The design of the Rigel mandolin is one of the most original in the fretted instrument industry. It is the “stressless” mandolin – the one that’s fun to hold and play over hours of performance or practice time. This silken and inviting instrument comes with its own factory installed pickup; the tailpin doubles as a phone jack. One may note, upon careful inspection that its carved spruce top “drops into” a circle (and in this instance one can see the outline of the circle against the light when viewed at an angle) that the builder designed in a most proprietary manner.