John D. Johnston was born in Melbourne, 1948.  He inherited a love for the violin from his father John W. Johnston, but his early interest in the visual arts, oil painting and craft led him from playing to a parralel interest in violin construction and its rich and fascinating history.  Initially self taught ( three violins from Australian timbers), John studied violin making in Europe between 1977 and 1980.   With assistance from the Australia Council, John went on to excel with a Diploma of Violin Making and Restoration from the internationallyrenowned Newark School of Violin Making in England.    After completion John worked in restoration and sold his instruments to orchestras in England and Europe.  He returned to Australia in 1982 and set up his workshop on the Balmain Peninsula, Sydney, where he has worked since.   Johnston violins, violas, and cellos, of which there are to date well over two hundred, are owned and played by leading string players in Australia and overseas.
Baroque Violin. Nicolo Amati copy. For sale, price on request.
1742 Guarneri del Gesu copy made 2004
  "I'm delighted with the sound and appearance of my Johnston viola. It has a richness of sound akin to that of the old Brescian school"  Winifred Durie  Founding member of the ACO and former principal viola  of the SOBO

 "I have had excellent service from Johns Guarneri copy which I have played as concertmaster of the SOV over the past 8 years "  Tony Conolan   Artistic Advisor of the State Orchestra of Victoria

 "My Johnston viola & violin each have a wonderful tone and continue to develop. The violin has surpassed in tone all my previous violins including old Italian instruments."
                                                                                     John Gould   Former member of the Carl Pini quartet. Former Principal viola of the London Symphony Orchestra

  " The Stradivari copy which I have bought from John has an exceptionally beautiful tone     incredible in a new violin, and his varnish is especially fine. The violin complements my own original Guarneri del Gesu violin very well."
                                                             Jack Glatzer  International recording artist and Pagani virtuoso
 
" I have loved playing my Johnston, Stradivari model violin for the past 3 years since I bought it ."                                     Marian Arnold  ABC Classic FM music presenter
                                         


Copy G.B.Guadagnini viola 40 cm. made 2003. Sold - . Popular model, price available on request.
Copy 1615 Brothers Amati viola 41 cm
made 2003.  Sold. Orders taken.