Fancy "Flatiron" Pancake?

[Jim Garber]

Here's a real puzzler. Headstock does say Flatiron but the ornamentation is over the top and the pickguard inlay and tailpiece reminds me of Antonio Tsai and similar Asian workshops.

The photos are on the dark side so it is hard to see detail.

I don't know about the alleged prototype. I suppose someone could contact Bruce Weber or Steve Carlson about this one.

[Richard500]

The seller is asking those questions, not making claims, so the vast MC resource can probably pin things down. Other than that, I imagine that some owners enjoy having ornament added to their instruments, albeit this model is not a likely canvas for it.

[Ray(T)]

Not seen one of those models in these parts for 40 odd years but the wood on the back looks much better than I remember. Perhaps it was some sort of special/one off?

[allenhopkins]

I have a 1986 Carlson-signed Gibson A-N Custom, which is basically a tarted-up Flatiron; highly figured wood, sunburst, "The Gibson" headstock inlay with an MOP "leaf" like a '20's A-3, gold hardware. I understand it was made for a New Hampshire Gibson dealer, Louis Catello, who wrote is name on the label with a Sharpie.

Mine also has a more modest MOP rosette, plain dot fretboard inlays, triple w/b/w binding front and back. The OP's makes me just a tad suspicious as to its origin, due to the floral-inlaid pickguard and the "mustache" tailpiece, the like of which I've never seen on a Flatiron or Gibson/Flatiron mandolin. Still, an impressively ornate "take" on the Gibson/Flatiron "pancake" design.

[MikeEdgerton]

I'm sure Steve or Bruce could shed some light on this. I don't recall seeing anything like that come out of any place where they built Flat Iron mandolins.

[Jim Garber]

Sold for $956. My guess is still this was a standard issue Flatiron with after-market lipstick.