A.E. Smith Guarneri Model Violin Sydney Australia 1958

This violin was made by the ‘father of Australian violin makers’ Arthur Edward Smith in Sydney, in 1958. Born in London in 1880, Arthur Edward Smith began his career as an engineer before turning to violin making. After learning the craft in England and spending time in Melbourne and San Francisco, he settled in Sydney and established his own workshop in 1919. Smith’s Hunter Street workshop became an important centre for Australian violin making, repair and restoration, training a number of makers who went on to become prominent in their own right. He handcrafted around 250 instruments, including violins, violas and cellos, drawing on the traditions of the great Italian makers. His instruments attracted leading musicians, including Yehudi Menuhin and Isaac Stern. In 1949, he received diplomas of honour for both violin and viola at the International Exhibition of Violin Makers in The Hague. In 1971, he was awarded an MBE for his services to music.

It is labelled "Arthur E. Smith Sydney / Faciebat Anno 1958". The body measures 355mm along the back, 167mm across the upper bouts and 208mm across the lower bouts. It has a two-piece back of very highly flamed maple with a narrow curl, with matching ribs and scroll. The top is off a finely grained spruce, and the violin is finished with an amber varnish, and ebony fittings. It is in good restored condition.

This violin has a characteristically clean, smooth tone, with an extraordinary array of colour and depth open to the performer. When pushed to its limits of dynamic or contact point, it translates that intensity into depth and character with very little effort. Overall, it is well balanced between the brighter and warmer ends of the spectrum, and is even across both the upper and lower registers as well. In terms of playability, the violin has an easy string height, and a quality of tangibility which renders technical challenges close and comfortable. It is best suited to players at a professional level, and excels in all formats of playing.

Please contact us if you would like to book an appointment to try this wonderful Australian violin.