Some advice from you pros.

**Bill Clements** · Jan-28-2012, 10:53am

I just sold my Eastman in the Classifieds, and have been talking with Pete Langdell of Rigel about building a custom mandolin. The instrument will take about 3-4 months to construct, and I wonder if I should pick up a Kentucky 150 in the meantime so I can have something to practice on. I was thinking I could always sell the Kentucky when the custom instrument is completed.

Your thoughts?

Bill

**allenhopkins** · Jan-28-2012, 12:38pm

Not a bad idea. The Kentucky can also be the mandolin you take camping, leave under your office desk so you can pick on your lunch hour, loan to a friend who's heard you play and thinks she'd like to try it, give to your ten-year-old to strum chords on, play when your Rigel's in the shop getting that balky tuner replaced, etc. etc.

Nice to have a back-up, and also nice to have a mandolin that you're not anxious about, when you have to leave it in the car trunk at the rest stop on the interstate. Get a gig bag at the same time.

**Chip Booth** · Jan-28-2012, 2:07pm

I agree with Allen.

**houseworker** · Jan-28-2012, 2:17pm

You'll need the Kentucky to wedge your broken door.

**Jim** · Jan-28-2012, 3:39pm

I think a Kentucky to get you through the 3 or 4 months that sometimes turns into longer is a good Idea. I know I'd need a fix of mandolin playing way sooner than that. I'd get a used instrument so the initial price would be lower and you could probably get closer to your purchase price on your resale if you choose to. In my case I probably keep it for a travel, beater, lender. Not sure I'd limit myself to only a Kentucky but if your already looking at one or you just like them in the price range there's nothing wrong with that.

**Bill Clements** · Feb-18-2012, 4:45pm

I bought a new Kentucky KM-172 from Elderly yesterday and had them put Thomastik-Infeld light gauge strings on it. Thanks for the advice everyone, and I'm back in business until the Rigel Lyon & Healy Model A is done.

**Jesse Harmon** · Feb-18-2012, 5:31pm

Hope you get some pictures posted on that new build.

**McGruff** · Feb-18-2012, 5:52pm

Originally Posted by MandoWill

I just sold my Eastman in the Classifieds, and have been talking with Pete Langdell of Rigel about building a custom mandolin. The instrument will take about 3-4 months to construct, and I wonder if I should pick up a Kentucky 150 in the meantime so I can have something to practice on. I was thinking I could always sell the Kentucky when the custom instrument is completed.

Your thoughts?

Bill

My thought are that in about three monthsmI'll be in the market for a used Kentucky 150.

**dang** · Feb-19-2012, 10:46pm

Wow, a Rigel Lyon & Healy Model A - I have been dreaming of one of those... Congrats!

**dcoventry** · Feb-20-2012, 12:05am

Well, as the one of the resident Rigel freaks, let me take a moment to say..........

Oh heck yeah, brother. You'll be getting a piece of mando history that will be a legacy instrument.

I have only a lowly G5, and every time I pick it up, I actually giggle. It's so much better than me, I am surpised it doesn't moan in frustration.

Pete builds the goods, for sure. Congrats.

Dave