Percy - Posted - 03/16/2012:  06:59:00

All I know is that I love my Gliga... I did put a small bit of money into some minor set-up changes and a new bridge... but other than that, the instrument is excellent in quality and sound. In a "blind" test with my violin friends, the Gliga did very well against instruments appraised and thousands of dollars. Any sound problems with my fiddle are solely due to "operator error."

aerobob427 - Posted - 03/16/2012:  07:12:16

Hi Percy, which Gliga do you have? Does it show any obvious flaws in the finish? How long have you been playing? I too like the sound of my Gliga, even over a 100-plus year old German antique. It just sounds more rounded to me. I have the Gems 1 Antiqued which I just got recently.

Percy - Posted - 03/16/2012:  07:17:11

I can't remember the model name -- I got it about 2-1/2 years ago. It was $468 at that time. It's a Guarnerius model. The finish is perfect everywhere -- though it's not an "antiqued" finish -- just a dark, rich reddish color.

My teacher and friend (HardyKefes from FHO) is quite the violin expert. He did the minor set-up for me and put the new bridge on. He's very impressed with the workmanship and quality and thinks it's an excellent instrument for the price. He assured me that the instrument will work well for me for years to come.

Additionally, as it's a "new" instrument, it did take some months to really break it in. After about a year of steady playing, it did open up quite well and has a warm, rich tone.

Unfortunately, I was in a car accident last October and really haven't been able to play much. I used to practice 3 to 4 hours a day... now, I'm lucky if I can play 3 to 5 minutes before my neck goes crazy. I can tell the Gliga has closed up a bit and will need a good work-out as soon as my neck is better!

aerobob427 - Posted - 03/16/2012:  07:25:29

Well good luck, hope that goes better for you. For that price, it sounds like the Gems 1, that's about what I paid although I did upgrade the case so it was a little more. I got the Stradivari model. That's a lot of practice! I wonder what one can accomplish with that level of commitment in a few years. I wish I had a time machine and could see what I'm going to be playing a few years from now. That might inspire me even more! Can you play any of your other instruments? It seems fiddle would be harder with a neck problem.

Percy - Posted - 03/16/2012:  07:35:34

I do play a few others - guitar, keyboard, french horn, autoharp, tin whistle, harmonica -- and have recently picked up the glockenspiel and concertina... I started on the fiddle November 8, 2007... However, I don't count the first 6 months -- I was trying learn it completely on my own and was doing some crazy stuff. In April 2008, I took a short drive (650 miles) to meet up with Hardy and have a few lessons over a weekend. That's when the real work began. And of course, I can't count the last 5 months because of my accident. So I guess I'd consider myself at about the 3-1/2 year mark. I'm not as bad as I used to be, and not as good as I'll be someday. I thin that probably sums up where everybody is!

rdawsoniii - Posted - 03/16/2012:  10:23:50

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and one man's garbage is another man's treasure.

I "fiddle" around with banjo. I have 2 of them: one was made for me and cost a few thousand dollars. The other is an entry level Deering Goodtime. Which banjo do I play the most? The Goodtime. I like how smooth the neck is...it makes playing easier and fun.

As long as someone enjoys their instrument.....does it really matter how low or high end it is? I'm thinking about taking up the fiddle and I can tell you right now I'll buy a Gliga. I don't want to spend a lot for an instrument I'm just going to fool around with. Plus I'm left handed....even though I play a right handed banjo, fiddling left handed feels more natural to me (I tried both ways using my wife's violiln). Gliga makes left handed violins and they are not expensive...so that is what I'll buy.

I may sound like an orchestra of scorched cats...but I won't care. Nobody but me (and my wife) will ever hear me play.

KCFiddles - Posted - 03/16/2012:  11:06:20

quote:

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Originally posted by Percy

Unfortunately, I was in a car accident last October and really haven't been able to play much. I used to practice 3 to 4 hours a day... now, I'm lucky if I can play 3 to 5 minutes before my neck goes crazy. I can tell the Gliga has closed up a bit and will need a good work-out as soon as my neck is better!

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This is off topic, but I have some very old old back injuries and some other stuff that can make playing fiddle downright painful. Since I've been back to practicing Qigong,  I don't have any problems with them.  Mayo clinic published a study they did on Qigong, and were very positive about it, as well. I don't know whether you've looked into it or not, but if you haven't, you might want to contact the patient education office at Mayo, and see what they have to sa

aerobob427 - Posted - 03/16/2012:  11:33:25

Wow I just came from my chiropractor this morning for my back injury (sciatic nerve impingement) and it can be very painful. I think I'll look into it too.

Hey Rdaw... With your scorched cats and my strangled chickens... we should jam!

Andah1andah2 - Posted - 03/16/2012:  12:42:04

Hey Michael,

When will we hear more of this new line of fiddles that you mentioned in a previous thread?  I don't see it yet on your webpage 

KCFiddles - Posted - 03/16/2012:  13:16:49

quote:

---

Originally posted by Andah1andah2

Hey Michael,

When will we hear more of this new line of fiddles that you mentioned in a previous thread?  I don't see it yet on your webpage 

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I'm "testing" one at the moment. 

Five are done, I've got sound samples, not happy with the pix, so have to re-shoot Sunday. Should get them up on the web site next week, and will offer one in the classifieds here. I'm really liking them.  Hope other folks think the same way...........

aerobob427 - Posted - 03/16/2012:  13:24:54

Michael I just looked at your site, you have some nice looking stuff. I especially like the sound files. Loved the vintage German fiddle. Is that you playing?

rdawsoniii - Posted - 03/16/2012:  19:24:14

quote:

---

Originally posted by aerobob427

Wow I just came from my chiropractor this morning for my back injury (sciatic nerve impingement) and it can be very painful. I think I'll look into it too.

Hey Rdaw... With your scorched cats and my strangled chickens... we should jam!

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Percy - Posted - 03/19/2012:  06:43:11

Woodwiz -- thanks for the advice... I work at Mayo and they are usually the last to accept alternative medicines. It will be interesting to read what they say.

escimo - Posted - 09/05/2012:  06:43:05

quote:

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Originally posted by aerobob427

Wow these are all great responses and a lot of good information for a beginner. Maybe this thread should be bound and sold as a pamphlet for virtuoso wannabes like me! I think I should elaborate a bit on my background, I've been playing guitar for over 40 years and recently decided to give violin a try, and this is my second attempt. The first one ended when I realized the neighbors were doing an all-out search for whoever was strangling chickens in the basement. That was about 10 years ago when my daughter handed me her old student violin and left behind an 1890-era German violin. Now the bug has bitten again and I am much more determined this time. In fact, I am halfway through the beginner book and can actually play tunes! Of course, my wife prefers it if I can practice when she's out. She as well does not like the sound of fowl shrieking out its last breath.



My tastes - it looks like I neglected to mention that I have always loved classical music - anything Tsaikovsky or Mahler will do, but my favorite is Rimsky. Although, yes I'm quite sure at some point I will try to play along with "Yesterday."



So I have 1) my "student" violin, a 1986 Scherl & Roth that's ok at best. I just replaced the fingerboard and that was a successful project. 2) The old German which I affectionately call "Klaus." 3) A post-WW2 "Czecho Slovakian" that I picked up on eBay a couple of weeks ago as an experiment and an opportunity to restore, while learning about the mechanics of the instrument. I was able to clean up years of crud and actually bring back a shine, cut a new bridge, replace strings (I put Helicores on it), and put a finetuner on the E string. Also polished and buffed the tailpiece, which was slated for replacement, but it cleaned up like new so I left the original on. I failed miserably at fitting new pegs (sans the proper equipment) so it is out to the shop for that. I think I'm going to enjoy that violin when it comes back next week. Nice aged wood, not quite as dark as Klaus but then again, Klaus can be too dark at times. Klaus is probably best fit for the dark Tsaikovsky compositions, once I get there, and big boomy symphonies like The Planets. Look out, Bringer of War, here comes Klaus! But I'd also like something in the middle of the bright S&R and Klaus. The Czech sounds just right.



4) Now, my Gliga, which replaced the bobo Silver Creek with the cracked finish. There was also a void in the stain on the Silver Creek right above the right f-hole, so that was an eyesore. I am discovering that I am tough when scrutinizing a violin that is sold as, and should look like new. My assessment of the Gliga Gems 1 turns out to be no exception. After considering all the advice I got here (and once again THANK YOU ALL, it's great to get some help so quickly!) I decided to return to my local shop and take another look at the Eastman Strings 100 and 300-line models there. And voila! They too have the same type of finish defects I see on my Gliga. I just hadn't looked with as much scrutiny. And I also like the tone of the Gliga better - it's fuller and deeper while still maintaining nice overtones so it sounds clear. Too my rookie ear the Gliga has more frequency response, a wider range of tones although not screechy like your typical student violin with steel strings and not so dark as to inspire thoughts of jumping off a bridge.



So I broke out a little violin polish and (very tentatively and carefully) chose a test spot on the Gems 1 and went for it. That went well so I continued. The deepest scratches are now a shadow of their former selves and only noticeable if you know where to look. (They look, with the light at just the right angle so you can see them at all, just like the teeny tiny faint finish streaks on the backs of both Eastmans) The big long light ones that covered the back are gone altogether! It seems I finished the job Gliga had left half done. So "MY" violin (whew! FINALLY!) now looks as good as the Eastmans I see at higher price, and as a bonus, sounds better to me. And I have achieved my objective of buying a European-made violin with Carpathian wood.



All this after Gliga agreed to a return for refund and I was actually packing it up. I got this sinking feeling that I really did not want to part with it so that's when I decided to try working on the scratches. The other little funnies here and there are no worse than what I see on much higher-priced instruments. The violin I really want is the Eastman 305. If I actually keep to this, that's in the cards down the road a bit. But for now, I wanted ONE new, nice looking (and a couple of you reminded me that this is important to me) and nice sounding violin to call my primary instrument, on which I will learn. To those of you who reminded me that SOUND is the thing, well that's why the sinking feeling at the thought of parting with this. And that's why this all worked out. I am in love with the sound of this Gliga! And that will keep me wanting to play.



OK, enough out of me! That's it, that's all, the Gliga is in and I am looking forward to that chicken giving up the ghost once and for all. I am close! Wish me luck, and again, thank you so much for your experiences, observations, and empathy to my situation.



Bob

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escimo - Posted - 09/05/2012:  07:04:55

quote:i  tried several violins (increasing the price paid each time) and recently(march 2012) had 2 gliga gamas on approval. One was the strad model and one the guearni.The advice i received was that the guearni model needed an expert playing it to sound good otherwise the strad was better.but i instantly preferred the guaerni model and had a dilema.Should i heed the expert advice or go with my preference. I decided on going with what sounded good to me.- it still sounds good too today(its done 6 months).Sorry to say i just dont care what it looks like.

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Originally posted by justme

not too familiar with Gliga, although all i have heard they make well made, mellow sounding violins. Can you get one that isn't antiqued?

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giannaviolins - Posted - 09/05/2012:  08:33:08

edcimo, Gliga makes violins for many suppliers, finishing them to request or leaving them in the white. They do put out many straight finish violins themselves.

JRice - Posted - 11/24/2012:  18:22:07

Personal opinions are only that. My idea on this site, when I first found it, was an aid to help others develop skills necessary to make them feel good and advance their playing. No matter what instrument or what level, but since I have found that others on this site, if you don't have this instrument or that you are just a beginner that couldn't tell a good sound if you heard it. I know, I've been there.  

giannaviolins - Posted - 11/24/2012:  19:14:07

What brought that on?  Beginners and more advanced players do tend to prefer different instruments and bows, especially in the classical world.

JRice - Posted - 03/29/2013:  18:48:40

quote:

---

Originally posted by Percy

 

All I know is that I love my Gliga... I did put a small bit of money into some minor set-up changes and a new bridge... but other than that, the instrument is excellent in quality and sound. In a "blind" test with my violin friends, the Gliga did very well against instruments appraised and thousands of dollars. Any sound problems with my fiddle are solely due to "operator error."

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             What Model Gliga do you have?

Sevensisters - Posted - 04/01/2013:  17:13:50

Every now and then someone will ask a question about the Gliga violins.  I only have my experience to rely on and I have been happy with what I have so far.

I thought I would post a link to a Youtube video of my niece (guitar)  and her friend playing around the campfire last summer.  The young lady playing my Gliga student Stradivari model is a very accomplished player.  It was very interesting through the evening to experience the tone and range she was getting out of my student bow and fiddle. She played everything from Pachebel's Canon to the Swallowtail Jig.  Sad too because I had to admit that anything that I played that sounded truly horrible was and is me and I can't blame it on the instrument!  The video and sound was done with an Iphone.

youtube.com/watch?v=ZMzpS6V2jVg

I had added a set of Prim medium strings and a set of good fine tuners.

Edited by - Sevensisters on 04/01/2013 17:17:24

JRice - Posted - 04/09/2013:  19:18:50

I recently purchased a Gliga Gems 1. It came set up with Dominant strings. The sound was excellent. Response was very good.  Projection was much better than any instrument that I tried at twice the price. Finish was just as it appeared on the Violin Place, Inc. web site. I am very happy with the set up, as received. Since I purchased instrument only, I can only give my opinion on the violin. I am also, very happy with customer service and the entire transaction.

OzzieSheila - Posted - 02/22/2014:  14:27:10

Great thread! My 'at home' violin looks awful! It has a crack in the front which has been repaired, is a dark brown colour with scratches etc…. but it's worth several thousand because it's a fair dinkum antique Italian violin and it sounds great. Personally, sound is everything. Forget the aesthetics!!!

I purchased a cello 10 years ago from the local music store and it looks great but doesn't sound so good, but was all I could afford then.

Avoid ebay unless you really know your instruments, and even then you might get a dud.

I'm thinking the best way to go is visit your local reputable stores and try out the instruments in your price range.

erikforgod - Posted - 03/17/2014:  10:19:10

I'm eventually going to be in the market for a bit of an upgrade and I've been researching these Gligas. It seems they lean more towards the darker more fuller sound? If so wouldn't that lend better to old time playing as opposed to bluegrass. I love both styles but my focus is on old-time fiddle. I've been looking at some of the what they call "advanced-Student models for right around $300 bucks, as I don't want to invest a ton of money into a fiddle. They seem to be hand carved, graduated but with more boring cuts of Maple and Spruce i/e not as flamed sides, backs, necks and Spruce tops with wider grain? Anybody have any experience with any of these "advanced-student Gligas? see the photo attached

Edited by - erikforgod on 03/17/2014 10:23:29

Mojohand40 - Posted - 03/17/2014:  17:40:48

quote:

---

Originally posted by erikforgod

 

I'm eventually going to be in the market for a bit of an upgrade and I've been researching these Gligas. It seems they lean more towards the darker more fuller sound? If so wouldn't that lend better to old time playing as opposed to bluegrass. I love both styles but my focus is on old-time fiddle. I've been looking at some of the what they call "advanced-Student models for right around $300 bucks, as I don't want to invest a ton of money into a fiddle. They seem to be hand carved, graduated but with more boring cuts of Maple and Spruce i/e not as flamed sides, backs, necks and Spruce tops with wider grain? Anybody have any experience with any of these "advanced-student Gligas? see the photo attached

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I have a Gems 1, with the oil finish. I've had it for a few years.  It's no longer my main fiddle, but it's my second favorite and gets played a lot.  I think the Gligas are actually finished very nice and look great compared to some of the cheaper violins with super thick , shiny finishes.

As for playability and sound, I still think my Gliga is great.  I've taken it to everything from Old Time jams to a a week long Bluegrass camp, to house parties and local jams and it ALWAYS holds it own.  (and I've had a few fiddle people ask me about it, commenting on how nice it looks as well as the sound)

Dark sounding?  I don't know...maybe a little more dark then my other fiddles, but not as in "muddy" sounding.  Strings mean a lot. I tried Helicores on it for a long time, and that makes it very loud, but rich. Definitely will hold it's own in a Bluegrass jam, volume wise with those.  But now I use Prims on it and think that those tone it down slightly, but give it a better overall tone, more suited to my playing style these days.  I don't know, maybe it's "opening up" with playing.

Anyway, I would say you would do well to get a Gliga. I'm not sure why a very few on this forum seem to not like Gliga.. hmmm.... Those who have one seem to like them fine. And if you do order from them, go ahead and get their upgraded bow, its pretty good to.  IMO...