pocket of my latest BIG PANCAKE, a 1995 3MC.[QUOTE]
    Yes, but was it a compulsive purchase?
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  25. #1098

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    [QUOTE=Jim Garber;1394178][QUOTE=Nathan Sanders;1394113]Oh, I should mention the above posted set of Flatiron Octave Mandolin strings were in the case pocket of my latest BIG PANCAKE, a 1995 3MC.
    Yes, but was it a compulsive purchase?
    Actually Jim it kind of was a compulsive purchase. An opportunity presented itself. You might call it SOMAS....SUDDEN ONSET MANDOLIN ACQUISITION SYNDROME.

  26. #1099

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Maybe it should be called PMAS, Pancake Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome? Whatever the case, here's what I picked up this week, a 1996 Flatiron 3MC mandolin, a good match for my Flatiron OM. Keep an eye on the Classifieds, though, as I may be listing it, unless a matching mandola comes along. Ha!Click image for larger version. 

Name:	2015-04-29 18.25.48.jpg 
Views:	171 
Size:	180.8 KB 
ID:	133544

  27. #1100

    Default Re: Compulsive purchase- Flatiron 1N

    Already posted this in the Post a Video thread, but thought it should be included in the record here too. This is the Flatiron 3MC pictured above. I had a local luthier make an original style bridge to replace the pickup bridge which came with it.


Similar Threads

  1. Latest compulsive purchase
    By catmandu2 in forum Four, Five and Eight-String Electrics
    Replies: 3
    Last: Sep-05-2008, 3:42pm
  2. Flatiron festival f2 mandolin purchase?
    By tkdboyd in forum Looking for Information About Mandolins
    Replies: 3
    Last: Nov-07-2007, 4:36pm
  3. Mandolin obsessive-compulsive disorder
    By PsychoMando in forum Videos, Pictures & Sound Files
    Replies: 27
    Last: May-28-2007, 6:29pm
  4. What to look for before i purchase
    By PamGray in forum Vintage Instruments
    Replies: 15
    Last: May-02-2007, 8:02pm
  5. Vote on my new purchase...
    By dudlebug23 in forum General Mandolin Discussions
    Replies: 19
    Last: Apr-25-2005, 12:50am

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
  •