Category: Baroque Instruments
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The String Crisis with Octave Violas (Chin Cellos) and Violoncellos da Spalla
Introduction The history of innovation is fraught with examples of great products that depend on materials or parts from completely different industries. For example, electric cars are totally dependent on advanced battery technology, which is, itself dependent on rare earth elements like lithium! The electric car industry is apparently succeeding. Hydrogen-powered cars, not so much.…
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Two Violoncellos da Spalla Recently Completed
In the past several months, I completed and shipped two new Violoncellos da Spalla, both in the U.S. One of these is a beautiful instance of the Standard Model. The other is the very first of what I presently calling the “Exhibition Model”. The newest Standard Model now resides in Los Angeles, CA and the…
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Gallery: Travel Violins and Violas by Donald Rickert
If you wish to learn more or buy these very cool instruments, our direct phone number in the U.S. is 1-706-400-1481. Our email is don@donrickertdesign.com. You can also learn more or buy now at: Travel Violins and Violas on the Don Rickert Musician Shop site If you are interested in historic Baroque Pochette replicas, see:…
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What Are ‘Alternative’ Violin Family Instruments?: Three New Articles On that Topic
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in 5-String Violins and Fiddles, Announcements, Backpacker Violins and Pochettes, Baroque Instruments, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musician Shop, Octave and Baritone Violins, Pochettes, Kit Fiddles, Pocket Fiddles, Tenor and Octave Violas, Travel and Backpacker Fiddles, Violoncello da SpallaIntroduction These recent posts on www.RickertMusicalInstruments.com, by luthier Donald Rickert (me), will be of particular interest to players of such instruments as 5-string violins, octave violins, tenor violas, 5-string violas, octave violas and revival instruments such as the violoncello da spalla. With the exception of maybe the violoncello da spalla, classical repertoire is NOT the…
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Brief Descriptions for Various Alternative Violin Family Instruments
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in 5-String Violins and Fiddles, Backpacker Violins and Pochettes, Baroque 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, Travel and Backpacker Fiddles, Violoncello da SpallaIntroduction 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 are two related posts: Alternative Violin Family Instruments: What Are They For?…
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Alternative Violin Family Instruments: Relative Sizes and Shapes of Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Range Instruments
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in 5-String Violins and Fiddles, Backpacker Violins and Pochettes, Baroque 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, Travel and Backpacker Fiddles, Violoncello da SpallaThis 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 actual instruments made in the workshop of Don…
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Alternative Violin Family Instruments: What Are They For?
Related Articles: Alternative Violin Family Instruments: Relative Sizes and Shapes of Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Range Instruments Brief Descriptions for Various 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…
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Just shipped a Violoncello da Spalla and Starting on A New and Very Special Instrument, the Violoncello da Spalla Artist Model (Number 1).
Violoncello da Spalla Standard Plus Model I just shipped a very nice Violoncello da Spalla to its new owner in the US. This one was NON-commissioned, meaning that it was built without a specific buyer lined up. It is a fine example of my “Standard Plus” model. If I am counting right, it was my…
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NEW Violoncello da Spalla Artist Model: Description and Specifications
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 top luthiers. It is definitely my most expensive model to…
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Index to Topics Related to Violoncello da Spalla in Past Episodes of ‘Cool Instruments for Hep Cats’
'Cool Instruments for Hep Cats' is a video podcast (YouTube), which delves into the realm of unusual and intriguing musical instruments. Episode 5, Part 1 just posted on April 24, 2024. It is one of three entire episodes, comprised of 11 parts, specifically about the Violoncello da Spalla. The host for all episodes is Donald…
