Melbourne, Australia
Ferguson Strings
Handmade Violins, Cellos and Violas
Preserving the legacy of Tom Ferguson — luthier, engineer, craftsman.
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.
Ask 83-year-old Tom Ferguson about the splice he puts in the neck of his violins and he will pick one up to show you. "If a musician drops a violin, the neck often comes off," he says, pointing to the "weak spot". But not with his design.
Crafted over 90 hours apiece in the small brick shed behind his Brighton home, his violins are almost as tough as the navigational instruments he used to make in England.
"Working as engineers," he recalls, "we used to apply the British standards test — we'd pull, push, shove and throw. What I did with the violins at the start was drop the neck on the ground to see how it reacted. From that, I asked: Why this shape? All these questions went through my head."
Ferguson was raised in Liverpool, started work in a mill at the age of 14, and migrated to Adelaide in the 1970s to work as a production engineer. Although he worked with metal, he had a flair with wood, making furniture of all sorts for his family.
His modest suburban house abounds with superbly crafted pieces, many bearing a yellow rosette with the initials of his late wife, Emma.
"She wanted a table so I made one," he says. "And the chairs. Eventually everyone in the family had chairs and tables and cupboards so I decided to make a violin."
Now Ferguson, a widower for the past 14 years, gets out of bed at 5.30am to read the paper, have breakfast and start work on the next violin, cello or viola. He is often out there until 6pm, working with a lathe he made himself.
He has produced more than 100 violins, 15 cellos and 15 violas.
"It keeps me sane — or insane, I'm not sure which. If you wanted to buy one, I'd sell, but I just like making them."
Ferguson's trade is self-taught and so rare, most people would not recognise its name — he is a luthier, a maker of stringed instruments.
He has made copies of many of the great violin models of the past — a 1716 Stradivari Messiah violin, a Giovanni Battista viola, a 1712 Davidoff cello — and scores of his own designs, all with subtle differences from the norm.
Ferguson says his violins' slimmer shape produces a louder sound. Violin master Richard Tognetti played one and liked it so much, he borrowed it for 12 months. During that time the violin appeared in an advertisement with Tognetti and Barry Humphries.
Ferguson makes his instruments using Australian wood that's up to 1500 years old. His mate Laurie — of Lewis Timber, established by Abe Lewis over 100 years ago — owns a lumber yard and drops in every week.
"He brings me more wood than you'd ever believe," says Ferguson, who mixes the different timbers in the same instrument. He used stringy gum, cedar and alpine ash to make one cello — the harder wood for the back, the softer for the front.
When he went into the Peter Mac for cancer surgery, the anaesthetist learnt of his skills and ordered a half-size cello for his granddaughter. Then Ferguson met a surgeon named Miklos Pohl who played violin. They became friends. Pohl introduced him to the Royal Melbourne Hospital's Corpus Medicorum orchestra, made up of medicos who play music.
"Micky founded the Australian Doctor's Orchestra," says Ferguson, who doesn't play any of his instruments himself but used to play the piano.
"My mother thought I'd be a concert pianist," he says, adding he has no time to play now. "At my age, time is of the essence."
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
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.
Notable Commission
A Replica for Richard Tognetti
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.
Read about the ACO's history of collaboration“A craftsman whose work earned the trust of Australia's finest musicians.”
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.
34 instruments donated to Xavier College
Browse the full collection — violins, violas & cellos — in the catalogue below.
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.
By Instrument Type
Australian Timbers Used
6 distinct timber species across the collection
Models & Inspirations
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
Cello (1)
2010Ferguson model, built with maple back and spruce belly.
Cello (2)
2013Stradivarius model built with Alpine Ash back and Cedar belly.
Cello (3)
2016Stradivarius model built with maple back and spruce belly.
Viola (1)
2006Made from Stringy Gum back and Huon Pine belly.
Viola (2)
2007Made from Maple back and Spruce belly.
Viola (3)
2009Made from Stringy Gum back and Cedar belly.
Viola (4)
2011Made from Stringy Gum back and Cedar belly.
Viola (5)
2013Made from Alpine Ash back and Cedar belly.
Viola (6)
2016Made from Apple Box back and Cedar belly.
Viola (7)
2015Made from Ribbon Gum back and Cedar belly.
Viola (8)
2014Made from Stringy Gum back and Cedar belly.
Viola (9)
2014Stradivarius model. Made from Stringy Gum back and Cedar belly.
Viola (10)
2008Made from Apple Box back and Cedar belly.
Violin (1)
2005Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1742. Made from alpine ash back and belly.
Violin (2)
2006Guarneri Del Jesu model. Made from apple box back and belly.
Violin (3)
2007Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1734. Made from apple box back and belly.
Violin (4)
2008Stradivarius model. Made from apple box back and belly.
Violin (5)
2009Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1734. Made from maple back and belly.
Violin (6)
2010Stradivarius model. Made from maple back and belly.
Violin (7)
2010Ferguson model. Made from ribbon gum back and belly.
Violin (8)
2011Stradivarius model. Made from maple back and belly.
Violin (9)
2011Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1742. Made from maple back and belly.
Violin (10)
2012Stradivarius model. Made from maple back and belly.
Violin (11)
2012Stradivarius model. Made from Queensland maple back and belly.
Violin (12)
2013Stradivarius model. Made from maple back and belly.
Violin (13)
2013Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1742. Made from stringy gum back and belly.
Violin (14)
2014Stradivarius model, 1715 Titian. Made from Alpine Ash back and Cedar belly.
Violin (15)
2015Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1734. Made from stringy gum back and belly.
Violin (16)
2015Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1742. Made from alpine ash back and belly.
Violin (17)
2012Ferguson model. Made from alpine ash back and belly.
Violin (18)
2016Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1734. Made from apple box back and belly.
Violin (19)
2016Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1734. Made from stringy gum back and belly.
Violin (20)
2017Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1734. Made from stringy gum back and belly.
Violin (21)
2017Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1742. Made from stringy gum back and belly.
Violin (22)
2017Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1742. Made from stringy gum back and belly.
Violin (23)
2018Stradivarius model. Made from White Top back and Spruce belly.
Violin (24)
2009Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1742. Made from stringy gum back and belly.
Violin (25)
2018Stradivarius model. Made from maple back and belly.
Violin (26)
2008Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1734. Made from maple back and belly.
Violin (27)
2011Giovanni Guadagnini model, 1776. Made from Stringy Gum back and belly.
Violin (28)
2014Giovanni Guadagnini model, 1776. Made from Alpine Ash back and Cedar belly.
Violin (29)
2012Stradivarius model. Made from maple back and belly.
Violin (30)
2013Stradivarius model. Made from maple back and belly.
Violin (31)
2014Stradivarius model. Made from maple back and belly.
Violin (32)
2015Guarneri Del Jesu model, 1742. Made from alpine ash back and belly.
Violin (33)
2016Giovanni Guadagnini model, 1776. Made from alpine ash back and belly.
Violin (34)
2015Ferguson model. Made from maple back and belly.
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.
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