Our Instruments

Each instrument in the Quartet has a history of its own.

Rachel's violin

Meet the instruments of the Carlysle String Quartet, Melbourne, AustraliaRachel plays on an instrument made by Australian violin maker John D Johnston, of Rozelle, New South Wales. The violin was completed in 2004, and has a two piece back with medium flame sloping upwards from the centre, a body length of 358mm, and an antique style red brown varnish.

The instrument is based on a 1727 Stradivari violin. Rachel's bow is a W E Dorfler, with a round pernambuco stick with silver mountings.

James' violin

James plays on a fine Italian violin made by the Cremonese maker Anotino Lecchi in 1921. Cremona is renowned for its output of fine string instruments and was home to such makers as Stradivarius, Amati and Guarneri. James's bow is a modern German bow, mahogony in colour, with an ebony frog, made in 2001.

Merewyn's viola

Merewyn plays a 16ΒΌ inch German viola, created by Werner Bath in 1973. This instrument was purchased in 2004 from a local maker and restorer and was previously owned by a violist in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Her bow is a G Werner make.

Sharon's cello

Sharon plays a 19th century German cello, made as a copy of the Antonio Stradivari model, the famed 18th century Italian violin and cello maker whose instruments today are known for their brilliance in sound and stunning craftsmanship. Many copies were made of the Stradivari in the 19th century. A trademark resemblance can be seen in the horizontal tiger-stripe in the wood on the back of the instrument. Instrument makers commonly put a Stradivari label on the inside of the instrument, as can be seen on this particular cello, but not in the hope of passing it off as a genuine model.

Sharon's bow is a French Cuniot-Hury with silver and mother of pearl mountings, made in the 1890s.