Don Rickert Musical Instruments

New Violoncello da Spalla Model by Donald Rickert Available for Commission

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) Introduction New Violoncello da Spalla by Donald Rickert This post is more or less a pre-announcement, with a more detailed description and design rationale soon to follow. As of right now I am offering an exciting new model of Violoncello da Spalla. This new Violoncello da Spalla is for accomplished musicians seeking the best sounding and most playable instrument possible and a distinctive unique appearance. I have not yet decided what to call it, as in what its model name will be. My current Violoncello da Spalla models, which I call the ‘Standard’ and ‘Standard Plus’, will continue to be available for commission. My existing Violoncello da Spalla models are based on a traditional plan similar to the familiar 1732 “Hoffman” violoncello da spalla in appearance. Andrew Gonzalez on Vioncello da spalla by Don Rickert The “Hoffman” pattern, or something similar, is what you see in virtually all videos and images of violoncellos da spalla that you will find on the web. Most violoncellos da spalla, regardless of maker, look very much like 1/10 size cellos (tiny cellos for young children), but with five strings, a shoulder strap and no end pin. Looks aside, most violoncellos da spalla being made today, even cheap ones, sound a whole lot better than virtually any 1/10 size fractional cello ever made,... Read more →

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 →

What Makes the Difference Between Pretty Good and Great Acoustic Stringed Instruments? (Revised 6-2023)

This article is an update to a similar article published about a year earlier. If you really care to see the original article, see: What Makes the Difference Between Pretty Good and Great Acoustic Stringed Instruments? 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. Introduction Before I start, what are the criteria for judging the sound quality of musical instruments? I hope that the reader can agree that this is largely subjective, and often, culturally relative. For example, take the case of the octave mandolin and an "Irish" bouzouki (to differentiate it from a "Greek" bouzouki). Protests by enthusiasts notwithstanding, they are variants of the same instrument and can certainly be tuned in the same way. But an Irish bouzouki player might describe an octave mandolin as a bouzouki that is too "bassy" and/or "sounds too much like a guitar". On the other hand an octave mandolin enthusiast might describe a bouzouki as a thin and tinny-sounding version of a good octave mandolin, as well as having a scale length that is too long. The point here is that the attribution of "good" or "bad" with respect to the sound of large lower-pitched mandolin-like instruments is very subjective and arbitrary, and based on expectations set by many decades of recordings by influential artists. There exist many other comparisons between the sound of superficially similar instruments, such... Read more →

Comparison of the Two New Violoncello da Spalla Models by D. Rickert (original deprecated post)

Attention: This article is obsolete; however, somebody keeps viewing it, so we will leave it up for now. It refers to the Cello da Spalla Moderno, which was discontinued due to complete lack of customer interest. What you really want is to learn more about our current Violoncello da Spalla models. If you wish to learn more or buy a Violoncello da Spalla, 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 the Standard Model, see: Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert or, learn about the Standard Plus Model, see: NEW Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert (Standard Plus Model) We look forward to hearing from you. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Original article begins below >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The two new Violoncellos da Spalla by D. Rickert are available for order now at the Don Rickert Musician Shop. For details about each instrument, including options and pricing, you will want to visit the product descriptions at the Don Rickert Musician Shop: Baroque Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert (link deactivated) Cello da Spalla Moderno by D. Rickert (link deactivated) Introduction We recently introduced two new instruments, the Baroque Violoncello da Spalla and the Cello da Spalla Moderno. This was in response to a significant increase in the number of inquiries about these amazing baritone range instruments. Response has been incredible. We are currently building four of these instruments for... Read more →

What is Tap Tuning and Why Does it Matter?

Tap-tuning is an art (grounded in science) that is shrouded in mystery. While some luthiers tap-tune only by ear, computer-assisted tap tuning allows the luthier to actually see a computer-generated frequency spectrum graph when muting a specific spot on the plate (e.g., top or back). Computer-assisted tap tuning has only been possible for a few decades. Until very recently, it was too expensive for most luthiers, as the software required used to cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. Finding the correct spot to mute, the right place to tap and the right place to record the tap tone is way beyond our scope here. If there is any interest in an article about the details of tap-tuning, leave a comment or contact me. Don Rickert on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/donrickert. This link gets you to ALL of my detailed contact information, my websites and social media. There are known “ideal” fundamentals (i.e., note perceived by the human listener) for most general types and sizes of instruments. For instance, a commonly recommended fundamental for an unattached violin top with the bass bar installed is F4. That is F above middle C (i.e. C4). The fundamental, which shows as a peak on a frequency spectrum graph, among other things, is a proxy measure for flexibility/strength of the plate. The thinner the plate the lower the pitch of the fundamental, and more importantly, its propensity amplify string vibrations, especially the lower frequencies. Tap-tuning is an iterative cycle of tapping-recording-analyzing-thinning the plate. With this real-time information,... 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 →

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 I am a Strings Magazine subscriber. Feel free to post an angry comment. If I am wrong, mea culpa! See: The Tiny Pochette Violin Made Constant Travel a Breeze for Dance Masters of the 18th Century I think that the Strings article has been good for business, as I have now made three Ranger IV Travel Violins and one Ranger IV Travel Viola this year, which is more than I usually make in a year. The Ranger IV Travel Violins and Travel Violas are basically Baroque pochettes on steroids, as they make use of principles that have been learned in the past 250 years, and use modern strings. They also have chin rests and removable shoulder rests, not to mention modern Wittner geared tuning pegs. Don Rickert on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/donrickert. This link gets you to ALL of my detailed contact information, my websites and social media. Our Podcast, 'Cool Instruments for Hep Cats' YouTube (video version): https://www.youtube.com/@Cool_Instruments_for_Hep_Cats/podcasts Spotify (audio version): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cool-instruments-hep-cats 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 for Dance Masters of the 18th Century', for which Don Rickert was interviewed. We would love to talk to you about a baroque instrument built from the ground up or an existed instrument "back-dated" to Baroque configuration. Don Rickert on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/donrickert. This link gets you to ALL of my detailed contact information, my websites and social media. Our Podcast, 'Cool Instruments for Hep Cats' YouTube (video version): https://www.youtube.com/@Cool_Instruments_for_Hep_Cats/podcasts Spotify (audio version): https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cool-instruments-hep-cats ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` A future article and maybe my podcast, 'Cool Instruments for Hep Cats' will focus on WHY? In other words, the many reasons why someone would want to take up the Baroque violin or fiddle (there was no real differentiation between violin playing and fiddle-playing in the old days). The fact is that if you need to ask "why?", you probably don't need a baroque violin. This article only deals with the instruments themselves and not with playing techniques or the evolution of the bows used to play them. I have touched on baroque playing technique and baroque bows in past articles.... 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 →