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Thread: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

  1. #1
    Registered User Trader Todd's Avatar
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    Default Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    Elderly listed a Flatiron 1N on the classifieds yesterday or today. I spent all day contemplating it, reading past threads, searching YouTube and checking in with my MAS Anonymous sponsor. I tried to be good, but couldn't scratch the itch and was ready to pull the trigger, but alas, somebody with a worse case of MAS than me was lucky enough to buy it. Dang-it. At least my marriage survives another day.

    I own two F-styles, a Eastman MD-515 and a Northfield F5S. I seem to becoming more of an OT guy than a BG guy and have the incurable desire for something with a hole in it and really like the whole pancake thing. I've been playing some OT with a fiddle player and would love a bit more volume than my F's offer and open hole tone.

    Since the Flatiron was sold, I'm thinking I might need a Northfield Calhoun. Anybody have first hand experience with both of these? Similar price range and I love my current Northfield.

    I think about old Gibson's but $1000 would be the max budget, actually $164.36 is the max budet, but I can make it work.

    Next question is there a difference in a Flatiron 1N and a 3MW beside cosmetic appointments?

    Next question, anybody have a Flatiron 1N they want to sell?

    Last question, will the cravings ever end?

    Carry on you dirty enablers...

  2. #2
    I really look like that soliver's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    HA! great post! I had a 1N a few years back and at the time it just didn't feel right for me so I sold it here on the Cafe and regretted it for a while... so for my first Mando build, I built one! LOVE IT!!!!

    While I am not that familiar with the Calhoun, I can say that if you are interested in a Pancake, I'd say to check the classifieds here as well as Reverb regularly, I am always seeing them here and there in the $400 to $600 range. Another option is to look at the modern facsimiles: Crystal Forest Mandolins and Sawchyn Beavertails.

    And to my knowledge, all Flatirons of the Number-plus-letter(s) nomination are just different appointments as you asked. Though some have different species of woods that do effect tone.
    aka: Spencer
    Silverangel Econo A #429
    Soliver #001 & #002: A double stack of Pancakes.

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    "You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage
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  4. #3
    Registered User Trader Todd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    I watched your 1N video a few times today. Congrats on the build, watched that video as well.

  5. #4
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    It's a real letdown feeling when you go through all that pondering and thinking and then the rug is pulled out from under you. Back in January, before I had any mandolins at all, I saw one on craigslist that was located not far from my husband's workplace down toward Boston. We called, it was not spoken for, and he arranged to meet the guy at the end of the day. Well, after work, it turned out the guy got confused and sold it to someone else. I had been thinking about nothing else all day, and had ordered books from Amazon and so forth.... I was so crushed.

    That's when I started seriously shopping. And yeah, it's hard to stop

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    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    post deleted.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  8. #6
    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    Do check out Morris mandolins in the classifieds
    Mandolin: Kentucky KM150
    Other instruments: way too many, and yet, not nearly enough.

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  10. #7
    Play on FredK's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    I got a Northfield Calhoun from Elderly right before all the lockdown hit. It's got a great sound; much different than my F style The Loar. I wanted an O or oval hole sound. Spent a lot of time researching and listening to similar mandolins. No regrets here.
    "If your memories exceed your dreams, you have begun to die." - Anonymous

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  12. #8
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    big fan of the 1N!

    Love my A3 for old-time too!

    I do think the modern bench-made pancakes are getting a lot of attention; however. I just have my 1N and love it!

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

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

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  14. #9

    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    I have a 1N, 2MC, and 1C. They are a little different because of the different tone woods, but not much. Pretty much any flatiron pancake is a nice instrument (sorry). Also like the big muddy’s as flat tops, if you want to scratch that itch.

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  16. #10
    Fingers of Concrete ccravens's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnar View Post
    Do check out Morris mandolins in the classifieds
    On that note, this looks right up your ally:


    https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/161694#161694
    Chris Cravens

    Girouard A5
    Montana Flatiron A-Jr.
    Passernig Mandola
    Leo Posch D-18

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  18. #11
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    There is this Flatiron 1-C in the classifieds...

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/162004#162004

    I think the C stands for cherry?

    NFI
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  19. #12
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    Quote Originally Posted by Charles E. View Post
    There is this Flatiron 1-C in the classifieds...

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/162004#162004

    I think the C stands for cherry?

    NFI
    I can tell you from experience that Mr. Duggan is a good guy to deal with, too.

  20. #13
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    Quote Originally Posted by Trader Todd View Post
    I own two F-styles, a Eastman MD-515 and a Northfield F5S. I seem to becoming more of an OT guy than a BG guy and have the incurable desire for something with a hole in it and really like the whole pancake thing. I've been playing some OT with a fiddle player and would love a bit more volume than my F's offer and open hole tone.

    Since the Flatiron was sold, I'm thinking I might need a Northfield Calhoun. Anybody have first hand experience with both of these? Similar price range and I love my current Northfield.

    I think about old Gibson's but $1000 would be the max budget, actually $164.36 is the max budet, but I can make it work.

    Next question, anybody have a Flatiron 1N they want to sell?

    Last question, will the cravings ever end?
    I'm supremely surprised that your current Northfield isn't giving you enough volume. The ones that I've played are like cannons!!!

    The Calhoun's are nice but do land in that $1000 range and aren't actually a pancake shape. For the money you could get a Big Muddy or a Morris or others for probably half the price!
    Worlds okay-ist mandolin player

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  21. #14
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    Todd, I have a flatiron 3K for sale. Call lee, 801 698 2086. I also have a !N but I really like it just a smidge more that the 3K. lee
    Lee

  22. #15
    Registered User mandobassman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    A few posts have mentioned Morris mandolins. They are great mandolins at a very good price, but they are not flat top mandolins. They are a arched, carved top.
    Larry Hunsberger

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  24. #16
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    Quote Originally Posted by unclelee View Post
    Todd, I have a flatiron 3K for sale. Call lee, 801 698 2086. I also have a !N but I really like it just a smidge more that the 3K. lee
    That's against Cafe rules.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by mandobassman View Post
    A few posts have mentioned Morris mandolins. They are great mandolins at a very good price, but they are not flat top mandolins. They are a arched, carved top.
    Yes, some are!

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/161694#161694

  25. #17
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    Quote Originally Posted by Zach Wilson View Post
    Yes, some are!
    Mine is, and I like it very much. But including the shipping and a gator case for it, I am into it for over $800. Easily the most expensive instrument in my (admittedly small) herd.

  26. #18
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    Quote Originally Posted by Sue Rieter View Post
    Mine is, and I like it very much. But including the shipping and a gator case for it, I am into it for over $800. Easily the most expensive instrument in my (admittedly small) herd.
    Nice! I considered getting one when I was looking for a flat top, his mandolins appear to be really nice! I ended up having James Wilson build me one of his Red Valley flat tops and couldn't be happier! With a case and shipping I stayed under a grand.

  27. #19
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    All this to say, I dont think that you could get a new Calhoun with a case and shipped for the OPs budget.
    $164.36?

  28. #20
    Worlds ok-ist mando playr Zach Wilson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    Quote Originally Posted by Sue Rieter View Post
    $164.36?
    I've been wondering about that too but think it may be a typo??? My budget is about that as well.... I might buy a BlueChip, a couple sets of strings, and a Cumberland bridge and be content with my Mandolins. $164.36 can go far. Just not a new instrument kinda far 🤣

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  30. #21
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    Yeah but you might spend more than you really have because you really want it. Been there, done that

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  32. #22
    Registered User mandobassman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    Yes, some are!


    I wasn’t aware of that. Never saw a Morris flat top.
    Larry Hunsberger

    2013 J Bovier A5 Special w/ToneGard
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  33. #23
    Registered User Chris W.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    The OP sounds like me a few months ago. I too own a Northfield F5S and was looking to diversify my sonic palette. I play a bit of classical and am really into choro at the moment and wanted something that, as OP said “had a hole in it”. I’ve had the opportunity to play a Calhoun on a couple of occasions and thought it had a nice sound and was well built. But after doing a bit of research here on the forum, I decided to pull the trigger on a Sawchyn Beavertail pancake and I love it. So much fun to play and a totally different sound and vibe than my F5S. That would be my recommendation.
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  34. #24
    Registered User Trader Todd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    [QUOTE=Zach Wilson;1794320]I'm supremely surprised that your current Northfield isn't giving you enough volume. The ones that I've played are like cannons!!!

    My Northfield has a wonderful tone, plays great but I think it could use a little more projection. Everybody keeps telling me the Big Muddy and Morris is the way to go.

  35. #25
    Registered User Trader Todd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Flatiron 1N (The one that got away) and Northfield Calhoun

    I decided to pull the trigger on a Sawchyn Beavertail pancake and I love it. So much fun to play and a totally different sound and vibe than my F5S. That would be my recommendation.[/QUOTE]

    Looks nice, I'll have to check into it. Thanks for the input. How does it differ from the F5S

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