I try to start every year with a basic idea of what I am going to build in the coming year. This is my way of establishing some type of focus, especially when there is a lot of chaos going on, like, for instance, right now. Every year, I am surprised by the way things actually play out. For example, last year I had something like 5 Violoncello da Spalla commissions. This, compared to selling zero during the previous two years. Or three octave violas in 2025, when it is rare to make more than one in a given year. Octave violas simply a very specific niche instrument. On the other hand, orders for my other mainstay instruments, like travel violins, tenor violas (violas optimized to be tuned like an octave violin, G2 D3 A3 E4) and actual octave violins were about the same as my predictions.
Listed below are the instruments I intend, or at least, hope to make during the remaining part of this year. For the first time ever, it will not just be bowed strings and the occasional octave mandolin, bouzouki or mandocello. High-end specialty banjos will be part of the mix this year. I will say more about that in a bit.
Bowed Strings
Octave Violins
An octave violin, also sometimes called a baritone violin or tenor violin, is a violin-sized instrument tuned an octave lower than a standard violin, typically using larger diameter strings and a larger body or deeper ribs to accommodate the lower frequencies. See:
5-String Violins
A 5-string violin is a variant of the standard 4-string violin with an added string, typically a lower C string, extending its range and allowing players to access notes lower than the standard violin’s range. See:
Note: The 5-string violins I make are purpose-built to be 5-string violins, and have features like a wider neck and substantially deeper bodies.
Violoncellos da Spalla
The “violoncello da spalla,” or “cello da spalla,” is a small, five-string cello played across the chest, similar to a viola or violin, and held by a shoulder strap, popular with Baroque period enthusiasts. See:
Note: I currently make 5 models of Violoncellos da Spalla:
- Violoncello da Spalla Standard Model by D. Rickert ($12.5K with available discounts available)
- NEW Violoncello da Spalla Standard Plus Model (aka Deluxe Model) by D. Rickert (starts at $16.5K)
- NEW Violoncello da Spalla Basic Model by D. Rickert (made in China with setup in U.S., about $4.5K)
- Petite Violoncello da Spalla by D. Rickert
- Violoncello da Spalla Exhibition Model (soon to be announced) starts at $24K
Tenor Violas
A “tenor viola,” also sometimes called a tenor violin, is a larger, lower-tuned version of the viola, typically with a body size similar to a smaller viola (around 15.5 to 16 inches) and strings tuned to an octave lower than a regular viola (like an octave violin).
Note: While historically, “tenor viola” referred to larger violas, today it’s more commonly understood as a normal viola-sized instrument tuned an octave lower, much like an octave violin.
Common tuning: G2 D3 A3 E4. See:
Travel Violins and Violas
A travel violin, also known as a “backpacker fiddle” or “modern pochette,” is a specially designed, full-length violin (4/4) with a narrower body for easy portability and durability, often for travelers and adventurers. See:
Travel – Backpacker Violin (brief description)
A travel viola is a viola variant of a travel violin. See:
Banjos
In the coming days I will be announcing the banjo models, the first articles of which will be available in May 2026. They are all 5-string banjos speficially for clawhammer and its antecedent playing styles (e.g. Old-time, Minstrel and Early African American styles). The models are:
Minstrel Banjo (historical)
Minstrel-inspired early 20th Century Banjo
Mountain Banjo of the Frank Profitt type
Gourd Banjos (a number of configurations)
Note: This post will be updated soon with images of my 5-string banjo offerings.
A new website dedicated to banjos and other Appalachian instruments will be announced soon. We already have the domain, but there is nothing there as of yet. (www.GeorgiaMountainStrings.com)
Contact Information
The web address for the “Cool Instruments for Hep Cats” video podcast is: @Cool_Instruments_for_Hep_Cats – https://www.youtube.com/@Cool_Instruments_for_Hep_Cats/podcasts
Don Rickert’s main website, ‘D. Rickert Musical Instruments’, is https://www.RickertMusicalInstruments.com.
Online store, ‘Don Rickert Musician Shop’, is https://www.DonRickertMusicianshop.com.
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: don@donrickertdesign.com; doctorfiddle@gmail.com
Phone (in US): 706-400-1481 (mobile)
D Rickert Musical Instruments 
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