Don Rickert Musical Instruments

Almost Half of a Violin: What is That???

We have introduced a new violin design, which we are calling the “Quasi-Mezzo Violin”, at least until we decide to call it something else. Taken literally, “Quasi-Mezzo Violin” would indeed refer to “almost half of a violin” in Italian. That would be pretty funny. In reality, the colloquial meaning of “mezzo” (literally “middle”) in the realm of musical instruments is more like “between one thing and the other”. A “Mezzo Violin” is called such because it is between a violin and a viola, at least size-wise. A Mezzo Violin has the body similar to a small viola but is tuned exactly the same as a conventional violin; that is generally G3 D4 A4 E5. Similarly, a “mezzo soprano” refers to a woman whose vocal range is between (and overlaps) both the alto and soprano ranges. In other words, a soprano who can also sing lower notes in the alto range. How much of a range overlap depends on the individual singer. Not familiar with the Mezzo Violin: Click here. Our Quasi-Mezzo Violin is a lot like a Mezzo Violin. Indeed, it is designed to accomplish similar goals; specifically, a deeper tone and really impressive projection. Both instruments are somewhat larger than a conventional violin; but the Mezzo Violin has a longer body and the Quasi-Mezzo Violin has deeper ribs. So, we use the prefix “quasi”, which is Italian (and Latin) for “nearly” or “almost”. There you have it—Quasi-Mezzo Violin! Should you want to learn more about this exciting new violin,... Read more →

New Quasi-Mezzo Violins by Don Rickert: 4-String, 5-String and Octave Violin Versions

Many players of violins, especially fiddlers, spend much effort seeking instruments that, while tuned the same (for a fiddler, this is often something different than the standard G3 D4 A4 E5) but with a less shrill, indeed darker, timbre, with excellent sonority. The Quasi-Mezzo Violin by Don Rickert is an acoustic violin designed to deliver an especially full-bodied and powerful acoustic sound output (See: Introducing the Quasi-Mezzo Violin by Luthier Donald Rickert: Details). It is inspired by the Mezzo Violin (See: The Mezzo Violin: One Way to Achieve Deeper Timbre with Outstanding Projection), invented by Carleen Hutchins, and the groundbreaking experiments by Joseph Curtin with his Ultralight Violin. When configured as a 5-string violin, it solves the well-known problem of an acoustically week C-string. It also makes possible an octave violin that can hold its own when played alongside other instruments. In its basic 4-string configuration, it is the dark and sonorous instrument sought by many fiddlers. Availability I am able to discuss commissions right now. The base price is 1/2 to 1/3 the price of one of my Violoncellos da Spalla. I will soon be posting updates on a current build of a Quasi-Mezzo Violin configured as a purpose-built Octave Violin. A 30-day trial is available to qualified potential buyers. This means that I will have satisfied myself that you are serious about acquiring the instrument and you simply need to confirm its excellence and that it meets your needs. I am open to barter. This could take the... Read more →

The Mezzo Violin: One Way to Achieve Deeper Timbre with Outstanding Projection

Many players of violins, especially fiddlers, spend much effort dreaming about and seeking instruments that, while tuned the same (for a fiddler, this is often something different than the standard G3 D4 A4 E5) but with a less shrill, indeed darker, timbre, with excellent sonority. As Darol Anger colorfully put it, many fiddlers… "…tire of all those high screechy sounds up next to our face all the time! As in many marriages, an instrument's most salient qualities often metamorphose into those qualities most irritating to the player. The violin's ultra-soprano range can be a source of joy or nerve-shattering neurosis, and has inspired many players to seek the warmer-toned viola as a solace." --Darol Anger, Strings Magzine,1992 The Mezzo Violin The Mezzo Violin has been around since the 1960s. It is the closest thing to a standard violin in the “New Violin Family” (previously called the “Violin Octet”), the brainchild of the luthier and researcher Carleen Hutchins. See also: Violin Octet (Wikipedia) The above image shows a complete Violin Octet. The Mezzo Violin is the larger of the three smaller instruments in the foreground. The Mezzo Violin has a body typically about the size of a 15 ½” viola, but with a disproportionately shorter neck, which affords a playable string length the same as a regular violin (i.e., that would be about 13”). Parodically, while having a larger front and back profile, Mezzo Violins, at least later examples, actually have narrower ribs than a conventional violin. My understanding is the... Read more →

Introducing the Quasi-Mezzo Violin by Luthier Donald Rickert: Details

Here are some details about the new Quasi-Mezzo Violins by Don Rickert. The instrument is available in 4-string, 5-string or Octave Violin configurations. Email: [email protected] Phone: 706-896-0909; 706-400-1481 (mobile) What Is It? I will get in to the specifics, including its name, forthwith. But first, I will tell you what it is. It is violin designed to deliver an especially full-bodied and powerful acoustic sound output. It is inspired by the Mezzo Violin invented by Carleen Hutchins and the groundbreaking experiments by Joseph Curtin. When configured as a 5-string violin, it solves the well-known problem of an acoustically week C-string. It also makes possible an octave violin that can hold its own when played alongside other instruments. In its basic 4-string configuration, it is the dark and sonorous instrument sought by many fiddlers. A draft rendering of my new Quasi-Mezzo Violin appears to the right. An image of one of my earlier Quasi-Mezzo Violins appears below. The Need Many players of violins, especially fiddlers, spend much effort seeking instruments that, while tuned the same (for a fiddler, this is often something different than the standard G3 D4 A4 E5) but with a less shrill, Maggini Violin indeed darker, timbre, with excellent sonority. This is one of the reasons that well-made true Maggini copies are quite popular with Old-Time and some Bluegrass players. Note: Many players in the Bluegrass genre favor a bright-sounding, even strident, timbre that “cuts through” when soloing. Maggini pattern violins, being somewhat larger than the “Strad standard”... Read more →