Adventurous Muse: Musical Instruments and Whimsical Things

NEW Rickert Mountaineer Backpacker Fiddle in Development

As mentioned in a recent post on the Don Rickert Design and the Don Rickert Design Blog, we are going to be dumping unfruitful musical products and will definitely continue with musical instruments of our own design.

In addition to our successful current lineup of Octave Violins, historic pochettes and modern travel violins sold via Adventurous Muse, and the new Overtone Fiddle synthesizer project, we have a new Octave Fiddle on the drawing board as well as a really skinny (but full 4/4 length) travel fiddle that is extremely durable for the most punishing environments. We have some concept sketches of the new travel fiddle, which we are currently calling the Rickert Mountaineer Backpacker Fiddle, shown with an optional Wolf center-mount chin rest installed. The instrument is 2" wide and standard 4/4 length. It is intended to be played with a full-size bow. As usual, you can expand the images by clicking on them.

One can see the the Mountaineer Backpacker Fiddle is definitely an outgrowth of the design work on the Overtone Fiddle.

The following photo shows an actual Wolf Special center-mount chin rest on a regular violin.

The Rickert Mountaineer Backpacker Fiddle is designed to be fit with a center-mount version of the StoweMaster shoulder rest with the attachment hardware permanently mounted to the instrument rather than being held in place with the chin rest (impossible with the Wolf Special chin rest anyway). Some photos of a standard side-mount StoweMaster on a regular violin are shown below. We will have some photos of the special StoweMaster on an actual Mountaineer Backpacker Fiddle pretty soon.

Will the Rickert Mountaineer Backpacker Fiddle sound as good as the Adventurer IIb or IIc?

No--not even close; however the target sell price is not much more than the other cheap travel fiddles on the market.

Active Acoustics Collaboration Pochette Update

We have already mentioned in prior posts that Don Rickert Design is doing much of the ergonomics/instrument acoustics/lutherie part of a collaboration with Dr. Dan Overholt's and colleagues' Active Acoustics (a new kind of NON-MIDI synth technology) Project at Aalborg University (Copenhagen). As mentioned earlier, you will have to wait until the scholarly papers start being cranked out Q2 2010 to find out the details on the signal processing/synthesis part.

It is probable that a commercial embodiment of this instrument will be available through Adventurous Muse in the future.

Custom Pochette for Active Acoustics Experimental Work:

The instrument pictured below is being built specifically for the “Active Acoustics” project in collaboration with Dr. Dan Overholt of Aalborg University in Copenhagen Denmark. The instrument is essentially a pochette with a standard violin length and a 2” external width. The internal cavity is 1.75” wide in order to accommodate a specific processor board. The overhanging top and back, in addition to adding to the vibrating surface, and thus, sonority, of the instrument, also provide mounting surfaces for external components such as batteries, preamps, and so forth. The extra width provided by the overhanging top and back serve playing ergonomics and aesthetic goals as well.

Click on the image for a larger view.

The observant and knowledgeable reader will notice the tribute to the late Dr. Carleen Hutchins in the peg head box design.

We can get it to you - the Magic of Two-day and Overnight Shipping

See the Adventurous Muse Online Store.

Come on...help us to have a good Holiday too. We'll appreciate it when you order the week after Christmas like people did last year, but we would love it if we got some more orders BEFORE Christmas.

People have been examining items at the Adventurous Muse Online Store like young boys used to examine the lingerie section of the Sears catalog... You must know that we have the tools and experience to figure this out. Just take the leap and place the order...the suspense is driving us to to the point of near madness.

On the "Just-in-Time" for Christmas items, as of today (Monday Dec. 20), it is still possible to get some items to their destination by Dec. 24th Listed below are items and likely delivery dates if ordered today...of course we will add the extra shipping costs for rush shipping.

Delivery by Dec 24 (with 2-day or overnight shipping)

• Bobelock Deluxe Oblong Suspension Case
• Book (download from the Adventurous Muse Online Store): Cigar Box Fiddles: About Them and How to Make Them (see the book outline)
• Chart (download from the Adventurous Muse Online Store): Fiddle Chord Chart for Standard Tuning.
• Christian Benker (Germany) Violin
• Christian Benker Professional Model Violin (Germany)
• Civil War Re-enactor type Cigar Box Fiddle
• Double Oblong Suspension Case
• Joseph Guarnerius del Gesu 1724 Model Violin by E.H. Roth (Germany)
• Kremona Violin Pickup (the hot new wooden bridge-wing pickup that everyone is talking about…and we use on many of our custom electrics)
• Loar LM-500 VS Mandolin (AKA Golden Age Mandolin)
• Maggini Violin copy by Don Rickert Design (Hong Kong and U.S.)
• Rickert-Fiddarci Lutherie Octave Violin (U.S.), Darci Jones Model (the one that Natalie Haas and, of course, Darci Jones have)
• Rickert-Fiddarci Lutherie Octave Violin (U.S.), W.S. Mount Model (the one that Aladair Fraser has)
• Savannah Deluxe 5-String Banjo
• Silk-lined Violin Suspension Case by Bobelock
• Stradivarius model 1718 Violin by E.H. Roth (Germany)
• Violin, Georges Michel Model, by Aubert Lutherie (France)
• Whiskey Bottle Box Fiddle

Delivery Between Christmas and New Year’s

• Antique Maggini copy (1920s) in perfect condition (Germany)
• Banjo Uke by Gold Tone
• Banjolin (MandoBanjo) by Gold Tone
• Cello Banjo by Gold Tone: Marcy Marxer Signature 4-String Model (2 octaves below a mandolin)
• CodaBow Diamond Series GX (gold fittings) braided carbon fiber bows for violin and viola (or octave fiddle)
• CodaBow Diamond Series NX braided carbon fiber bows for violin AND viola or octave fiddle (different bow for each instrument)
• CodaBow Diamond Series SX (silver fittings) braided carbon fiber bows for violin and viola (or octave fiddle)
• Glasser Octagonal Braided Carbon Fiber Violin and Viola (or Octave Fiddle) Bows
• Kun Bravo Violin Shoulder Rest (really cool maple with brass fittings)
• Kun VOCE Carbon Fiber Shoulder Rest (has a sound chamber and actually enhances the sonority of your instrument…plus, it is astoundingly comfortable)
• Octave Mandolin by Gold Tone
• Realist Violin Pickup
• Rickert Professional Performance Fiddle (Germany, modified in U.S.)
• Savannah Travel 5-String Banjo
• Tenor Banjo (True Irish Style) by Gold Tone
• Tenor Banjo by Gold Tone: Deluxe True Irish Style Open Back
• Tenor Banjo by Gold Tone: Deluxe True Irish Style with Resonator
• Wittner polycarbonate tail piece with built-in fine tuners
• Wittner side-mount polycarbonate chin rest

Holiday Gift Items - Dec 24 Delivery Still Possible

See the Adventurous Muse Online Store.

On the "Just-in-Time" for Christmas items, as of today (Sunday Dec. 20), it is still possible to get some items to their destination by Dec. 24th

Listed below are items and likely delivery dates if ordered today:

Delivery by Dec 24

• Bobelock Deluxe Oblong Suspension Case
• Book (download from the Adventurous Muse Online Store): Cigar Box Fiddles: About Them and How to Make Them (see the book outline)
• Chart (download from the Adventurous Muse Online Store): Fiddle Chord Chart for Standard Tuning.
• Christian Benker (Germany) Violin
• Christian Benker Professional Model Violin (Germany)
• Civil War Re-enactor type Cigar Box Fiddle
• Double Oblong Suspension Case
• Joseph Guarnerius del Gesu 1724 Model Violin by E.H. Roth (Germany)
• Kremona Violin Pickup (the hot new wooden bridge-wing pickup that everyone is talking about…and we use on many of our custom electrics)
• Loar LM-500 VS Mandolin (AKA Golden Age Mandolin)
• Maggini Violin copy by Don Rickert Design (Hong Kong and U.S.)
• Rickert-Fiddarci Lutherie Octave Violin (U.S.), Darci Jones Model (the one that Natalie Haas and, of course, Darci Jones have)
• Rickert-Fiddarci Lutherie Octave Violin (U.S.), W.S. Mount Model (the one that Aladair Fraser has)
• Savannah Deluxe 5-String Banjo
• Silk-lined Violin Suspension Case by Bobelock
• Stradivarius model 1718 Violin by E.H. Roth (Germany)
• Violin, Georges Michel Model, by Aubert Lutherie (France)
• Whiskey Bottle Box Fiddle

Delivery Between Christmas and New Year’s

• Antique Maggini copy (1920s) in perfect condition (Germany)
• Banjo Uke by Gold Tone
• Banjolin (MandoBanjo) by Gold Tone
• Cello Banjo by Gold Tone: Marcy Marxer Signature 4-String Model (2 octaves below a mandolin)
• CodaBow Diamond Series GX (gold fittings) braided carbon fiber bows for violin and viola (or octave fiddle)
• CodaBow Diamond Series NX braided carbon fiber bows for violin AND viola or octave fiddle (different bow for each instrument)
• CodaBow Diamond Series SX (silver fittings) braided carbon fiber bows for violin and viola (or octave fiddle)
• Glasser Octagonal Braided Carbon Fiber Violin and Viola (or Octave Fiddle) Bows
• Kun Bravo Violin Shoulder Rest (really cool maple with brass fittings)
• Kun VOCE Carbon Fiber Shoulder Rest (has a sound chamber and actually enhances the sonority of your instrument…plus, it is astoundingly comfortable)
• Octave Mandolin by Gold Tone
• Realist Violin Pickup
• Rickert Professional Performance Fiddle (Germany, modified in U.S.)
• Savannah Travel 5-String Banjo
• Tenor Banjo (True Irish Style) by Gold Tone
• Tenor Banjo by Gold Tone: Deluxe True Irish Style Open Back
• Tenor Banjo by Gold Tone: Deluxe True Irish Style with Resonator
• Wittner polycarbonate tail piece with built-in fine tuners
• Wittner side-mount polycarbonate chin rest

Three New Videos

We have three new videos, each featuring different families of Don Rickert Design instruments available through Adventurous Muse.

• Octave Fiddles and Violins
• Pochettes and Travel Violins
• Performance Fiddles and Folk Fiddles (including cigar box fiddles and whiskey bottle  box fiddles)

www.youtube.com/user/DoctorFiddle

Time is running out!

See the Adventurous Muse Online Store.

If you are planning to purchase any of the "Just-in-Time" for Christmas items, time is really running out. As of 3:30 PM Eastern, it is now very unlikely that we would be able to get either a CodaBow or Glasser bow to you by Dec. 24th...realistic delivery time frame for bows is now the week between Christmas and New Year's.

On most other items, if you place the order by Midnight tonight (Dec. 18th), we can still make a Dec. 24th delivery date. We'll let you know if we can't.

Just in Time Musical Instrument Gifts for Under $1000

We have a number of items for under $1000 that we can get you in time for Christmas. If you are looking for a Chanukah gift, it will have to be belated one at this point. What we have are mostly great instruments, bows and other accessories from other makers (including the unbelievable CodaBow Diamond Series bows). A word to the wise…if you want a CodaBow or Glasser bow, you should stop what you are doing and ORDER NOW, as supplies are dwindling quickly.

As soon as you place an order at the Adventurous Muse Online Store, we will confirm that we can get it to you by December 24th. We will NOT charge your credit card until we are certain that we can make the deadline. We will contact you if a projected delivery date is later than Dec. 24 to determine what you want to do.

Bows

• CodaBow Diamond Series SX (silver fittings) braided carbon fiber bows for violin and viola (or octave fiddle)
• CodaBow Diamond Series GX (gold fittings) braided carbon fiber bows for violin and viola (or octave fiddle)

Fiddles and Violins

• Christian Benker (Germany) Violin
• Rickert Professional Performance Fiddle (Germany, modified in U.S.)

Mandolins and Banjo Mandolins(Banjolins)

• Loar LM-500 VS Mandolin (AKA Golden Age Mandolin)
• Banjolin (MandoBanjo) by Gold Tone

Celtic Octave Mandolins

• Octave Mandolin by Gold Tone

Tenor and Cello Banjos by Gold Tone

• Cello Banjo by Gold Tone: Marcy Marxer Signature 4-String Model (2 octaves below a mandolin)
• Tenor Banjo by Gold Tone: Deluxe True Irish Style Open Back
• Tenor Banjo by Gold Tone: Deluxe True Irish Style with Resonator

Just in Time Musical Instrument Gifts in $100 - $400 Range

We have a number of items in the $100 - $400 price range that we can get you in time for Christmas. If you are looking for a Chanukah gift, it will have to be belated one at this point. What we have are mostly great instruments, bows and other accessories from other makers (including the unbelievable CodaBow Diamond Series bows). A word to the wise…if you want a CodaBow or Glasser bow, you should stop what you are doing and ORDER NOW, as supplies are dwindling quickly.

As soon as you place an order at the Adventurous Muse Online Store, we will confirm that we can get it to you by December 24th. We will NOT charge your credit card until we are certain that we can make the deadline. We will contact you if a projected delivery date is later than Dec. 24 to determine what you want to do.

Fiddles

• Civil War Re-enactor type Cigar Box Fiddle
• Whiskey Bottle Box Fiddle

Bows

• CodaBow Diamond Series NX braided carbon fiber bows for violin AND viola or octave fiddle (different bow for each instrument)
• Glasser Octagonal Braided Carbon Fiber Violin and Viola (or Octave Fiddle) Bows

5-String and Tenor Banjos and Banjo Ukes

• Savannah Deluxe 5-String Banjo
• Savannah Travel 5-String Banjo
• Banjo Uke by Gold Tone
• Tenor Banjo (True Irish Style) by Gold Tone

Cases

• Silk-lined Violin Suspension Case by Bobelock
• Bobelock Deluxe Oblong Suspension Case
• Double Oblong Suspension Case

Pickups

• Realist Violin Pickup

Shoulder Rests

• Kun VOCE Carbon Fiber Shoulder Rest (has a sound chamber and actually enhances the sonority of your instrument…plus, it is astoundingly comfortable)

Just in Time Musical Instrument Gifts in $1000 - $2500 Range

We have some outstanding instruments in the $1000 - $2500 price range that we can get you in time for Christmas. If you are looking for a Chanukah gift, it will have to be belated one at this point. We even have a few of our own instruments available in this price range.

As soon as you place an order at the Adventurous Muse Online Store, we will confirm that we can get it to you by December 24th. We will NOT charge your credit card until we are certain that we can make the deadline. We will contact you if a projected delivery date is later than Dec. 24 to determine what you want to do.

Here is what we have:

• Christian Benker Professional Model Violin (Germany)
• Antique Maggini copy (1920s) in perfect condition (Germany)
• Maggini Violin copy by Don Rickert Design (Hong Kong and U.S.)
• Rickert-Fiddarci Lutherie Octave Violin (U.S.), W.S. Mount Model (the one that Aladair Fraser has)
• Rickert-Fiddarci Lutherie Octave Violin (U.S.), Darci Jones Model (the one that Natalie Haas and, of course, Darci Jones have)

Last Minute Musical Instrument Gifts in the “If you need to ask the price…” Range

We have some several truly remarkable high-end ($4000+) instruments that we can get you in time for Christmas. If you are looking for a Chanukah gift, it will have to be belated one at this point. We even have a few of our own instruments available in this price range.

As soon as you place an order at the Adventurous Muse Online Store, we will confirm that we can get it to you by December 24th. We will NOT charge your credit card until we are certain that we can make the deadline. We will contact you if a projected delivery date is later than Dec. 24 to determine what you want to do.

Here's what we have in the high-end range presently

• Joseph Guarnerius del Gesu 1724 Model Violin by E.H. Roth (Germany)
• Stradivarius model 1718 Violin by E.H. Roth (Germany)
• Violin, Georges Michel Model, by Aubert Lutherie (France)