Australian Luthier Handcrafts Violin in Six-Month Labor of Love

When Ellen Hubble walked into Black Creek Music Merchants on its opening day in Korumburra, Victoria, she knew exactly what she wanted: a violin handcrafted by owner Richard Hall.

Six months later, Hall nervously paced his floor waiting for his musician son to test the finished instrument. The 59-year-old luthier had poured half a year into creating something that would outlive them all.

Hall's journey to violin making started at 19 when he learned guitar building fresh out of school. Decades of cabinet making, woodworking teaching, and music lessons all converged in his workshop, a cozy space filled with wood shavings, glue pots, and instruments in various stages of completion.

The turning point came when his son Tony started playing violin. Hall began repairing Tony's instruments in his shed, eventually teaching himself to build them from scratch. Tony now plays viola in a Finnish chamber orchestra, and Hall jokes he's still trying to make instruments that match his son's skill level.

For Hubble, commissioning the violin carried deep meaning. Her grandfather arrived in Australia as a German-Jewish refugee with almost nothing except a violin. She didn't start learning the instrument until her late 40s, but now she and her husband are fixtures on the local music scene and help organize the Wonthaggi Acoustic Music Festival.

Throughout the building process, Hall texted Hubble photos of the timber he selected and invited her to watch the work unfold. The instrument uses Australian hardwood, a rare choice that gives it a unique sound compared to traditional European violins.

Sunny's Take

When Hall finally handed over the finished violin, Hubble cried. "It's hard to believe it's Australian," she said, marveling at the blend of local materials and European craftsmanship. "I hope I do it justice in playing it."

Hall's shop has become more than a place to buy instruments. Musicians drift through the front door to chat while he plucks his banjo in the window. It's a living, breathing hub where people feel welcomed and music connects a small rural community.

These handcrafted instruments get passed down through generations, carrying stories and melodies into the future. In Hubble's hands, her grandfather's refugee legacy and Hall's patient craftsmanship now sing together in perfect harmony.