This is an update of a previous post, with even more attractive terms. It can be purchased for as little as $8,700.
This is a chance to acquire a luthier-built Violoncello da Spalla from one of the few prominent makers of these instruments, who has made quite a few. Violoncellos da Spalla by Donald Rickert are played by some of the world’s preeminent performers. No need to settle for a ‘learning project’ of a regular violin maker just getting started with violoncellos da spalla. Or worse, an eBay instrument. Or even worse still, a ‘converted’ 1/10 size fractional child’s cello.
You may be able to have either the eBay instrument or concerted kid’s cello for several thousand dollars all told. But it will almost always be several thousand dollars of heartache with essentially zero resale value. Of several of my instruments that have been sold due to player age or health issues, ALL have sold for considerably more than their original purchase prices.
A new Violoncello da Spalla in your hands by mid-November, 2025 at a great price!
I have a new(ish) Violoncello da Spalla Standard Model that will be available to ship in November 2025 (before Thanksgiving). It is currently in the hands of one of my best customers, who is waiting for completion of a custom Exhibition Model VdS. See Note about the Exhibition Model below.
Note about the Violoncello da Spalla Exhibition Model: This is a master-built Violoncello da Spalla that not only plays and sounds extraordinary, but has exhibition level aesthetic qualities, such as rare AAAA-grade Bear Claw Sitka Spruce from Alaska and dramatically figured AAAA-grade slab-sawn Quilted Maple from Oregon (the body) and Vancouver Island, British Columbia (Canada). The Exhibition Model currently sells for $18,500 if you are interested.
The regular sales price for the VdS Standard Model currently for sale is $12,500. Since it is technically ‘used’, I will sell it for $11,000, $6,500 down, with balance ($4,500) due when it is ready to ship. This same model has sold on the used market in the $11,000 to $15,000 range. See Violoncellos da Spalla and Related on the Don Rickert Musician Shop website for detailed descriptions of my various Violoncello da Spalla models.
You can have it for $8,700!
When the price of my Violoncellos da Spalla standard models used to be $9,600, the purchase option for $8,500 all up front was offered. Of the two dozen Violoncellos da Spalla I have made in the past several years, about 80% were purchased with this option.
I am once again putting a similar option out there for consideration. It can be yours for $8,700. Call me if you are interested (706-400-1481). Or email me at don@donrickertdesign.com.
The Violoncello da Spalla for sale is strung with Infeld-Thomastik Violoncello da Spalla strings. There are advantages to a relatively new pre-owned instrument, the main one being that all of the minor kinks associated with a new instrument have been resolved during the break-in period in the hands of a skilled player.
FYI: This is the exact same instrument played by such notable players as William Hurd and Andrew Gonzalez. Here is a link to a plethora of Violoncellos da Spalla by Don Rickert being played: Demonstrations of Violoncellos da Spalla by Don Rickert.
Give me a call.
If you wish to discuss this instrument or a completely new build, I look forward to hearing from you.
D Rickert Musical Instruments 
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