DESIGN A RIGEL MANDOLIN!!!
Having been inspired by past mandolin glories I have asked the two Peters at Rigel to make me the most spectacular design (finish that is not body shape/design) they can think of! Having had this idea then my mind went blank. There is a comet model waiting to be finished, it has spectacular maple on the back so no opaque finishes that side.
Your mandolin design ideas are sought, no guarantee that they will be used, we might go with one of our own designs. If we do use your idea I'm afraid there is no reward other than seeing your idea on a mandolin (and of course the opportunity to buy it). If you feel that you want some other financial reward please keep your ideas to yourself.
Mandolin News
| Weber Sweat Pea travel mandolin | Mandolin | £250 |
| Weber Hyalite | Mandolin | £995 |
| Weber Y2K6 | Mandolin | £650 |
| Weber Bitteroot | Mandolin | £1650 |
| Weber Yellowstone | Mandolin | £2395 |
| Gibson F4 1915 | Vintage Mandolin | £3195 |
| Bourgeois OMS | Vintage Guitar | £1995 |
| Martin OOO 16 | Vintage Guitar | £695 |
| Martin OM-C-16e | Vintage Guitar | £1299 |
Mandolins wise our Weber stock is building up nicely now, the Yellowstone is back, we have a very nice standard Bitteroot to replace the custom maple backed one that sold recently. A maple and cedar Bitteroot is due in August. The Hyalite gives us a US of A carved top and back mando for just under a grand! TheY2K6 is and amazingly loud and bassy folk/celtic mandolin and the Sweat Pea leaves no excuse for not taking a mandolin wherever you go. Fern, custom Bitteroot and Beartooth due in August.
The great mandolin woods experiment is on again. I have often wondered why nearly all bluegrass type mandolins have maple backs. The answer seems to be tradition plus the fact both players and makers are reluctant to invest the time and money in something that they are not sure of the outcome. I've asked Bill Bussman (Old Wave) to make the same A4 with the same spruce top with back and sides of maple, rosewood, mahogany and walnut. I did this a couple of years ago but the maple and walnut came in first and sold (very quickly) before the rosewood and mahogany arrived (both now sold). This time I have asked Bill to deliver them all together, so there's something to be looking forward to in those dark, damp and cold days in early 2007.
Guitar News
Not a lot for guitarists this time, just three used boxes. The Bourgeois OMS wont be around long, the custom slope D that was on the last download sold before the download was live. There's two Martins in for those who appreciate a famous name. An OM and OOO from David Weber that I mentioned on the last What's New(s)? should be here shortly.
Happy pickin'
Trevor.