Master Viola by Roderick F. Smith, Adelaide c. 1975

Roderick F. Smith was born in Rabaul, November 1938, and grew up on the North shore of Sydney Australia. Much of his life was spent wandering the floors on his grandfather’s (Arthur Smith) and his mother’s (Kitty Smith) workshop, so it comes as no surprise that in 1955 he began his career, in the study of repair and restoration techniques to the violin family of instruments, in the workshop of his grandfather’s business A.E. SMITH & Co. Pty.,Ltd. 

Through his mother, Kitty, Roderick would inherit much of the remaining equipment, resources, and stock left by the closing of A.E. Smith & Co in the 70s – using some of the timber stocks procured by his grandfather, A.E. Smith, including the families signature techniques, and varnishing recipes. In 1988, Roderick and his immediate family would become Brisbane locals, running a business dealing in instrument retail, construction, and repairs – and becoming a trusted name for the string-players of Brisbane, even for the decades to follow.  His instruments sought after and used by professional musicians in America, Switzerland, England, Germany, Austria and of course Australia. Along with these fine instruments Roderick produces instruments specifically designed to suit students, at a student budget, whilst keeping to the quality he has become known for.

The Smith family of violin-makers were particularly praised for their experiments involving the shape and form of violas. The same level of detail and finesse in the playing-ability and tonal quality is very evident in this beautiful viola inspired by the work of a rare viola-maker, Luigi Bajoni. This particular instrument was crafted during Roderick’s time living in Adelaide, having moved away from his grandfather’s and mother’s esteemed workshop in Sydney – with this viola stylistically representing this departure from his family workshop. A.E. Smith would pass away only years later, prompting Roderick to return to Sydney.