Our email is don@DonRickertDesign.com and phone number is (706) 896-0909. You can also use the "Contact" link on this page.

Our new Performer Octave Violin is relatively inexpensive when compared to our higher-end purpose-built octave violins.

Note:

The photos show a recently completed Performer Octave Violin with a “bearded man” headstock. This is a custom enhancement, which costs extra.

Brief description

This is a “normal” violin that is configured and set-up as an octave violin. The instrument starts its life as a high-quality “white” instrument that is roughly graduated and without a bass bar. In our workshop located in the North Georgia Mountains (Hiawassee, Georgia USA), we graduate the top and back to obtain a “tap tone” with a higher frequency fundamental than usual. We also fit it with a more substantial bass bar similar to a viola bass bar. Through many years of experience, we have learned that these optimizations produce a superior octave violin sonority and timbre. In other words, the sound is focused and louder than a standard violin with octave strings. You will not find a better-sounding octave violin for the price. It is the next best thing to a completely purpose-built octave violin.

The price includes Wittner Fine-Tune tuning pegs and D’Addario Helicore Octave Violin Strings. A hard case is included. Note that this instrument fits into a standard violin case; whereas our purpose-built instruments require an adjustable viola case to accommodate their substantially deeper bodies.

Who is it for?

In general, this instrument is for any musician who is ready to step up to an actual octave violin, rather than an old fiddle with octave strings. Because this instrument is not as loud as our purpose-built octave violins, it has become popular among Music Therapy Practitioners, as well as artists who will be using a pickup for live performance. We can even install any pickup you want per your specifications. It is less prone to feedback. Further, because it is not as rich in harmonic overtones as the Double-Fat Strad, it works very well with effects that rely on fast real time tracking of fundamentals, such as harmonizers.

If you have any questions . . . 

If anything above does not make sense, or if you have any other questions, please do no hesitate to contact us. We are eager to help.

Our email is don@DonRickertDesign.com and phone number is (706) 896-0909.