Philip Smith is a fine hand maker of superb stringed instruments and their bows

One of Australia’s finest Luthiers, Philip began his craft of violinmaking over 20 years ago from a Mittenwald trained luthier in Melbourne, Australia, and went on to be mentored at the world renowned Samuel Kolstien and Sons, New York.  Through his superb and considerable body of work – traditional and baroque,  with a focus on both beauty and playability, Philip has established his reputation as a violinmaker of great skill and integrity, in his utter commitment to the sculpture and crafting of his robust, resonant and stunning instruments.

Philip is one of few French-trained Archetiers working in Australia. As a Fellow of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, Philip travelled to France in 2010 to train with master archetier, Jean-Luc Tauziede. As the apprentice to a French Master, Philip can trace his bow-making heritage directly, passed down hand to hand, from the inventor of the modern bow – François Tourte.