An Opportunity that is Too Good to Ignore
Here is a great opportunity for you if you have been dragging your feet on commissioning a violoncello da spalla from a top luthier based in the US. That would be Southeastern US if you want to be specific; Northeast Georgia to be even more specific. I have established a great reputation as a maker of "unusual" instruments such as octave violins and modern travel violins and violas, but especially unique Baroque period instruments such as violas d'amore, pochettes, baroque violins and violoncellos da spalla.
If you have followed any of my social media, you know that I have made more violoncellos da spalla than most luthiers; 20 to be exact. My “spallas” are played by some of the preeminent players in the world, including Andrew Gonzalez and William Hurd, as well other professional musicians who play it as secondary instrument. Many highly-accomplished amateurs as well.
Videos of my instruments being played are plentiful and easy to find on the web. You can see many of these in one place if you are interested, as well as several image galleries. You can see my instruments with a wide variety of varnish treatments and some of the possibilities for real Baroque fingerboards and tailpieces; from plain to ornamented.
You can also see and hear my instruments being played (and discussed) in a recent episode of the podcast (the YouTube version), ‘Cool Instruments for Hep Cats’, and an upcoming episode as well.
All I do is design and make fine string instruments, including my violoncellos da spalla. I play several instruments occasionally, but my true passion is creating the instruments. Besides eating and sleeping, about the only other things I do are writing articles and producing the ‘Cool instruments for Hep Cats’ podcast. I will be happy to put you in touch with my clients--of course, only folks who have agreed to do that.
Your Opportunity
I NEED to have a violoncello da spalla commission by the end of the month (June 2023). Yeah, like in the next 24 hours! Two commissions would be better. I will be happy to explain why to anyone who contacts me AND is serious about the possibility of buying one. I said "possibility", so no obligation, implied or otherwise.
The good news for you is that I am open to negotiating on price. If you have been thinking about acquiring a new violoncello da spalla, you pretty much know what they cost. Also, I have one that is more than half-finished, so the wait time will be far shorter. That one is a Standard Plus Model.
This is a Win-Win
You get the instrument that you have been dreaming about and I get to “save the ranch” (more literally than you may think), so to speak. If the goal is NOT met, be on the lookout for my "GoFundMe" campaign next week.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Don Rickert on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/donrickert. This link gets you to ALL of my detailed contact information, my websites and social media.
Email: [email protected]
Phone (in US): 706-896-0909 or 706-400-1481 (mobile)
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