R.F. Smith Workshop Violin, Brisbane c.2008 (Del Gesu)

This violin is made from a beautiful selection of timbers, hand-picked by master Australian violin-maker, Roderick F. Smith – the grandson of Arthur Edward Smith. The “Workshop” series of violins from 2008 and 2009 were built overseas by highly-skilled Chinese makers, using patterns and timbers specified by R.F. Smith. These instruments, once the foundation was constructed, were imported to Roderick’s Brisbane workshop “in the white”, where he was able to re-graduate the timber, varnish the instrument in his signature style and recipe, and plane and carve a new nut and fingerboard – one of his better-known talents.

The result is a violin, carefully designed and priced to be an affordable access point for students of the violin, to own an instrument with the strong influence of a master maker, with the legendary Smith family pedigree. Each instrument features a separate varnishing style, and tonal quality – but are set up to be a responsive, and well-playing instrument for high-level players, specifically university-level students.

This violin is inspired by the pattern of Guarneri Del Gesu – and is finished in a contemporary-style, blonde spirit varnish of excellent application technique.