Testimonials
VIOLINS
“Rod Ward’s violins and violas have a very free, rich, and powerful sound, quite remarkable in new instruments.”
Adrian Levine
“I have had the pleasure of examining and playing a violin and viola made by Rod Ward, and can warmly recommend him as a fine craftsman of successfully toned instruments. They sound well now, and are most responsive to play on and should be excellent investments for the future.”
Emmanuel Hurwitz
“Rod Ward violins are, in my opinion, among the finest sounding instruments, old or new, that I have had the pleasure of playing on.”
Michael Thomas,
former leader, Brodsky Quartet
“Having played a number of new instruments, I am convinced yours should be top of the list. At the moment, in spite of being new, they are all very even and responsive on all the strings and very sonorous. If you cannot afford a Strad, or any of the old wonderful masters, I would strongly recommend acquiring a ”Ward”.
Jack Rothstein
“Having played Rod Ward’s violin, I thought its quality of sound and power is undoubtedly outstanding; it responds perfectly and is absolutely even over all the strings. Its qualities match up to those of the old master violins.”
Menahem Breuer,
Israel Piano Trio
VIOLAS
“I recently had the pleasure of trying two of Rod Ward’s violas, a smaller Gasparo model, and his larger Gasparo based model. Both instruments were remarkable for their responsiveness, and the rich characterfulness of their sound, and both were very even over the range. I thought these were most impressive instruments.”
Paul Silverthorne
“I derived no little pleasure in playing your viola … Considering how recently it was made it seemed to me to have striking potential and I only wish I had the privilege of playing on it for a longer period.
William Primrose
“This is to highly endorse the work of Mr. Rod Ward, whose viola no. 8 I have seen and played. It is very finely crafted and possesses a beautiful dark warm tone. In addition, it is extremely even from the very bottom register up to the top of the high register. I heartily recommend it.”
Donald McInnes,
Banff, Alberta, Canada.
“When Rod Ward first showed me his new 14 3/4″ ( 375 mm ) Gasparo da Salo model viola, I was so impressed, I bought one immediately. What a delight it is to discover a small viola that is so easy to play, and with a sound that is comparable to a much larger instrument. These are a wonderful asset to the viola world, and are certainly the best instruments I have seen of this size.”
Jackie Woods
CELLOS
“I felt that I must write to thank you for showing me your latest cello. “Open” and “free” have become clichés but are truly apt when describing an instrument so effortlessly resonant with so large and warm sound … I was genuinely impressed.”
Anthony Pleeth
“It was a most enjoyable experience to play your cello. The tone of the “A” string with its “silvery” overtones was very seductive. The “C” string was rich in tone and colour as well as powerful. I also felt your cello responded very quickly throughout, including the highest positions, with a pure tone, making it a pleasure to play. I cannot recommend your cello highly enough.”
Felix Schmidt