D. Rickert Musical Instruments

04/26/2025

A new Violoncello da Spalla with minimal wait time and great price! I have a new(ish) Violoncello da Spalla Standard Model that will be available to ship in about 60 days, or less. It is currently in the hands of one of my best customers, who is waiting for completion of a custom Exhibition Model Vd...

04/23/2025

Due to the apparent chaotic nature of new U.S. tariffs, everything about this topic is a moving target. I will post updates as appropriate. Key points My flagship instruments are made in the U.S. and, presently, there should be little, if any, effect on the prices of these more expensive instruments...

04/23/2025

Virtually all violin family instruments we make at D. Rickert Musical Instruments are fit with planetary pegs. The image of the violoncello da spalla pegbox/scroll clearly shows the planetary geared pegs, which look exactly like regular ebony pegs. Planetary geared pegs provide a profound enhancemen...

04/20/2025

This is an update of an article first published in April 2024. Just as in the past, this is a time of year to be thinking about a travel violin or viola if you are going to be needing one in the late spring or summer. While an update of a year-old article, the prices are the same. No inflation or ta...

04/17/2025

https://www.rickertmusicalinstruments.com/2025/04/the-latest-on-octave-violas-and-tenor-violas-by-d-rickert.html

New product listing for Octave Violas and Tenor Violas at the Don Rickert Musician Shop! For the first time in years, we have a specific product listing on our online store website, Don Rickert Musician Shop (www.donrickertmusicianshop.com), having treated Octave Violas as completely custom commissi...

03/11/2025

Brief descriptions, tunings and links to other references in this new article

Introduction This post provides brief descriptions of the various alternative and extended range violin family instruments made by D. Rickert Musical Instruments. The descriptions include the normal tuning for each instrument, as well as links to other reference material about each instrument. There...

03/11/2025

Another new article about the "Why?" of Alternative Violin Family Instruments

In this context, “Alternative” or “Non-Standard” bowed string instruments refer to the following: Violin Variants 5-string Violins: See 5-String Violins and Fiddles Travel / Backpacker Violins: See Travel and Backpacker Fiddles (and Violas) Octave Violins (aka Tenor Violins): See Octave Viol...

03/10/2025

Octave violins, octave and tenor violas, violoncellos da spalla and more!

This article, which includes a photo essay, is about the different “form factors” of various “alternative” or “non-standard” violin family instruments, all of which are made by Don Rickert Musical Instruments. With a few exceptions, the images in the photo essay part of this post are of ...

12/30/2024

05/21/2024

Basic description and specifications for my new Violoncello da Spalla Artist Model

The new Violoncello da Spalla Artist Model is for accomplished musicians seeking the best sounding and most playable instrument possible, as well a distinctively unique appearance. My new Violoncello da Spalla model is a departure from “traditional” violoncellos da spalla made by me and other to...

04/30/2024

New life for Chin Cellos (aka Octave Violas)!

Full disclosure: I LOVE violas, especially those that are tuned like a cello (chin cello or octave viola) or like an octave violin (tenor viola). It will be of interest to anyone who currently has, or is considering acquiring, a lower-pitched viola. The Chin Cello fad Do you remember the “chin cel...