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Thread: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

  1. #1

    Default Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    I just found a The Flatiron 2MB pancake at a local music store, and I really liked the playability and sound of it. I have a wrist injury and for some reason it doesn't aggravate my injury as much as my other mandolins do. I have them holding on to it for me and the price is at $400. I think I'm going to try trading in my Kentucky KM150s to help pay for it. I think it was made in 1995 in Bozeman, MT.

    I was having a hard time finding info on it, so I wanted to ask y'all about it. Mostly wood species, value, and any experiences y'all have had with Flatiron pancake mandos.
    I guess I'll just stay right here, pick and sing a while...
    2022 Morris F5 #482, 1995 Flatiron 2MB, 2013 Don Kawalek flat top, 2004 Eastman 805

  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    A long running thread on everything Flatiron can be found here. Don't let the title sway you. All threads that mention the 2MB can be found here. Is that a mandolin or mandola?
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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  4. #3

    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    A long running thread on everything Flatiron can be found here. Don't let the title sway you. All threads that mention the 2MB can be found here. Is that a mandolin or mandola?
    It's a mandolin. I may have misremembered the exact model number, but it has a really pretty burl on the back and sides.
    Looks like the asking price is a great deal though, based on the other threads.

    - - - Updated - - -

    It looks a lot like the one in this thread:
    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...on-2MB-Pancake
    I guess I'll just stay right here, pick and sing a while...
    2022 Morris F5 #482, 1995 Flatiron 2MB, 2013 Don Kawalek flat top, 2004 Eastman 805

  5. #4
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    Quote Originally Posted by milli857 View Post
    I was having a hard time finding info on it, so I wanted to ask y'all about it. Mostly wood species, value, and any experiences y'all have had with Flatiron pancake mandos.
    Depending on condition, that’s a great value. I spent more for a 1N nine years ago before prices climbed.
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  6. #5
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    That's a great price. Less than I recently paid for my 1982 Flatiron 1SB (sunburst).

    Here is the specification sheet from a 1996 Flatiron price guide -

    Click image for larger version. 

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  7. #6

    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    NMD! I ended up buying the Flatiron, and I really like it. Once I traded in my Kentucky KM-150s and a wood case, the total only came to $100, which I think is a total steal.

    It's a 1995 Flatiron 2MB, made in Bozeman, Montana. This was the Gibson era, but before they moved it to Nashville, meaning it was made in the same factory as when Flatiron was independent. Sitka spruce top, birdseye maple back and sides, mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard.

    It sounds quite a bit brighter than my Morris F-style, and lacking a bit in the fullness of sound, but it still sounds good and was loud enough to be heard over 2 guitars, 3 banjos, and a resonator mandolin at the jam I took it to last night. I think it's a perfect second mandolin for me for variety, as a back-up, and for traveling.


    Click image for larger version. 

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    I guess I'll just stay right here, pick and sing a while...
    2022 Morris F5 #482, 1995 Flatiron 2MB, 2013 Don Kawalek flat top, 2004 Eastman 805

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  9. #7
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    Nice! Good luck with it.

    By the way, the Bozeman plant was built by Gibson in 1989. Gibson bought Flatiron in 1987. Your mandolin was not made in the original Flatiron facility.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  10. #8
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    Since I haven’t seen fatt-dad around much lately, allow me to assume his role and offer his customary advice about string selection. While these mandolins have anecdotally stood up to mediums, they used to have a sticker inside recommending gauges from the D’Addario EJ62 set: .010 / .014 / .024 / .034
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  12. #9
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    I paid much more for my koa ‘83 2K but I love it. I also agree with the advice to use light gauge strings. It doesn’t need heavier gauge to drive the top. Sweet tone on these and a joy to play. Congratulations!
    Jim

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  13. #10
    Registered User Charlie Bernstein's Avatar
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    Sounds like a sweet deal. It plays well, too. Get it!
    Gibson A-Junior snakehead (Keep on pluckin'!)

  14. #11

    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Nice! Good luck with it.

    By the way, the Bozeman plant was built by Gibson in 1989. Gibson bought Flatiron in 1987. Your mandolin was not made in the original Flatiron facility.
    Ah, OK, I guess I misread something on the Flatiron thread linked above.
    I guess I'll just stay right here, pick and sing a while...
    2022 Morris F5 #482, 1995 Flatiron 2MB, 2013 Don Kawalek flat top, 2004 Eastman 805

  15. #12

    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    Quote Originally Posted by pheffernan View Post
    Since I haven’t seen fatt-dad around much lately, allow me to assume his role and offer his customary advice about string selection. While these mandolins have anecdotally stood up to mediums, they used to have a sticker inside recommending gauges from the D’Addario EJ62 set: .010 / .014 / .024 / .034
    I love that they put that little label in there. It feels like it has light strings on it already and I plan to keep it that way. The strings I normally use don't come in light though. I guess I'll have to find a new type I like! I think I'm going to try the Curt Mangan monel 10-36 set.
    I guess I'll just stay right here, pick and sing a while...
    2022 Morris F5 #482, 1995 Flatiron 2MB, 2013 Don Kawalek flat top, 2004 Eastman 805

  16. #13
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    Quote Originally Posted by milli857 View Post
    I love that they put that little label in there. It feels like it has light strings on it already and I plan to keep it that way. The strings I normally use don't come in light though. I guess I'll have to find a new type I like! I think I'm going to try the Curt Mangan monel 10-36 set.
    That’s what I run on my Poe Scout, which is also a pancake.
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  17. #14

    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    One last question for y'all: do you know where I can find a hard case or high-quality semi-rigid soft case for a pancake mandolin?

    I've looked at previous threads and it seems like all the recommendations there are no longer being made.


    I was thinking about getting a tenor ukulele or short-neck 4 string banjo soft case, which I think would fit.

    Or perhaps this thing:
    https://www.amazon.com/Kala-HCBK-BNJ...0-4513d670b6bc

    It seems like the dimensions would work out.
    I guess I'll just stay right here, pick and sing a while...
    2022 Morris F5 #482, 1995 Flatiron 2MB, 2013 Don Kawalek flat top, 2004 Eastman 805

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    Registered User Jill McAuley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    If you can find one of the Breedlove mandolin cases they fit pancake mandolins quite well:

    https://reverb.com/item/17326986-bre...-mandolin-case
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    is it pronounced "tomb"?

  20. #17

    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    Quote Originally Posted by Phantoj View Post
    is it pronounced "tomb"?
    I don't see why not!

  21. #18
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    The TLK Vectra case will work. However, it seems to be not available at present. I use one for my Coombe classical flat top.

    Most of the time am using an Eastman gigbag for mine. The neck support is a plus for me. It's also shallower than a Reunion Blues Continental so the mandolin doesn't bounce around.

    Am not sure the Kala case would work. According to the Kala website, the shell width on the concert ukulele is 8 inches. Flatiron width is about 9 1/2 inches.
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  22. #19

    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    Update on cases since it seems like nobody makes one actually designed for pancake mandolins any more:

    I found out that the Gator Travelite style case I already had actually fits the Flatiron pancake really well if you put about 1" of foam on the bottom of the body area. I cut the foam so it tapers from 1" eventually to an edge, and since it was a straight piece, it just stays in with friction when bent around the bottom. It's a pretty nice case too, plenty of storage, has backpack straps, and it feels very protective. Good price too.

    Figured this might be useful to pancake owners who are looking for something more protective than a gigbag.

    Link to case:
    https://www.gatorcases.com/products/...e-gl-mandolin/

  23. #20

    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

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    I guess I'll just stay right here, pick and sing a while...
    2022 Morris F5 #482, 1995 Flatiron 2MB, 2013 Don Kawalek flat top, 2004 Eastman 805

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  25. #21
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    Nice solution. Knew I should have kept my Travelite.
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    I was lucky. My 83 2K came with the original hardshell case.
    Jim

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  28. #23
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    Quote Originally Posted by milli857 View Post
    Update on cases since it seems like nobody makes one actually designed for pancake mandolins any more.
    I believe that TKL bought out Harptone which was a NY-based case company prevalent back when Flatiron pancakes were first made. They made quite a range of hard shell cases for all sorts of instruments. I have a couple of their bowlback mandolin cases. And I believe that TKL has all the old Harptone forms and could conceivably make a custom case for a pancake though I have a feeling the cost could be considerable.
    Jim

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  29. #24

    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    I believe that TKL bought out Harptone which was a NY-based case company prevalent back when Flatiron pancakes were first made. They made quite a range of hard shell cases for all sorts of instruments. I have a couple of their bowlback mandolin cases. And I believe that TKL has all the old Harptone forms and could conceivably make a custom case for a pancake though I have a feeling the cost could be considerable.
    Interesting, I may ask them about it. I don't want to spend $500 on a case for a mandolin that only cost me $400 though.

  30. #25
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Info on The Flatiron 2MB

    . . . late to the party.

    I also like the GHS A250 set for the pancake.

    TKL's factory is in Oilville, Virginia. I think you can call them. That said, there'll be a high charge, I'd bet. Now, working through a builder, perhaps they'd get a different price? My buddy Dave Cohen would use their custom service for his octave mandolins and mandocellos.

    Great deal on your mandolin!

    f-d
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