Richard Duke was one of the most successful and prolific English violin makers of the 18th century. He established his workshop in central London around 1743. His business expanded to a number of locations and he employed numerous instrument and bow makers, including William Napier and John Betts, who purchased Duke’s shop after his death in 1783.

This lovely sounding violin has just been fully restored and is in very good condition. The original DUKE brand under the button was removed many years ago during a repair. However, the original DUKE brands remain on the front above the saddle and on the ribs below the saddle. The violin is accompanied by a Certificate dated April 1955 from L. P. Balmforth and Son, Leeds.

 

Price $35,000

 

Selected and set up by Simmers Violins

Price $4000

Selected and set up by Simmers Violins

 

Price $3200

Selected and set up by Simmers Violins.

Price $5100

The highest level of our Studio series violins. Made in Australia, these Guarneri del Gesu and Stradivari models are crafted from beautiful European maple and spruce from our collection of fine tonewood. The first stage of these violins was made in a commercial workshop to reduce the cost of labour. John Simmers has finished all the graduations, F-holes, bass bar and all the internal and external woodwork and then varnished them to the same level as his own instruments. They are fantastic sounding, play beautifully and now available in our studio.

Price $15,000

A charming French 19th century Medio Fino violin, by the Jerome Thibouville-Lamy workshop in Mirecourt. These violins were simply made, but they have a reputation for solid construction and a fantastic sound. This one is no exception. Unusually, the front is from a beautiful single piece of figured spruce. Although it has been well played over the years, this violin presents very well and is in fantastic condition.

Price $7000

A beautiful violin by Gand & Bernardel, made in Paris around 1860. The label is numbered 454. This violin is in magnificent condition and has a lovely warm and full sound. Sold with an original receipt from John & Arthur Beare dated the 7th of July 1919.

Price $70,000

 

Violin by John Simmers, Brisbane 2022. Stradivari model.

Available at the Sydney String Centre.

John Simmers Violin Brisbane 2021 — The Sydney String Centre (violins.com.au)

 

Price $30,000

Good quality Bavarian violin from the Ernst Heinrich Roth workshop. Stradivari model, 1971.

This nice sounding violin is in very good, original condition.

Price $7500

Emanuel Whitmarsh was originally a stonemason and was self-taught in violin making. He worked in Soho, London, from 1856 to 1885, making instruments and repairing for various dealers. Whitmarsh moved to Kentish Town Road, 1885, and to Hackney, 1887. He established at Dalston, 1908, when he had the assistance of his son, Edwin.

The violin we are pleased to offer is in exceptional, original condition and has a big, powerful tone. It bears its original label and is signed internally by the maker.

Price $25,000

This beautifully made violin is in incredible condition for it’s age. Made from the finest quality materials, it is a fine example of early 20th Century Mittenwald craftsmanship and has a fine, strong and clear tone.

Price $22,000

Violin by John Simmers, Brisbane 2022.

Price $30,000

Simmers Violin Makers are pleased to offer our Simmers Violins Series, a range of great instruments, hand made in small workshops in China. These instruments are carefully selected by John Simmers. He then finishes them and sets them up to the highest level. By personally selecting the instruments considering quality of workmanship and materials, we can ensure that the violins offer great value, tone and beauty.

Individually priced from $2000 to $3000

This level of Studio Series instrument has been made exclusively for Simmers Violin Makers from fine quality European tone wood. The wood has been sent to a very good workshop overseas and roughly finished, ready for our violin maker, John Simmers to finish the violin. John finalizes the graduations of the front and back, the F-holes and the bass bar before closing the violin. He then finishes the scroll and all external surfaces, shapes the neck and prepares the violin for varnishing. The violin is varnished the same way that he varnishes his own instruments before setting up and final adjustments. This level of instrument is approaching the level of a master made instrument, however by outsourcing some of the initial labour, it is offered at a very reasonable price for an instrument of this quality.

Price from $9500

Studio Series instruments are made exclusively for Simmers Violin Makers from fine quality European tone wood. John visits the workshop where they are made annually to oversee their making and is always striving to improve and develop the instruments. They are very popular and we believe that there no new instruments on the market in this price range that offer the same quality of sound and craftsmanship. The violins are finished in our Red Hill workshop by John Simmers and they receive the highest level of setup, including fine quality hand turned German pegs.

Price $7700

Studio Series instruments are made exclusively for Simmers Violin Makers from fine quality European tone wood. John visits the workshop where they are made annually to oversee their making and is always striving to improve and develop the instruments. They are very popular and we believe that there no new instruments on the market in this price range that offer the same quality of sound and craftsmanship. The violins are finished in our Red Hill workshop by John Simmers and they receive the highest level of setup, including fine quality hand turned German pegs.

Price $6600

Studio Series instruments are made exclusively for Simmers Violin Makers from fine quality European tone wood. John visits the workshop where they are made annually to oversee their making and is always striving to improve and develop the instruments. This particular violin was finished and varnished by John Simmers while visiting the workshop. They are very popular and we believe that there no new instruments on the market in this price range that offer the same quality of sound and craftsmanship. The violins are finished in our Red Hill workshop by John Simmers and they receive the highest level of setup, including fine quality hand turned German pegs.

Price $8800

Studio Series instruments are made exclusively for Simmers Violin Makers from fine quality European tone wood. John visits the workshop where they are made to oversee their making and is always striving to improve and develop the instruments. They are very popular and we believe that there no new instruments on the market in this price range that offer the same quality of sound and craftsmanship. The violins are finished in our Red Hill workshop by John Simmers and they receive the highest level of setup, including fine quality hand turned German pegs.

Price $5500

KG is a small family operated workshop in Beijing. Their 200 model violin is very nicely made instrument and is a very popular choice for students moving up to their first full size violin. They come with our detailed setup, quality fittings and Pirastro Obligato or Evah Pirazzi strings.

Price $1975

The 100 model from KG Instruments, is our popular student violin outfit. Chosen for its amazing quality for its price, we believe this is the minimum quality that students of all levels deserve. The quality of this instrument allows us to perform a detailed setup which is included in the price. We fit KG100 violins with Pirastro Obligato strings, and a bow and case are included. We stock KG100 violin outfits in 4/4, ¾ and ½ sizes. Don’t let your students play on a toy violin, start them off with a real one.

Price $1350