This article announces what amounts to discontinuation of the Standard Model Violoncello da Spalla and the introduction of the Standard Model Plus. That being said, as of today 9-9-2022, there are still two Standard Models, which cost just under $10,000, available. one of these is about 2/3 complete, so there would not be too long of a wait. If you have been shopping, you know that that is a really great price. I look forward to talking to you.
-Don Rickert
If you have decided to acquire a professional level violoncello da spalla, you should pay attention to this!
Email: don@donrickertdesign.com
Phone: 706-896-0909
At the end of May 2022 we announced our Violoncello da Spalla Standard Plus Model, AND that we would be discontinuing the Standard Model.
In other words, this model has been superseded by the new Violoncello da Spalla Standard Plus Model, which costs considerably more.
This could be your lucky day! If you are still interested in this great but more affordable model, we have determined that we still have enough materials and parts to build two more. Then, that's it for the foreseeable future.
Please contact us if you wish to discuss purchasing one of these instruments.
Our email is don@DonRickertDesign.com and phone number is (706) 896-0909 or (706) 400-1481 (mobile). You can also use the "Contact" link on this page.
Effective May 30, 2022, we are offering the NEW Violoncello da Spalla Standard Plus Model. This new model supersedes its predecessor, which was called the “Standard Model”.
Learn more at the Don Rickert Musician Shop website.
Dr. Don Rickert is one of the preeminent cello da spalla makers worldwide. He is based in Hiawassee, Georgia, USA, which is located in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of North Georgia. The workshop is located literally on the border of the Nantahala Wilderness area of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Dr. Rickert and his fellow luthier, Dr. Randy Hale also designs and builds professional-level octave mandolins, Irish bouzoukis, citterns, mandolas and mandolins. See the Rickert & Hale website. Their workshops are located on adjacent ridges.
Why the New Model?
Funny you should ask. In the past few years, the violoncello da spalla market has evolved such that it has become much smaller and more discerning. The time of exuberant enthusiasm, with throngs of eager beginners, has diminished markedly, and with it the market for violoncellos costing less than $10,000. Put bluntly, the fad has faded. Even the market for well-made Chinese-made—set up in US instruments costing less than $4,000 has disappeared. I mean zero!
What is left is a cadre of highly committed professionals and advanced amateurs, who are only interested in instruments completely made by master luthiers, with NO factory-made components made by low-skilled workers. This group knows that such instruments cost a lot more—simple as that.
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