Like Kermit first sang in the 70's, "It ain't easy being green." But it's certainly more interesting than being tobacco-burst. Our Hungarian friend Levy Levente is moving on to less greener pastures with his customized Rigel CT-110, and recently placed it for sale in the Mandolin Cafe Classifieds. While the professor of political sciences was teaching in the US just a few blocks from our office (he was a regular member of the JazzMando Instrument Evaluation and Research Staff), we personally followed Levy's journey when he first purchased the used Rigel in its previous incarnation, "It started its life as a tobacco sunburst G-110 in 1999. In 2006 I sent it back to Rigel's own Peter Langdale to get it set up and refinished to Emerald Green. (I always wanted an Emerald Green Rigel.) I jokingly mentioned: "that'll be it unless you can turn it into a CT". And he laughed and said he can. I have a letter from Pete somewhere explaining what he did and showing that it was him doing the work. He also put a new tailpiece and strap button on there. The old ones (included) were very worn. This is the older Rigel model so it has the strat style neckplate (also replaced). Pete said he likes these older models better as you do not have to drill through the fretboard to do neck work on it."

There was once a blue Rigel CT in the JazzMando museum that went through a similar color makeover and has since crossed the ocean for sale in the UK. These are great playing instruments and if the Emerald Green one is still for sale, it's a heckuva good deal. Levy's an okay guy, too.

Classified Ad (if it hasn't already sold): Emerald Green CT-110

Posted by Ted at February 23, 2009 6:05 AM