Don Rickert Musical Instruments

It's a Buyers’ Market for New Bespoke Musical Instruments.

Looking for the best prices ever on high-end bespoke instruments, especially: Violoncellos da Spalla Octave Violins Tenor and Octave Violas Travel Violins and Violas To find out more about the instruments I build, see: Don Rickert Musician Shop. “Buyers’ Market” means that it is exceeding hard for makers to sell their stuff to buyers. That is the way it is currently in the realm of bespoke musical instruments. So, it is time for a sale, right? Makers of custom things, such as violins and such, don’t do sales; rather, we lower base prices, offer attractive terms, and such. So, ATTENTION! Prices on the instruments that I design and make are now as low as they are EVER going to be. Actually, I have recently already posted announcements about new lower pricing. FYI, See: Travel Violins and Violas: Don't Miss Out on Substantial Trade-in Offer It’s Travel Violin (and Viola) Time 2024! Violoncellos da Spalla by Donald Rickert (Update Feb. 2024) Violoncello da Spalla and Tenor Viola Available for Sale Right Now! Special Pricing for a Violoncello da Spalla (Standard Model) and a Tenor Viola (additional information for prior article) I do have several instruments, which are not commissions, and are ready to ship. I look forward to talking to you about what you are looking for, at least with regards to musical instruments. 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] Phone (in US): 706-896-0909... Read more →

Octave Violin and Tenor Viola Options from Don Rickert Musical Instruments

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] Phone (in US): 706-896-0909 or 706-400-1481 (mobile) What is an Octave Violin? An octave violin or octave fiddle, if you like, is a specially-designed or modified violin that is set up for and uses specifically-designed larger diameter strings and is tuned an octave lower (G2 to E4) than a violin in standard configuration (G3 to E5). The numbers after a note name refer to its octave vis-à-vis middle C, which is C4. With a few exceptions, the lowest note on any musical instrument is somewhere around C0. Most adult humans cannot even hear notes that low. An octave violin is played like a regular violin, as it usually has the same critical ergonomic dimensions as a standard violin. The most significant of these dimensions are a body that is about 14 inches long (give or take) and a playable string length of about 13 inches. For a far more detailed discussion of Octave Violins and related instruments, see: Octave Violins, Tenor Violas and Related Instruments from Donald Rickert What is a Tenor Viola? A “tenor viola” is our name for a viola-sized octave violin; in other words, a viola tuned like an octave violin (G2 to E4). Please note that, historically, tenor viola referred to various large violas, usually tuned lower than a regular viola. Today, tenor violas need not be larger than regular violas.... Read more →

Octave Violins, Tenor Violas and Related Instruments from Donald Rickert

Note: This is an update to an earlier article entitled, Octave Violins, Octave Violas and Hybrids from Don Rickert Musical Instruments. With a current introduction of several new Octave Violins underway, this post is a good resource for one wanting some details on what octave violins and similar instruments (e.g. tenor violas) are, where they originated, and what they are good for. At the end of this UPDATE post there are a number of video links. To see product descriptions for two current models at the Don Rickert Musician Shop, see: NEW Octave Violin by Donald Rickert NEW Tertis Body Tenor Viola (one octave lower than violin) 15.5 inch body size Note: The NEW Octave Violin listed above will soon be renamed "Double-Fat Strad Octave Violin", referring to its traditional Strad form factor, but with very deep (40 mm) (i.e. "FAT") ribs. Product listings for a new entry-level Performer Octave Violin (about $2K) and a new high-end Artist Master-Built Octave Violin (about $8.5K) will be available soon. If you want to know more about any of these instruments, feel free to call. 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) Introduction Darol Anger and Vasen w/ Rickert Octaves In 2006, one of the first things we at D. Rickert Musical Instruments set out to do is to design and build the best acoustic octave... Read more →

Octave Violin or Violoncello da Spalla?

Update Intro: This is an update to an earlier article entitled, Do You Really Need a Violoncello da Spalla? Since publication of the original post, much has changed with respect to the instrument alternatives, including cost and variety. For example, I have rolled back prices to 2021 level on the popular Violoncello da Spalla Standard Model. See: Violoncellos da Spalla by Donald Rickert (Update Feb. 2024). We are now once again offering a decent factory-made entry-level Violoncello da Spalla for a base price of about $2,500. A new higher-end Artist Master-Built Model will be available soon as well. When it comes to octave violins, we now offer three models, starting at less than $2,500. 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) Introduction You might find it strange that I am asking this question. After all, I am a luthier who makes violoncellos da spalla. Should I not just be happy when someone wants me to make one for them? Caveats Before you read this, you need to know the following: I am not playing “devil’s advocate” here. I am quite serious in asking the question. I am not a violoncello da spalla “hater” or even a violoncello da spalla skeptic. I do not care whether or not J.S. Bach actually had a hand in the invention of the violoncello da spalla or whether... Read more →

Special Pricing for a Violoncello da Spalla (Standard Model) and a Tenor Viola (additional information for prior article)

Update: Since the original publication of this post, we have rolled pricing for my standard Violoncello da Spalla l to 2021 pricing, about $10K. This is about $3,000 less than the special pricing described below. As of today, March 2, 2024, we still have a Tenor Viola (tuned G2 to E4, like an Octave Violin) for the price of $3,500. The only reason for the price reduction is that it has been lovingly pre-owned and refurbished to better than new condition. Original Post: I recently announced that I have a newly-built Violoncello da Spalla and a refurbished Tenor Viola for sale. In that announcement, I mentioned special pricing, $13,500 for the Violoncello da Spalla and $3,500 for the Tenor Viola. Why the special pricing? A basic reason has a little bit to do with the competitive landscape. Quite simply, there are too many luthiers selling what amounts to their student projects as master-level instruments, often at attractively low prices. This is especially true in the world of niche instruments like violoncellos da spalla. This confuses those looking for an instrument and diverts business away from experienced makers. Competing on price is, in the end, a fool’s errand; however, a reasonable discount as a “nudge” is OK. Different reasons for each of the two instruments The Violoncello da Spalla The Violoncello da Spalla for sale is a nice example of my “Standard Model” in terms of workmanship, playability and, especially sound. It has a dramatically-flamed maple over spruce Baroque fingerboard and... Read more →

Violoncello da Spalla and Tenor Viola Available for Sale Right Now!

Update: Since the original publication of this post, we have rolled pricing for my standard Violoncello da Spalla l to 2021 pricing, about $10K. This is about $3,000 less than the special pricing described below. As of today, March 2, 2024, we still have a Tenor Viola (tuned G2 to E4, like an Octave Violin) for the price of $3,500. The only reason for the price reduction is that it has been lovingly pre-owned and refurbished to better than new condition. Original Post: Due to the bespoke nature of my practice, I generally do not have instruments hanging around that are ready to ship. Due to repeated resolutions that I have made to “get ahead of the game”, I presently do have two very nice tenor/baritone range instruments that are ready to ship. The first is a very nice example of my Violoncellos da Spalla (“Standard Plus” model). The other is a refurbished 4-string Octave Viola (i.e., tuned like a cello; sometimes called a “chin cello”) that I made a few years back. It is now set up as a Modern Tenor Viola, meaning that it is tuned a 4th lower than a viola, which is the same as an Octave Violin. You can also think of it as a large viola-sized Octave Violin, or even an Octave Violin on steroids! The Violoncello da Spalla The Tenor Viola This is a rare opportunity! If you have been looking, you know that the wait time for a commissioned violoncello da spalla... Read more →

Strings for Tenor and Octave-Tuned Violas

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] Phone (in US): 706-896-0909 or 706-400-1481 (mobile) I am posting this article to provide more information to potential buyers of a Tenor (G2 D3 A3 E4) or, optionally, Octave-tuned (C2 G2 D3 A3) Viola that I am currently selling. It will be of interest to anyone who currently has, or is considering acquiring, a lower-pitched viola. Introduction Do you remember the “chin cello” fad just a few years ago. As far as I have been able to surmise, this pretty much revolved around the apparently successful marketing effort by Bellefina, a Chinese company with an Italian-sounding name, that made inexpensive large violas that were set up with octave viola strings. I recall that they even made a 5-string version. Apparently, Bellefina still makes them, at least the 4-string version. The going street price at the usual online discount megastores (e.g., Musician’s Friend, Guitar Center, etc.) is currently about $829us. I have no idea what type of strings these instruments for sale currently could use. Keep reading for more about this. Chin Cellos There is even a “Chincello Society” Facebook page self-described as “A community of string players dedicated to the advancement and promotion of the Chincello instrument”. This appears to be a marketing site for a company called Prodigio Strings, who apparently offered octave tuned violas costing even less than the Bellafina ChinCellos. There has... Read more →

Do You Really Need a Violoncello da Spalla?

Note: There is an updated version of this article entitled, Octave Violin or Violoncello da Spalla? You might find it strange that I am asking this question. After all, I am a luthier who makes violoncellos da spalla. Should I not just be happy when someone wants me to make one for them? Donald Rickert, Ph.D., IDSA Email: [email protected] Phone: (706) 896-0909 (main); (706) 400-1481 (mobile) Caveats Before you read this, you need to know the following: I am not playing “devil’s advocate” here. I am quite serious in asking the question. I am not a violoncello da spalla “hater” or even a violoncello da spalla skeptic. I do not care whether or not J.S. Bach actually had a hand in the invention of the violoncello da spalla or whether the instrument was actually a thing in the 18th Century. I do think that is cool, however, that Bach might have been involved. Likewise, I do not care whether the violoncello da spalla is a “21st Century aberration”. Whether it is or not is simply irrelevant, although I think that it is rather rude to call it such. Regardless of its actual use in the 1700s, the violoncello da spalla has a real place in the contemporary performance of Baroque Period repertoire. I build instruments for a living and one of my favorite instruments to make is the violoncello da spalla. My violoncellos da spalla are played by some of the preeminent players of the instrument. Just remember what I... Read more →

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 →