Is It Finally Time For a Master-Built Violoncello da Spalla?

This is an update to a article that originally appeared several months ago (Spring 2023).

• See New Violoncello da Spalla Builds Underway: Now Might Be the Time

If you wish to discuss anything covered in this article, see Don Rickert on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/donrickert. This link gets you to ALL of my detailed contact information, my websites and social media.

New Content

Since I started making Violoncellos da Spalla in 2017, I have made 20 or so. My violoncellos da spalla are highly-regarded and are played by some of the preeminent musicians performing on the instrument today. Many committed amateurs as well. Contrary to any reasonable predictions, the COVID-19 lockdown period was very busy for us with respect to violoncellos da spalla. Post-pandemic, I am busier making other instruments, such as mezzo violins, octave mandolins, travel violins and violas. I am keen to resume making 6 to 8 violoncellos da spalla a year. That is what marketing is for. Yes, this is marketing!

Keeping the above in mind, I am convinced that will be in a slow period for makers of high-end musical instruments, violoncellos da spalla included, for a good while. I estimate that, of the population of enthusiasts who think that they want a violoncello da spalla, maybe 2% are actually willing to spend the money to have one made. If you are one of those 2%, I would love to discuss. For the rest, I think that I may have two solutions:

• Detailed plans and building instructions for creating a professional level violoncello da spalla from an unfinished (i.e. "in the white") large deep-ribbed 5-string viola generally available on eBay for about $800.
• Violoncello da spalla kits that will sell for less than $2,000.

I will be posting about the plans, instructional materials and kits very soon. In the meantime, if you are ready to consider a new violoncello da spalla, read on!

I still have a new Violoncello da Spalla standard model underway.

I still  have a Violoncello da Spalla (Standard Model) in progress that is more than one-half completed. The Standard Model is less expensive than the Standard Plus Model. I have not done any more work on it since the original version of this article was published, as I have fortunately been quite busy completing two of my Ranger IV Travel Violins, a Ranger IV Travel Viola and an octave violin tuned 'Tertis pattern' mezzo violin.

You will want to visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop (See links below) to see the differences between the two models. Both are professional level instruments.

• Violoncello da Spalla Standard Model
• Violoncello da Spalla Standard Plus Model

Learn more about Violoncellos da Spalla, including the ones we make here in our Hiawassee, Georgia (USA) workshop.

If you are reading this, you probably already know a bit about what a Violoncello da Spalla is, the history of its development in the 17^th and 18^th Centuries, and its rediscovery in the early 21^st Century.

If you do wish to learn or simply refresh your memory on this unique and versatile instrument, visit the following links:

• Violoncellos da Spalla by Donald Rickert
• Demonstrations of Violoncellos da Spalla by Don Rickert
• Violoncello da Spalla Standard Model by D. Rickert
• NEW Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert (Standard Plus Model)
• Violoncello da Spalla in Old-Time Music: A Match Made in Heaven
• Happy New Year 2022! Looking for a World-Class Violoncello da Spalla?

Learn more about other really cool tenor and baritone range violin family instruments

If you visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop website [www.DonRickertMusicianShop.com], you can also learn about other tenor range violin family instruments, such as our octave violins and tenor-tuned (octave lower than a violin) violas. Tenor-tuned violas are also sometimes called octave mezzo violins. Violoncellos da spalla, octave violins and tenor violas are all sought by violinists, fiddlers and violists seeking to explore the cello range on much smaller instruments. Our 5-string mezzo violins will be interesting as well to players wanting to explore the lower frequency ranges.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

If you are interested in finding out more about this instrument in progress, I am keen to discuss. I will be starting yet another very soon as well. That one can be either a Standard or a Standard Plus model.

• Phone: 706-896-0909 (landline)
• 706-400-1481 (mobile or text)
• Email: [email protected]

Get it FAST!

Because it is more than half-finished, this lovely instrument can be in your hands this Summer (yes, 2023 😊).

Also, if you know anything about the custom lutherie business, you will appreciate the desire to keep the schedule of instrument builds as full as possible. In other words, I am motivated to work with prospective customers on price, for the instrument as well as a custom case.

Listen to and/or watch our new podcast / YouTube show, “Cool Instruments for Hep Cats”.

Our new podcast, “Cool Instruments for Hep Cats”, went live on March 28^th 2023 already has two episodes specifically on the Violoncello da Spalla. Several more episodes on the Violoncello da Spalla and other 5- course cellos will be appearing soon.

To learn more about “Cool Instruments for Hep Cats”, click here.

You can listen to the audio podcast of Episodes 1-3 on Spotify, with other distribution platforms to follow soon. Click here to listen.

The video version of “Cool Instruments for Hep Cats” is now available for Episodes 2 and 3 (Each in 5 segments). Episode 4 will be posted in the next few days.

• Spotify (audio version): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cool-instruments-hep-cats
• YouTube (video version, in 5 parts): https://www.youtube.com/@Cool_Instruments_for_Hep_Cats/podcasts