Donald Rickert

Almost Half of a Violin: What is That???

Oct 27, 2022

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in Announcements, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Mezzo and Quasi-Mezzo Violins, Octave and Baritone Violins

We have introduced a new violin design, which we are calling the “Quasi-Mezzo Violin”, at least until we decide to call it something else. Taken literally, “Quasi-Mezzo Violin” would indeed refer to “almost half of a violin” in Italian. That would be pretty funny. In reality, the colloquial meaning of “mezzo” (literally “middle”) in the…

New Quasi-Mezzo Violins by Don Rickert: 4-String, 5-String and Octave Violin Versions

Oct 25, 2022

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Donald Rickert

in Announcements, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Mezzo and Quasi-Mezzo Violins, Octave and Baritone Violins, Violin Octet – New Violin Family

Many players of violins, especially fiddlers, spend much effort seeking instruments that, while tuned the same (for a fiddler, this is often something different than the standard G3 D4 A4 E5) but with a less shrill, indeed darker, timbre, with excellent sonority. The Quasi-Mezzo Violin by Don Rickert is an acoustic violin designed to deliver…

The Mezzo Violin: One Way to Achieve Deeper Timbre with Outstanding Projection

Oct 25, 2022

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Donald Rickert

in Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Mezzo and Quasi-Mezzo Violins, Observations and Opinion, Violin Octet – New Violin Family

Many players of violins, especially fiddlers, spend much effort dreaming about and seeking instruments that, while tuned the same (for a fiddler, this is often something different than the standard G3 D4 A4 E5) but with a less shrill, indeed darker, timbre, with excellent sonority. As Darol Anger colorfully put it, many fiddlers… "…tire of…

Introducing the Quasi-Mezzo Violin by Luthier Donald Rickert: Details

Oct 24, 2022

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Donald Rickert

in Announcements, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Low-Pitched Instruments, Mezzo and Quasi-Mezzo Violins, Octave and Baritone Violins, Violin Octet – New Violin Family

Here are some details about the new Quasi-Mezzo Violins by Don Rickert. The instrument is available in 4-string, 5-string or Octave Violin configurations. Email: don@donrickertdesign.com Phone: 706-896-0909; 706-400-1481 (mobile) What Is It? I will get in to the specifics, including its name, forthwith. But first, I will tell you what it is. It is violin…

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

Sep 2, 2022

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Donald Rickert

in Announcements, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Observations and Opinion, Octave and Baritone Violins, octave mandolin, Old-Time Music, Rickert and Hale, Luthiers, Violoncello da Spalla

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 backI'm back in the saddle againI'm backI'm back in the saddle again Man, nobody can screech our lyrics like the great Steven Tyler! Gene Autry…

Violoncello da Spalla in Old-Time Music: A Match Made in Heaven

Aug 27, 2022

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Donald Rickert

in Baroque Instruments, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Observations and Opinion, Old-Time Music, Video and Sound Demos, Violoncello da Spalla

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…

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

Aug 25, 2022

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Donald Rickert

in Announcements, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musician Shop, Rickert & Hale, Rickert and Hale, Luthiers, Violoncello da Spalla

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…

International Strange Music Day 2022

Aug 24, 2022

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Donald Rickert

in Announcements, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Observations and Opinion

Do you have a taste for the bizarre when it comes to music? Well, I sure do! Well, today is our day, International Strange Music Day (August 24, 2022). Here is a snippet from the website, www.daysoftheyear.com. “For those who have a tendency to lean toward the unique and bizarre, this is one day that…

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

Jul 4, 2022

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Donald Rickert

in Announcements, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Violoncello da Spalla

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…

Sessioneer Spartan Bouzouki by Rickert and Hale, Luthiers (Full Product announcement)

Jul 2, 2022

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Donald Rickert

in Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Irish bouzouki, mandolins, octave mandolin, Rickert & Hale, Rickert and Hale, Luthiers

This article is also published at www.rickertandhale.com. Ordering Information While semi-standardized, each Sessioneer Bouzouki is built for the individual buyer, at least for now. If you wish to discuss buying one of these instruments, give us a call or send an email. Looking forward to talking! Phone: 1-706-896-0909 Email: Don@DonRickertDesign.com Note: If you are a…

Author: Donald Rickert