New Rigel

[folkofthewood]

Check this mandolin out we just got from Rigel.



http://www.folkofthewood.com/page5385.htm

[Yellowmandolin]

I'm not sure I like it too much. The abalone is kind of weird looking on the top. I guess if it sounds good and the playability is up to Rigel standards then OK, it's just not for me.

[mad dawg]

Interesting idea. I kind of like the natural finish, but the ring of abalone around the top is eerily reminiscent of a banjo.

[Lee]

Very pretty wood grain but I must also say the round abalone around the top gives the appearence of a b*njo.

[Professor PT]

Maybe it's for banjo players who are "in the closet"? Perhaps they can test the waters by playing a mando that looks like a banjo?

[mandoJeremy]

I don't like the round abalone inlay on the top either. It's just weird looking.

[RBM]

It comes in way behind the blue, the green, the Killer Bee and my personal favorite the wine red.

[mandofiddle]

I'm not a big fan of overusing abalone like that. My opinion of course. I have seen it done like that on the Martin D16s, as a rosette around just the soundhole, which looked nice. If it had been around the entire instrument I would have thought the same thing though about it being too much. On the Rigel, it might look niker if it followed the contour of the mandolin's front as opposed to the circle...

[mrmando]

Well, it covers the seam where the top is laid into the "bowl" created by the back and sides. Every Rigel has a line there, but it's usually under the finish. Because this one has a natural finish, there's no way to hide the line -- so instead, Pete decided to decorate it.

Not sure it's my cup of tea either, but it is very distinctive. Someone'll snap it up.

[mandolooter]

It's funny looking to me but Rigels aren't my cup of tea anyway's so my opinion shouldn't count...so why am I http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif?

[John Flynn]

Well, I like it, a lot!!! Great choice for a truly unique mandolin. I think the way they have done the inlay, it really shows off the Rigel's unique design and construction, rather than hiding it like the sunburst finish does. Kind of "form celebrating function." Play it proudly.

[GBG]

The top looks like a banjo with f holes, and it shines like a diamond in a goat's a**.

[Tom C]

Ah..... I'll wait for it to come out on video.

[JGWoods]

Maybe it's for banjo players who are "in the closet"? #Perhaps they can test the waters by playing a mando that looks like a banjo?
Hey! I'm a banjo player and I ain't in no closet- I might go in there but the neck on the banjo is long and I can't turn around. How would I get out?

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

jgwoods

[JeffS]

That Rigel ain't no part of nothin.

[mandoJeremy]

Agreed!!!!! Even if it was I wouldn't buy it based on the reviews the Cafe has seen about FOTW! Not good at all!

[PhilGE]

Jeremy, please refer to the threads you're talking about if you're going to start something up. I can't recall anything about FOTW that was negative in anything like the recent past. Please give specific, factual information.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

-Phil

[mandobsessed]

That was too much abalone to see first thing in the morning.

[mandoJeremy]

Here you go PhilGE.

First (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=16050)

Second (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=16225;hl=fotw)

[mandoJeremy]

Read on down on This One. (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=12;t=14778;hl=fotw)

Just a few for you. If you want more then do a search.

[recklessmando]

Thanks Jeremy! I knew you were right. I went off to find the links for Phil and by the time I got back you had it done. Too many friends who's opinions we trust have had very bad experiences dealing with FOTW. I wouldn't go anywhere near them either. Just my $.02.

[Andrew Reckhart]

Every time I just start to think that I'm gainig more admiration for Rigel they do something like this. They just pushed the envelope too far with this one. At least for my taste.

[PhilGE]

Jeremy, thanks for posting that material. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I think that might help folks like me who don't know or recall that history. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

-Phil

[jmkatcher]

It's pretty icky looking to me, and I usually like Rigel instruments, even the specials. All the abalone reminds me unpleasantly of a Johnson octave I played once.

[DaveO]

Not good!

[craigtoo]

Yeah...but I bet it sounds and plays like a Rigel mmmmm...

A+'s are cool.... Rigel pushes the envelope, with respect to looks and sound, they are filling a "niche"... and that's ok by me...!

more mandos I say...!!!

craig

[mad dawg]

It comes in way behind the blue, the green, the Killer Bee and my personal favorite the wine red.
I'm with RBM -- they'll be hard pressed to beat Mandohack-blue, which is IMHO second only to that Vespa-green A+.

[delsbrother]

I like the Palomino finish myself.. Maybe on an oval-holed A+.. Kinda reminds me of a big Werther's Original. Hmm.. Got a bag of those for Trick-or-Treat right here.. How convenient!

[Walter]

Will the circle be unbroken? -I think it should be on this mandolin...

I love Rigel Mandolins, but this one is UGLY.

[ira]

i like it. unique

[JenWantstaJam]

I like it too! Regular ole sunbursts are just too regular for me

[atetone]

Well,,, ah,, geez,,, # sorry Rigel, even though I like your progressive approach to mandolins, this one just doesn't do it for me.
Just tooooo much stuff going on.
I am sure that there are people out there who will find this really appealing.
Not me though.

[Michael H Geimer]

I like it too. To me eyes, the banjo-esque stylings seem intentional. Kudos once again to Rigel for another original design.

Now I read those past threads when they were alive, and I've also had my own dealings with FOTW. I'll just say the information is out there. But right now FOTW has done something nice for us all by sharing their photos and generally making us aware of a unique mandolin worthy of discussion.

Let's not go 'blaming the messenger' today. Thanks FOTW.

- Benig

[steve V. johnson]

jmkatcher sez: All the abalone reminds me unpleasantly of a Johnson octave I played once.

LOL!!! I had one of those Johnsons once... a gift. Fortunately the giver didn't mind when I sold it. Ewwww...

This Rigel would be really cool, but for the abalone.

stv

[Bob DeVellis]

Well, I admire Rigel's willingness to take chances on cosmetics while retaining their fundamental, and successful, acoustical designs. I didn't like the looks of any of the Rigels when I first saw them but they've grown on me and I like them a lot now. I remember thinking the stretched-out scroll on a Monteleone looked horrible the first time I saw it and that a K-shaped Breedlove looked like a toy. Now, both of those look not only normal but quite attractive. This Rigel is definitely unusual but it might actually be something that would look better and better with increasing exposure. Not for everyone, for sure, but I still admire their guts and creativity.

[Lee]

"When they were good, they were very very good, but when they were bad they were horrid"
I bought my Phoenix from FOTW and got the very very good treatment. I'm glad to see them (whoever you are) posting here, and I'm glad to see they've updated the website. Bravo!
Now, about that Rigel...

[Doc]

Don't wanna hijack the thread, but FOTW actually talked me out of a Phoenix and into a tobacco sunburst A+!

I like the futuristic seasick green model, but this one's purtee uglee to mee.

Doc

[Lee]

There's a considerable price difference between the two. After I bought their used Phoenix the listing remained posted on their site for the best part of a year. Maybe the Phoenix you were considering wasn't really in stock...

[MandoPup]

I like this mandolin a lot. For the past several weeks I've entertained the idea of buying it. If I can get the cash together, I'll get it. Here in North Carolina bluegrass country I think I'd make a real splash with this mandolin.