For Sale: SOLD 1996 Gibson / Flatiron Prototype Price Drop!

CameToMyRescue · #1 12-05-2017, 04:33 AM

This special guitar is SOLD! Really wish I could have kept this one. Enjoy!

Really cool story and a piece of Gibson / Flatiron history here. As far as I've been able to gather, Gibson purchased Flatiron back in the 90's after some back and forth with lawsuits regarding Flatiron mandolins being too similar to the Gibson designs. Initially Gibson had planned to sell both mandolins and acoustics under the Flatiron name, but later on decided just to stick to mandolins. This is an early prototype that was built in 1996. Sounds incredible. Very very light top, huge sound - one of the best non-vintage Gibson's I've played in recent memory.

This is essentially a J45 per dimensions and what I can tell of the bracing.

This is labeled by Gibson as "Bruce's Guitar". Bruce was part of the original Flatiron crew.

I just need to downsize. I recently had an opportunity to pick up two excellent 50's Gibson's that I've had my eye on for some time, and I just can't justify keeping so many around.

Asking SOLD

philphlash · #2 12-05-2017, 06:21 AM

Would it be possible to receive a sound sample?
Much Thanks

CameToMyRescue · #3 12-10-2017, 05:40 PM

Bumping this back up! I'll try to post the clip soon, but if anyone else wants a clip just shoot me an email or phone number and I can send one over. Thanks!

CameToMyRescue · #4 12-19-2017, 04:06 AM

Moving this back up just in time for someone to get a new stocking stuffer!

CameToMyRescue · #5 12-26-2017, 12:32 AM

To the top! Merry Christmas gang.

CameToMyRescue · #6 01-03-2018, 10:55 PM

To the top WITH price drop!

jtaylor996 · #7 01-04-2018, 12:29 PM

I'm guessing Bruce Weber, now doing Weber mandolins?

Apparently part of the story was that Gibson bought them and then wanted to move the factory to Nashville from Bozeman, and Bruce and every single flatiron employee in MT quit and started Weber mandolins. There was much bad blood.

GGSanders · #8 01-04-2018, 01:53 PM

Steve Carlson hired Bruce Weber in 1987, the same year Gibson bought Flatiron from him. They continued to build both Flatiron and Gibson mandolins, and as production manager Weber worked on reissue of the advanced jumbo and J180 guitars.

Eventually, in 1996, Gibson shut down their Montana operation and moved to Nashville. Weber remained in Montana, started Weber Fine Acoustic Instruments in 1997, building Weber mandolins and arch top guitars. Many of Flatirons original team remained with him.

"The Flatiron" decal on your guitar is identical to that on the headstock of my A5-JR mandolin. I was unaware Bruce Weber and Gibson/Flatiron made any Flatiron flat-top guitars. As a 1996 prototype, it could very well be the only "Bruces Guitar" that exists.

tgaume · #9 01-06-2018, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GGSanders

"The Flatiron" decal on your guitar is identical to that on the headstock of my A5-JR mandolin. I was unaware Bruce Weber and Gibson/Flatiron made any Flatiron flat-top guitars. As a 1996 prototype, it could very well be the only "Bruce's Guitar" that exists.

I made a deal and paid for this guitar this morning. Then sent off an email with pics to Bruce to get some history and provenance on the guitar and received the following info:

"Hi Thomas,
Back in 1995 this was the only Flatiron guitar that had been built and don’t believe Gibson follow up with any others after moving the operation to Nashville. This ‘Prototype' became mine. She’s a one of a kind!

Bruce"

I think I'm going to toss a few dollars his way to get that in writing and notarized to keep with the guitar so that the story stays with the guitar when neither of us are still around.

You won't be seeing this one for sale again as long as I'm still able to play and I'm only 54 years young.

grasser · #10 01-08-2018, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgaume

I made a deal and paid for this guitar this morning. Then sent off an email with pics to Bruce to get some history and provenance on the guitar and received the following info:

"Hi Thomas,
Back in 1995 this was the only Flatiron guitar that had been built and don’t believe Gibson follow up with any others after moving the operation to Nashville. This ‘Prototype' became mine. She’s a one of a kind!

Bruce"

I think I'm going to toss a few dollars his way to get that in writing and notarized to keep with the guitar so that the story stays with the guitar when neither of us are still around.

You won't be seeing this one for sale again as long as I'm still able to play and I'm only 54 years young.

How cool is that? Enjoy it!