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Thread: Loving my Flatiron

  1. #1

    Default Loving my Flatiron

    About a month ago I traded my Kentucky for a Flatiron 2MB.

    I gotta say, I am absolutely loving it! It definitely has a very different vibe from my F-style. To me, the F-style sounds great at full volume, picking hard, and with chop chords. This one, however, sounds amazing played at low to medium volume. It sounds so round and full, and is perfect for playing at home (especially because I live in an apartment). I've taken it to a few jams, and it does well at small jams but has a bit of a hard time keeping up volume-wise at bigger ones (again with the volume difference between my F-style and this one). It also doesn't hurt that it's real pretty, especially the maple burl on the back and sides.

    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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  3. #2

    Default Re: Loving my Flatiron

    I thought MB stood for mandolin banjo ?

    Dave H
    Eastman 615 mandola
    2011 Weber Bitteroot A5
    2012 Weber Bitteroot F5
    Eastman MD 915V
    Gibson F9
    2016 Capek ' Bob ' standard scale tenor banjo
    Ibanez Artist 5 string
    2001 Paul Shippey oval hole

  4. #3
    My Florida is scooped pheffernan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Loving my Flatiron

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Hanson View Post
    I thought MB stood for mandolin banjo ?
    I believe the #2 is the middle trim level, suggesting that it is top bound (but no rosette), while the MB reflects the maple (birdseye) back and sides.
    1924 Gibson A Snakehead
    2005 National RM-1
    2007 Hester A5
    2009 Passernig A5
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  6. #4
    🎶 Play Pretty 🎶 Greg Connor's Avatar
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    Default Re: Loving my Flatiron

    I noticed someone in my area is selling a Flatiron 2MC. It caught my attention. Now I’m looking for strength to avoid buying another mandolin.

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  8. #5
    Registered User Dan Adams's Avatar
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    Default Re: Loving my Flatiron

    MB is a designation for Maple Birdseye and for the trim package as previously mentioned. Flatiron was building ‘book matched’ instruments from the early days. My ‘83’ 2MB has a book matched spruce top, maple sides, and a maple back. Not quite as dramatic as the mandolin in this thread.
    Play em like you know em!

  9. #6
    Dave Berry
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    Default Re: Loving my Flatiron

    Quote Originally Posted by milli857 View Post
    About a month ago I traded my Kentucky for a Flatiron 2MB.

    I gotta say, I am absolutely loving it! It definitely has a very different vibe from my F-style. To me, the F-style sounds great at full volume, picking hard, and with chop chords. This one, however, sounds amazing played at low to medium volume. It sounds so round and full, and is perfect for playing at home (especially because I live in an apartment). I've taken it to a few jams, and it does well at small jams but has a bit of a hard time keeping up volume-wise at bigger ones (again with the volume difference between my F-style and this one). It also doesn't hurt that it's real pretty, especially the maple burl on the back and sides.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	flatiron front.jpg 
Views:	70 
Size:	598.2 KB 
ID:	204016Click image for larger version. 

Name:	flatiron bck.jpg 
Views:	79 
Size:	937.9 KB 
ID:	204017
    Congrats on the switch. Really, we can't ask for anything more than having our instruments inspire us to play
    Dave
    Gilchrist A3 #03539, Kimble A5 #122, Gibson A4 #65987
    https://linktr.ee/davidalanberry

  10. #7
    Registered User Eric Platt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Loving my Flatiron

    Quote Originally Posted by Greg Connor View Post
    I noticed someone in my area is selling a Flatiron 2MC. It caught my attention. Now I’m looking for strength to avoid buying another mandolin.
    Yes you should! It keeps me from being tempted. (I know which one you mean and it's a good price. Fortunately I have a good one right now).
    Brentrup Model 23, Boeh A5 #37, Gibson A Jr., Big Muddy M-11, Coombe Classical flattop, Strad-O-Lin
    https://www.facebook.com/LauluAika/
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  12. #8
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Loving my Flatiron

    I bought one of the very first carved top A5-2 back in 1983 and have played it a bunch over the years. Then recently I acquired a lovely ‘83 2K with beautiful koa back and sides to go with my A5-2. Very excellent and great sounding flattop.
    Jim

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    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

  13. #9
    Registered User
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    Default Re: Loving my Flatiron

    That is an exceptional beautiful Flatiron, congrats!

    (I love my Flatiron too, A5 Jr archtop)
    Kentucky km900
    Yamaha piano, clarinet, violin; generic cello;
    a pedal steel (highly recommended); banjo, dobro don't get played much cause i'm considerate ;}

    Shopping/monitoring prices: vibraphone/marimbas, rhodes, synths, Yamaha brass and double reeds

  14. #10

    Default Re: Loving my Flatiron

    While my latest acquisition is NOT Flatiron labeled, it was made at theiir Bozeman, MT facility and signed on Oct., 19, 1992 by Steve Carlson. (Is that close enough to qualify for this thread?) It's a Gibson A-5L and I'm loving it!!!

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL

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