ATTENTION!: You most likely got to this page via a search engine rather than visiting the Adventurous Muse Storefront. This is a custom-made instrument, available ONLY at our new store, Don Rickert Musical Instruments (www.RickertMusicalInstruments.com).

The Rickert Neo-Baroque Fiddle Pro is a serious high-performance modern fiddle with whimsical Baroque design elements...it looks like a Baroque violin, especially when a chin rest is not used. The tailpiece actually is a replica Baroque tailpiece; however the knotted tail "gut" is actually made of non-stretch and highly resonant Kevlar (the acoustical core material of the best carbon fiber bows, such as the CodaBow Diamond Series). The Baroque-looking tuning pegs, on the other hand, are actually state-of-the-art internally-geared planetary pegs, making the use of fine tuners unnecessary. 

The neck is not a short Baroque wedged neck but rather a full-length modern neck with the appropriate angle-back for contemporary playing. This fiddle can be strung with old-style gut, modern gut, synthetic gut, Perlon core or metal strings. The setup is in accord with the music genre and playing style of the owner (e.g. Irish, Scottish, Bluegrass, Old-Time, and so forth).

Neo-Baroque Pro Fiddle by Don Rickert Design: Fittings and Strings

The Fiddle

The select spruce top is graduated perfectly to the Guarneri or Stradivari specs (we can do either). The ribs and neck are nicely flamed maple. The fingerboard is select ebony.

Varnishing

We expertly varnish the instrument with spirit varnish. The varnish is applied by hand in the traditional manner; not sprayed! You get to pick the varnish color. See the color chips below (click on the thumbnail for a larger view).

Custom Tattooing (Inkwork or "Rosing")

See Tattooed Fiddles by Don Rickert Design and Tattooing, Inkwork, Rosing

A very popular decoration option is hand inkwork known as "rosing", which is common on Norwegian Hardanger fiddlers. You can think of rosing as tatooing for a fiddle. The artist we engage to do custom inkwork will work with you to turn your vision into reality. Such decoration, needless to say, adds substationally to the final cost of the instrument. Note: when inkwork decoration is applied, the varnish color should be light, such as vintage amber.

Note: The elaborate Baroque-theme inkwork on the ribs (sides) and back of this fiddle costs $575. The inkwork on the tailpiece is free.

The Sound

This instrument has a perfect balance of bold depth of tone and brilliant clarity. The projection is powerful (loud and sonorous) and even across all four strings. After all, we have years' of experience with making 3" wide backpacker violins sing like full-size violins...imagine what we can do with a full-size instrument.

Playlist of all demos of Custom Series and Custom Vintage Fiddles by Don Rickert Lutherie

Summary of Features:

• Top: Perfectly graduated and tap-tuned top-grade European Spruce
• Back and Ribs: Nicely-flamed maple
• Tuning Pegs: Internally-geared planetary tuning pegs with genuine boxwood ornate heart-type buttons. 
• Bridge: A high-quality (generally Bausch, Teller or Aubert) is cut and adjusted for type of strings that will be using and your style of playing. We have been playing and setting up fiddles for over 3 decades and know how to trim a bridge for FIDDLERS!
• Chin Rest: This instrument does not have a default chin rest; however, just about any type of chin rest imaginable is possible, generally at NO extra charge. See our article, Small Subset of the Chin Rests Available for Rickert Custom Series Fiddles. The chin rest images are numbered to make it easier for you to refer to a particular chin rest.
• Tailpiece: Genuine Baroque boxwood tailpiece with mermaid-theme inkwork. There are NO fine-tuners on the tailpiece Fine tuners are not needed, regardless of the string type used, as the tuning pegs have internal planetary gearing; however, a Hill-type fine tuner for a loop-end e" string can be fit.
• Tail Gut: As with all Baroque-type tailpieces, a tied tail "gut" is used. We use a special no-stretch Kevlar tied tail "gut". In addition to not stretching, the Kevlar tail gut has excellent vibration and, thus, superior acoustic properties.
• The Strings: Any real gut, modern synthetic or metal strings that the player desires. Exotic super-expensive strings may result in an extra charge. We use the correct gauges of strings for the best sound on your instrument!
• We can accomodate whatever type of string your style of playing demands and accomplishing your musical goals.

We Sweat the Small Details that make a BIG Difference

• We always tweak the sound post position for the best sound possible
• Unlike most new instrument setups, we actually go to the trouble to adjust the distance between the tailpiece and the bridge to achieve optimal tone and volume from your instrument. This is why we like a stainless steel tail gut, as it holds the adjustment better. Believe it or not there is a pretty involved science and art to this; one that is often ignored.
  

This instrument is "TATTOO FRIENDLY"...suitable for inkwork decoration (rosing)

See:

• Tatooed Fiddles by Don Rickert Design (article)
• Tattooing, Inkwork, Rosing (product listing)