Don Rickert Musical Instruments

The Truth About the Current State of the Custom Musical Instrument Business

Introduction The image is not a new musical instrument but a faucet. If you continue you will understand I make my living making very good custom musical instruments, including: Violoncellos da Spalla Octave Violins Travel Violins Octave Mandolins Citterns Mandocellos I would very much like to sell you one. If you are reading this, you can easily figure out how to contact me (706-896-0909; [email protected]). Now, I’ll cut to the chase – Very few people are buying custom musical instruments these days. It is even worse than the worldwide financial crisis of 2007-2008. Well, maybe not worse, but just as bad. Very few makers of custom hand-built musical instruments will admit publicly that the current state of affairs is really dire, which is a polite way of saying that it sucks! Why? — because it is generally not a good marketing strategy to say out loud that business is challenging and things like you might lose your home to foreclosure and the like. The “Market” could not care less. Well, the truth is the truth! For me, the time of daunting backlog queues is a thing of the past. Since Q3 2021 it has been quite the opposite. You do not see economists on National News programs talking about any of this, as small businesses that make bespoke goods are, quite simply, a tiny segment of the overall economy. Since you will not be hearing from economists on the current dire situation for custom luthiers, I will tell you what... Read more →

Back in the Saddle Again! (And the Economics of Attention)

First, thank you for your valuable attention. This will make sense if I can hold on to your attention for a few more minutes. In the words of Aerosmith: I'm back I'm back in the saddle again I'm back I'm back in the saddle again Man, nobody can screech our lyrics like the great Steven Tyler! Gene Autry expressed the same sentiment in his song of the same title, written in 1939 and recorded numerous times by him and widely covered. If you have to ask, it means doing something that you stopped doing for a period of time. I stopped building instruments for a while. Here is why. After the passing of my Partner and Soulmate Alycen in August of 2021, I took a long hiatus from seeking new instrument build commissions. During a period of several months after her death I caught up on a distressing backlog of instrument builds, all of them violoncellos da spalla and a custom leather case for a violoncello da spalla. I also pretty much ignored doing frequent updates to my blogs and other social media, and boy, am I paying for that now! I have been posting lots of articles the past few weeks. I have regained “first page” status on Google searches for anything remotely related to “Violoncello da Spalla.” We have a long way to go with getting the word out on my octave violins, travel violins and such. And the market for mandolins is so large, that it could... Read more →

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 18th 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... Read more →

D. Rickert Musical Instruments Will Be a Vendor at Hoppin' John 2022.

D. Rickert Musical Instruments will be showing one of its Violoncellos da Spalla at an upcoming festival in the Southeastern US. D. Rickert Musical Instruments (bowed strings), together with its partner, Rickert and Hale, Luthiers (mandolin family and guitars), will once again be showing finished and in progress instruments at the 2022 Hoppin’ John Old Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention. The festival happens September 15-17, 2022 at the Shakori Hill Community Arts Center near Pittsboro, North Carolina. That is central North Carolina. People come from throughout the Southeastern US, including Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia and, of course, North Carolina. We will have at least one of our in-progress violoncellos da spalla to show. As surprising as it might seem, a large number of American traditional fiddle players and enthusiasts are also baroque music enthusiasts. We have actually sold more violoncellos da spalla at (or shortly following) the Hoppin’ John Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention than ANY other instrument. The in-progress violoncello da spalla that we will be showing is actually available for purchase right now. It is the same model played by several renowned violoncello da spalla players. If you are interested, feel free to contact me to discuss. Later today or tomorrow at the latest, I will post about other instruments that we will have to show at Hoppin' John. Read more →

One Last Opportunity to Own a Violoncello da Spalla Standard Model.

This article announces what amounts to discontinuation of the Standard Model Violoncello da Spalla and the introduction of the Standard Model Plus. That being said, as of today 9-9-2022, there are still two Standard Models, which cost just under $10,000, available. one of these is about 2/3 complete, so there would not be too long of a wait. If you have been shopping, you know that that is a really great price. I look forward to talking to you. -Don Rickert If you have decided to acquire a professional level violoncello da spalla, you should pay attention to this! Email: [email protected] Phone: 706-896-0909 At the end of May 2022 we announced our Violoncello da Spalla Standard Plus Model, AND that we would be discontinuing the Standard Model. In other words, this model has been superseded by the new Violoncello da Spalla Standard Plus Model, which costs considerably more. This could be your lucky day! If you are still interested in this great but more affordable model, we have determined that we still have enough materials and parts to build two more. Then, that's it for the foreseeable future. Please contact us if you wish to discuss purchasing one of these instruments. Our email is [email protected] and phone number is (706) 896-0909 or (706) 400-1481 (mobile). You can also use the "Contact" link on this page. Effective May 30, 2022, we are offering the NEW Violoncello da Spalla Standard Plus Model. This new model supersedes its predecessor, which was called the... Read more →

Announcing the NEW Standard Plus Model Violoncello da Spalla by Don Rickert

If you have decided to acquire a professional level violoncello da spalla, you should pay attention to this! Email: [email protected] Phone: 706-896-0909 Effective May 30, 2022, we are offering the NEW Violoncello da Spalla Standard Plus Model. This new model supersedes its predecessor, which was called the “Standard Model”. This new instrument has the same basic specifications as the earlier Standard Model, but is primarily hand-made by Master luthier, Dr. Donald Rickert in our workshop in Hiawassee, GA, USA, with minimal apprentice or contract labor. Prices start at $16,000 US. To learn more, go to NEW Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert (Standard Plus Model) on the Don Rickert Musician Shop website. Dr. Don Rickert is one of the preeminent cello da spalla makers worldwide. He is based in Hiawassee, Georgia, USA, which is located in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of North Georgia. The workshop is located literally on the border of the Nantahala Wilderness area of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Dr. Rickert and his fellow luthier, Dr. Randy Hale also design and build professional-level octave mandolins, Irish bouzoukis, citterns, mandolas and mandolins. See the Rickert & Hale website. Their workshops are located on adjacent ridges. Why the New Model? Funny you should ask. In the past few years, the violoncello da spalla market has evolved such that it has become much smaller and more discerning. The time of exuberant enthusiasm, with throngs of eager beginners, has diminished markedly, and with it the market for violoncellos costing less than $10,000.... Read more →

Fine Violoncellos da Spalla for Sale: Hiawassee, Georgia, USA

D. Rickert Musical Instruments has a model of Violoncello da Spalla for every level of commitment beyond “just curious and doing research”. Our Standard Model Violoncello da Spalla goes for just under $10K. This is the model played by some of the widely-recognized best violoncello da spalla players in the world, such as Andrew Gonzalez and Will Hurd. We also have a Deluxe Model, which costs more. Both of these are made by us in our Hiawassee, Georgia USA workshop. We also have a really nice entry-level model that this made in China and set up by us in our workshop. We also make a really cool small Petite Violoncello da Spalla. See the following product listings: NEW Violoncello da Spalla Conservatory Model by D. Rickert NEW Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert ($8,400 - $9,600) Petite Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert ($6,500) Recent videos of Andrew Gonzalez and Will Hurd Read more →

We Have a Violoncello da Spalla Model for Everybody—NEW Conservatory Model is Only $3,499!

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. Over the past several years, we have built performance-level violoncellos da spalla for professional musicians. We are indeed proud of the fact that some of the preeminent violoncello da spalla players in the world play our instruments. This group includes Andrew Gonzalez and Will Hurd. At almost $10,000, the cost of our professional performance instruments (We call them the “Standard Model”), is out of reach for many, including many professionals. We also offer an “Artist Model” that starts at $16,500!—even further out of reach for all but the most committed and well-funded professionals. If you follow us, you might have noticed that we have introduced an affordable “Conservatory Model”, which sells for only $3,499. This model is a great instrument that is made in China and set up and fine-tuned in our Hiawassee, Georgia workshop. The Conservatory Model is essentially a painstakingly executed copy of our Standard Model (the one that costs almost $10,000). We announced the new Conservatory Model several weeks ago. See: Professional Level Violoncello da Spalla For Only $3,499! We are taking orders NOW for the first 12... Read more →

Time-Sensitive Violoncello da Spalla Opportunity!

Attention!: The offer of a 10% discount to buyers is now expired. In the words of Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, "Time Waits for No One". The 10% commission for those who make a referral leading to an actual sale still stands, at least for now. That could mean almost $1,000 in your pocket! Call us or email us if you wish to discuss. If you have decided to acquire a professional level violoncello da spalla, you should pay attention to this! Email: [email protected] Phone: 706-896-0909 If you do not know what a violoncello is, or you are just kind of dreaming about getting one someday, this is NOT for you. Put another way, if you are not sure that you need a master-grade violoncello da spalla, you DO NOT need one! Or, if you are not that committed and you want one cheap, such as a converted fractional cello, go for it. That road is paved with failure and disappointment, made worse by wasted money and time—just saying. If you are merely curious, you can satisfy your curiosity elsewhere, such as: The product listing for Violoncellos da Spalla at Don Rickert Musician Shop Demonstrations and Photo Galleries I have not yet put you off and you are still here, read on … Of the top makers of violoncellos da spalla, which are played by the top players, I am pretty sure that we are the last who are still making instruments for less than $10,000. We still have enough... Read more →

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... Read more →