Don Rickert Musical Instruments

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

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 matching solid maple tailpiece. Looking at the photos, you can see that the instrument is well-scraped and the purfling is close to flawless. The back and sides, however, are not as well-flamed as I would like. In fact, the flaming is rather subdued on the ribs. This is the reason that I have decided to sell the instrument for a discounted price. If desired, you can purchase the instrument now and I will make a new one just like, but with very well-flamed... Read more →

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

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 can be as long as year. If you want one now, here is your chance. The wait time for a custom-made viola of any kind can be quite long as well. I am offering special pricing, to boot! Special Pricing Both instruments have special pricing. I am selling the tenor viola for $3,500, which includes a custom-sized oblong case. The Violoncello da Spalla is $13,500. Contact Information: Please feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss a possible purchase of these... Read more →

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 →

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 →

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 →

Image Assets for Cool Instruments for Hep Cats Ep 3

These are some of the image assets presented by Guest Daniela Gaidano in Cool Instruments for Hep Cats Episode 3. Host: Don Rickert of D. Rickert Musical Instruments. Read more →

Episode 2 of the Podcast, Cool Instruments for Hep Cats is Available NOW on Spotify and YouTube!

Episode 2 of 'Cool Instruments for Hep Cats' is available now as a regular audio podcast on Spotify and as a video podcast on YouTube. On Spotify On YouTube In this episode I talk to Dr. Roger Landes about bouzoukis (Greek as well as Irish), octave mandolins and citterns. Episode 2, a continuation of Episode 1, features discussion and demonstrations of several of Roger's very cool instruments. For more information about 'Cool Instruments for Hep Cats', see my earlier article, 'Our New Podcast and YouTube Channel: Cool Instruments for Hep Cats'. Upcoming episodes in the near future deal with such fascinating topics as 5-string and other alternative cellos, violoncello da spalla, octave fiddles and travel violins, with episodes focused on a plethora of other out-of-the-ordinary musical instruments to follow. Cool Instruments for Hep Cats is brought to you by D. Rickert Musical Instruments and Don Rickert Musician Shop. Read more →

New Violoncello da Spalla Builds Underway: Now Might Be the Time

It is time to unite another new Violoncello da Spalla by Don Rickert with its new owner. We have a new Violoncello da Spalla standard model underway. I have a Violoncello da Spalla (Standard Model) in progress that is more than one-half completed. The Standard Model is less expensive than the Standard Plus Model. You will want to visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop [link] to see the differences between the two models. Both are professional level instruments. See the in-progress Violoncello da Spalla in its current state in the adjacent photo of yours truly (i.e., Don Rickert). Learn more about Violoncellos da Spalla, including the ones we make here in our Hiawassee, Georgia (USA) workshop. If you are reading this, you probably already know a bit about what a Violoncello da Spalla is, the history of its development in the 17th and 18th Centuries, and its rediscovery in the early 21st Century. If you do wish to learn or simply refresh your memory on this unique and versatile instrument, visit the following links: Violoncellos da Spalla by Donald Rickert Demonstrations of Violoncellos da Spalla by Don Rickert Violoncello da Spalla Standard Model by D. Rickert NEW Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert (Standard Plus Model) Violoncello da Spalla in Old-Time Music: A Match Made in Heaven Happy New Year 2022! Looking for a World-Class Violoncello da Spalla? Learn more about other really cool tenor and baritone range violin family instruments If you visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop website... Read more →