View Full Version : My new Rigel (#2) arrived today
Pedal Steel Mike
Jun-02-2005, 4:19pm
As of about an hour ago, I am now the owner of 2 Rigel A+ deluxes. (deluxi?) The new one has an oval sound hole. Both are blue.
Of course, the old one has been played for the last 3 months and has opened up nicely, and the new one is, well, new. But I can hear that it's going to be a winner.
How lucky can one guy get? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
mad dawg
Jun-02-2005, 4:47pm
Congrats Mike -- I love those blue Rigels! Are you going to post a pic of the pair? #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
...How lucky can one guy get?
Well, you could win the Rigel contest. (But I guess you'd have to send it back for a blue finish job. #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif )
Ted Eschliman
Jun-02-2005, 7:33pm
Well, you could win the Rigel contest. (But I guess you'd have to send it back for a blue finish job.
Hey, it's been done before! (refinishing in blue...)
mad dawg
Jun-02-2005, 7:48pm
Oh yeah --that's right, isn't it? If I recall correctly, Rigel might have even named the color after that guy. (something like "mandohub blue", "banjohack blue", or something like that. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif )
Pedal Steel Mike
Jun-02-2005, 8:23pm
I've been playing the new oval hole all afternoon, and it's already starting to open up. It is louder than the F hole, which surprises me. (Might be new strings?) It is more condusive to open string chords, while the F hole is better for chopping.
People, I can't decide which one I prefer. How does one choose which one to play? This is really a problem. Don't you all feel sorry for me?
If I win the G 110 it'll be even worse. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif (If I do win the G 110. I'll trade it in on a reso. Blue of course)
Ted Eschliman
Jun-02-2005, 8:51pm
Just a hint, Mike, but ask people standing about 8 feet away which is louder, or better, have them describe the tonal difference to you.
The oval like seems louder to you (the player) because of the "accessible" nature of the opening. The F hole tends to focus the sound several feet in front of the player.
Congrats, by the way, on an excellent choice in instruments (from a very biased source).
I think it's best to have both an ff holed and an oval holed mandolin. You cover the musical bases, and it's refreshing to switch from one to the other.
dan@kins
Jun-03-2005, 9:34am
Wow~ #Would love to see a pic of the two together.
I'm still enjoying my A+ Deluxe blueberry burst darth vader fretboard Rigel. # ;)
Dan
Pedal Steel Mike
Jun-03-2005, 10:43am
I don't have any pics yet, but I will get some. It has a double white rosette that really looks good against the dark blue face.
I think the oval hole is more suited to my style of playing, but as GBG pointed out, I've got all the bases covered.
Whenever I record a mandolin track, I always double it. Now I'll use each one.
BTW, I have a mandobird on order for bar gigs. No way I'm taking either of these babies to those kind of places.
Pedal Steel Mike
Jun-04-2005, 9:20am
Last night I showed both mandolins to 3 othjer mandolin players and a guitarist, and all 4 agreed that the oval hole sounds better. The F hole might be better specifically for playing bluegrass, but I'm not a bluegrass player. The Oval hole is better suited to my style.
As much as I love the F hole, I like the oval hole even more.
I'm trying to decide whether or not to keep or sell the F hole. I'm inclined to keep it, but I'm going to wait a month or 2 before making any firm decision either way.
Jack Roberts
Jun-04-2005, 11:12am
Mike: Anybody can have money, but not anybody can have a pair of matching Rigels. Keep it.
I hope to see you again soon so I can see (and play?) your new mandolin.
Pedal Steel Mike
Jun-04-2005, 3:03pm
Streborkcaj, you are welcome to play any of my instruments next time we meet. Are you willing to try to play my pedal steel?
I should mention that these 2 mandolins were for the most part paid for by an insurance company settlment. My vintage Gibson somehow broke. The inner bracing gave way and the top collapsed. (I assume I broke it, but I honestly don't know how it happened.) The insurance company (Clarion musical instrument insurance) declared it a total loss and paid me almost enough to pay for both Rigels.
Frankly, I think the Rigels are BETTER than the Gibson was.
Walter
Jun-06-2005, 1:53pm
Mike,
I'll throw in my request for photos of these two blue-beauties together. I'd love to see them. How about it?
Pedal Steel Mike
Jun-06-2005, 9:09pm
Mike,
I'll throw in my request for photos of these two blue-beauties together. I'd love to see them. How about it?
I don't have a digital camera. I took the mandolins to somebody's house this morning and he took some pictures, but has not yet e-mailed them to me. I assume he will within the next 24 hours.
I don't know how to post pictures, but once I get them, I can send them to somebody who does. Any volunteers?
So far, 7 people (besides myself) have had a chance compare the 2, and all 7 agree that the oval hole sounds better. As wonderful as the F hole is, the oval hole is even mlore wonderful.
Pedal Steel Mike
Jun-09-2005, 3:25am
I have the pictures, but I don't know how to post them. I can E-mail them if somebody else is willing to post them.
Thanks.
Ted Eschliman
Jun-09-2005, 9:23am
Happy to oblige:
Ted Eschliman
Jun-09-2005, 9:25am
Oval Bluey:
Ted Eschliman
Jun-09-2005, 9:26am
Oval from the back (nice Tone Guard, Mike):
Ted Eschliman
Jun-09-2005, 9:27am
And the F:
Ted Eschliman
Jun-09-2005, 9:28am
Same ax from the back:
Ken Sager
Jun-09-2005, 9:31am
Ok, I like that blue. More than I thought I would. I've seen a Mandohack blue Rigel in person before and after seeing them in these pix I have to say it again, I like that blue.
Now I get it, it's the clouds reflected in the top of the oval that makes it so attractive! If Rigel could put that image on a top permanently I'd stare at it more than play it. Very cool photo of a very cool instrument.
All the best,
Ken
Jack Roberts
Jun-09-2005, 12:24pm
They sure are pretty. You did well, Mike.
I'll play your pedal steel next time we meet. We need to organize a jam just to show these Rigels off!
Jack
Pedal Steel Mike
Jun-09-2005, 12:27pm
Ted, thanks for posting them.
As I said earlier, life is good. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif
Walter
Jun-09-2005, 1:25pm
Nice pair Mike.
I realy like the Blue Oval!! -Beautiful.
The blue strap is pretty cool too. Thanks for getting the photos up.
mad dawg
Jun-09-2005, 3:02pm
Thank you for the pics Mike; they are beautiful!
(And thank you Ted for getting Rigel to develop this finish in the first place. Someday I will have a blue Rigel of some sort as well. <sigh>)
Pedal Steel Mike
Jun-09-2005, 5:01pm
The blue strap is pretty cool too.
The strap is made by a company called "Blue Note." They are the most comfortable straps I've ever used. I have them on most of my intruments. They come in a wide variety of colors, so I color match the strap to the instrument as much as possible.
I buy mine at my local guitar shop. They should be available at similar stores all over the country.
CrippleCreek
Jun-09-2005, 8:36pm
WOW Ive never been a fan of Oval holes but that ones beautiful. My MM Phantom should be on order soon. Something about non-sunburst mandos sure are cool, arent they? I love those white Rigel G110s!
dan@kins
Jun-10-2005, 1:36pm
Hey Mike,
All you need to add now is a blue "Q".
Nice pics, and thanks for sharing. Love that blue finish on them Rigels!
Dan@kins.
I dunno about that blue -- makes me think of a medicine I used to take as a kid.
I am sure they sound sweet though!
Rob
Pedal Steel Mike
Jun-10-2005, 3:27pm
All you need to add now is a blue "Q".
And a blue G5, and a blue C110, and a blue reso............
Actually next acquisition is going to be an Ibanez Artcore jazz guitar, which I will convert to a mandocello. I'll get a blue one of course.
But at present, I have some other economic priorities. The MAS appeasement will have to wait a few months.
mad dawg
Jun-10-2005, 5:19pm
Mike -- do you have a blue pedal steel?
Ken Sager
Jun-10-2005, 5:32pm
If no blue pedal steel, and other economic priorities, he probably has the blues. Bad. Real bad.
Pedal Steel Mike
Jun-10-2005, 6:28pm
Quote (mad dawg @ June 10 2005, 15:19)
Mike -- do you have a blue pedal steel?
Green. I have a really good picture (a candid shot) of me playing it. But as previously stated, I don't know how to post it. Any volunteers?
I also have a white one.
The one in the picture is carved from a single piece of bird's eye maple. The white one is made out of die board, which is a high grade laminate, and is covered in formica. I discussed this on the thread about laminated woods vs solid wood.
mad dawg
Jun-11-2005, 2:45pm
Mike -- I'll be glad to post them for you if you email me the pics, but here is a pic-post how-to created by grandmainger that he posted on his own web-site that which may help take some of the mystery out of the procedure for you: http://www.grandmainger.com/picpost/
(If you still need me to post them for you, just PM me and I'll be glad to help.)
CrippleCreek
Jun-11-2005, 11:56pm
Here's a blue five string for ya! http://folkofthewood.com/page4688.htm
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/JCGushman/deercalicoblueroan.jpg
mad dawg
Jun-13-2005, 11:21am
Mike playing his namesake instrument...
Pedal Steel Mike
Jun-13-2005, 2:32pm
Thanks for posting the picture M.D.
Note the milk white steel bar I'm using. It's made out of zirconia, and is considered by many to be the best steel bar ever made. The 2 guys that made them lost the use of the facility they used after only one initial run of about 200 of them, so they are quite rare and highly sought after. They glide across the strings with no friction whatsoever, and produce a cleaner sound whereby each indiviual note is more clearly articulated. My wife, who is not a musician, says she can tell when I'm using it instead of a regular stainless steel bar.
I think this picture is one more example of how God made only a few perfect heads and put hair in the rest to cover up his mistakes. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif