Category: Banjos

How Will U.S. Tariffs (April 2025) Affect D. Rickert Musical Instrument Pricing?

Apr 23, 2025

—

by

Donald Rickert

in 5-String Violins and Fiddles, Announcements, Banjos, D. Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musician Shop, Observations and Opinion, Octave and Baritone Violins, Pochettes, Kit Fiddles, Pocket Fiddles, Tenor and Octave Violas

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 that are shipped within…
Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Makers of Violoncellos da Spalla and Other Fine Bowed Instruments

Dec 21, 2021

—

by

Donald Rickert

in 5-String Violins and Fiddles, About Don Rickert Musical Instruments, About the website, Announcements, Backpacker Violins and Pochettes, Banjos, Baroque Instruments, Bows, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musician Shop, Historic Instrument Replicas, Octave and Baritone Violins, Old-Time Music, Strings, Fittings and Accessories, Tenor Banjo

For more information about us, including our online store, the Don Rickert Musician Shop, see Introducing the Don Rickert Musician Shop. Don Rickert Musical Instruments is a premiere designer and maker of innovative custom and historic musical instruments. Since starting our musical instruments enterprise in 2007, we have dealt primarily in those of the bowed variety (e.g.…
Don Rickert Musician Shop: Your Source for Unique Bowed and Fretted Instruments and Accessories Ranging from Baroque Period to Today’s Cutting Edge

Apr 23, 2015

—

by

Donald Rickert

in About Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Announcements, Backpacker Violins and Pochettes, Banjos, Baroque Instruments, Bows, Cigar Box Fiddles, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musician Shop, Electric Violins, For Civil War and Other Re-enactors, Guitars, Historic Instrument Replicas, Mandocello, Octave and Baritone Violins, octave mandolin, Old-Time Music, Tenor Banjo

Don Rickert Musician Shop (D. Rickert Musical Instruments): Your Source for Unique Bowed and Fretted Instruments and Accessories Ranging from Baroque Period to Today’s Cutting Edge Introduction It is quite clear that we are the place to come for the unique stuff…things you just cannot get at either the corner music store, traditional violin shops or…
American Civil War Re-enactor Musicians and Their Instruments

Aug 6, 2013

—

by

Donald Rickert

in Banjos, Cigar Box Fiddles, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, For Civil War and Other Re-enactors, Historic Instrument Replicas, Observations and Opinion, Rickert Instruments (Concepts)

About Re-enacting Recreating every detail of the military aspects of the American Civil War (early to mid 1860s) is more than just a pastime for many thousands of dedicated people known as “Re-enactors.” Re-enactments of encampments and major Civil War battles draw thousands of enthusiastic participants and spectators in U.S. States where the major action…
Irish Traditional Music is a LIVING Tradition!

Aug 6, 2013

—

by

Donald Rickert

in Banjos, Observations and Opinion

Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop. Traditional Irish Music is almost a misnomer, as it is such a wonderful LIVING tradition, adopting new instruments all the time. We talk about traditional Irish Bouzoukis and Octave Mandolins. Fact is, it was Andy Irvine, I believe in the Irish band Planxty at the time, who starting…
Tenor Banjo and Irish Tenor Banjo: Is There a Difference?

Aug 6, 2013

—

by

Donald Rickert

in Banjos, Tenor Banjo

Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop. This is an excellent question, and it comes up all the time from smart musicians. The difference between the Tenor Banjo and Irish Tenor Banjo is, on one level, analogous to the difference between a violin and a fiddle. They are played differently. But Irish Tenor Banjos are…
Photos of the Three Basic Types of Old-Style Banjos

Aug 6, 2013

—

by

Donald Rickert

in Banjos, Historic Makers and Instruments

These photos are being posted in preparation for adding old-style banjos to our online store www.AdventurousMuseStore.com. From left to right, a Gourd Banjo, a Tackhead Banjo and a Minstrel Banjo
Banjo in Irish Traditional Music: Part 2 UPDATE (The Tenor Banjo)

Mar 16, 2011

—

by

Donald Rickert

in Banjos, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Historic Instrument Replicas, Observations and Opinion, Video and Sound Demos

Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop. The Mythology of the "Irish Tenor Banjo: According to none other than the acknowledged expert on Irish Banjo, Dr. Mick Maloney ( see The Banjo: A Short History by Mick Maloney), in the 15 or 20 years prior to the introduction of the Tenor Banjo, many banjo players,…
So You Think You Know About the Banjo In Irish Traditional Music?: Part 2

Mar 11, 2011

—

by

Donald Rickert

in Banjos, Historic Instrument Replicas, Observations and Opinion, Tenor Banjo

Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop. The Second Myth: There is Special Type of Tenor Banjo Called the "Irish Tenor Banjo" It is a common belief that the Irish Tenor Banjo (4 strings, tuned in 5ths) is somehow different from a Tenor Banjo, which was introduced around 1915 in America and was also known as…
So You Think You Know about the Banjo in Irish Traditional Music?: Part 1

Mar 10, 2011

—

by

Donald Rickert

in Banjos, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Observations and Opinion, Tenor Banjo

Please visit the Don Rickert Musician Shop. There are many myths about the banjo in traditional Irish music. It is commonly believed that a special type of tenor banjo (a 17 fret, 4-string banjo tuned in 5ths to G d a e' ), called the "Irish Tenor Banjo", has been part of Traditional Irish Music since at least…