Violoncello da Spalla – D Rickert Musical Instruments

An Even Better Deal On a New Violoncello da Spalla by Donald Rickert

Oct 13, 2025

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in Announcements, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musician Shop, Low-Pitched Instruments, Video and Sound Demos, Violoncello da Spalla

This is an update of a previous post, with even more attractive terms. It can be purchased for as little as $8,700. This is a chance to acquire a luthier-built Violoncello da Spalla from one of the few prominent makers of these instruments, who has made quite a few. Violoncellos da Spalla by Donald Rickert…

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.…

Opportunity to Acquire a New U.S.-made Violoncello da Spalla by Donald Rickert for a Very Attractive Price

Apr 26, 2025

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Donald Rickert

in Announcements, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musician Shop, Low-Pitched Instruments, Video and Sound Demos, Violoncello da Spalla

You will want to see an update to this post, which describes an even better deal. See: An Even Better Deal On a New Violoncello da Spalla by Donald Rickert. A new Violoncello da Spalla with minimal wait time and great price! I have a new(ish) Violoncello da Spalla Standard Model that will be available to…

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…

Planetary Tuning Pegs for Bowed String Instruments and Historic Banjos

Apr 23, 2025

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Donald Rickert

in About Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Announcements, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musician Shop, Observations and Opinion

Virtually all violin family instruments we make at D. Rickert Musical Instruments are fit with planetary pegs. The image of the violoncello da spalla pegbox/scroll clearly shows the planetary geared pegs, which look exactly like regular ebony pegs. Planetary geared pegs provide a profound enhancement of the playing experience, especially for non-standard lower pitched violin…

What Are ‘Alternative’ Violin Family Instruments?: Three New Articles On that Topic

Mar 13, 2025

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Donald Rickert

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 Spalla

Introduction 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…

Brief Descriptions for Various Alternative Violin Family Instruments

Mar 11, 2025

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Donald Rickert

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 Spalla

Introduction 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: Travel / Backpacker Violin A travel violin, also…

Alternative Violin Family Instruments: Relative Sizes and Shapes of Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Range Instruments

Mar 10, 2025

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Donald Rickert

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 Spalla

This 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…

Alternative Violin Family Instruments: What Are They For?

Mar 9, 2025

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Donald Rickert

in 5-String Violins and Fiddles, Backpacker Violins and Pochettes, Baroque Instruments, Guitars, Observations and Opinion, Pochettes, Kit Fiddles, Pocket Fiddles, Tenor and Octave Violas, Travel and Backpacker Fiddles, Violoncello da Spalla

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…

Just shipped a Violoncello da Spalla and Starting on A New and Very Special Instrument, the Violoncello da Spalla Artist Model (Number 1).

May 21, 2024

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Donald Rickert

in Announcements, Baroque Instruments, Cool Instruments for Hep Cats, Don Rickert Musical Instruments, Don Rickert Musician Shop, Low-Pitched Instruments, Podcasts and YouTube Channels, Violoncello da Spalla

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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