View Full Version : Blue Rigel A Natural
johnmp
Jan-23-2004, 5:47pm
I just played a blue Rigel A Natural at Broughton Music In Northville, Michigan. What a sweet color and finish. I had my A+ deluxe with me for a lesson and played a few duets with the owner of the store. Can't say there was much difference between the two in the sound/tone; the A Nat sounded great. Does anyone know how many of the blue ones are out there?
I only know of 2 A+ Deluxes......so that oughta give you some idea.....very few!
mad dawg
Jan-25-2004, 10:44pm
Just out of curiosity, how much was Broughton asking for the Blue A-Natural?
Ted Eschliman
Jan-26-2004, 9:04am
No one was more excited at NAMM than me when Rigel displayed a whole slew of "blues." I'll take a little credit for helping them break the "color barrier" when I sent my CT-110 last August for its new blue skin. (Peter can correct me, but I think it was the first.)
I don't think this will necessarily be a permanent color for them, but they are capable of just about an color you'd want as an option.
Rigel is about innovation, taking Mandolin design into the 21st century. In my own (never to be humble) opinion, for the rest of the mandolin industry to obsess on a century-old model never made sense. I applaud Rigel's "dare to be different" charter, and after seeing thousands of tobaccoburst F5 wannabes (yeah, still the best selling finish), I think this color reflects their appropriate place in history.
Tastefully different.
...mmmmmmm mandohack blue ....ahhhhhhhhhh
johnmp
Jan-26-2004, 2:22pm
Mad Dawg.......Laurie (the owner of the shop) told me but I've forgotten what she said (you see, I'm over 50). But here's the phone number: 248-374-1920.
mad dawg
Jan-27-2004, 1:43pm
I spoke to Laurie -- she said she picked this up at NAMM, and it was on display among the blues that Ted noted above. I wish I had the spare bucks to buy it, because she is selling it for the same price she sells her regular gloss A-Naturals. If anyone is interested they should give her a call and discuss a price with her. (I forgot to ask if it came with a case or gig bag.)
It comes with a case......go to Buffalo Bros if you prefer to pay extra for the factory supplied case.... # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
JGWoods
Jan-27-2004, 3:05pm
It comes with a case......go to Buffalo Bros if you prefer to pay extra for the factory supplied case.... # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
My Rigel came with case, strap, and extra strings- skip Buffalo Brothers and go to the Longhorn Brother... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
gw
mandoJeremy
Jan-27-2004, 4:46pm
Hey MandoHack, I must say that Cremona is the most popular and not Tobaccoburst. There is a difference. I don't think Gibson started the Tobacco sunburst until the 50's or 60's but I could be wrong. Actually, I want a mandolin with a forest green sunburst and I have seen an Apitius with it but it was an A and I wanted an F. Got the idea from a Fender Telecaster that Sammy Shelor played years ago before the LRB's instruments were stolen.
mad dawg
Jan-28-2004, 11:37am
Does anyone know how many of the blue ones are out there?
To answer the original question, this Blue A-Natural must be a one-of-a-kind, since it appears that Rigel still does not intend to do custom colors for A-Naturals (this particular model was made #especially for NAMM for Rigel's wall of Mandohack Blue http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif ).
mad dawg
Jan-29-2004, 6:56pm
Here is a pic of Rigel's booth at NAMM; I think the Blue A Natural in this topic is the A-style with the pick-guard, third from the left (note the absence of a fretboard extension):
Mandobar
Jan-29-2004, 9:30pm
mad dawg
if you look closely you can see the fretboard extension. i called today and they also told me that they had an r100 in blue.
does anyone know what happened to the other blue mandos from the show?
mad dawg
Jan-30-2004, 3:07pm
You are right -- hmmmm.
mrmando
Jan-30-2004, 6:35pm
All the blue Rigels save one A+ Deluxe were sold at NAMM.
I may have that blue A+ or some other new blues at Wintergrass. We shall see.
ronmaness
Feb-03-2004, 12:16pm
When I ordered a Weber Custom Aspen 2 thru Elderly, I wanted to go with something different in the way of color. My first big decision was to go with something untraditional in the first place; that decision having been made, I then had an easier decision between teal and faded denim. I more or less left myself in Paula's hands between the two. We eventually went with the faded denim, and I am really glad I made the "bold" move. When it arrived I knew I had done the right thing. Here is a picture taken by Weber of my Aspen just before it was shipped. http://www.soundtoearth.com/inst_cust_ma_denimaspen.htm
So as regards getting the blue Rigel, I would say go for it. I think it is striking in appearance.
JMUSIC
Feb-04-2004, 10:18am
I only know of 2 A+ Deluxes......so that oughta give you some idea.....very few!
And I have one of the A+...thank you Dale! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Mandobar
Feb-04-2004, 7:14pm
i couldn't stand it. i called the store and gave them a deposit. should be here sometime next week.
MAS in remission right now........phew!
mad dawg
Feb-05-2004, 12:18am
Mandobar -- Dagnabit, I was thinking of doing the same thing! (But I guess you saved me from getting in trouble with my wife.)
Congrats!
Mandobar
Feb-10-2004, 2:10pm
the blue a natural arrived this morning. it's taken some time for it to warm up, but it was really worth the wait.
it has the fretboard extension (scooped) and gold tailpiece and tuners. the finish is flawless. sounds great. i could not be happier.
i will post some pics later on.
Mandobar... did you have an option for an ebony bridge on your A Nat? Or was it just rosewood, period?
I'm trying to decide if i actually like the 'florida' or not...
Mandobar
Feb-11-2004, 6:25am
this is one of the mandos from namm 2004. i believe that is why it has the fretboard extension and the upgraded hardware. generally namm show instruments are spiffed up a bit. it also has a gloss finish.
this was a real find.
although i think the bridge is rosewood. i'm probably going to change it and just keep the original in the case.
mad dawg
Feb-11-2004, 12:20pm
Congrats Mandobar! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
Joe Mangio
Feb-16-2004, 5:21pm
This past weekend at the Joe Val BG Festival in Framingham MA,I asked the sales rep from Rigel if the blue finished mandos will be a continious line. I was told that 7 were made and the two on the table were the last of the lot but I could special order. I beleive they were A+ models. I was also told the A Natural now comes in tobacco sunburst as a standard color, and if I bought at the show he would give me 20% off retail; big deal! I can also say that they sure did sound sweet.
Mandobar
Feb-16-2004, 5:28pm
i believe that 20% off is the standard markdown.
Joe Mangio
Feb-16-2004, 8:16pm
Thanks for the input Mandobad, I thought they should bend a little more, bring demos at a show in all. Oh well live and learn, Best of luck and happy picking.
mad dawg
Feb-17-2004, 11:35am
Mandobar -- now that you've had it for a week or so, are you still in love or would you think about selling it? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Mandobar
Feb-17-2004, 11:42am
mad dawg
i went to maple leaf music over the weekend and i played an A natural there. the tuners were plastic buttons, the tailpiece was nickel, it did not have the fretboard extension........sorry, but i don't think i'll ever sell this one.
mad dawg
Feb-17-2004, 3:49pm
Yeah -- you've got a one-of-a-kind in many ways there. Congrats again, and have fun with it! (And I'm glad someone from the boards here got it. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif )
Mandobar
Feb-22-2004, 6:40pm
mad dawg,
i believe there is one blue A+ deluxe roaming around for sale. or at least there was a week or so ago.
JMUSIC
Feb-23-2004, 12:04pm
BTW I could probably be coaxed out of mine, very nice quilt back, lots of volume. Everything is for sale. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
mad dawg
Feb-23-2004, 12:34pm
JMUSIC: if you can wait until later in the year -- perhaps around my birthday in late October, when my wife is more inclined to be an enabler of MAS -- I very well may be interested! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
PCypert
Mar-22-2004, 12:00pm
Hey,
If you guys are still interested in this there's one on ebay currently. No interest myself. Like the finish on the other models but not really on the A.
Paul
Mandobar
Mar-22-2004, 10:56pm
that is jmusic's A+ deluxe which he got from dale cater. i don't think this mando is from the namm show though.
Coy Wylie
Mar-22-2004, 11:23pm
bluemando (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3712644991&category=10179)
Nope, I had it built & John traded me out of it.... has diamond fretmarkers BTW. I never understood why I had it so long or why John still has it..... Tradition be damned, that blue is really cool!
BTW, it's never had a retail sale & the lifetime warranty is still open.
mandodude
Apr-06-2004, 11:34am
I'll take a little credit for helping them break the "color barrier"...
Ted,
Daring move on your part, with a uniquely attractive outcome, but I think whoever it was that ordered up that Seafoam Green model (remember that one?) mighta beat you across the ol' Rigel Color Barrier...
;-)
Ted Eschliman
Apr-06-2004, 12:43pm
Daring move on your part, with a uniquely attractive outcome, but I think whoever it was that ordered up that Seafoam Green model (remember that one?) mighta beat you across the ol' Rigel Color Barrier...
Yeah, you're right.
Actually, I considered the Sea Foam Green, but not only had it been already done, it would betray the gorgeous grain & flame in the wood.
However, there's a Sea Foam Green Mandocaster being crafted in my dreams...
"there's a Sea Foam Green Mandocaster being crafted in my dreams"
Dreams or NIGHTMARES?.......... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Mandobar
Apr-06-2004, 1:44pm
i'm thinking of asking them to build a pink mandola
mandodude
Apr-07-2004, 7:55am
I'll take a little credit for helping them break the "color barrier"...
...'course, we do have to give credit where credit is due... after all, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't recall Rigel ever showing an entire instrument line done up in Seafoam Green at NAMM...
Mandohack Blue... Ted, you're a legend!
*ahem*... Did I ever tell ya about the finish I almost had named after me?? #Seems that, back when I was an "endorsing artist" for their fine product, the fine folks at Hondo Mandolins had a batch of "tobaccoburst" go really gawd-awful bad on 'em... came out as a really muddy, murky-looking kinduva yuckky brownish shade... they called me up... wanted to call the "new" finish #Mandodude Shi.....
...awww, nevermind. #You folks don't wanna hear this....
;-)