Don Rickert Musical Instruments

Need to Sell Violoncello da Spalla Fast!

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... Read more →

New Episode of Cool Instruments for Hep Cats with William Hurd on Violoncello da Spalla

Cool Instruments for Hep Cats Our new podcast, ‘Cool Instruments for Hep Cats’ launched in March, 2023. It is available as an audio podcast, currently only on Spotify. It is also available in video format on YouTube. In “Cool Instruments for Hep Cats”, we delve into the fascinating realm of unusual and intriguing musical instruments, the people who make them, the people who play them and the music they create. See my earlier article, ‘Our New Podcast and YouTube Channel, Cool Instruments for Hep Cats’. 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 Episode Episode 4 of ‘Cool Instruments for Hep Cats’ is now available. YouTube: @Cool_Instruments_for_Hep_Cats Spotify: The audio version of the ‘Cool Instruments for Hep Cats’ podcast on Spotify: Episode 4 focuses on the Violoncello da Spalla from the perspective of a player who is also a violin and viola teacher (Suzuki Method) The episode continues the Violoncello da Spalla theme of Episode 3 with luthier and musician Daniela Gaidano. Episode 4 features William Hurd. Will is a violist with the Air Force Strings, The United States Air Force Band. He is also a Suzuki teacher (violin and viola) in Washington, DC. Will has a unique perspective on the violoncello da spalla, as he uses it extensively in his teaching of violin and viola students. Episode 4 of Cool Instruments for Cool Cats... Read more →

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... Read more →

New Podcast Episode of Cool Instruments for Cool Cats on Violoncello da Spalla is now Live on YouTube and Spotify.

Don Rickert on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/donrickert. This link gets you to my detailed contact information, my websites and social media. About: Cool Instruments for Hep Cats podcast, Episode 3, with luthier Daniela Gaidano on the Violoncello da Spalla is available NOW on YouTube and Spotify. Host is Dr. Donald Rickert. Daniela Gaidano is a violinist, violist and luthier specializing in making violoncellos da spalla. She worked for the famous string maker, Aquila, where she was part-owner for 15 years. She is based in Northern Italy near Austria. Host, Don Rickert, is a musician and luthier as well, who makes various stringed instruments, including violoncellos da spalla. Links: YouTube (video version, in 5 parts): https://www.youtube.com/@Cool_Instruments_for_Hep_Cats/podcasts Spotify (audio version): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cool-instruments-hep-cats Just information – NO marketing!: I am not against marketing. After all, if you make things, you have to find ways of telling potential buyers about what you do. There is a time and place for sales pitches, self-promotion and such. I mean, this post is marketing for the podcast when you think about it. The ‘Cool Instruments for Hep Cats” podcast is just NOT the time or the place for self-promotion and marketing. It is more than one hour of just really interesting information and informed opinion. The podcast is also a politics free zone. But it is a positive energy zone! Check out also… Episodes 1 and 2 (audio versions), with Dr. Roger Landes, are available on Spotify. Episode 2 (video version) is available on YouTube. Note: Episode 1 was audio... Read more →

Image Assets for Cool Instruments for Hep Cats Ep 3

These are some of the image assets presented by Guest Daniela Gaidano in Cool Instruments for Hep Cats Episode 3. Host: Don Rickert of D. Rickert Musical Instruments. Read more →