Our small instruments, which we call Travel/Practice Violins are based on an architecture that uses a proprietary space frame (like a racing car), around which the various parts are attached. Our in-depth knowledge of building high-performance wooden rowing shells played a role in the design.

We achieve different timbres, volume and projection through the use (or absence) of various damping materials, such as epoxy resin-impregnated balsa, in the space between the side trusses and the side veneers. Our highest volume instruments use virtually no damping material whatsoever; except for the epoxy resin that gives the extremely thin side veneers strength.

All of our Travel/Practice Violins have the following critical characteristics:

·       The nut-to-bridge string length is identical to a normal violin or fiddle (just under 13").

·       The body length is approximately 13.5".

·       All instruments have retractable “wings”, allowing the use of a standard 4/4 shoulder rest, such as a Kun.

·       All instruments have a center-mount (Wittner) chin rest.

·       All instruments use a Rickert asymmetric tone bar system rather than a bass bar and a soundpost…there is no sound post to fall out of place during transport, while backpacking, etc.

·       None of the instruments have a ‘nasal’ or raspy tone, despite the absence of a soundpost and their external physical resemblance to various early instruments such as the rebec.

·       All instruments respond extremely well in all 7 positions to a full-size bow.

·       All instruments are balanced and weighted to approximate a normal violin.

The Rickert & Ringholz Travel/Practice Violin will be the core platform for one of our new electric fiddles, soon to be announced.