Don Rickert Musical Instruments

Fine Violoncellos da Spalla for Sale: Hiawassee, Georgia, USA

D. Rickert Musical Instruments has a model of Violoncello da Spalla for every level of commitment beyond “just curious and doing research”. Our Standard Model Violoncello da Spalla goes for just under $10K. This is the model played by some of the widely-recognized best violoncello da spalla players in the world, such as Andrew Gonzalez and Will Hurd. We also have a Deluxe Model, which costs more. Both of these are made by us in our Hiawassee, Georgia USA workshop. We also have a really nice entry-level model that this made in China and set up by us in our workshop. We also make a really cool small Petite Violoncello da Spalla. See the following product listings:

NEW Violoncello da Spalla Conservatory Model by D. Rickert

NEW Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert ($8,400 - $9,600)

Petite Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert ($6,500)

Recent videos of Andrew Gonzalez and Will Hurd

We Have a Violoncello da Spalla Model for Everybody—NEW Conservatory Model is Only $3,499!

If you wish to learn more or buy this very cool instrument, our direct phone number in the U.S. is 1-706-896-0909. Our email is don@donrickertdesign.com. You can also learn more or buy now at:

NEW Violoncello da Spalla Conservatory Model by D. Rickert 

or learn more about our top-of-the-line Standard Model, see:

NEW Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert ($8,400 - $9,600)

We look forward to hearing from you.

Over the past several years, we have built performance-level violoncellos da spalla for professional musicians. We are indeed proud of the fact that some of the preeminent violoncello da spalla players in the world play our instruments. This group includes Andrew Gonzalez and Will Hurd. At almost $10,000, the cost of our professional performance instruments (We call them the “Standard Model”), is out of reach for many, including many professionals. We also offer an “Artist Model” that starts at $16,500!—even further out of reach for all but the most committed and well-funded professionals.

If you follow us, you might have noticed that we have introduced an affordable “Conservatory Model”, which sells for only $3,499. This model is a great instrument that is made in China and set up and fine-tuned in our Hiawassee, Georgia workshop. The Conservatory Model is essentially a painstakingly executed copy of our Standard Model (the one that costs almost $10,000).

We announced the new Conservatory Model several weeks ago. See: Professional Level Violoncello da Spalla For Only $3,499!

We are taking orders NOW for the first 12 instruments. You can order via our online store (www.DonRickertMusicianShop.com) or you can call us at 706-896-0909 or email to discuss and/or finalize a purchase. To be honest, there is really not much to discuss—professional level violoncello da spalla, set up by a master U.S.-based luthier, for $3,499.

If you just want to know more about the any of our Violoncello da Spalla models, call (1-706-896-0909) or email (don@donrickertdesign.com).

Professional Level Violoncello da Spalla for only $3,499!

Introducing the Conservatory Model Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert Musical Instruments—Finally a violoncello da spalla suitable for professional performance that is affordable!

If you wish to learn more or buy this very cool instrument, our direct phone number in the U.S. is 1-706-896-0909. Our email is don@donrickertdesign.com. You can also learn more or buy now at:

NEW Violoncello da Spalla Conservatory Model by D. Rickert 

or learn more about our top-of-the-line Standard Model, see:

NEW Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert ($8,400 - $9,600)

We look forward to hearing from you.

For the past several years we have kept been busy making our Standard Violoncellos da Spalla. We are, in fact, one of the most prolific makers of these unique and very special instruments, but we are still only talking about 6 or 7 instruments a year. Let’s be honest, the violoncello da spalla “market” is a really small niche! It is true that those outside of the niche do not yet know what they are missing, but that will take some time to change.

While far less expensive than some other master-built instruments of this type, including our own much higher-priced Artist Model, at just under $10,000, our Standard Model Violoncellos da Spalla are still out of reach cost-wise for many full-time professional musicians and advanced amateurs, regardless of commitment level. We are about to change that.

After much consideration, we have decided to follow in the footsteps of some venerable U.S.-based stringed instrument brands, such as Eastman Strings (violin family), Scott Cao (violin family), and Charlie Ogle (violas da gamba), and add inexpensive violoncellos da spalla that are made in China, but set up and adjusted in our U.S.-based workshop, in Hiawassee, Georgia to be precise. Like Scott Cao, Charlie Ogle and others, we will continue to offer our higher-dollar instruments that are completely made in our U.S. workshop.

The result of our decision is our new Conservatory Model Violoncello da Spalla. The introductory base price is only $3,499! There are NO hidden up-charges. Buyers who want hand varnishing done in our U.S. workshop, special baroque replica strings and the like will pay only slightly more. Sure, you may have to sell a guitar or mandolin on Reverb.com or Elderly Instruments to make it work, but the price is doable—we know that this is true, as we have done considerable market and pricing research as part of the due diligence behind our decision to move forward with these exciting new instruments.

We are taking orders NOW for the first 12 instruments. You can order via our online store (www.DonRickertMusicianShop.com) or you can call us at 706-896-0909 or email to discuss and/or finalize a purchase. To be honest, there is really not much to discuss—professional level violoncello da spalla, set up by a master U.S.-based luthier, for $3,499. The lead time from order to delivery is currently about 30 days.

Here are some photos of an actual Conservatory Model Violoncello da Spalla.

Sound samples of our Standard Model Violoncellos da Spalla are available at Demonstrations and Photo Galleries.

 

Time-Sensitive Violoncello da Spalla Opportunity!

Attention!: The offer of a 10% discount to buyers is now expired. In the words of Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, "Time Waits for No One". The 10% commission for those who make a referral leading to an actual sale still stands, at least for now. That could mean almost $1,000 in your pocket! Call us or email us if you wish to discuss.

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

If you do not know what a violoncello is, or you are just kind of dreaming about getting one someday, this is NOT for you. Put another way, if you are not sure that you need a master-grade violoncello da spalla, you DO NOT need one! Or, if you are not that committed and you want one cheap, such as a converted fractional cello, go for it. That road is paved with failure and disappointment, made worse by wasted money and time—just saying.

If you are merely curious, you can satisfy your curiosity elsewhere, such as:

The product listing for Violoncellos da Spalla at Don Rickert Musician Shop

Demonstrations and Photo Galleries

I have not yet put you off and you are still here, read on …

Of the top makers of violoncellos da spalla, which are played by the top players, I am pretty sure that we are the last who are still making instruments for less than $10,000. We still have enough materials on hand to make one or two Standard models, which are the same instruments played by the likes of Andrew Gonzalez, William Hurd and Albert Chang (aka sleightlymusical).

Andrew Gonzalez

After those are gone, we will only be making the Artist models, which are 100% hand-made in our Hiawassee, Georgia, USA workshop. The Artist model costs A LOT MORE ($16,500+) money and already has a lengthy wait list queue, along with our new Irish Bouzoukis and Octave Mandolins, which have not even been officially announced yet.

We are holding space in our instrument build workflow so that orders for the last one or possibly two Standard Model violoncellos da spalla can be completed in 60 days or less from time of order. The regular price is $9,600, with a discounted price of $8,600 for payment up front. Any one of our fans who help us sell a violoncello da spalla will get a 10% commission. That is $960 or $860! If you buy the instrument for yourself, you will get the same 10% commission as a discount. In summary, for the last time ever, you can have a professional level violoncello da spalla for a little as $7,740.

I hope to hear from you very soon.

Fortune favors the bold (Virgil, C. 19 B.C.)

Rickert Musical Instruments Is Branching Out with Mandolin Family and Related Instruments.

Email: don@donrickertdesign.com

Phone: 706-896-0909

My name is Donald Rickert, I am a musical instrument designer, inventor, craftsman/maker, musician, luthier and Professional Industrial Designer/Design Researcher. I have been a luthier since 1970, transitioning to full-time professional luthier in 2006.

See more details about me.

About My Company, D. Rickert Musical Instruments

My company, D. Rickert Musical Instruments, formally established in 2008, is based in Hiawassee, Georgia, USA. My business partner is luthier, Dr. Randy Hale. Our new joint venture, Rickert & Hale, Luthiers, will focus on mandolin family instruments. Please check out our new website: www.RickertandHale.com.

See more details about D. Rickert Musical Instruments

Who Plays Instruments Made by D. Rickert Musical Instruments?

Since our founding in 2008, our instruments have made it into the hands of more than 250 musicians. A short list of some of the well-known musicians playing our instruments include: Alasdair Fraser, Darol Anger, Natalie Haas, Andrew Gonzalez (violoncello da spalla), William Hurd (violoncello da spalla), Kristen Rule (violoncello da spalla), Albert Chang (aka Sleightlymusical) (violoncello da spalla), Peter Walker (violoncello da spalla), Gary Payne, Aindrias de Staic, David Thames and Mary Anne Thames.

See pictures and see/hear videos of some of the instruments made by D. Rickert and played by some of the artists listed above.

Our Soon-to-Come “Big Mandolins” and Related Instruments

When I say “Big Mandolins” I am referring generally to octave mandolins, mandocellos and what are commonly referred to these days as “Irish bouzoukis”. Roger Landes points out that, in Ireland, these instruments are simply known as “bouzoukis”, just as, in Belgium, “Brussel sprouts” are simply called “sprouts” and “Belgian waffles” are called “waffles”. But I digress. As a long-time enthusiast, and occasional player (I am primarily a fiddler), of these wonderful tenor and baritone range instruments I have been iterating designs for years while gaining a reputation primarily for my bowed string instruments.

For various reasons, not the least of which is a passionate desire to expand my creative horizons as a musical instrument designer and luthier, I have decided to vigorously enter the mandolin family and related instruments arena. Because my passion is especially strong with respect to the larger and lower pitched mandolin family and related instruments, the initial offerings will be a more or less traditional Irish bouzouki, and several models of octave mandolins. As you may have guessed, I have zero interest in selling-factory made economy instruments to which my name is affixed. My love lies in making exquisite things. So, my new mandolin family instruments will not be cheap, although not so high-priced as to be in the “If you need to ask the price, you can’t afford it” category, at least not in the short term. Put another way, our target audience is comprised of professionals and seriously-committed amateurs with the necessary resources to acquire the very best instruments.

After carrying out a market assessment, I mean actual formal market research, including, surveys, depth interviews, conjoint analysis (i.e., features and pricing analysis), etc., I have concluded that there is a very healthy market for high-end luthier-built octave mandolins, citterns and bouzoukis. If you are interested in the results of a recent survey, click here.

To be sure, mandolin family instruments have become a mainstay of a large number of many popular musical genres, including Celtic, Bluegrass, old-time, folk, Americana, New Age, rock and jazz. With a longstanding large Irish Bouzouki fan base, and the emergence of superstar octave mandolin players, such as Sierra Hull, Tim O’Brien and Molly Tuttle, the market for these larger mandolin family instruments is quite promising. In summary, custom fretted stringed instruments, such as octave mandolins and bouzoukis, have a much larger fan base than niche violin family instruments.

As with the bowed string instruments I have been making for years, I intend to make instruments that will appreciate in value. At least with the higher-priced instruments, which are described below, I plan to embed microchips into the instruments that are digitally linked to NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) existing on a crypto block chain (e.g., Ethereum). The purpose is to establish provenance with absolute certainty. This relates to the goal of having my new instruments appreciate in value rather than end up in pawn shops or eBay.

Our Planned Initial Offerings in the Mandolin Family Space

Several CAD sketches appear below. Actual photos and sound samples will be available maybe in April 2022.

Irish Bouzouki

Flat Top Bouzouki, available in both short (22”) and long (25.5”) scale versions, 4 or 5 courses. These instruments will have what has become the expected traditional “onion” or “teardrop” shape, inspired by the pioneers of the Irish bouzouki form, including Peter Abnett, Stefan Sobell, Joe Foley and Graham McDonald. Introductory price: $2,500 to $3,700, depending on features such as tone woods, neck binding, ornate purfling, fancy inlay, fittings, etc.

We are still trying to figure out exactly how to profitably make the instrument in this price range, that is, without sacrificing build, material and fitting (e.g., tuners) quality, and 100% made in our North Georgia USA workshop (i.e., NOT even partially built in Asia or Eastern Europe). Employing fairly-paid local apprentice help and/or even use of limited CNC machining are currently on the table. In any case, the first articles will be a bargain, as they will be made completely me or my new business partner, Randy Hale, in our Hiawassee, Georgia (USA) workshops, which are located literally 1/3 mile from each other.

Archtop Octave Mandolin/Cittern Based on an Archtop Guitar plan, Deluxe Model

This high-end Archtop Octave Mandolin (4 courses) is also available in a 5-course configuration, which is often called a cittern (5 courses). It has a fully carved top and back. The top is Sitka or Engelmann spruce; back and sides, flamed bigleaf American maple; neck, three-piece hard maple, also known as sugar maple. Its body plan is unapologetically inspired by the legendary archtop guitars of Robert Benedetto and seen in other high-end instruments such as the Gibson OM-5C octave mandolin, as well as Nugget, Duff, Heiden, and Dudenbostel, etc.; however, our Octave Mandolin/Cittern will cost far less than any of those mentioned.

This instrument will be available in either a 21” or 23” scale length. We are aiming for an introductory price ranging from $6,500 to $8,500, depending on features (e.g., cutaway). You can anticipate that price will increase once its reputation is firmly established.

Custom Artist Models

These will be very high-end archtop instruments, available in an octave mandolin (4 courses), Irish bouzouki (4 courses) or cittern (5 courses) configurations, set to sell initially in the $9,000 to $12,000 range.

Like the deluxe model, the default top is Sitka or Engleman spruce; back and sides, flamed bigleaf American maple; neck, three-piece hard maple, also known as sugar maple. Other tone woods will be available per buyer preference.

Octave mandolin and cittern versions, available with 21” or 23” scale length. Irish bouzouki, 25.5” scale length.

Availability

The instruments will be available for commission very soon. Just have to finalize the CAD design work, make the molds, jigs and fixtures. We will announce availability by March 2022. We plan to eventually make enough of the bouzoukis to have a stock of ready-to-ship instruments. The first articles, however, will be custom builds associated with specific commissions.

Email: don@donrickertdesign.com

Phone: 706-896-0909

Results of Recent Survey: Big Mandolin/Irish Bouzouki Attribute Preferences

Call Us: 1-706-896-0909      Email: don@donrickertdesign.com

Introduction

Several months ago, a number of volunteers from the Facebook “The Irish Bouzouki” and “Octave Mandolin” groups kindly completed a survey about Big Mandolin/Irish Bouzouki Attribute Preferences. The survey also queried participants about pricing preferences and tolerances. Volunteers were also solicited from my own Facebook business page, D. Rickert Musical Instruments (aka DonRickertMusicianShop) as well as my personal Facebook page, Donald Rickert (aka Donald.rickert1).

I wish to once again thank everyone who participated. Our new company, Rickert & Hale's initial offerings in the octave mandolin/cittern/Irish bouzouki space will take the findings summarized below into serious consideration, combined with other research we have conducted. Rickert & Hale is a joint venture with fellow luthier Dr. Jesse Hale specifically to produce mandolin family instruments, with an initial focus on octave mandolins, citterns and Irish bouzoukis. Check out our new website: www.RickertandHale.com.

As promised, here are the key insights derived from the survey responses. A companion report in PDF format containing top line summary statistics and graphs is available for download. Additional advanced analyses of the textual responses related to attribute preference data are not included here; however, it is easy to see what is going on by reading the summary statistical report. I assume that most people are interested in the interpretation of the raw data, which are summarized below.

Click here to Download Report (PDF).

Top Line Insights

One must interpret the results with caution, as more than half of the respondents are members of the Irish Bouzouki Facebook group. This and other biases of an unknown nature notwithstanding, an interesting and useful picture can be drawn. Read on…

There are two fairly distinct enthusiast groups

As I am sure will no surprise, at least as measured by the survey, the large mandolin family enthusiasts are not a monolith. This is probably true, as it accords with other research I have conducted. At least among the respondents to our limited survey, it is clear that there are two surprisingly distinct groups with only a small overlap. Among our respondents, about half are in one group and the other half in the other. The first group is made up of Octave Mandolin players and second, Irish Bouzouki players.

All of the Octave Mandolin players and about half of the Irish Bouzouki players are also mandolin owners or prospective owners. A smaller but not insignificant number of both the Octave Mandolin and Irish Bouzouki players’ groups also play or plan to acquire a tenor guitar, tenor banjo or mandocello. Surprisingly, very few of either group express interest in mandolas or citterns. I, for one, find the lack of expressed interest in citterns as surprising if not outright shocking.

Some similarities in attribute preferences between the two groups

There are a number similarities between the Octave Mandolin and Irish Bouzouki groups with respect to attribute preferences and, to a lesser extent, what they are willing to pay for an instrument.

High preference for either a teardrop or onion shape.

There is a high preference for these two similar shapes, regardless of sub-group membership.

Surprising level of active dislike for Flatiron style instruments across both groups.

Nothing more to be said about this except that it is surprising, given that Flatiron 3K and 3M Octaves Mandolins are quite sought after. The last Weber 3K I had in my shop sold in less than a day for just under $4,000.

Many Irish bouzouki players dislike F-type instruments

This is not that surprising, as the F-type is very much associated with the mandolin world, especially Bluegrass artists.

On average, respondents have expectations with respect to cost that diverge from those of many luthiers.

It appears that most respondents are looking for a purchase price in line with factory-made Asian instruments, which are rebranded as Trinity College, Gold Tone, Fender and the like, or simply sold outright as Asian-made instruments on eBay.

The octave mandolin group, however, had a small number of respondents who believe that the instrument of their dreams will cost in $5K to $6K range.

No one surveyed expressed a willingness to pay $7K or more for a high-end luthier-built instrument. This, despite the fact that the real-world price for a luthier-built octave mandolin can easily exceed $10,000, with some selling for more than $20,000!

Both groups are willing to compromise sound and build quality for low cost.

Respondents are more willing to compromise with respect to fit and finish (e.g., setup, fret work, etc.). Presumably this is because people believe that a lot of workmanship issues, cheap tuning machines and such can be fixed post purchase. This is probably true; however, the cost of fixing a poor fret job and replacing the tuners can easily exceed the initial cost of a low-end instrument.

Archtop instruments, with the exception of the round-holed A-type, are generally only appealing to some octave mandolin players and enthusiasts.

In general, across both the octave mandolin and bouzouki groups, archtop instruments of any shape are not preferred. There are, however, serious fans of the guitar shape among octave mandolinists.

Interestingly, f-type instruments are actively disliked by a surprisingly large faction

Distinct differences with respect to preferred scale length for an octave mandolin range instrument.

Octave mandolin group: average just over 21” – Range: 21”-23”

Bouzouki group: average about 25” - Range: 21-27

Interesting note:

Players who prefer scale lengths longer than 24” almost always capo on the 5^th or 7^th fret; sometimes even higher! This accords very much with the large number of available videos of the Irish bouzouki being played.

23” is considered a long scale for an octave mandolin. Players of these long-scale octave mandolins may sometimes capo on the second fret, but this is not that common.

Conclusion

Once again, a sincere thanks to all who responded. Very soon we will be posting an announcement of several mandolin-family instruments by our new company Rickert & Hale, including a bouzouki. Clearly, one will note that the pricing is considerably higher than the preferred price point for most respondents. The pricing for the bouzouki we will be announcing may be in the comfort zone of some respondents. I hope that this is the case. This will definitely not be the case for our new archtop octave mandolins and citterns. Be assured that the input from respondents to the survey was not ignored, rather, the input received confirms what we already suspected; which is that our high-end archtop instruments will only appeal to professionals and extremely committed amateurs with the necessary financial resources for master-built instruments. Customers of our archtop octave mandolins and citterns are more likely to be enthusiasts of the Bluegrass, Americana and Old-Time genres rather than the Celtic genre.

New Violoncello da Spalla in Progress, Big Mandolins, and Other Cool Projects at D. Rickert Musical Instruments

First things first: I have a new Violoncello da Spalla under construction.

Here are some photos of the instrument in its current state. Click on any of the photos for a larger view.

When it is paired with a lucky future owner, I will finish it. It will take about a month. In the meantime, we have several really exciting projects going on, which I will briefly describe below. Once the new Violoncello da Spalla is spoken for, finishing it will resume its place as a top priority.

If you follow me, you already know that the pricing for my violoncellos da spalla, including a discount for payment up front. If you don’t know and you are curious about pricing, specs, etc., visit Don Rickert Musician Shop on the web. If you are currently weighing your options for a new instrument, this is an opportunity to avoiding being stuck in a long backlog.

If you want to learn or refresh your memory of the beauty, workmanship and sound of my violoncellos da spalla, visit the following links on our main website for D. Rickert Musical Instruments.

Demonstrations and Photo Galleries

Demonstrations of Violoncellos da Spalla by Don Rickert

Gallery: Violoncellos da Spalla by Don Rickert

If you wish to learn more or buy this very cool instrument, our direct phone number in the U.S. is 1-706-896-0909. Our email is don@donrickertdesign.com. You can also learn more or buy now at:

NEW Violoncello da Spalla Conservatory Model by D. Rickert 

or learn more about our top-of-the-line Standard Model, see:

NEW Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert ($8,400 - $9,600)

We look forward to hearing from you.

Online Store Cleanup and Reorganization

Our online store, Don Rickert Musician Shop had not been updated in quite a while. At the end of 2021 and beginning of this year, refreshing the online store to reflect what we are currently focused on emerged as a top priority. That project is more or less completed. Basically, we got rid of most product listings related to resale of someone else’s instruments, bows, accessories, etc.; the main exception being particularly interesting vintage instruments. Moving forward, we will generally sell only what is made in our workshops in Hiawassee, Georgia, USA.

“Big Mandolins” and Related Instruments

When I say “Big Mandolins” I am referring generally to octave mandolins, mandocellos and what are commonly referred to these days as “Irish bouzoukis”. As a long-time enthusiast, and occasional player of these tenor and baritone range instruments, I have been iterating designs for at least 5 years.

With the current instability of the luthier-built bowed string instruments market, the time seems right to start thinking about expanding horizons; that is, if one wants to continue to make a living as a luthier.  

After some market assessment, I mean actual formal market research, including, surveys, depth interviews, conjoint analysis (i.e., features and pricing analysis), etc., I have concluded that there is a very healthy market for luthier-built octave mandolins, citterns and Irish bouzoukis. Another post will get into the details about our upcoming mandolin enterprise. For now, I can tell you that, in addition to our violoncellos da spalla, we will be introducing three models of mandolin family instruments, specifically:

• An Irish bouzouki, which will sell in the $2,500 to $3,500 range
• An archtop octave mandolin (4 courses)/cittern (5 courses), which will sell initially in the $5,500 to $7,000 range
• A high-end archtop instrument, available as an octave mandolin or Irish bouzouki (4 courses) or cittern (5 courses), set to sell initially in the $7,000 to $10,000 range.

Stay tuned for more on all of this!

Happy New Year 2022! Looking for a World-Class Violoncello da Spalla?

Happy New Year (2022) to all!

This is my first post in quite a few months. The fact is that I took a bit of a hiatus. To be brief, I lost my Partner and Soulmate, Alycen, who passed away in August after a long battle with cancer and its long-term complications. I took time off to work through my grief.

Having recently caught up on what was a considerable backlog queue, I am very excited about making some new violoncellos da spalla for those of you who are ready to join the ever-growing community of cello da spalla players. If you are already a violist, the learning curve for these exciting instruments can be quite short, even as little as a month, depending, of course, on you level of skill on the viola. If you are a violinist or fiddler, learning time can be as short as a few months. For cellists, the move will be a bit longer, unless you decide to play the cello da spalla between the knees (i.e., da gamba). You know you want one—right?!

I have an instrument in the workshop that is now about half-finished. I am also starting on another in the coming days. One of these instruments could be ready in February should I receive an order for it. I will hold off price increase until the end of January. I look forward to hearing from you.

Note:

A plethora of videos of my violoncellos da spalla being played is available. See:

Demonstrations of Violoncellos da Spalla by Don Rickert

Other news:

I will soon be making a number of octave mandolin/bouzouki/cittern family instruments. Stay tuned!

Visit our online store, the Don Rickert Musician Shop, for to learn more about our violoncellos da spalla, as well as the other things we make. To see and hear some of our instruments being played, see: Demonstrations of Violoncellos da Spalla by Don Rickert.

Our email address is Don@DonRickertDesign.com

Phone: 706-896-0909

Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Makers of Violoncellos da Spalla and Other Fine Bowed Instruments

For more information about us, including our online store, the Don Rickert Musician Shop, see Introducing the Don Rickert Musician Shop.

Don Rickert Musical Instruments is a premiere designer and maker of innovative custom and historic musical instruments. Since starting our musical instruments enterprise in 2007, we have dealt primarily in those of the bowed variety (e.g. violins, fiddles and related instruments such as octave fiddles). We have also designed and made a number of fretted instruments along the way: mandolins, parlor guitars, acoustic bass guitars, tenor guitars and the like. We will soon be branching out in a serious way into the world of fretted musical instruments. Look forward to some really interesting mandolins, octave mandolins, mandocellos, parlor guitars, acoustic bass guitars, tenor guitars and the like. 

Regular production items are usually available at the Don Rickert Musician Shop. If you want something that is not there, give us a call...

Our email is don@DonRickertDesign.com and main phone number is (706) 896-0909. Don Rickert's mobile phone number is (706) 400-1481

Mailing address:
Don Rickert Musical Instruments
726 Hall Creek Road
Hiawassee, GA 30546

 

See:

Our new online store, the Don Rickert Musician Shop (www.DonRickertMusicianShop.com)

Our companion blog, Don Rickert Musician Shop: Latest News (www.DonRickertMusicianShop.com/blog)

The Facebook page of our owner, Donald Rickert (We still have a large number of photo albums there) (www.facebook.com/donald.rickert1)

Our new company Facebook page, also called D. Rickert Musical Instruments (www.facebook.com/DonRickertMusicianShop)

Our YouTube Channel: www.YouTube.com/DoctorFiddle

>>>>>>> Click here for Our full contact information <<<<<<<<

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the primary website and blog for Don Rickert Musical Instruments
.

We are NOT a "Brick-and-Mortar" Retail Establishment Nor a Typical Online Operation (We are Better!)

We are not a “brick-and-mortar” retail establishment; however, many customers do choose to visit our studio and workshop in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains (part of the Appalachians). Being shopkeepers for a corner musical instrument shop would be completely at odds with our multifaceted focus on continuous research & development, innovative instrument design and customization, combined with our creation of meticulously accurate replicas of historically significant fiddles. 

The nature of our business demands that sales be conducted primarily online. We have done this for some time. The predecessor to the new Don Rickert Musician Shop was called the “Adventurous Muse Store.” We initially operated under the name “Fiddle and Bow Shop.” 

Don Rickert Musical Instruments maintains an online retail store, the Don Rickert Musician Shop (www.DonRickertMusicianShop.com) and has several companion blogs, the most important being, Don Rickert Musician Shop: Latest News (www.DonRickertMusicianShop.com/blog)

Please note that this site has been around for a good while. While working diligently to clear out the "junk" (old obsolete articles), this is going to take some time. We thank you for your patience during this period and offer a blanket apology for any incorrect links to our old online store.

 

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Contact Information: Don Rickert Musical Instruments

Don Rickert's Current Resume and Supplemental Background Documents

It's Baroque, Man! (or the Low-down on Baroque Violins)

NEW Fat Strad 8vb Octave Violin by D. Rickert Musical Instruments

David Thames Demonstrating B-Rex 5-String Octave Viola (aka Chin Cello)

Demos (video with audio) of the Fat Strad Deux 5-String

Video Treat: A Master (Andrew Gonzalez) Playing Our Violoncello da Spalla

With high-end bespoke musical instruments, "trying before buying" is not usually a realistic possibility. It NEVER has been. Potential buyers who cannot wrap their minds around this fact are limited to used instruments or mass-produced instruments from large musical instrument mega-stores, who have the cash reserves necessary to absorb the losses associated with returns as part of the cost of doing business. Buying a master level instrument is a lot like buying a new car - once you drive it off the lot, it is yours. This is why most instrument makers, including us, work very hard to build a great reputation for quality and trustworthiness. 

Nevertheless, musicians planning on purchasing musical instruments often want to hear these instruments being played by accomplished musicians. Seeing the instruments being played is even better. Making this happen has always been easier said than done. The fact is, it is exceedingly difficult to produce a well-executed professional quality audio recording. Making a compelling video recording is even harder. For this reason, obtaining good video demonstrations of our instruments has always been a rare treat. We are delighted and awestruck by a recent video recording of the brilliant performance of Andrew Gonzalez, for whom we recently completed a Violoncello da Spalla set up in full Baroque configuration. Andrew, you have our compliments and gratitude.

Watch the video and be amazed!

 

The violoncello da spalla is a small 5-string cello that is held across the chest, suspended by a small shoulder strap; hence, the name, which, in Italian means literally "cello of the shoulder". It is often described as a "cello for violinists and violists". We are one of only a handful of makers worldwide. As Andrew Gonzalez clearly demonstrates in the video, this instrument is ideal for Baroque repertoire, especially the notoriously difficult-to-play cello works by Bach. We are absolutely certain that this instrument is also a heavenly match for Celtic music (especially Scottish Highland), as well as Contra Dance and Old-time repertoires, particularly the "Down-East" (i.e. New England and Canadian Maritime provinces) variants. How would you like to be the first fiddler on your block to bring one of these to a session?

To learn all about this exciting instrument and how you too can have one, see the product details at the Don Rickert Musician Shop (Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert). See also our earlier posts:

Announcing the Long-Awaited Violoncello da Spalla by D, Rickert

Newly Completed Violoncello da Spalla by Don Rickert

There is a complete photo album of this newly-completed instrument on our Facebook page (D. Rickert Musical Instruments) - See the album entitled New Violoncello da Spalla by Don Rickert.