Violin-World Information

John was born in Holland in 1942, but has spent much of his life here in Australia. He began his career as a luthier in Amsterdam studying with Rudolf van Merrebach, one of Europes top Violin and Bass craftsman. Afterwards he learned bow repair and re-hair with Charles Bazin Mirecourt. Finally, he studied at the Mittenwald School of Violinmaking in West Germany, graduating in 1973. Ferwerda instruments are usually based on the traditional Stradivarius models. Johns instruments have been made for musicians in Germany, England, Austria, Holland, Israel, New Zealand and Australia. John won the prestigious Violin Making Society of America Workmanship Award, in 1978, and 1982. Professional players using Ferwerda instruments include the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Melbourne Elizabethan Trust Orchestra, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra and the Rheinisches Philharmonic Orchestra. Violin World stocks a wide variety of stringed instruments to suit any budget and experience. From your very first instrument to the finest handmade masterpieces, you can browse our selection here!