Adventurous Muse

The Adventurous Muse (www.AdventurousMuse.com) Unique Musical Instruments

While we are, in fact, associated with several commercial musical instrument ventures, the purpose of this site is informative, containing lots of background information and opinions. Of course, we don't mind if you decide to go to one our stores and buy something.

The Adventurous Muse, owned by Don Rickert Design, is NOT for sissies, but for the adventurous musicians of the world, for whom having the most innovative instruments for pursuing their art is a high priority and who possess and are not afraid to spend the necessary money to obtain them.

New Presentation about Don Rickert Design: Musical Instruments

Here is a new presentation that I posted to my LinkedIn network today.  It pretty much covers the Don Rickert musical instrument designs sold under the Don Rickert Design, Old Mill Musical Instruments and Rickert-Fiddarci Lutheries brands. You might find it informative as well. Photos of all instruments and MP3s for many (which you can download). You may even be inspired to buy something...remember that today is the the end of the buying moratorium on musical instruments.

Today Is the Day! (For What?...READ)

Integration of www.JonWhiddon.com with www.AdventurousMuse.com:

We will be integrating www.JonWhiddon.com with Adventurous Muse starting today. We have owned www.JonWhiddon.com as an independent enterprise for several years. Its public manifestation is a web site that sells high-quality prints of the late folk artist, Jon Whiddon, very well-known in the the Folk/Outsider Art community (an very missed after his untimely passing). Jon was the brother of Alycen Whiddon, who runs our marketing and training initiatives. Alycen inherited Jon's business.

We even have a few highly-collectible originals of Jon Whiddon's work. We have waited until the right time to release these pieces for sale.

Today is the end of the ongoing buyers' moratorium on buying musical instruments:

Today the nonsense stops! Today several people from among the many browsers of the Adventurous Muse Store will dare to buy a number of items. We intend for this to be the last day of what has become a stalemate. This is NOT a joke or some kind of trick!

Workshops and Courses

Today we will announce the initial workshops that we will be offering at Wild Rock, our studio/retreat in the North Georgia mountains.

"Viral" Campaign

We have been on Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, YouTube and many other "social networking" sites for a while. Today we are taking things up a few notches. You'll know when you see it. Anyone reading these words can listen to and download MP3s from the first group that we have posted from this site. These are NOT just demos, but actual performances, most of them including one or more of our instruments.

New Free MP3s

Here are just few. We are in the testing phase, but you should be able to either stream or download the following. It will be nicer when we get the kinks out!

• Mississippi Sawyer On Rickert Cigar Box Fiddle Troy Parker and Michale Fox
• Rickert Professional Fiddle Napoleon Crossing the Rhine
• Rickert Adventurer Soldiers Joy
• Rickert Fiddle 19th Century Fisher's Hornpipe
• Rickert 18th Century Pochette Darci Jones

Don Rickert Design: Musical Instruments on iLike - Get updates inside iTunes

Test of MP3

• Mississippi Sawyer On Rickert Cigar Box Fiddle Troy Parker and Michale Fox

Don Rickert Design: Musical Instruments on iLike - Get updates inside iTunes

Aude aliquid dignum

Those who have looked closely at the Old Mill Musical Instruments logo might wonder what this 16th Century Latin phrase means. It means "Dare something worthy."

Dr. Joe Vitale (if you don't know who he is, you can Google him) uses the phrase in his email tag lines.

I received an email from Dr. Vitale today. Among other things, he pointed out that, in his words:

"My experience online has taught me that most people don't take action...as most people don't really want what they say they want."

It appears that this may be the case with the musical instrument business. Not just our business, but in general. We are very tied into a large network of musical instrument makers and small shops and we are ALL having the same problem...lots of people browsing, lots of abandoned shopping carts, but nobody buying. This is quite discouraging to those of us who work 14-16 hour days, 7 days a week to keep our businesses going until those who are ready to dare something worthy come out of hiding.

If you are really interested in what we work so hard to design and make, but you don't like the price, be daring and take some action like contacting us with a counter-proposal (don@donrickertdesign.com).

Do it soon, as we can''t hold our forever.

Aude aliquid dignum

Don Rickert

NEW Soprano and Tenor Ukuleles by Old Mill at Adventurous Muse

Soprano Ukulele by Old Mill

This is an ALL solid mahogany uke, finished in a beautiful oil varnish in our Roswell, Ga workshop. Elegantly simple purfling around the soundhole. No plywood to be found in this professional quality, American-made traditional ukulele. The Old Mill Soprano Ukulele has a rosewood fingerboard with inlaid dot markers. The bridge is rosewood as well. All internal bracing and linings are of the finest spruce.

This soprano ukulele has 13-3/4" scale length.

• Standard Tuning for a soprano ukulele: g'c'e'a'…the 4th string is actually a higher note than the 3rd string.
• Alternative Tuning: The most common alternative tuning is a'd'f#'b'

This instrument is fit with traditional ukulele friction pegs, but you can upgrade to the revolutionary Pegheds™ 4:1 ratio planetary geared pegs, which look exactly like really traditional violin-type pegs. See the images.

   

   
Tenor Ukulele by Old Mill

This full-size tenor ukulele is ALL solid mahogany, finished in a beautiful oil varnish in our Roswell, Ga workshop. Elegantly simple purfling around the soundhole. No plywood to be found in this professional quality, American-made traditional ukulele. The Old Mill Soprano Ukulele has a rosewood fingerboard with inlaid dot markers. The bridge is rosewood as well. All internal bracing and linings are of the finest spruce. This tenor ukulele has 17-3/32" scale length.

• Standard Tuning for a tenor ukulele: gc'e'a'. This is almost like the soprano ukulele; however, the 4th string on a tenor is an octave lower than the 4th string on a soprano
• Alternative Tunings: The most common alternative tuning is d'gbe' (with this alternative tuning, the 4th string is a higher note than the 3rd string). Tenor ukes are sometimes strung with special strings and tuned exactly like a soprano ukulele, but with a far more powerful sonority.

This instrument is fit with traditional ukulele friction pegs, but you can upgrade to the revolutionary Pegheds™ 4:1 ratio planetary geared pegs, which look exactly like really traditional violin-type pegs. See the images above.

Four NEW Old Time Open Back Banjos at Adventurous Muse

We've got 3 new Recording King Open Back banjos by Recording King and a Late 19th Century Open Back Banjo by us (Old Mill Musical Instruments)

California Deluxe Open Back Banjo by Recording King

The California Deluxe Open Back Banjo by Recording King (RB-024)

The California Deluxe has original detailing and a sweet open back tone players love. Select ebony graces the fretboard, the heel cap and the peghead overlay for extra-fine craftsmanship. The unique peghead inlay was designed by Greg Rich and features a traditional floral pattern.

With legendary craftsmanship and amazing features, Recording King open-back banjos are simply the best banjos money can buy. As with all Recording King open back models, this one has genuine pre-war replica parts. These banjos have meticulous detailing and graceful craftsmanship.

The California Deluxe also features a Whyte Laydie tone ring, a bound walnut rim, a walnut neck with a maple skunk stripe and a no-knot tailpiece. This model has dual coordinator rods, 24 brackets and nickel-plated hardware. The original peghead inlay features binding for greater strength.
 
The California Deluxe is a great banjo for frailing or clawhammer style banjo playing. With its unique detailing and graceful craftsmanship, this model revitalizes the Recording King legacy.
 
Specifications
• Bound Walnut Rim
• Recording King Deluxe Inlay Peghead with Binding
• Walnut Neck with Maple Skunk Stripe
• Whyte Laydie Tone Ring
• Dual Coordinator Rods
• 24 Brackets
• Ebony Fretboard
• Ebony Heel Cap and Peghead Overlay
• No-Knot Tailpiece
• Nickel-Plated Hardware
• Remo Fiberskyn Head
• Notched Hoop
• Neck Width Under Nut: 30.5mm
• Head Size: 11", medium crown (7/16" height)
• Frets: 22
• Total Length: 38"
• Weight: 6.7 lbs
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

California Open Back Banjo by Recording King

The California Open Back Banjo by Recording King (RB-012)
   
With a sweet, rich tone and a lightweight design, the Recording King California Banjo is a traditional open back banjo designed for old-time, frailing and clawhammer style playing.

With legendary craftsmanship and amazing features, Recording King open-back banjos are simply the best banjos money can buy. As with all Recording King open back models, this one has genuine pre-war replica parts. These banjos have meticulous detailing and graceful craftsmanship.

The California features a bound walnut rim, a walnut neck with a maple skunk stripe, a rosewood fretboard and a no-knot tailpiece. This model also features dual coordinator rods, 24 brackets and nickel-plated hardware. The peghead features the original Recording King logo with a star detail for a simple, classic look.
 
Specifications

• Bound Walnut Rim
• Walnut Neck with Maple Skunk Stripe
• Dual Coordinator Rods
• 24 Brackets
• Rosewood Fretboard
• Heel Cap and Peghead Overlay
• Recording King Peghead
• No-Knot Tailpiece
• Nickel-Plated Hardware
• Remo Fiberskyn Head
• Notched Hoop
• Neck Width Under Nut: 30.5mm
• Head Size: 11", medium crown (7/16" height)
• Frets: 22
• Total Length: 38"
• Weight: 6 lbs
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

   
Late 19th Century 5-String Banjo by Old Mill

Late 19th Century 5-String Banjo by Old Mill Musical Instruments. The design (by Dr. Don Rickert) of this banjo is inspired by the actual 1870s fretted banjo pictured below.

This very cool instrument will have several modern touches, necessary for allowing the use of steel strings if the player desires. It can also be strung with the more authentic lower tension gut (Nylgut) strings.

Summary of Features:

• Maple Neck
• Headstock close the one pictured
• Pegheds Violin-type planetary-geared tuning pegs...5th string peg in modern orientation (note: the internally geared tuners, which look EXACTLY like violin type pegs, are to necessary enable the use of steel strings, as well as making it MUCH easier to keep gut or Nylgut strings in tune
• A double-action truss rod (to accommodate the added tension of steel strings)
  
• Metal frets
• 11" rim
• Maple dowel stick instead of a modern coordinator rod (see image(
• NO tone ring
• Grooved tension ring
• 22 brackets
• Remo FiberSkyn head

Ne Plus Ultra Open Back Banjo by Recording King


The Ne Plus Ultra Open Back Banjo by Recording  King (RB-036): The Ne Plus Ultra is the most incredibly crafted, meticulously detailed open back banjo in the Recording King collection.
 
The beauty of this model is immediate: the stunning "Tree of Life" abalone inlay on the peghead and fretboard was designed by Greg Rich and demonstrates his appreciation for the traditional pre-war style.
 
The rim is made from flamed maple and features binding for more style. Flamed maple is also used on the neck which also features an ebony skunk stripe. This model features a Whyte Laydie tone ring, a Kershner tailpiece, dual coordinator rods and 24 brackets.
 
This open back has a sweet, harmonious tone that's excellent for all styles of playing. There's a piece of history with every Recording King banjo, and the Ne Plus Ultra is a perfect example of this.
 
Specifications
• Flamed Maple Rim with Binding
• Tree of Life Peghead and Fretboard Inlay
• Flamed Maple Neck with Ebony Skunk Stripe
• Whyte Laydie Tone Ring
• Dual Coordinator Rods
• 24 Brackets
• Ebony Fretboard
• Ebony Heel Cap and Peghead Overlay
• Kershner Tailpiece
• Nickel-Plated Hardware
• Remo Fiberskyn Head
• Notched Hoop
• Neck Width Under Nut: 30.5mm
• Head Size: 11", medium crown (7/16" height)
• Frets: 22
• Total Length: 38"
• Weight: 6.85 lbs
• Limited Lifetime Warranty

While you are at it you might want to check out the Kevin Enoch Tradesman Banjos that we carry.

Tradesman Banjo Fretless Version

Tradesman Banjo Fretted Version

New 000 Guitar at Adventurous Muse

Those who are really into Old Time music know that the Martin 000 guitar is the only truly authentic Old-Time period guitar. We have a good one for you.

12th Fret 000 Model Guitar by Recording King

Century Studio Series 626 12th Fret 000 by Recording King: The Recording King ROS-626 is a faithful reproduction of the Martin 0-Series steel string guitars of the early 20th Century. If you are looking for the most authentic guitar possible for Old-Time music, this is it. Because the 000 body style is MUCH smaller than a contemporary steel string guitar, although not as small as the Martin 1850s and 1860s gut-strung guitars, it is a plausible alternative to the Civil War reenactor who needs an instrument appropriately-braced for steel strings.

The ROS-626 Model 000, with its solid AA-grade Sitka spruce top and all-solid African Mahogany back and sides (no plywood!), the tone is warm and even, and the hand-rubbed nitrocellulose lacquer finish (NOT SPRAYED POLYURATHANE!) allows the sound of the wood to resonate clearly and powerfully.
 
This guitar is built with lighter bracing for more resonance, but still strong enough to accommodate steel strings, and the ebony pyramid bridge helps enable greater vibration from the hand-selected spruce top.

The Nitrocellulose lacquer finish is dried for 8 weeks in order to ensure that the lacquer is properly bonded to the wood. Both the gloss and matte finishes allow the guitars to sing powerfully and clearly.

Feature Summary:

BODY SHAPE:        12th Fret OOO
TOP MATERIAL:        Solid AA Grade Sitka Spruce
BACK MATERIAL:        Solid African Mahogany
SIDE MATERIAL:        Solid African Mahogany
TOP BRACING PATTERN:    Fully Scalloped X-Bracing
TOP BRACES:        Scalloped Spruce
NECK MATERIAL:        1 Piece Mahogany
NECK PROFILE:        Vintage "V"
NECK JOINT:        Hand-Cut Dovetail
FRETBOARD MATERIAL:    Ebony
SCALE LENGTH:        25.4"
# OF FRETS CLEAR:        12
# OF FRETS TOTAL:        20
NUT MATERIAL:        Bone
NUT WIDTH:        1-13/16"
HEADSTOCK TYPE:        Slotted
HEADSTOCK OVERLAY:    Rosewood
HEADSTOCK INLAY:    None
TUNING MACHINES:    Grover Butterbean
BODY BINDING:        Grained Ivoroid
ROSETTE:        3-Ring
TOP PURFLING:        Herringbone
FRETBOARD INLAYS:    Diamond and Square, Pattern 1
FRETBOARD BINDING:    None
BRIDGE MATERIAL:        Ebony
BRIDGE SHAPE:        Pyramid Style
SADDLE:        Bone
BRIDGE PINS & ENDPIN:    Ivory with Black Dot
PICKGUARD:        None
FINISH:        Hand-Buffed Nitrocellulose Lacquer
WARRANTY:            Lifetime warranty
   
You might check out our 19th Century Guitar and Martin 1857 Model Guitar Replica while you are at it.

Today's Posts

Today is the day that we plan to finish the downloadable print version of the 2010 Fiddlers' Convention and Fiddle Contest Guide (Southeast Edition), our preliminary 2010 Workshop Catalog, plus an announcement of a Red Hots performance that is not yet published.

Busy day, but feel free to buy something from the Adventurous Muse Store, because we have lot of bills to pay today as well :-)

FREE super light-weight musician-friendly folding stool

Of course you have to buy something to get the free stool. We're generous, not crazy!

Two models (both really nice, but one is nicer)

The $600 Purchase Free Seat

On purchases from the Adventurous Muse Store of $600 or more (not counting shipping) you get a FREE Folding Camp Stool, pictured here.

It is a simple two pound, three legged structure that will hold 275 pounds. Collapses down to a package and wraps with an integrated Velcro strap.

Sit comfortably on the 11" wide saddle style stool seat. No more scratching your guitar or bruising your bowing arm in a cheap HEAVY chair from the grocery store. This portable seat is also perfect for golf tournaments, hiking, camping, hunting, the everywhere chair!

• Compact, convenient, comfortable portable seat
• Folds in two seconds
• Rubber-tipped non-skid legs
• Heavy 3/4" tubular steel frame, 1.0 mm thick
• Powder coated durable finish
• Saltwater resistant finish
• 275 lb. capacity
• 600 Denier polyester PVC backed for durability
• Height 18" -- Seat Dimensions 12” x 12” x 12"
• Folded dimensions -- 24 1/2" x 3 1/2"
• 2 lb. unit weight
• Bar tacked and double stitched throughout

The $1100 Purchase Free Seat

On purchases from the Adventurous Muse Store of $1100 or more (not counting shipping) you get a  FREE GCI PackSeat Portable Stool, pictured here.

The GCI Outdoor PackSeat™ weighs in at only 26 ounces. Lighter than all of it's competition, the PackSeat™ folds into a real small package with the innovative designed shock-corded legs.

Innovative power pouch attached to bottom legs acts like a snowshoe so that the chair resists sinking into soft terrain such as muc, sand and dirt. This pouch also gives the PackSeat the ability to hold 300lbs, and provides a handy place for storage.

GCI PackSeat Portable Stool

• Super Strong anodized aluminum frame holds up to 300 lbs
• Innovative shock corded legs
• Folds into a neat package with innovative shock corded legs.
• Convenient carry bag
• Weighs in at only 26 ounces, lighter than all of its competition
• Power pouch connected to bottom section of legs for added support and strength
• Black fabric color
• Seat Height 21"
• Seat Dimensions 11" x 12"
• Folded Dimensions: 15" Long x 4" Wide