D. Rickert Musical Instruments

10/28/2026

The Latest on Octave Violas and Tenor Violas by D. Rickert (with Demos)

New product listing for Octave Violas and Tenor Violas at the Don Rickert Musician Shop! For the first time in years, we have a specific product listing on our online store website, Don Rickert Musician Shop (www.donrickertmusicianshop.com), having treated Octave Violas as completely custom commissions. Octave Violas and Tenor Violas are now listed as two variants of the same instruments, just as violins and fiddles are simply variants of the same instrument....

http://rickertmusicalinstruments.com/2025/04/17/the-latest-on-octave-violas-and-tenor-violas-by-d-rickert/

New product listing for Octave Violas and Tenor Violas at the Don Rickert Musician Shop! For the first time in years, we have a specific product listing on our online store website, Don Rickert Mus…

10/27/2026

Explore the challenges and solutions in sourcing strings for alternative bowed instruments like tenor violas and violoncellos da spalla.

10/27/2026

This post is draft in progress. It addresses a problem well-known to players and makers of Alternative Bowed String instruments, specifically Octave Violas, Tenor Violas and Violoncellos da Spall. I welcome feedback on this draft.

Explore the challenges and solutions in sourcing strings for alternative bowed instruments like tenor violas and violoncellos da spalla.

10/24/2026

Two recently completed Violoncellos

Discover the unique Violoncellos da Spalla crafted by Don Rickert. Explore the Standard and Exhibition Models celebrated for beauty and sound.

08/20/2026

Links to a large number of videos and image galleries of some of the instruments made by Donald Rickert.

Everybody wants to hear what an instrument will sound like before making a considerable financial commitment. People also want to see examples of workmanship…and who doesn’t enjoy eye c…

08/20/2026

Gallery: Octave Violins by Donald Rickert

If you wish to learn more or buy this very cool instrument, our direct phone number in the U.S. is 1-706-400-1481. Our email is [email protected]. You can also learn more or buy now at: Octave Violins, 5-string Violas and Octave Violas on the Don Rickert Musician Shop site Note: Octave Violins are generally tuned to G2, D3, A4, E4 (one octave lower than an regular violin, almost as low as a cello), but alternative tunings are common, such as G2, D3, A3, D4....

If you wish to learn more or buy this very cool instrument, our direct phone number in the U.S. is 1-706-400-1481. Our email is [email protected]. You can also learn more or buy now at: Octa…

08/20/2026

New Photo Gallery of recent Travel Violins, Travel Violas and historic Pochettes.

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 [email protected]. You can also learn more or buy now at: Tr…

08/20/2026

Gallery: Octave and Tenor Violas by Donald Rickert

If you wish to learn more or buy this very cool instrument, our direct phone number in the U.S. is 1-706-400-1481. Our email is [email protected]. You can also learn more or buy now at: Octave and Tenor Violas on the Don Rickert Musician Shop site Note: Octave Violas are usually tuned C2, G2, D3, A3. The default tuning for a tenor viola is G2, D3, A4, E4, but alternative tunings are common, such as G2, D3, A3, D4....

If you wish to learn more or buy this very cool instrument, our direct phone number in the U.S. is 1-706-400-1481. Our email is [email protected]. You can also learn more or buy now at: Octa…

08/18/2026

Demonstrations of Violoncellos da Spalla by Don Rickert

If you wish to learn more or buy this very cool instrument, our direct phone number in the U.S. is 1-706-400-1481. Our email is [email protected]. You can also learn more or buy now at: Violoncellos da Spalla and Related on the Don Rickert Musician Shop site We look forward to hearing from you. Having our instruments in the hands of some truly world-class musicians has been a real blessing....

If you wish to learn more or buy this very cool instrument, our direct phone number in the U.S. is 1-706-400-1481. Our email is [email protected]. You can also learn more or buy now at: Viol…

08/18/2026

Updated photo gallery of the 25 Violoncellos da Spalla (as of 8/18/2926) by Don Rickert

Most Recent: Numbers 20 – 25 No. 21 (front) No. 21 (back) No. 21 (side) No. 20 (front) No. 20 (back) No. 20 (side) No. 22 (front) No. 22 (back) No. 22 (side) No. 23 (front) No. 23 (back) No. …