Steve Carlson made his 1st musical instruments in early 1980, when he founded The Flatiron Mandolin Company, 34 years ago. Ironically, the same year Zeta’s 1st electric violin was produced.

In late 1981, following the production of over 1,300 mandolins, he tooled up the first Flatiron mandola and octave mandolins.

By 1984 Steve had finished tooling the carved top A5 and F5 mandolins, and the Flatiron company found a firm footing and broad acceptance in the market place.

In 1985 he finished tooling Flatiron Banjos and the company was renamed Flatiron Mandolin and Banjo Company.

In 1987 Steve sold Flatiron to the Gibson Guitar Company and from 1987 to the end of 1993 he worked for Gibson in various capacities.

Initially Steve tooled and put into production Gibson F5 and A5 Mandolins . . . then Gibson Banjo necks and resonators and pots.

In late 1988 he took over the Gibson acoustic guitar production and moved that entire operation to Montana, building the Gibson acoustic guitar plant in Bozeman, where he began retooling the J-200 and other historic Gibson models.

He left Gibson in late 1993 and founded an engineering and production firm which produces musical instrument parts and components for O.E.M. manufacturers in the music industry. This he has been doing for 21 years.

So it has now been 21 years since Steve Carlson last produced finely crafted instruments for the player, and 34 years since both Flatiron and Zeta were started . . . the cycle is now complete and ready for new beginnings . . . the cyclic nature of all things embodied in . . . ‘The Journey’; ending, but beginning, while continuing.

Good News . . . Zeta LIVES again . . . and we hope you enjoy our efforts!