D. Rickert Musical Instruments – D Rickert Musical Instruments

Two New Octave Violins and a 5-String Violin Under Construction – Ready to ship in late November 2025

Oct 13, 2025

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in 5-String Violins and Fiddles, Announcements, D. Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musician Shop, Octave and Baritone Violins, Uncategorized, Video and Sound Demos

The new Double-Fat Strad Octave Violin has been getting attention of late. I am confident that the newest iteration of the Fat Strad 5-String Violin will be getting some good attention once a few are out there in the world in the hands of accomplished players. These instruments sound incredible; powerful (loud), with a rich…

Instruments Completed in 2025 to Date

Oct 1, 2025

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Donald Rickert

in 5-String Violins and Fiddles, About Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Announcements, D. Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musician Shop, Mezzo and Quasi-Mezzo Violins, Octave and Baritone Violins, Pochettes, Kit Fiddles, Pocket Fiddles, Tenor and Octave Violas, Travel and Backpacker Fiddles, Violoncello da Spalla

I have been very busy in the first 3 quarters of 2025. I have completed and delivered 12 instruments thus far in 2025. The represent an even mix of ‘Conservatory’ level (intermediate “value priced” instruments) and ‘Professional’ level (high-end) instruments. The latter are the ones made completely by me in our Hiawassee, Georgia (US) workshop.…

How Good Can an Octave Fiddle Sound?: Demos of the NEW Double-Fat Strad Octave Violin

Sep 28, 2025

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Donald Rickert

in D. Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Low-Pitched Instruments, Octave and Baritone Violins, Video and Sound Demos

Introduction Anyone who has followed this blog for the past 15+ years or has ever spoken to me about musical instruments will know that I am passionate about Octave Violins, which are regular violins modified and fit with special strings to play one octave lower. They are between violas and cellos pitch-wise. They, the good…

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

Apr 23, 2025

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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…

Baritone (a.k.a. Octave) Violins/Fiddles (‘Reprint’ of 2013 Post

Aug 6, 2013

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Donald Rickert

in D. Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musician Shop, Octave and Baritone Violins

This is an old article; however, much of it still rings true today. One of the first things Don Rickert Musical Instruments (see Don Rickert Musician Shop) set out to do is to design and build the best acoustic baritone violin in the world. There are several instruments referred to as ‘baritones’. You can find…

Category: D. Rickert Musical Instruments

Two New Octave Violins and a 5-String Violin Under Construction – Ready to ship in late November 2025

Instruments Completed in 2025 to Date

How Good Can an Octave Fiddle Sound?: Demos of the NEW Double-Fat Strad Octave Violin

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

Baritone (a.k.a. Octave) Violins/Fiddles (‘Reprint’ of 2013 Post