This site is no longer being maintained. Relevant posts have been moved to the new site www.AdventurousMuse.com, which is associated with our new, expanded and just plain better online musical instrument store www.AdventurousMuseStore.com.
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I suppose that you would call this our "brag page", where we recount some of the correspondence we have received from happy customers of our various instruments or kind words from several celebrity websites. We have not even included the hundreds of positive comments by viewers of our many YouTube videos (we are getting close to 100,000 viewings of our YouTube videos and have earned many "5-Star" ratings!) We have NEVER had a customer return an instrument, even given our liberal return policy.
Note that we have included a photo of the actual instrument referred to in each endorsement. Click on any of the images for a larger view.
Kind words about what we do from none other than the one-and-only Darol Anger [the visionary musician who invented the modern idea of baritone violins] from his website (www.DarolAnger.com) and pictured on the right (in the center) holding Natalie Haas's Rickert-Fiddarci Octave Violin, with two of the members of the extraordinary Swedish band, Vasen. The darker-stained Rickert-Fiddarci Octave is a special Darol Anger autographed version.
'Things are really getting interesting with alternative instruments of every stripe... Can you believe these amazing pocket travel violins? Believe it! these folks ( Don Rickert and Shep Jones) are also building straight-out Octave violins... and they are wild! The Fiddle & Bow Store' (www.fiddleandbowstore.com and www.baritonefiddles.com)
More kind words from the extraordinary (in so many ways, including her graciousness) Natalie Haas’s Links page (see www.NatalieHaas.com), who among other projects, accompanies Alasdair Fraser on ‘cello (and she plays a mean fiddle as well, although she disagrees on that point). Natalie's Type I Octave is shown on the right.
'Don Rickert Research & Design and Fiddarci Lutherie: maker of the baritone fiddle I own - very gnarly, and a work of art too!'
Note: "Gnarly" is a good thing! That's Natalie's Rickert-Fiddarci Octave pictured on the right
Alasdair Fraser is without dispute the greatest living Scots Violinist/Fiddler and possibly the greatest of all time. He is a true Highland gentleman and is given to understatement in the Scottish Highland manner. Alasdair, who also owns a Rickert-Fiddarci Cradle of Harmony Octave Violin told me in a recent conversation that he loves his octave and it is a truly beautiful thing that we have created. He told Shep Jones the same thing as well. This is from a man for whom the statement "...not bad for a first attempt" (actual words to Don Rickert after playing our very first prototype several years ago...in the a photo shown on the right Alasdair is saying those words.) translates to "awesome!"
Hey! You are not finished yet...read the rest by clicking the link below.
From a customer referring to his Darol Anger autographed Rickert-Fiddarci ‘Cradle of Harmony’ Octave Violin
Don,
'I've been participating in the local English Country Dance weekend - not playing this time, just dancing. I was talking with one of the musicians [an 'A-List' player among the Southeastern folk/Contra-Dance scene], and noted that he has a viola as well as a violin. He explained that he has the viola for when he runs out of low notes.
I mentioned to him that I have a baritone fiddle [one of ours, a Cradle of Harmony Octave Violin]. He was intrigued: he had heard there might be such things, but didn't know where or how to find one. I offered to bring my baritone for him to look at, and he agreed enthusiastically. As soon as he touched bow to string, he was in ecstasy. I told him about the design and gave him the address for your website [that would be www.fiddleandbowstore.com], which he immediately wrote down in a notebook...While he was playing the baritone, he caught the ear of another fiddler who was there just to dance. I didn't catch his name, but he asked several times to be reminded of your website.
I tell you, Don, the baritone fiddle sells itself.'
B.K., Ph.D.
From the fiddler of a very well-known alternative Old-Time band in the Northeast about his new custom electric performance cigar box fiddle designed and built by Dr. Don Rickert personally.
"Hey Don,
I can't believe how great this thing sounds. I haven't been able to put it down since I got it. I'll be making the video for You Tube on Tuesday so it should be up pretty soon. I was also thinking of doing one for the Type One Octave I got from you while I got everything here to do it. I can't thank you enough and I'm sure I'll be spending some more of my money at your store. I somehow see a Whiskey box in my future.
Thanks again and again,"
J.J.
If you wish to see this custom instrument in action on YouTube, see “Reverend Snake” playing with the Prodigal String Band at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wNUPnWaX6w
J.J. referring to his Rickert Type I Octave Fiddle and proposing the custom electric cigar box fiddle referred to above.
"Hello Don,
This is Jason, I bought an octave from you a couple of weeks back. I have to say I love it and it is a lot of fun to play. It sounds great on the contra parts of Romanian tunes and is wonderful for Irish airs. I am comfortable with the string height and arching, so would be looking forward to the nicer bridge you mentioned. I have a violin IncrediBow that does a pretty good job on the heavier strings.
The real reason for this e-mail is this. I am a fiddler in an olde-timey string band, and would like to buy a cigar box fiddle with a pickup in it. I would like it to have really low strings and a very flat bridge. I do a lot of retuning, and was wondering what your opinion would be on putting Scruggs type banjo tuners on it. I see from the changes in your site that you're a very busy man, and your time is much appreciated.
Thank you,"
J.J.
Note from one of the most renowned Celtic fiddlers in Australia about the Rickert Adventurer I Travel Violin
Hi Don
Great to see that your box pochette [referring to the Adventurer I Travel Violin] has gone into production and that they are selling so well :-) And great to hear that my site has inspired people to go buy them from you - yours are still the best sounding ones on the market - so I guess that crazy baffling is working well!
I got a lot of interest when I played mine at the National Folk Festival here in Canberra [that’s in Australia] - people couldn't believe you could get a decent sound out of something that looks like a cricket bat :-)
I can only imagine what an eight-string would sound like - the sustain should be awesome!
Cheers
J.E., Ph.D.
Note from a serious REAL Old-Time fiddler in Florida, referring to a Rickert Re-Enactor historic reproduction (1860s) Cigar Box Fiddle…short but to the point!
"Got the fiddle, and I love it GREAT job!!!!!"
B.P.
Several short notes from a serious fiddler from out West about her Rickert Adventurer I Travel Violin
"Hi Dr. Rickert,
Thank you! I received the Adventurer violin in time for my trip, and it's here with me right now in Maui...Sounds great! I look forward to travelling with and playing it! Thanks so much"...C.W.
"I enjoyed having the fiddle in Maui. Thanks!"
C.W.
Note from another happy Re-Enactor Cigar Box Fiddle customer
"Hello Don:
I just wanted to let you know that I am very pleased with the cigar box fiddle you sent me! It looks great and sounds wonderful! Thank you very much."
D.R.
Note from a repeat customer upon ordering her second Rickert Travel Master Travel Violin...Two Travel Masters
Dear Don, Just a note to let you know I ordered a SECOND travel violin....one was great, but with two violin playing daughters we need another. Is there any chance it could be sent by Christmas? I hope you are well and having a good autumn...Sincerely, M.B.
Note from J.A., one of the guys who decides what goes into a very famous musical instrument and gear catalog and online store, referring to the firm’s review of the Adventurer I Travel Violin
Hello Don,
I was able to assemble, play, and share your instrument with several staff members...All of our employees that heard your instrument were blown away by the volume and projection that was emanating from it! Such power from a little box is quite impressive. The craftsmanship seems very solid and clean as well -- our in-store violin repair tech had no complaints.
Assembly was very straightforward -- everything slid into place nicely, and the chinrest attachment was very clever...we think the violin is very nice!
Best regards,
J.A.
Stringed instrument specialist with a famous supplier of musical instruments and gear via its catalog and online store…based in the mid-West (i.e. not the California-based company)
Two Notes from the owner of a well-known apparel design studio and serious violinist and fiddler about her two Rickert Travel Master Travel Violins
Greetings Don,
Just a quick note...
I received the little beauty just as I was leaving for a show. It arrived safe & sound. I was on a tight schedule so unfortunately I couldn't rip into the box when it arrived. When I did open it I was thrilled - beautiful design, beautiful case - everything about it is so carefully & sensitively designed & crafted. It is exquisite in all ways. thank you for making it.
I will give you a call soon.
As I said before, the good things in life are worth waiting for.
Best wishes,
C.T.
The second note...
Greetings Don,
The little beauty arrived today. I couldn't wait to open it. I love seeing the subtle changes & streamlining you've made in the design.
Best wishes,
C.T.
Note from a student at the esteemed Berklee College of Music upon receiving his new Rickert Type I Octave Violin
Hi Don,
"The package finally arrived at the Berklee mailroom today. No damage. The fiddle sounds excellent. I can't stop playing it! I will shoot you an email soon regarding the evaluation items etc. Thank you for a wonderful instrument."
D.W.
Follow up after playing his Rickert Type I Octave Violin in performance at the Kennedy Center.
Don,
"The Kennedy Center show turned out excellent, and the Octave fiddle sounded fantastic alongside a five-piece string band."
D.W.
You can see and hear the Rickert & Ringholz Type I Octave Violin in performance at the Kennedy Center by the Berklee College of Music Jazz Ensemble...Duncan Wickle (in the red shirt and wearing a hat) on Octave Violin
Note from a customer about her Rickert Maggini Replica Octave Violin.
"Love my octave, it amazes everyone."
K.W.
Notes that accompany Jayme Bridges’ extraordinary “test runs” of our 18th Century pochette replica, which we call the Neil Gow Pochette. Jayme is an extremely talented player in the old Irish baroque style of playing...You will see what we mean after watching his video, which you should do now.
"Test driving" one of the new Niel Gow replication pochettes made by Rickert and Ringholz. The fiddle has an amazingly full sound considering the size (my camera and YouTube do not do it justice, trust me). If you need to you can attach a center-mounting chinrest without difficulty, though traditionally it was held like I've got it in the video.
If you were wondering, I'm running one of the Glasser braided carbon fiber bows across the strings. It is a wonderful little bow that you should try if given the chance.
A final note: I'm tuned to Bb and playing the lovely set dance The Drunken Gauger, a tune composed by the dance master Pat Barron."
You must check out Jayme’s brilliant performance on YouTube
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