Roderick F. Smith Master Violin, Brisbane c.2013

Please schedule an appointment with us to trial this violin.

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.

This master-crafted violin demonstrates an exquisite attention-to-detail. The purfling, skilfully laid into the ascending edging of the violin’s top and back plates; the highly-flamed maple used to construct the sides, back, and neck; and the incredibly well-finished, glossy varnish… All of these attributes combine to make a visually gorgeous instrument, complimented by a robust, full-bodied tone colour. The finish on the neck, and fingerboard of this instrument facilitates incredibly dexterous, easy playing in the left-hand – indicative of instruments from the Smith Dynasty of violin-makers. This instrument is a must-try!