Here's another review that I meant to write some time ago. I bought this instrument in October, 2023. I'd had my eye on the Rickert travel violins for a while. But they are built to order and I wasn't comfortable buying one without being able to try it out. I learned from Don that a "Ranger IV" model, which is the biggest one, was available because the person who had ordered it couldn't take possession. He shipped it to me for trial. I liked it, so I bought it!
https://donrickertmusicianshop.com/ranger-iv-travel-violin-by-d-rickert/
Travel violins are always about compromise between size, sound, playability and cost. This is the only travel instrument I ever owned that sounded good and felt ergonomically good. It even has good projection (volume) due to a combination of careful design of the body and heavy tension strings.
It's also the largest travel fiddle I've ever owned! I bought it with the mailing tube case that Don offers. It is light, inexpensive, and long enought to hold a full-length bow. The full-length bow is necessary for best sound. That works well for vehicle travel, but the case is too long for smaller overhead bin spaces in smaller regional jets.
I already own a Bam Overhead case, which is the perfect length for this instrument. It's unnecessarily wide. But, that means there's room for other stuff. I'm able to fit a ($30) 1/4-scale bow in a sleeve on one side and the shoulder rest on the other side. It needs a little extra padding at the bottom, so for now I'm using two rolled-up, thin t-shirts. The 1/4-scale bow is good enough for trips where I don't expect to play a lot.
My wife and I have a small travel trailer (19' Casita) where space and clutter is an issue. This works well for that. The tube case stores well, and the instrument size and tone works well in that small space.
That's it!
Ernie
Edited by - RinconMtnErnie on 04/04/2025 10:08:11
The tube case did not come with the backpack straps. I ordered some online. One thing I've learned about traveling with instruments is they need to be on your back whenever possible so you don't drop them. Don't ask me how I know.
The tube case looks kind of sad on its own, so I added the stickers. In part it was for aesthetics, and the "Fragile [violin graphic] Handle With Care" lets airport personnel and flight crews know it's a musical instrument. I have the same sticker on the Bam case.
