Don Rickert Musical Instruments

Violoncellos da Spalla by Donald Rickert

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 is pictured here with his Rickert-made violoncello da spalla over his shoulder. Note: "da spalla" does mean literally "for the shoulder" in English, but the photo does NOT depict the actually playing position! We will get to that.

Please contact us if you wish to discuss purchasing one of these fine instruments.

 Our email is [email protected] and phone number is (706) 896-0909 or (706) 400-1481 (mobile). Visit us at the Don Rickert Musician Shop.

See and hear some demonstrations of our Violoncellos da Spalla.

The demonstrations below are but two of a large and growing number that can be seen and heard on our Violoncello da Spalla Demo Page.

The incredible Andrew Gonzalez performing on our Violoncello da Spalla by Don Rickert.

Heifetz 2018: Violoncello da spalla | Andrew Gonzalez Plays Bach

Bach 6th Suite Gigue on Violoncello da Spalla

Introduction

Prior to 2018, we received a number of inquiries about the violoncello da spalla, based largely on our reputation for making extraordinary octave violins, mezzo violins and professional-level travel violins, which are modern versions of the dancing master's pochettes (portable pocket fiddles) of the Baroque Period. In 2018, I decided that the time was right for the violoncello da spalla as a standard product offering. Ours is a meticulously-designed and built 18” (refers to body length) violoncello da spalla in proper Baroque configuration. Our Violoncellos da Spalla are deliberately designed to to accommodate gut strings tuned to lower Baroque period pitch as well as more trouble-free and sonorous modern metal, silk or synthetic core (i.e. “Perlon”) strings, tuned to modern or period pitch. The point here is that our instruments are made to withstand the higher tension of modern strings while still performing exceptionally well with historic gut strings. Consultation on stringing and performing appropriate setup for the type of strings chosen is included in the price.

Background: What is a Violoncello da Spalla?

The violoncello da spalla (Italian for “'cello for the shoulder”) was, until fairly recently, a 5-string instrument of the violin family from the Baroque period that had fallen quite deeply into obscurity. It is a small baritone range instrument, about the size of a modern 1/10 size (child's) cello, that is tuned to C, G, d, a, e’ (i.e. like a full-size cello with an additional string on the treble side that is tuned to e’, which is an octave lower than the e” string on a violin)

It is thought by some that the violoncello da spalla was invented, or at least perfected, by the German luthier, Johann Christian Hoffman, a contemporary and probably a close friend of Johann Sebastian Bach. It was NOT called "violoncello da spalla" back in the day. That is primarily a modern moniker. Bach’s purported close relationship with J.C. Hoffmann has led to a now popular theory that J.S. Bach had a hand in the invention of the violoncello da spalla. This belief continues to be debated, often quite vigorously, by experts who study the history of musical instruments.

Anyway, what is now widely regarded as the primary candidate for distinction as the original violoncello da spalla, having been previously classified as either a "viola pomposa", "viola da spalla" or "piccolo cello", was made in 1732 by Hoffmann. It is this instrument that, today, is commonly regarded as the de facto “gold standard” for a proper Violoncello da Spalla.

The modern resurrection of the violoncello da spalla, and widespread attribution of the instrument’s invention to Hoffmann, is due largely to the Russian-Dutch luthier and media celebrity of sorts, Dmitry Badiarov. Badiarov, based in The Hague, introduced his first violoncello da spalla in 2004, essentially after Hoffmann, albeit, considerably more refined than the original 1732 instrument. While Badiarov, and his collaborator, Dutch violinist Sigiswald Kuijken, are more well-known, it was earlier research by the Dutch violinist and violist, Lambert Smit, that laid the groundwork for Badiarov and others involved in the 21st Century resurgence of the violoncello da spalla. Smit is regarded by many as the true father of the modern revival of the violoncello da spalla. Indeed, it was Smit who first posited the involvement of Bach, himself, in its invention. It was Smit who surmised that Bach’s Cello Suites and Cantatas were written, not for the full-size 4-string cello, but rather for the much smaller 5-string violoncello da spalla.

Since 2004, the violoncello da spalla has grown exponentially in popularity, largely due to Badiarov’s tireless ongoing research, teaching and and relentless evangelism. He also has made quite a few of these unique and very cool instruments for world-famous musicians and aspiring players alike.

How is the Violoncello da Spalla played?

The violoncello da spalla has been described as a "bass for violinists". Unlike the 5-string "chin cello", a.k.a. the 5-string octave viola (see image below),

the violoncello da spalla is held across the chest, secured with a strap around the shoulder and neck, as you can see in in the photo of violist and preeminent violoncello da spalla player, Andrew Gonzalez.

The violoncello da spalla is easily (a relative term) played by experienced violinists and violists. Indeed, experts believe that the instrument was invented in the early 1700s in order to minimize the learning curve of accomplished violinists and violists desiring to play a baritone range instrument.

Learning to bow the Violoncello da Spalla does not take much time at all, because, unlike a full-size cello, the bow is held the in the same manner as for violin or viola. That being said, any, if not most, experienced violinists and fiddlers, whose experience is primarily in playing the lead melody, will probably need to brush up on their music theory, particularly the principles for improvising baritone/bass harmony and chords. Put another way, they will have to learn the largely lost art of basso continuo improvisation. Of course, there are many fully-scored solo pieces for violoncello from the Baroque period, especially by J.S. Bach.

Interest in these newly re-discovered instruments is growing as part of an overall re-discovery of Baroque music and Baroque instruments, particularly those played with a bow.

Description of the Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert (Standard Plus Model) and its Options

See also: Violoncello da Spalla Standard Model by Donald Rickert

Our violoncellos da spalla are inspired by measurements taken from the surviving instrument by Johann Christian Hoffmann (1732). As would be expected, our Violoncello da Spalla is 5-string instrument with a body length of 18 inches (14.5cm). It is tuned to C, G, d, a, e’. In other words, the tuning is the same as a full-size cello, but with an additional string on the treble side that is tuned to e’ (an octave lower than the e” string on a violin). It is held across the chest, suspended by a strap around the players neck, not unlike a modern guitar, but much closer to the chin (see the image of Andrew Gonzalez above).

Approximate Critical Dimensions

• Overall length: 30” (75cm)
• Body length: 18” (45.5cm)
• Upper bout width: 8.25” (21.5cm)
• Lower bout width: 10.25” (26cm)
• Ribs: 3.15” (8.0cm)
• Playable String length: 16.53” (42cm)
• Note about string length: The playable string length of this instrument requires a slightly disproportionately long neck length when compared to the “ideal” string and neck lengths of a modern 1/10 size cello or an 18” viola.

Varnish

A number of varnish options are possible. Traditional hand-rubbed oil or spirit. I prefer spirit varnish these days. Here are some examples for reference when discussing your preference.

Light Golden Brown	Golden Brown	Darker Golden Brown
Medium Brown Semi-Antique	Med-Dark Brown Semi-Antique	Reddish-Brown Semi-Antique

Setup: Baroque or modern

Nut and saddle: Ebony or Micarta

• Micarta is a synthetic material that has the appearance of ivory. It is slightly softer than ebony and, thus, much kinder to gut strings. Further, real ivory is absolutely banned worldwide!

Pegs: Wittner FineTune (default)

• FineTune(tm) pegs by Witttner are internally-geared tuning pegs that look identical to traditional ebony pegs. The gear ratio is 8:1, thus making tailpiece mounted fine-tuners unnecessary. We modify the Wittner pegs as necessary for use with either modern or gut strings.
• While we consider the Wittner FineTune pegs to be preferred option, traditional pegs, either modern or baroque style, are available for our Violoncello da Spalla Standard Plus Model.

True veneered spruce Baroque fingerboard

A proper Baroque fingerboard is not made from either solid ebony or maple. Rather, it has a core of quarter-sawn spruce, which is then clad with thick veneers (2mm to 3.5mm) of various woods, including ebony and figured maple. The fingerboard options are illustrated below.

Plain Ebony	Black-Dyed Flamed Maple	Dark Brown Katalox w/Maple Border

Dark Brown Flamed Maple w/ Natural Maple Border	Medium Brown Flamed Maple w/ Natural Maple Border

True Baroque tailpiece

A Baroque Tailpiece can be made from solid ebony or boxwood; however, Baroque tailpieces are more often made from maple, which is then veneered to match that of the fingerboard (see the images above).

Custom bridge for a Violoncello da Spalla

One type of bridge is best described as a hybrid between an extra-wide (for 5-strings) viola bridge and an extra-wide cello bridge. There are no commercial manufacturers of blanks for such bridges; therefore, we make them for each individual instrument in our workshop. The the past year or so, I have been using a relatively unmodified treble viola da gamba bridge. I am very pleased with the sonic results and look really cool!

Strings

Standard String Set

The standard string set for our Violoncello da Spalla is designed to achieve a balance between period authenticity and the expectations of the modern player with respect to sonority/playability/practicality, as well as reasonable cost. As one should expect, we also offer premium replica real gut strings.

You would think that strings for a 1/10 size cello, with a long viola string for the E, would work. Unfortunately, there are NO makers of premium strings in the 1/10 size. Premium cello strings in the 1/8 size tend to be a bit too long. Custom violoncello da spalla strings by Infeld-Thomastik are possible; however, they are almost impossible to get and are insanely expensive. Currently we are using with good results a custom set, made up of repurposed extra long viola strings, with a custom-made wound silk string for the C. We also offer a complete set of silk-core strings from Atelier Boussoir, which is owned by the French luthier and string maker, Eliakim Boussoir.

We will work with you to determine the best combination for your needs. String configuration is a matter for post-purchase discussion.

Gut Strings

We know that some players want to play a Baroque period instrument replica that is strung only with the type of strings that were available in the early 18^th Century. We understand the appeal of gut strings, despite their high cost and typically short life. So, if you are committed to gut, we’ve got you covered. If you indicate that you may want gut strings, we will contact you to discuss the best string set to meet your requirements. We can supply Aquila gut strings for violoncello da spalla for an additional $100. We can also supply strings from the premier maker of historic reproduction gut strings, Gamut Music, Inc. (Dan Larsen). The additional cost for Gamut strings is considerable. A full set of period gut strings from Atelier Boussoir is a good and relatively affordable option as well.

Cases

The instrument comes with a padded soft case. We can supply a custom-made hard shell case. The current price for a wooden custom case is about $900. A custom fit ultra-light carbon fiber case runs about $1600.

We can also supply a custom-fit flight case (25 lbs. weight) for about $300.

Bow

• The bow is your responsibility. If you like, we will find you the best deal possible for a Baroque cello bow in whatever price range you desire. Some players use a high-quality modern cello bow; however, that practice is becoming less popular. The least expensive good bows start at about $450, regardless of whether they are modern or baroque. Many players start out with a student-level Chinese-made baroque style bow, which costs about $200, and does a surprisingly good job.

 

Violoncello da Spalla in Old-Time Music: A Match Made in Heaven

If you don’t know what a violoncello da spalla is, click here for a description.

The short explanation is that it is a very small 5-string cello that is suspended by a shoulder strap and played across the chest more or less under the chin, as shown in the image of our friend Peter Walker in full Scottish Highland dress. The violoncello da spalla has no well-established connection to 18th Century Scotland; however cello was definitely widely used in Highland fiddling as basso continuo to the fiddle. The dominant figure in Scottish Baroque fiddling, Niel (aka "Neil") Gow (1727 – 1807), was usually accompanied by his brother Donald on cello.

Anyway, the violoncello da spalla is an early to mid 18^th Century (i.e., Baroque) instrument that is enjoying a resurgence of popularity, particularly among experienced viola and violin players who are Baroque period enthusiasts. Why violists and not cellists? (Actually, many cellists have taken up the instrument; however, most of my highly accomplished violoncello da spalla clients are violists). Because of its playing position, one bows from the treble side like a viola or violin, which is backwards to a cellist.

Cello has been used in Old-time music for a long time. The first time I saw a cello in an Old-Time string band was at the U.S. National Folk Festival, which was at that time held in Northern Virginia at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, in 1976. And the cellist was playing a 1/2 size cello da spalla style!!! Admittedly, it has never been, and still is not, common. That being said, it is my opinion that there is no better “second fiddle” than either an octave violin (tenor range) or a cello, including the violoncello da spalla (both baritone range). The octave violin is more well established in the Old-Time, as well as the more modern Bluegrass genre, but that is a story for another day.

Those familiar with the late great “Carolina Chocolate Drops” will know exactly what I am talking about here. It is indeed the case that one or two of my violoncello da spalla clients have actually competed in the “Non-Traditional Fiddle” category at Old-Time fiddlers' competitions--on violoncello da spalla!

If you have never heard cello backing up a fiddle, you simply must. Please check out the following videos that inspire me about the possibilities of violoncello da spalla in Old-Time music. I suppose that "haters" would maintain that such a match-up is anachronistic--REALLY?!?!?!? I mean, who cares! "Traditional" Old-Time string band music is about as far from being some kind of historical reenactment as is humanly possible. Further, the list of commonly used instruments has evolved radically over time. Since its origins in the Southeastern Appalachians in the 19th Century, the genre has had more names than you can keep track of. With the advent of phonograph records, it was originally distributed under the "Hillbilly Music" category. The moniker "Old-Time" became popular in the 1960s.

That is the great Rhiannon Giddens of Durham, North Carolina on fiddle and vocals. She is now a solo artist, performing with the likes of Yo Yo Ma.

Appearing in the last video are Natalie Haas (cello) and Brittany Haas (5-string fiddle). Natalie has recorded on more than 30 albums, many with the Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, and is an Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music. Brittany has appeared on at least a dozen albums.

It is only a matter of time before some crazy violoncello da spalla player decides to cross over into Old-time string band music in a big way, I mean with high-quality YouTube videos and such. Or it could be a really good fiddler who decides to take up the violoncello da spalla. We have been talking to a few great fiddlers who are trying to find a way to afford a violoncello da spalla. Wish I could afford to just give them one!

 

New Violoncello da Spalla in Progress, Big Mandolins, and Other Cool Projects at D. Rickert Musical Instruments

First things first: I have a new Violoncello da Spalla under construction.

Here are some photos of the instrument in its current state. Click on any of the photos for a larger view.

When it is paired with a lucky future owner, I will finish it. It will take about a month. In the meantime, we have several really exciting projects going on, which I will briefly describe below. Once the new Violoncello da Spalla is spoken for, finishing it will resume its place as a top priority.

If you follow me, you already know that the pricing for my violoncellos da spalla, including a discount for payment up front. If you don’t know and you are curious about pricing, specs, etc., visit Don Rickert Musician Shop on the web. If you are currently weighing your options for a new instrument, this is an opportunity to avoiding being stuck in a long backlog.

If you want to learn or refresh your memory of the beauty, workmanship and sound of my violoncellos da spalla, visit the following links on our main website for D. Rickert Musical Instruments.

Demonstrations and Photo Galleries

Demonstrations of Violoncellos da Spalla by Don Rickert

Gallery: Violoncellos da Spalla by Don Rickert

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.

Online Store Cleanup and Reorganization

Our online store, Don Rickert Musician Shop had not been updated in quite a while. At the end of 2021 and beginning of this year, refreshing the online store to reflect what we are currently focused on emerged as a top priority. That project is more or less completed. Basically, we got rid of most product listings related to resale of someone else’s instruments, bows, accessories, etc.; the main exception being particularly interesting vintage instruments. Moving forward, we will generally sell only what is made in our workshops in Hiawassee, Georgia, USA.

“Big Mandolins” and Related Instruments

When I say “Big Mandolins” I am referring generally to octave mandolins, mandocellos and what are commonly referred to these days as “Irish bouzoukis”. As a long-time enthusiast, and occasional player of these tenor and baritone range instruments, I have been iterating designs for at least 5 years.

With the current instability of the luthier-built bowed string instruments market, the time seems right to start thinking about expanding horizons; that is, if one wants to continue to make a living as a luthier.  

After some market assessment, I mean actual formal market research, including, surveys, depth interviews, conjoint analysis (i.e., features and pricing analysis), etc., I have concluded that there is a very healthy market for luthier-built octave mandolins, citterns and Irish bouzoukis. Another post will get into the details about our upcoming mandolin enterprise. For now, I can tell you that, in addition to our violoncellos da spalla, we will be introducing three models of mandolin family instruments, specifically:

• An Irish bouzouki, which will sell in the $2,500 to $3,500 range
• An archtop octave mandolin (4 courses)/cittern (5 courses), which will sell initially in the $5,500 to $7,000 range
• A high-end archtop instrument, available as an octave mandolin or Irish bouzouki (4 courses) or cittern (5 courses), set to sell initially in the $7,000 to $10,000 range.

Stay tuned for more on all of this!

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.

You will find additional demos not shown here within individual product listings in our online store, the Don Rickert Musician Shop.

Demo Videos of Violoncellos da Spalla by Don Rickert

Click here for demo videos

 

Photo Galleries of Recent Instruments by Don Rickert

Photo Gallery: Violoncellos da Spalla by Don Rickert	Photo Gallery: Other Recent Instruments by Don Rickert	Photo Gallery: Travel Violins by Don Rickert

Demonstrations of Violoncellos da Spalla by Don Rickert

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), (it is the Standard Model that is featured in ALL of the videos)

We look forward to hearing from you.

Having our instruments in the hands of some truly world-class musicians has been a real blessing. There are some really good demonstration videos of our violoncellos da spalla out there. This page brings them, or at least the ones we know about, into one place. Click and enjoy!

Those videos on YouTube and several other video streaming services have previews. Those on Facebook do not.

If you are interested in exploring the possibility of purchasing a Violoncello da Spalla by Don Rickert, please visit Don Rickert Musician Shop. We are one of the most prolific makers of these instruments in the U.S. We are located in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of North Georgia on the North Carolina border.

We have two instruments, as yet unspoken for, in construction.

Video with Previews

NEW Will Hurd: Courante from Bach Suite no 6 using a bow by Harry Grabenstein | 2021 Virtual Exhibition

Andrew Gonzalez playing one of the first violoncellos da spalla I made. Thanks Andrew.

Some Non-Baroque Demonstrations

Albert Chang (SleightlyMusical) talking about and playing his Violoncello da Spalla by Don Rickert

The one and only Albert Chang (aka SleightlyMusical) talks about and plays his violoncello da spalla by Don Rickert. If you need to ask who Albert Chang is...

Albert Chang, also known as sleightlymusical or TheAlbertChang, is a Twitch streamer, YouTube personality, musician, and magician, who is known for his instrumental covers, musical medleys and magic tricks. Albert also streams games where he plays League of Legends and does IRL streams with live music and magic tricks. He is an incredible musician with an international following that most of us could only dream about.

If you want to hear video game and movie soundtracks, K-Pop (remember Gangnam Style), rock covers and other non-baroque stuff played on the violoncello da spalla, you will want to see this!

Peter Walker playing a Scottish Highland lament on violoncello da spalla

Swedish Violoncello da spalla and nyckelharpa by Vasen (Facebook link)

Check out the cello da spalla and nyckelharpa by members of the Swedish group Vasen near the end of the video stream. The cello da spalla in this video is NOT by Don Rickert. It is included here as inspiration to those interested in the violoncello da spalla's use in genres other than baroque.

LOTS More Baroque Demos

Prelude to Cello Suite No. 1 | Andrew Gonzalez, Viola da Spalla

Gabrielli Cannon for Two Violonellos da Spalla (YouTube)

Couperin Treizieme Concert Air on Violoncelli da Spalla

Slovakian Song from Bartok 44 duos (YouTube)

Andrew Gonzalez performs the Gavottes I and II from Bach's Cello Suite no. 6 in D, BWV 1012

Bach and Baroque Virtuosity Premiere: Andrew Gonzalez on Violoncello da Spalla

 

Video Links with NO Previews (e.g. Facebook videos)

Musical Conversations with WETA and Levine: Go Spalla! Rediscovering the Violoncello da Spalla (Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 4 PM)

Go Spalla! Rediscovering the Violoncello da Spalla (Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 7 PM ET)

Couperin Les T ûtes-Réunis (Facebook video)

Performance of Auld Lang Syne for violoncello da spalla three hands (Facebook video)

J.S. Bach’s 3 part invention no. 1, BWV 787 (Facebook video)

William Hurd rehearsing a virtuoso passage from Giaochino Rossini’s duet for cello and bass with bassist, Victor Holmes Jr (Facebook video)

Georg Philipp Telemann’s concerto for viola and strings (2nd movement) TWV 51:G9 (Facebook video)

William Hurd and Kimberly Galva at Levine Music, Feb. 18, 2021, Washington, DC (Facebook video)

Violoncello da spalla and nyckelharpa (Facebook link)

• Check out the cello da spalla and nyckelharpa by members of the Swedish group Vasen near the end of the video stream. The cello da spalla in this video is NOT by Don Rickert. It is included here as inspiration to those interested in the violoncello da spalla's use in genres other than baroque.

 

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 - once you drive it off the lot, it is yours. This is why most instrument makers, including us, work very hard to build a great reputation for quality and trustworthiness. 

Nevertheless, musicians planning on purchasing musical instruments often want to hear these instruments being played by accomplished musicians. Seeing the instruments being played is even better. Making this happen has always been easier said than done. The fact is, it is exceedingly difficult to produce a well-executed professional quality audio recording. Making a compelling video recording is even harder. For this reason, obtaining good video demonstrations of our instruments has always been a rare treat. We are delighted and awestruck by a recent video recording of the brilliant performance of Andrew Gonzalez, for whom we recently completed a Violoncello da Spalla set up in full Baroque configuration. Andrew, you have our compliments and gratitude.

Watch the video and be amazed!

 

The violoncello da spalla is a small 5-string cello that is held across the chest, suspended by a small shoulder strap; hence, the name, which, in Italian means literally "cello of the shoulder". It is often described as a "cello for violinists and violists". We are one of only a handful of makers worldwide. As Andrew Gonzalez clearly demonstrates in the video, this instrument is ideal for Baroque repertoire, especially the notoriously difficult-to-play cello works by Bach. We are absolutely certain that this instrument is also a heavenly match for Celtic music (especially Scottish Highland), as well as Contra Dance and Old-time repertoires, particularly the "Down-East" (i.e. New England and Canadian Maritime provinces) variants. How would you like to be the first fiddler on your block to bring one of these to a session?

To learn all about this exciting instrument and how you too can have one, see the product details at the Don Rickert Musician Shop (Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert). See also our earlier posts:

Announcing the Long-Awaited Violoncello da Spalla by D, Rickert

Newly Completed Violoncello da Spalla by Don Rickert

There is a complete photo album of this newly-completed instrument on our Facebook page (D. Rickert Musical Instruments) - See the album entitled New Violoncello da Spalla by Don Rickert. 

The Latest on Travel Violins and Fiddles by D. Rickert Musical Instruments

Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop.

Introduction

Travel violins and fiddles are specially-designed instruments for adventurers and other travelers for whom small size, extreme durability and easy portability are essential. Travel violins/fiddles are also commonly known as “backpacker fiddles”.

Travel Violins and Fiddles by D. Rickert Musical Instruments

D. Rickert Musical Instruments has been designing and making historic pochettes (e.g. Baroque-period dancing master’s “kits”) and best-in-class modern travel violins (aka backpacker fiddles) since 2005. Continuous improvement based on customer and market feedback and our own continuous evaluation, is just the way we roll. This has led to the design and production of more than two-dozen models over the past 13 years.

We currently make three regular production models of travel/backpacker violin. We also make various custom variants, including “lefty” and 5-string models, as well as travel violas. All of our regular production travel violin models have 14” bodies with 13” playable scale lengths; the same body and scale lengths as full-size violins. All of these instruments are available at the Don Rickert Musician Shop. See the Travel and Backpacker Fiddles category of the Don Rickert Musician Shop website (online store).

 

Late Baroque Pochette

While our modern travel fiddles look superficially like Barqoue pochettes (pocket fiddles), they are, in fact, full-length violins intended for backpacking and travel. All of our travel and backpacker violins are full 4/4 length instruments with chin rests and shoulder rest adapters.

 

They are very popular among traveling classical violinists as well as adventure-loving fiddlers. Unlike the cheap travel fiddles that cost much less than ours on the market, our travel violins respond to the bow like a full-size instrument and are quite sonorous.

 

Kira in Conques Abbey

Kira in Conques Abbey 2

 

What Is a Modern Travel Violin or Backpacker Fiddle?

Baroque Dancing Master w/ Pochette

Modern backpacker and travel violins are the highly-evolved descendants of the pochettes (pocket fiddles, also known as “kits” or “kit fiddles”) of the late 17th through the late 18th Centuries. The Baroque period in music (1600 – 1750) fell within the time period during which the pochette was commonly used. Anyone interested in learning more about the Baroque pochette should see my recent article, Things to Know About the Baroque Pochette (a.k.a “Kit”).

You may also want to visit the “Baroque Instruments (including pochettes)” category of the Don Rickert Musician Shop website.

The Primary Attributes

When one refers to a backpacker or travel violin, he or she is talking about a small and physically robust instrument that:

• Will withstand far greater physical and environmental impacts than a regular violin or fiddle would normally be subjected to
• Is substantially smaller in width than a regular violin (usually between 2” and 3.5” wide); in other words, “skinny” enough to fit into a high-strength tubular case (usually about 4” in diameter) that is often attached to a backpack or bicycle luggage rack.
• Has the same important ergonomic attributes of a full-size violin in modern configuration

The Physical and Environmental Impacts

The physical impacts include being constantly being jarred due to be being attached to a backpack and even dropped.

Environmental impacts include:

• Extreme high and low temperatures
• Extreme low and high humidity levels
• Radical rapid changes in temperature and humidity

Instrument Size (and Shape)

While some backpacker violins are shorter in length than regular violins, the norm is a playable string length (nut to bridge) identical to a 4/4 size violin, with an overall length approximately the same as a 4/4 violin. Sometimes, backpacker violins will have a slightly shorter body and/or peg box.

Ergonomic Attributes

Many, but certainly not all, designers of modern backpacker/travel violins and fiddles, pay great attention to the ergonomic aspects of these small instruments. Primarily, these "human-centered" ergonomics efforts are focused on removable chin rests and shoulder rests that, when installed on the backpacker/travel violin, replicate the critical ergonomic dimensions of a full-size violin or fiddle. The overriding criterion we adhere to is that a travel violin, whatever its size, should feel exactly like a regular violin when it is played.

A modern travel violin without its ergonomic fittings

This instrument, one of our designs, is 2" wide but full 14" long body and a full 13" +/- playable string length. Nevertheless, as is, it cannot be played like a modern violin or fiddle.

The same instrument with its ergonomic fittings installed

Owing to the high adjustability of the shoulder rest (fore and aft position, height, lateral angle), this instrument with its fittings installed is actually more ergonomically optimal than the average violin.

Sound (Timbre, Sonority and Power)

When it comes to sound, travel violins fall into two distinct groups:

1. Instruments primarily used for practice when traveling
2. Instruments for players for whom timbre, sonority and power approaching that of a full-size instrument is a priority

Instruments primarily used for practice

These are slim-bodied (about 2” wide) instruments that, when fully assembled with their chin rests and shoulder rests, simulate the hold, and afford the manner of playing and bowing technique of full-size instruments. This small-bodied class of travel violins is favored by serious violinists and fiddlers wanting a practice instrument (one that plays like a regular violin) with a highly-realist feel, but is as small as possible. In fact, we make one model (on strictly a custom basis), the “Frequent Flyer”, which disassembles such that the pieces can be fit easily, along with a take-apart bow into a rolling suitcase along with other luggage.

 

Frequent flyer NOT assembled

Frequent flyer assembled

Rich sonority is not a high priority for these musicians. Nevertheless, these slim-bodied instruments sound amazingly good, given their small sound boxes.

Instruments with timbre, sonority and power approaching that of a full-size instrument

These instruments are between 3” and 3.5” wide. They cost more than the slim-bodied instruments. Like the small-bodied instruments, their playing characteristics are virtually identical to those of full-size instrument.

Musicians who commission these instruments do, in fact, often use them as practice instruments when traveling. In addition to practicing, these musicians usually intend to play along with other musicians while traveling; therefore, they need an instrument that, while compact, sounds pretty much like an unmuted full-size fiddle and the acoustic power to hold its own in jam sessions and the like.

How Good Can a Travel Violin Sound?: Demonstrations

Many years of continuous design research, involving experimentation with many variables, has gone into achieving good sonority and projection volume from these small instruments whose body size, materials and construction method departs radically from conventional full-size violins.

Most makers of modern travel violins will tell you that they sound good. When we tell you that ours sound amazing, we really mean it. Watch the following videos to hear for yourself what we mean by amazing!

 

That's it for now. Look for a follow-on article in the next few days about traveling with your fiddle.

Cheers,

Don Rickert

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T-Rex Octave Viola by D. Rickert Musical Instruments with Demo Video

Attention!: This is an older post. Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop.

How good can an acoustic octave viola sound? The T-Rex Octave Viola sets the standard. 

Note

The T-Rex Octave Viola by D. Rickert Musical Instruments and other amazing low-pitched acoustic bowed instruments are available at the Don Rickert Musician Shop.

Go Right to YouTube for Demo

T-Rex Octave Viola Demo on YouTube

Introduction

Since the inception of our ongoing adventure as an independent boutique custom lutherie (began in 2007 officially), we have always allocated much attention to designing and making the best possible acoustic octave (aka baritone) violins and fiddles. More recently (about 4 years ago), we added acoustic octave violas (aka “chin cellos”) to our product offerings.

Our Initial Goal for Octave Violas

When we stepped into the octave viola arena, our goal was simple: To develop an instrument that sounded a lot better than the original “ChinCellos”, cleverly marketed by a large Asian manufacturer with an Italian-sounding name.

These original “ChinCellos”, still sold today through the large online musical instrument mega-stores, are basically student-level instruments set up with special octave viola strings (made by SuperSensitive) and tuned to the same notes (i.e. frequencies) as a full-size cello. The maker claims internal modifications to increase sonority. We assume that this would be some kind of modification to the bass bar.

These instruments sound about as good as an $800 converted student instrument could sound. To summarize, their sound is somewhat muffled with a particularly weak-sounding C-string. They do not sound anything like a full-size cello.

To be fair, they do sound pretty good with a decent pickup installed and played through an amplifier.

Our Quest for an Amazing Chin Cello

Over several years of experimentation and very patient original customers, we discovered the lutherie secrets for generating great sound from purpose-built (i.e. not converted regular instruments) octave VIOLINS. Unfortunately, those trade secrets did not apply in any direct way with octave VIOLAs. It really was difficult to coax amazing power from that pesky low C-string.

Special bass bars and deeper bodies achieved more volume but not the cello-like focused sound we were going for. We could not even get that elusive sharp, focused, rich and sonorous sound from small cellos suspended by a guitar-like shoulder strap (called a Violoncello da Spalla).

Our Discovery of the Tertis Wide-Body Viola Pattern

Lionel Tertis is regarded by many as the greatest viola player of the 20th century. Tertis preferred a large viola in order to get an especially rich tone from his instrument. Tertis created a viola pattern that would provide the tonal advantages as a large 17.5 inch viola from a 16 inch viola, which is today regarded as a full size viola. Tertis violas are considerably wider than conventional violas of the same body lenths, especially in the middle bout. This extreme body width with a relatively shallow depth seems to be the source of the acoustic magic of a Tertis body.

Tertis pattern instruments have the appearance of incredibly large violas; however, their playable string lengths and rib heights are standard. In the case of a 16” instrument, the string length would be about 14.5” and the rib height of about 38mm.

The T-Rex Octave Viola

Through our business relationships with the top Asian lutheries (yes, there are some really great master luthiers in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea these days), we sorted out having the T-Rex instruments partially made to our specifications. They are then completed in our Hiwassee, GA, USA workshops. We can make you one completely in our U.S. workshop for about 4 times the price ($8,500+)…and it will not sound any better!

The primary work we do on the instrument is fine-tuning of the top graduations and occasional bar adjustments, as well as a quite unique setup using a Dov Schmidt “Harp” tailpiece to which we attach the strings in a most unconventional way, per discoveries we learned from the great maker of large violas and, at one time, octave violins, David Ravinus. Our stringing practice is a complex topic for another time. Trust me: the compensated tailpiece; unique stringing and setup makes the difference between sounding really good and amazing!

How Does it Sound?

Large But Quite Playable 

As big as it looks next to a regular violin (see image), it has a 16” body. Because it is based on a Tertis viola pattern, it is really wide, making it look like a much larger instrument. The span of the lower bout is more than 10 inches. That is really wide! Nevertheless, the instrument is surprising easy to manage and hold (yes, with an extra large shoulder rest), as the rib height is a manageable 38mm; about the same as a regular 16” viola.

Find Out More

You can visit the T-Rex product listing details at the Don Rickert Musician Shop Site.

We do wish to stress that this instrument is only to be played with a high-quality cello bow!

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Modern Travel and Backpacker Violins: Baroque Pochettes and Modern Travel Violins at the Don Rickert Musician Shop (Part 2 of 2 Parts)

Attention!: We have more recent articles about Travel Violins. Better still - See the Travel and Backpacker Fiddle category at the Don Rickert Musician Shop.

Modern Travel and Backpacker Violins

D. Rickert Musical Instruments makes some of the world’s finest Modern Travel Violins (aka Backpacker Fiddles) and more models (6 models currently; one a 5-string). We also make two Pochette models; one a Baroque (early to mid-1700s) and one a Pre-Modern (1780s). All of these instruments are available at the Don Rickert Musician Shop.

This article is about the modern Travel Violins and Backpacker Fiddles you will find at Don Rickert Musician Shop. You might also want to read Baroque Pochettes and Modern Travel Violins at the Don Rickert Musician Shop (Part 1 of 2 Parts): Pochettes, which is about our pochettes, and some of the lore associated with them.

Travel and Backpacker Violins and Fiddles by D. Rickert Musical Instruments

These are instruments that look superficially like Barqoue pochettes (pocket fiddles); however, they are full-length violins intended for backpacking and travel. All of our travel and backpacker violins are full 4/4 length instruments with chin rests and shoulder rest adapters. They are very popular among traveling classical violinists as well as adventure-loving fiddlers. Unlike the cheap travel fiddles that cost much less than ours on the market, ours respond to the bow like a full-size instrument and are quite sonorous...be sure to watch the videos below.

How Good Can a Travel Violin Sound?

Most makers of modern travel violins will tell you that they sound good. When we tell you that ours sound amazing, watch the following videos to hear for yourself what we mean by amazing…

YouTube Video of a D. Rickert Travel Violin (Nathan Aldridge)

 

YouTube Video of a D. Rickert Travel Violin (Troy Parker) 

 

Current Travel Violin and Fiddle Offerings at the Don Rickert Musician Shop

You will find these incredible instruments at…

Bowed Instruments (Regular Offerings) > Travel and Backpacker Fiddles

The Instruments

Mountain Lion Travel Violin by D. Rickert 

We have been talking about a new travel violin to supersede the Neil Gow 22XL Travel Violin for several years. It is not that we do not like the Gow Travel Violin. We always felt that we could get a more full-bodied and balanced sound from an instrument of similar size (14” long x 3.25” wide, at the widest point). After many tries, involving countless prototypes, we achieved success. We call the new instrument the “Mountain Lion”.

At some point (soon!) we will have a video demo of the Mountain Lion Travel Violin. We can tell you that it sounds almost as good as the one played by Nathan Aldridge in the first video above (we do not see the possibility of ever making a travel violin that sounds better than the Custom Deep Body Travel Violin – Viola played by Nathan) and a little bit better than the one played by Troy Parker in the second video.

The instrument played by Troy Parker is an Adventurer II. We no longer make this instrument on a regular production basis, as it is too expensive to build, given its internal labyrinth of tuned porting that rivals the complexity of a Bose speaker enclosure (we still make them on a custom basis for those willing to pay the hefty price…about $3,000).

 

Custom Deep Body Travel Violin - Viola

See photo essay, Deep Body Custom Travel Violin/Viola (Newly Re-christened) 

What we are now calling the Deep Body Custom Travel Violin/Viola has become one of the most popular instruments we have ever sold. It is definitely the best-sounding pochette-type travel violin we have ever produced.  Interestingly enough, not a single customer has opted for a 4-string octave violin (aka baritone violin) configuration. Rather, to date, we have made the following configurations for customers:

• 4-string standard violin or viola tuning (base price applies to this configuration)
• 5-string violin/viola with standard 5-string violin neck (this is what most customers buy)
• 5-string violin/viola with custom extra-wide 5-string neck
• 10-string instrument configured as follows: (See photo essay on 10-string Pochette D'Amore) 

• 4 playable strings tuned C3, G3, C4 (middle C), G4 (G above middle C)
• 6 sympathetic strings that run through a channel under the fingerboard and then through a special cut-out in the bridge (i.e. the sympathetic string bridge) and attached to metal hooks on the underside of the tailpiece (just like a Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle)

This last instrument is interesting, as it is used by a performer of Hindi Classical Music living in Australia. In Indian classical music, the violin or viola is played with the musician sitting in something like a lotus position. The instrument end rests on the upper chest (we made the buyer a special chest rest for that purpose). The finial (e.g. scroll), in the case of this instrument, a viola d’Amore blindfolded muse (Baroque symbol of True Love), is held by the player’s toes. Only a picture can really convey how this is done.

Mountaineer IV Travel Violin

See Photo Essay, Mountaineer IV Travel Violin with Phantom Shoulder Rest

This is our most popular travel violin (it is also our most popular instrument regardless of type) 

The Rickert Mountaineer IV Backpacker Fiddle is a really skinny (but full 4/4 length) travel fiddle that is extremely durable for the most punishing environments. This instrument and its predecessors have now been on journeys in the U.S., Europe, U.K., Canada, Middle East, North Africa and the African sub-continent.

The instrument is just 2 inches wide and is standard 4/4 length (body just under 14", playable string length of 13”, and total length about 23").

The Mountaineer utilizes an innovative internal bracing, which performs the critical functions of the sound post (damping shrill high frequency overtones while enhancing mid and low frequency overtones). The advantage is that the Mountaineer IV can withstand shock and extreme temperatures without the risk of the sound post falling out of place. The new Mountaineer IV, unlike its predecessors, uses a separate bass bar (not part of the internal framing).

The sound?

The instrument is quite loud (louder than a regular violin), and well balanced across all four strings. It is NOT shrill or “tinny”. Rather it tends to favor the mid-range. While having as much bass punch as a 2-inch wide instrument could possibly have, it is somewhat less than what we would call full-bodied.

Basically, it gets the job done sonically for those whose needs require such a small instrument. It does quite well in impromptu jam session due to its shear volume and mid-range bias.

Frequent Flyer Travel Violin

See photo essay, Mountaineer IV Travel Violin with Phantom Shoulder Rest

The Frequent Flyer Travel Violin is designed for players who need a travel instrument that can be easily be packed inside of a suitcase or carry-on bag. 

It is based on the Mountaineer IV (see product description for the Mountaineer IV above), but has very special structural enhancements, which allow for the easy removal and reattachment of the neck. The entire instrument, together with its accessories and a take-apart bow, fits into two small boxes, which, themselves easily fit into one’s luggage. The photos illustrate how it works.

Like the Mountaineer IV, the Phantom Shoulder Rest is an available option.

The sound is almost as good as the Mountaineer IV. The Mountaineer IV is a bit more sonorous due to the latter’s permanently set neck, using a traditional modern violin mortised neck joint.

Neil Gow 22XL Travel Violin

See photo essay, Lots of photos of new Neil Gow XL Travel Violin 

The Neil Gow 21C, the predecessor of the Neil Gow XL Travel Violin, while actually quite modern under the surface, is based on our extremely popular Neil Gow Pochette, an interpretation of an 18th Century pochette (pocket fiddle or kit) on display in the Burrell Museum in Glasgow, Scotland. The bodies of the Neil Gow Pochette and its modern descendant, the Neil Gow 21C by Don Rickert Musical Instruments, while longer than the historic original on which their design is based, and have a full 4/4 size playable string length (nut to bridge), of 13 inches. This is one inch shorter than a 4/4 conventional violin. Most players do not notice this small difference in body length. For other musicians, especially novice and intermediate players, that one inch difference is important. For this reason, and to add a few more cubic inches of internal air space, the Neil Gow XL Travel Violin body is a full 14 inches long, which is the same a regular violin or fiddle.

Related articles

Octave Violins and Octave Violas at Don Rickert Musician Shop

Baroque Pochettes and Modern Travel Violins at the Don Rickert Musician Shop (Part 1 of 2 Parts): Pochettes

Don Rickert Musician Shop: Your Source for Unique Bowed and Fretted Instruments and Accessories Ranging from Baroque Period to Today's Cutting Edge

Demos (video with audio) of the Fat Strad Deux 5-String

Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop.

Demos (video with audio) of the Fat Strad Deux 5-String

See the D. Rickert Fat Strad III 5-String Violin at the Don Rickert Musician Shop.

The Fat Strad Deux 5-String Fiddle is a now called the D. Rickert Fat Strad III 5-String Violin.

It uses the same acoustically advanced body as our D. Rickert Fat Strad Acoustic Octave Violin.

David Thames Demonstrating Fat Strad Deux 5-String Mezzo Viola

 

David Thames Playing Fat Strad Deux 5-String Mezzo Viola Accompanying a Violin

David, a violist and cellist (who also plays violin) is accompanying violinist and fiddler, Mary Ann Thames, who is playing her cool Lion Head fiddle. They are playing a baroque liturgical canon.

 

Links:

David Thames Demonstrating Fat Strad Deux 5-String Mezzo Viola (YouTube Video)

David Thames Playing Fat Strad Deux 5-String Mezzo Viola (YouTube Video)

• David, a violist and cellist (who also plays violin) is accompanying violinist and fiddler, Mary Ann Thames, who is playing her cool Lion Head fiddle. They are playing a baroque liturgical canon. 

The NEW Fat Strad Deux Mezzo Viola by D. Rickert Musical Instruments

See How the Fat Strad Deux Mezzo Viola Works

Who is the Fat Strad Deux 5-String Fiddle for?

This instrument is NOT for a beginner who likes the idea of having a low C or D string (D is a more common note than C for an experienced 5-String player). Becoming proficient on a 5-String fiddle takes practice beyond that necessary to play a standard fiddle.

The Fat Strad Deux 5-String Fiddle is made for…

Professional and advanced fiddlers looking for 5-string fiddle that:

• Has string spacing wide enough to be actually playable
• Volume, depth, deep tone and sheer raw power of a championship level fiddle across all 5 strings
• The awesome responsiveness and power of the C string is not achieved at the expense of the responsiveness and sound of the e” string, or vice versa.

The Fat Strad Deux in 5-string configuration is simply the best 5-string violin you will find anywhere!

Don Rickert Musician Shop, D. Rickert, Musical Instruments, Fat Strad, Deux, small viola, fiddle, octave viola, 5-string, bass bar, mezzo viola, 8vb, 4-string, Octave Violin