A Rigel mandolin on New Years Rockin Eve?

[MikeEdgerton]

Yup, Sugarland's Kristian Bush playing a Rigel on New Years Eve in front of an audience of millions (if you include the television viewers).

[Eric Platt]

Noticed that, too. Was thinking of posting something, but never bothered.

(Sliding off topic) - a couple of years ago, my former band was playing Norsk Hostfest up in Minot, ND. We get there a little after 8 a.m. for our first set. Walking by the main hall, we hear a band practicing - it's Jennifer Nettles. They were working on intros and endings. We didn't listen too much, but it was nice to hear a big name star practicing like the rest of us.

[William Smith]

Some of those Rigels sound great, I read somewhere that Mix designed those so the top and back plates can be taken off for more graduation after they were built? Seems extensive to me but I guess if one wasn't real good after breaking in something could be easily done-Kinda? I know its a hassle and some cash to re-graduate old style Gibson's. The one Rigel my Uncle Gene plays with Diamond Rio is a real good one, well broken in and has a great feeling neck, tone, volume are awesome. I believe he's played that one since the 90's when he retired his Loar from the road. I need to ask him if they ever did any inside work on his or if she's just stock. They don't make them anymore do they?

[MikeEdgerton]

Pete Langdell is still building Rigel mandolins as far as I know.

http://www.rigelinstruments.com/

[lenf12]

Pete Langdell is still building Rigel mandolins as far as I know.

http://www.rigelinstruments.com/

That's my understanding as well. Pete L. is building again out of his shop in the garage in Jeffersonville VT. To BG78, Peter Mix did not design Rigel mandolins. They are the "brain child" of Pete Langdell. The design allows the builder to "assemble" the mandolin using clamps to hold the top on the body and play it to gain a sense of whether it needs more work to the grads and tone bars. It can be dis-assembled and adjusted any number of times before committing to gluing the top on. Once it is glued up, it's done and no further adjustments are easily performed without cutting into it. It's a simple but brilliant design. Great to see a Rigel mandolin on a nationally televised program. Happy New Year to all!!

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[Jeff Mando]

I was thinking of the musicians on Times Square in zero degree weather -- not fun for playing stringed instruments! I've done a few outdoor shows in 30-40 degree weather, but don't make a habit of it. Zero degrees -- fuggedaboutit!

[MikeZito]

I was thinking of the musicians on Times Square in zero degree weather -- not fun for playing stringed instruments! I've done a few outdoor shows in 30-40 degree weather, but don't make a habit of it. Zero degrees -- fuggedaboutit!

Forgive my ignorance, since I haven't watched 'Rockin New Year's Eve' in almost 40 years (*) . . . but are the musicians actually PLAYING on that show, or is is just another lip-synch venue?


(*) The last time I watched the show, The Village People sang a song called 'Getting Ready For The Eighties'.

[Jeff Mando]

Forgive my ignorance, since I haven't watched 'Rockin New Year's Eve' in almost 40 years (*) . . . but are the musicians actually PLAYING on that show, or is is just another lip-synch venue?


(*) The last time I watched the show, The Village People sang a song called 'Getting Ready For The Eighties'.

Hard to say, I guess a youtube review would give a better answer, but last year there was some controversy with Mariah Carey (the "headliner") having audio problems, and it was a terrible show, IMHO, and I forget what/who was blamed but to my ears it sounded like Mariah got out of sync with the background track, possibly due to bad monitors, who knows? -- but it came off like a bad high school production -- to anyone who has been on stage before. To her fans it probably just seemed like an off night. Anyway, she was hoping to redeem herself -- the reason for her being on Times Square two years in a row. Last night, it looked like her piano player was freezing and dressed for warmth, not style.....

As far as the other acts, who knows?

[MikeEdgerton]

The Sugarland folks were plugged in.

[lenf12]

The Sugarland folks were plugged in.

How did they sound? I haven't heard the show...Will a video be available?

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[allenhopkins]

How did they sound? I haven't heard the show...Will a video be available?...

Just up:

[Ted Eschliman]

Last I talked to Kristian he was playing far more guitar than mando, but when he did he was a huge fan of Rigel’s plug-in prowess. Good to see him playing it again.

[MikeEdgerton]

A non-mandolin friend on Facebook that's a Sugarland fan just posted this image on my feed.

[Bill Kammerzell]

Pete Langdell is still building Rigel mandolins as far as I know.

http://www.rigelinstruments.com/

Just bought one. An A+ Deluxe. Used. Excellent condition. Great price. Got the feeling it is from around 2005 or so, from an old thread I located. Seller said it was a 2005 build. Contacted the builder with a couple of emails and a call but no response just yet. I'll give it some time. Not like it's pressing.

[Dave Greenspoon]

Just bought one. An A+ Deluxe. Used. Excellent condition. Great price. Got the feeling it is from around 2005 or so, from an old thread I located. Seller said it was a 2005 build. Contacted the builder with a couple of emails and a call but no response just yet. I'll give it some time. Not like it's pressing.

Care to share serial number and shop location identified on the label?

[Bill Kammerzell]

Care to share serial number and shop location identified on the label?

Sure. 2438 in Cambridge Vermont.