Category: Octave and Baritone Violins
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Octave Violins, Tenor Violas and Related Instruments from Donald Rickert
Note: This is an update to an earlier article entitled, Octave Violins, Octave Violas and Hybrids from Don Rickert Musical Instruments. With a current introduction of several new Octave Violins underway, this post is a good resource for one wanting some details on what octave violins and similar instruments (e.g. tenor violas) are, where they…
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Octave Violin or Violoncello da Spalla?
Update Intro: This is an update to an earlier article entitled, Do You Really Need a Violoncello da Spalla? Since publication of the original post, much has changed with respect to the instrument alternatives, including cost and variety. For example, I have rolled back prices to 2021 level on the popular Violoncello da Spalla Standard Model.…
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Special Pricing for a Violoncello da Spalla (Standard Model) and a Tenor Viola (additional information for prior article)
Update: Since the original publication of this post, we have rolled pricing for my standard Violoncello da Spalla l to 2021 pricing, about $10K. This is about $3,000 less than the special pricing described below. As of today, March 2, 2024, we still have a Tenor Viola (tuned G2 to E4, like an Octave Violin)…
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Violoncello da Spalla and Tenor Viola Available for Sale Right Now!
Update: Since the original publication of this post, we have rolled pricing for my standard Violoncello da Spalla l to 2021 pricing, about $10K. This is about $3,000 less than the special pricing described below. As of today, March 2, 2024, we still have a Tenor Viola (tuned G2 to E4, like an Octave Violin)…
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Strings for Tenor and Octave-Tuned Violas (updated 4-22-25)
Contact Info. 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: doctorfiddle@gmail.com Phone (in US): 706-896-0909 or 706-400-1481 (mobile) I am posting this article to provide more information to potential buyers of a Tenor (G2 D3 A3 E4) or, optionally, Octave-tuned (C2…
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Do You Really Need a Violoncello da Spalla?
Note: There is an updated version of this article entitled, Octave Violin or Violoncello da Spalla? You might find it strange that I am asking this question. After all, I am a luthier who makes violoncellos da spalla. Should I not just be happy when someone wants me to make one for them? Donald Rickert,…
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Almost Half of a Violin: What is That???
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…
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New Quasi-Mezzo Violins by Don Rickert: 4-String, 5-String and Octave Violin Versions
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…
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Introducing the Quasi-Mezzo Violin by Luthier Donald Rickert: Details
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…
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Back in the Saddle Again! (And the Economics of Attention)
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…
