Rigel's neck

[gdae85]

To be honest, I have never had the chance to play a Rigel. But based on advise and other sources, I am pretty sure that is going to be my next mandolin.
Nevertheless, I have heard that Rigel makes huge necks. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? By this I mean, does the size of the neck make it more playable and confortable? Or is it the opposite?

Thanks

[John Flynn]

Rigel has two neck profiles. They have an optional "Loar" profile that I am told is more traditional. Thier regular profile apprears at first glance to be half-round, but in truth, it is tapered a bit to a "half oval." I like it. It is the thing I like most about my Rigel. Between that neck profile and the compound radius fretboard, I can play more stuff, more confidently, than on any other mando neck. I don't think it's perfect. I wish it were not so heavily finished and that the "half-oval" were tapered just a bit more. But it is one of the best I have played for my tastes.

Some players like thick necks, some like thin. It is neither good or bad, just preference. I read an interview with Tim O'Brien where he describes the neck on his early Nugget as being "fat as a baseball bat."

[JGWoods]

My G-110 is somewhat V necked, very nice, a great player. I played an A natural and the neck was quite round/ half round anyway. Neither was slim, nor huge, both played well; I prefer the V as it gives the side of my thumb a better purchase.

best
gw

[jmkatcher]

My G-110 has the thicker neck and honestly it's the only thing about the instrument I don't like. The neck feels a bit clumsier than other mandolins I've played, but it sounds so gorgeous that I pretty much grin and bear it. I need to emphasize that it's the thickness, not the profile that I object to. If anything were to happen to it, I would certainly replace it with another G-110, though.

[RobP]

I have an A+ deluxe with the bigger, rounder neck. Love it!

Rob

[Peakbagr]

I liked the large Rigel neck enough to ask Hans Brentrup to copy it for my new mandolin.

[amowry]

I remember Peter Mix telling me that he likes large necks, so he may be the source for those bigger profiles.

[tiltman]

I haven't played a Rigel but my experience may help some.
I had a Gibson with a roundish neck and when I traded up I got a Gibson with a V-shaped neck. It was a great mandolin, sounded strong and I really liked playing it. However, if I played it for long periods of time it became really uncomfortable to me.
If you can play a Rigel for a while (not just a few minutes in the store) and see if you like the way it feels that would be the most important thing to do. How someone else feels about the neck is kind of irrelevant - they sell lots of Gibsons and Rigels so somebody must like those necks!

[JD Cowles]

i had (sold it regretably) an older a+ and loved the radiused fretboard and fatter neck. i agree on the finish tho, and if i ordered a new one, i'd have them leave it off the neck. i eventually had it removed and it was great.
jd

[64lusso]

I bought a Jethro a few months ago and I guess it's the half-round neck that is mentioned about, it certainly isn't large but it is the easyest to play mandolin I have ever owned, I am sure the fingerboard profile as well as the neck shape have a lot to do with that.

[Dave Caulkins]

Personally, I find the Rigel neck/radiused fretboard to be very comfortable. One of the first things I evaluate on an instrument is the feel and playability; Rigel delivers.

Unfortunately, this has made me a Rigel junkie... I want a Jethro bad... real bad...

Argh... MAS attack!

Dave

Actually...Rigel offers several neck profiles. The Loar profile is 1 1/8" @ the nut. The standard profile 1 3/16" @ the nut that was seen on the A Nats & most A+ Deluxes, and a slight V profile 1 3/16" @ the nut available upon request. Most the A+ Premium models have this profile.

[gdae85]

If you can play a Rigel for a while (not just a few minutes in the store) and see if you like the way it feels that would be the most important thing to do. How someone else feels about the neck is kind of irrelevant
I live in South Florida ... I dont have access to mandolins in music stores. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[Steve S.]

I play an a+ deluxe and find the neck absolutely incredible. Generally I do not care for rounded necks and refer to them as "pig necks." There's something about the proportionality of the rigel neck that makes it amazingly playable.

[Brad Weiss]

Thanks Dale for that 1 3/16 vs 1 1/8 insight! Now I see why that A Natural felt so big, yet REALLY comfortable. It's not just the neck profile, its the neck in conjunction with the radius that makes the oval neck work for me (not that I have one yet, but I'm itching to...)