Melbourne, Australia

Ferguson Strings

Handmade Violins, Cellos and Violas

Preserving the legacy of Tom Ferguson — luthier, engineer, craftsman.

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In Memoriam

Tom Ferguson — Luthier & Craftsman

Tom Ferguson passed away, and with him closed one of Australia's most remarkable chapters in handmade string instrument making. This site exists to honour his life's work and preserve the history of the instruments he created.

Tom Ferguson — Luthier
Tom Ferguson — Photo: The Age

Tom's instruments are unique. The timbers, the build, and the skills involved in creating each piece are now rare — a craft that future generations will marvel at. These instruments sound incredible and were made to last lifetimes.

He was inspired by the greats — Stradivarius, Guarneri, and many others — creating instruments modelled faithfully on their designs, yet distinctly his own through the use of native Australian timbers.

Tom also developed his own design, “The Ferguson”, combining his engineering background and woodcraft skills to build an instrument that delivers a superior tone and sound unlike anything else.

“This was a passion, not a business. Each instrument he made is a singular piece of history.”

If you own a Ferguson instrument, or have information to contribute to this archive, we'd love to hear from you.

Get in Touch
Tom Ferguson at work

Tom Ferguson — at work

Workshop craftsmanship

Workshop craftsmanship

Traditional Craftsmanship

Each instrument is hand-built using centuries-old luthier techniques, applied with an engineer's precision and a craftsman's soul.

Australian Timbers

Unique native woods — stringy gum, apple box, alpine ash, ribbon gum — give each Ferguson instrument a voice unlike any other.

Exquisite Tone

Inspired by Stradivarius and Guarneri, every instrument Tom made was built to deliver a superior, resonant sound that endures.

A Living Archive

This site preserves the catalogue and history of Tom's work — a record of instruments that carry his legacy into the future.

30+
Years of Craft
100+
Instruments Made
1
Maker, Tom Ferguson

Notable Commission

A Replica for Richard Tognetti

Richard Tognetti and Barry Humphries with Tom Ferguson's violin replica

Richard Tognetti & Barry Humphries — Australian Chamber Orchestra

Among Tom Ferguson's most remarkable commissions was a faithful replica of the violin belonging to Richard Tognetti — Artistic Director and Lead Violin of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and one of Australia's most celebrated musicians.

Tom's replica was loaned to the Australian Chamber Orchestra for a period, a testament to the quality and authenticity of his craftsmanship. The instrument was featured alongside Richard Tognetti and the legendary Barry Humphries — a remarkable moment that brought Tom's work into the spotlight of Australia's finest cultural institutions.

That a handmade instrument from Tom's workshop could stand beside the instruments of world-class performers speaks to the extraordinary level of skill and dedication he brought to every piece he created.

“A craftsman whose work earned the trust of Australia's finest musicians.”

Read about the ACO's history of collaboration

Legacy Gift

The Xavier College
Collection

"In March this year, we were honoured to be contacted by Christian Townsend and Adele Ferguson, son-in-law and daughter of the late Tom Ferguson, who generously donated an extraordinary collection of 36 hand-crafted string instruments, collectively valued at over $400,000."

36

Instruments donated

$400k+

Collective value

~100 hrs

Per instrument

3

Instrument families

Xavier College, Melbourne

The collection is now housed in the Music Department at Xavier College, where it enriches the musical education of students and ensures Tom's legacy lives on for generations to come.

Kew, Victoria, Australia

34 instruments donated to Xavier College

Browse the full collection — violins, violas & cellos — in the catalogue below.

View all donated instruments

By the Numbers

The Collection at a Glance

A lifetime of work, catalogued — but this is not a comprehensive list. Tom made many more instruments over his career and we are still working to document them all. If you own a Ferguson instrument, please get in touch — every record helps complete the archive.

22
Instruments
In this archive
14
Years of Work
2005 – 2018
22
Donated
To Xavier College, Melbourne

By Instrument Type

Violins34 (72%)
Violas10 (21%)
Cellos3 (6%)

Australian Timbers Used

Alpine Ash9
Apple Box6
Maple15
Queensland Maple1
Ribbon Gum2
Stringy Gum13

6 distinct timber species across the collection

Models & Inspirations

Ferguson model
13
Giovanni Guadagnini model
3
Guarneri Del Jesu model
16
Stradivarius model
15
Active Period
2005 – 2018

14 years of continuous craftsmanship, producing an average of 3.4 instruments per year.

Handmade Instruments

Catalogue

A record of the instruments Tom Ferguson created over his lifetime. Each piece is unique, handmade from Australian native timbers.

47 instruments shown

Keep the Legacy Alive

Get in Touch

Ferguson Strings is no longer in operation. This site exists to preserve the history and legacy of Tom Ferguson's instruments. If you own a Ferguson instrument, have photographs, stories, or information to contribute to this archive, we'd love to hear from you.

Grayson, Tom Ferguson's apprentice

Your Point of Contact

Grayson

Tom's Apprentice & Archive Custodian

Grayson trained under Tom for over a decade and is available to assist with any enquiries about the instruments, the archive, or Tom's legacy.

Business Status

Ferguson Strings is permanently closed following the passing of Tom Ferguson. No instruments are available for purchase. This website is maintained as an archive and tribute to his extraordinary work.

Contributing to the Archive

Do you own a Ferguson instrument? Have photos, recordings, or memories to share? We welcome contributions that help document Tom's life's work for future generations.

Based in

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Send a Message

Whether you own a Ferguson instrument, have a story to share, or simply want to pay tribute — we'd love to hear from you.

Ferguson Strings

Archive and tribute to Melbourne luthier Tom Ferguson, who handcrafted violins, violas and cellos from rare Australian native timbers.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Archive

In Memoriam — Tom Ferguson, luthier & craftsman. His instruments live on.

© 2026 Ferguson Strings. This site is maintained as an archive and tribute to Tom Ferguson.

Melbourne, VIC, Australia