Hugh Withycombe and the art of making violins in Australia

By Sally Pryor
Updated December 3 2014 - 10:09am, first published November 21 2014 - 11:45pm
Violin maker Hugh Withycombe Photo: Rohan Thomson
Violin maker Hugh Withycombe Photo: Rohan Thomson

Customers are often surprised when Hugh Withycombe answers the door to his workshop. It's clear there are stereotypes associated with those engaged with violin-making as a profession. Perhaps, he muses, he should grow a beard or affect a Slavic accent. Perhaps he should start calling himself by his middle name, Morse. But really, a name like Hugh Withycombe should be enough.