Flatiron Appreciation Thread / 1994 Flatiron A5 Artist Pics

[lordrevan]

I recently had this Weber signed Flatiron A5 Artist in the classifieds section trying to fund something else in the endless MAS cycle. But as I made videos for interested buyers and continued to play it, I actually ended up changing my mind and have decided to get some work done to really tune it up to my preference (evo refret / radius / extension scoop). It is a wonderful mandolin with a deep woof but still balanced sound. The X Bracing gives it a unique tone and you can tell that this mandolin was loved from the mold. This instrument has an open and powerful low end that makes it wonderful to to play along with fiddle players and other mandolinists. I have been communicating with Mr. Weber at Montana Lutherie about getting some of the work done and he has been extremely responsive and easy to work with. Share your flatirons and stories!

[Kevin Briggs]

Appreciate this thread.

I’m from Lancaster, Pennsylvania and there are a handful of players down there who play and love their early-mid 90s Flatiron F Artists.

The two that come to mind are a 94’ and a 95’, one of which is X-braced and one of which has tone bars. They are both phenomenal sounding and looking instruments and were my initiation into the world of excellent mandolins. I know there are more expensive mandolins out there and more sought after, etc., but I’m not sure there are better sounding mandolins than those Flatirons, just different sounding ones. People would come to the White Oak Jam with Gilchrists, Bluetts, and Phoenix Ultras and the Flatiron was their contemporary,

I’d love to have a F or A Artist from that time period.

[stinkoman20xx]

I have a 1993 Flatiron Performer that I love. I have it listed for trade with another mandolin and I have been back and forth on trading it because Im afraid ill have sellers remorse.

[Dave Hicks]

1985 Flatiron A5 Jr that I bought new and will probably never sell. The first time I heard it was one of the guys at Elderly played it over the phone to me. The Elderly shop put a bone nut in a few years ago.

D.H.

[Eldon Dennis]

Flatiron Master model purchased new in December 1992. My survivors will have to deal with it as it will be with me until I depart this earth.

[Jay]

get some work done to really tune it up to my preference (evo refret / radius / extension scoop).

So, what does it cost approximately to turn a flat board into a radiused board? Same question for the scooping. Thanks.

[Dave Wrede]

I am fortunate enough to have 3 Flatirons; a '92 F5, a Performer A, and a 96 M5-Junior mandola. I would never trade any of them as they're each more mandolin than I could otherwise afford. Let's not kid ourselves, they're honestly more mando than I can ever use.
Will never trade 'em for anything else.

This page https://www.montanalutherie.com/mand...dolin-repairs/ shows the standard prices for radiusing a fretboard and for scooping one too!

Dave

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

I had an early 90s A5 Artist (also X-braced) that really stood out to me among the mandolins I've had, and I probably shouldn't have let it go.

Also, I had a really superb experience working with Mr Weber. I sent him my mandolin that had a number of set up issues and was a chore to play, and it came back to me completely transformed. OP I can't think of a better person you can choose to send your Flatiron to

[stinkoman20xx]

Out of curiosity has anybody owned, seen, or played a Flatiron F5 Elite? I dont think I ever even seen a picture of one.

[lordrevan]

I had an early 90s A5 Artist (also X-braced) that really stood out to me among the mandolins I've had, and I probably shouldn't have let it go.

Also, I had a really superb experience working with Mr Weber. I sent him my mandolin that had a number of set up issues and was a chore to play, and it came back to me completely transformed. OP I can't think of a better person you can choose to send your Flatiron to

Who made that pickguard? Looks awesome. I've been looking for an abbreviated guard to modernize the look a bit.

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Who made that pickguard? Looks awesome. I've been looking for an abbreviated guard to modernize the look a bit.

I can't remember exactly, but I'm fairly certain that one came from Doug Edwards at Hill Country Stringworks: https://hillcountrystringworks.com/pickguards-2/.

I had a even smaller one made for a different Flatiron A5 that I also had at one point. Pretty sure that came from Doug Edwards as well.

[Tim Logan]

I recently had this Weber signed Flatiron A5 Artist in the classifieds section trying to fund something else in the endless MAS cycle. But as I made videos for interested buyers and continued to play it, I actually ended up changing my mind and have decided to get some work done to really tune it up to my preference (evo refret / radius / extension scoop). It is a wonderful mandolin with a deep woof but still balanced sound. The X Bracing gives it a unique tone and you can tell that this mandolin was loved from the mold. This instrument has an open and powerful low end that makes it wonderful to to play along with fiddle players and other mandolinists. I have been communicating with Mr. Weber at Montana Lutherie about getting some of the work done and he has been extremely responsive and easy to work with. Share your flatirons and stories!

When I first bought my Lyon & Healy it went straight to Montana Lutherie for new Evo (small size) frets and fretboard plane. Bruce Weber was absolutely top notch. I believe you will be extremely pleased!

[rnjl]

These are some old pictures of my even older Flatiron, an '83 A5-1. Probably 30 years ago I had a radius fretboard put on it and then eventually replaced the tailpiece with a cast one as you can see. Love love love the big round neck- it spoiled me forever from V necks and skinny Gibsony (or Collinsy) necks. Beautiful woods and great chop, it's a great instrument- but then how much of that is the fact that it's 40 years old and thus had plenty of time to develop?

I dunno. It's way better than me.

OH- and fun story- Jethro Burns helped me pick it out. I was a college student who shlepped up from Hyde Park to Evanston to take a few lessons with him (which I have on tape somewhere) and this was hanging on the wall at Hogeye Music (must have been 1986 I think?) and I was wanting a different mandolin than my Flatiron pancake model. Jethro took it off the wall and said, this one's OK, why don't you get this one? So even though I didn't have the money, I did, somehow. I guess they must have taken the Army-Navy mando in trade but I don't remember. Jethro played it a few times too.

[darylcrisp]

I love my oval hole prototype Flatiron/Gibson. x-braced 2006? experimental build. when the big flood hit nashvegas it was saved by being on a very top shelf in a storage area. after the flood, it was retrieved and "kept" for some time, and may have been sold at an "employee" sale day-not sure on that-things get a little hazy at that time period of its life.
TMS had it for sale about 2 or 3 years ago and i remember Dennis telling me he was blown away with the tone and projection it could produce. said if Gibson would produce them using it as the model, he would not be able to keep them in stock.

i loved the looks, lots of flame and the satin finish, light weight. neck is the typical Gibson soft V, 1 1/16" nut width, flat fret board and the tiny mandolin frets. it plays exceptionally easy, just a swell mandolin in all areas. responds to light or heavy pick use. can sound sweet or out front. a lot of "mix" in parts. typical Flatiron headstock inlay, gibson inscribed tailpiece, interior label looks like a typical gibson label. tuners work smooth and hold great. i have it set with an almost dead flat bridge and straight neck with very miniscule amount of relief, buzz free play. harmonics are especially loud and pronounced at 5th, 7th, 12th, 19th, and 24th region.

[John Rosett]

One of the biggest mistakes I've made was trading away my '85 A-5 Artist that I won in the Frets Magazine giveaway contest.

[CTH Man]

Had my '83 A5-2 for 30 years now. Have considered selling it recently but I don't know if I can part with it. It doesn't get played as much as it should anymore.

[Jim Garber]

Another ‘83 A5-2 original owner. Still have it and still play and love it. 39 years and counting.

[Darwin Gaston]

If anyone likes the idea of having a vintage instrument with history my suggestion would be go with one of these old Flatiron Artist A5 mandolins and you won’t break the bank in getting one. These old Flatiron Artist A5, are a sweet sounding mandolin!

[Darwin Gaston]

I had Bruce Weber at Montana lutherie do a complete setup (new nut and bridge) last year on my 1987 Artist A5 in mint condition. I wish I could find a Flatiron F5 that sounds and looks as good as my 1987 Flatiron Artist A5! The sound and playability of this A5 is unbelievable after Bruce did a setup. Here are a couple pics of my 1987!

[lenf12]

While not exactly an "official" Flatiron mandolin, this one is sort of a "first cousin", a 1992 Gibson A5-L signed by Steven A. Carlson on Oct. 19,1992 built in Bozeman, MT on the same assembly line as the Flatirons by the same builders. This one is parallel tone bar braced with a somewhat darker voice than my '56 F-12 re-voiced by Randy Wood. A few pix for your viewing pleasure.

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Len B.
Clearwater, FL

P.S. Guess I do like that MOP bling

[Jmccrory]

I have a 1993 Bruce Weber signed A-5 Artist that I bought new. Recently I acquired a Collings MT2 to add to my collection thinking that it might be an upgrade. The Flatiron is louder and more responsive than the Collings mandolin. I like them both, but didn't expect this. These are great mandolins. I also have a friend with whom I play. He has a Duff F style. I have played his mandolin next to my A-5 Artist and thought, "Yes, this is a great mandolin, different but not any better." Just my 2 cents.

[Jim Garber]

And now there are two 1983 Flatirons. I recently acquired this '83 2K pancake. Here is a quick portrait with it brother my '83 A5-2 pictured in a somewhat better photo in post #17. I haven't yet figured out which is the older.

I have never owned a 2K or any other pancake but I am trying to figure what the best strings might be for it. I may try Dogal Calace RW92 maybe mediums or not as light as the Dolce. I may even have a set of those around. Or might try silk and steel. Any suggestions welcome.

[pheffernan]

I have never owned a 2K or any other pancake but I am trying to figure what the best strings might be for it. I may try Dogal Calace RW92 maybe mediums or not as light as the Dolce. I may even have a set of those around. Or might try silk and steel. Any suggestions welcome.

I believe that they were built for D’Addario J62’s — my old 1984 1N had the recommended gauges of .010/.014/.024/.034 printed if I remember correctly — though fat-dadd has proselytized for the similar GHS A250’s in the past.

[Josh Levine]

I recently came upon an 88 A5 Jr signed by Dennis Balian. It's in great shape for its age and has great tone. Nice little instrument to have around.

[Jim Garber]

I believe that they were built for D’Addario J62’s — my old 1984 1N had the recommended gauges of .010/.014/.024/.034 printed if I remember correctly — though fat-dadd has proselytized for the similar GHS A250’s in the past.

you are probably correct as there were few strings around at that time. I prob have an old set of J-62 but might prefer a different tone. I think there are GHS-A250s on it now. Might put NB lights to start. I sort of know how I would like it to sound but will see how it reacts.