Don Rickert Musical Instruments

Violoncellos da Spalla by Donald Rickert (Update Feb. 2024)

Contact Info. 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] OR [email protected] Phone (in US): 706-896-0909 or 706-400-1481 (mobile) Update: I am rolling back the price for my Violoncello da Spalla Standard Model to its 2021 price! Recent instruments have sold for more than $13,000. No secret reason; it is all about what "the Market" wants. The new retro price... Read more →

Interview With Don Rickert About Pochettes in March-April 2023 Edition of Strings Magazine

Not too long ago I published an article about an interview I had with Strings Magazine about Baroque pochettes, aka 'pocket fiddles'. See: Donald Rickert is In the March/April 2023 Issue of Strings Magazine I summarized the Strings article, as it was then only available in print. It is now available in a digital edition. I am pretty certain that you can read the digital version free of charge. The link works for me, but... Read more →

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

Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop. This article is primarily for those considering acquisition of a proper Baroque violin. D. Rickert Musical Instruments has been making baroque violins, violas and violoncellos da spalla since our inception in 2007. We also make Baroque period pochettes (pocket fiddles) and their modern descendants, usually called Travel Violins. See the article in the March/April 2023 issue of Strings Magazine, 'The Tiny Pochette Violin Made Constant Travel a Breeze... Read more →

Violoncellos da Spalla by Donald Rickert

Note: There is an update to this article entitled, Violoncellos da Spalla by Donald Rickert (Update Feb. 2024). We announced this very cool instrument in 2018. Since then we have made almost two dozen Violoncellos da Spalla for customers all over the world. Our instruments are played by some of today's preeminent Violoncello da Spalla players, as well as many advanced amateur players alike. Well-known Suzuki Teacher and professional violist/violoncello da spalla performer, William Hurd... Read more →

Donald Rickert is In the March/April 2023 Issue of Strings Magazine

I (Don Rickert) am in the March/April issue of Strings Magazine! I am honored to have been one of several experts interviewed for the article, A Pocket Full of Sound, by Karen Peterson in the March/April 2023 issue of Strings Magazine (No. 311, March/April 2023). I wish I could share the entire article here, but I am pretty sure that that would be a copyright violation. That being said, I feel pretty good about how... Read more →

Demonstrations and Photo Galleries

Everybody wants to hear what an instrument will sound like before making a considerable financial commitment. People also want to see examples of workmanship...and who doesn't enjoy eye candy? Here are links to important demonstration videos of the Violoncellos da Spalla and other instruments we have completed in approximately the last three years, all in one place. You will also find photos of most of the instruments we have built in the same time period.... Read more →

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... Read more →

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... Read more →

Newly Completed Violoncello da Spalla by Don Rickert

This is an old post! 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 [email protected]. 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. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<... Read more →

Comparison of the Two New Violoncello da Spalla Models by D. Rickert

Attention!: The article originally in this location is obsolete; however, people (or bots) continue to view it at a disproportionately high frequency. Apparently, one or more websites contain a link to this out-of-date article. It refers to the Cello da Spalla Moderno, which was discontinued due to complete lack of customer interest. You may want to notify whoever maintains the website containing this obsolete link. Note: I have decided to keep this link active because... Read more →