OTJunky - Posted - 04/25/2009:  08:35:42

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I've been playing on a German "trade fiddle" - probably made in the 50's though there's no label in it, so I don't know for sure.

I've been mostly happy with it as far as appearance, playability and tone - but I've been at this for close to three years now and might be ready to "upgrade" - looking for an instrument with fuller, woodier tone. In short something that sounds more like a fiddle.

There are a lot of instruments on the market from a variety of vendors so I wanted to start some threads so I can learn more about what's available.

This one's about Gliga Violins.

www.violinslover.com

Here's all I know so far.

quote:

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From voodoo's post on another thread

Gliga - they have their direct distributor here. Also I can buy direct. And can get any number of variations in the white. One of Eastman's lines comes in "white" from Gliga. Used to get finished here. Now I suspect they're getting sent to China for finishing. These are decent instruments. Other lines come in either finished or in the white from Germany. The character of these isn't as deep as Horner's work, but it's good work. I find anything above about the VL305 model tends to get beat by some other suppliers. On the other hand, the 305 has been played professionally by a variety of good players without complaint. And still is. It isn't obvious what one of those is from the audience.

Gliga's own label instruments tended to have clubby necks and seem to have a bit of a muddy edge, especially in original setup. At the Gama level, I've been though dozens and found a good number of real winners. Setup seems to need to be a little different from some other suppliers.

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I've seen some other posts about these. I think oldtimer bought a "gems" model off ebay once.

Anybody else have experience with these violins - the pictures on the web-site are beautiful.


--OTJ
"I can barely fiddle on four strings. Why would I want five?"

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Edited by - OTJunky on 04/25/2009 08:36:49

woodwiz - Posted - 04/25/2009:  08:43:01

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It wouldn't be proper for me to comment on these for obvious reasons, although I'm pretty well acquainted with most of them.

I just wanted to suggest that people who offer opinions consider posting sound samples as well. The vocabulary for describing sound is woefully inexact, and a tune could be "worth a thousand words" (?!)

Michael R

www.kcstrings.com
"You''ll love the way you sound"

"Thank you for the wonderful violin you made. I''ve used it on every show I''ve played since I''ve got it." John Hartford

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Edited by - woodwiz on 04/25/2009 08:43:26

JohnnaDee - Posted - 04/25/2009:  16:05:56

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OTJ,

Well, my experience with the Gliga Gem is limited. I haven't seen as many here through the normal rental stores around here as the Eastmans, but I did get to play one when I first heard about them about 5 years ago.

So, the student who bought it said it was already set up with the bow and the case, although its my understanding that like the Eastmans, you can order them either way.

This instrument was nice..the color was buff, and not a high gloss finish, but I think the term is oiled (?). It had a nice, rich sound. I thought it was rich on the deep end.

But...I was comparing that instrument to the lower, student end Eastmans or Knillings.

As you know, instruments can differ among the same models, so you might just have to find a store that carries all of these instruments and do your research..

Test Drive a few....you'll learn more about what you like by doing that anyway.
Also, if you can get someone to come along to play it for you across the room, that is nice, too. You might find you like the sound of something under your ear, but not across the room.

Good Luck!
JohnnaDee

Skunkhound - Posted - 04/25/2009:  16:08:58

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I love my Gems Guarnerius (sp?), and get complements on both the sound, and looks, everywhere I go. I always get asked what it is by fiddlers, and most people are shocked when I tell them it was under $500.
Does this mean I'm done looking for my perfect fiddle? Of course not, but it'll keep me happy for a while.
Go get ya one!
Dave


Say it might have been a fiddle, or it could have been the wind.............

scottteng - Posted - 04/25/2009:  19:20:12

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Your looking at a Gliga < over there it plays nicely and is flashy and gets noticed. Promotion is part of show biz. She likes her old violin too. The Gliga is a Gems two closeout purchased for less than $300.

fiddlefancy - Posted - 04/26/2009:  06:34:57

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I had a Gems1 when I first started, very nice, especially the price. I had my instructor test it and he said it was a keeper (at that point I wouldn't have known if it was good or bad). I have since sold it and bought a Gama Super one piece back. It is still my preferred instrument for sound and playability. Both lean toward the darker, warmer side, though no too much so.

I understand that Violinslover will play the instrument over the phone for you so you can hear its sound if you are not able to go to Pasadena to try them out. They were also easy to work with, I bought a Gama Super Guarnius once (really nice), but it would not fit into any of the cases I already had and I didn't want to purchase another case at that time. They took it back without any problems. My suggestion is to get the case with the violin if you choose a Guarnerius model.

Hope you find what you are looking for!

forestabri - Posted - 04/26/2009:  08:36:50

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When I was shopping for a violin I called violinslover and they would not play an instrument over the phone. Maybe it depends on who answers.

Brian

OTJunky - Posted - 04/26/2009:  08:44:27

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quote:

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Originally posted by forestabri

When I was shopping for a violin I called violinslover and they would not play an instrument over the phone. Maybe it depends on who answers.

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Yeah - it probably depends on whether the "good" violinists is around or not.

If they had me play it over the phone - they'd never sell anything...

--OTJ
"I can barely fiddle on four strings. Why would I want five?"

fiddlefancy - Posted - 04/27/2009:  05:07:52

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Sorry about that, I guess they quit. Glad to know that now though.

forestabri - Posted - 04/27/2009:  08:59:45

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Gruhn has a pretty nice Gliga with a one piece back for $350. With a case and a bow.

http://www.gruhn.com/photo/VF2537.jpg

Brian

Scot A - Posted - 04/29/2009:  02:23:23

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I have a Gliga Maestro strad and I'm very satisfied. It has a dark tone and the resonance is very good. The appearance and workmanship are excellent. Both my instructors have made compliments.

The factory setup was pretty bad - the action was way to high, the bridge was too thick and the soundpost was cracked. Hardy Kefes did a setup that made a vast improvement. The sound really opened up.

Skunkhound - Posted - 04/29/2009:  17:49:59

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I also had mine re-set up. Apparently they're known for well made, but not well set up.

Say it might have been a fiddle, or it could have been the wind.............

Feodosia - Posted - 05/05/2009:  11:07:36

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I had a Gliga viola and it was built like a tank .... very pretty and good workmanship ....I think someone will be playing it 100 years from now ... after meeting other viola players I realized that my Gliga viola was incredibly heavy , it was causing me so much pain holding it up that I had to sell it . My classical viola playing friend and I compared our two instruments. His was lighter and louder - his teacher considered his viola a soloist instrument ( if there is a such thing as a soloist viola player, ha ) and they considered my Gliga viola a softer, warmer sounding instrument that was well suited for ensemble playing . His teacher actually preferred my Gliga 's sound because he was looking for a sound that blends.

Classical players may correct me but I believe in the classical world that violins are built and set up in different fashions ,depending on the instrument's use -as either softer warmer ensemble instruments or built and setup as louder brighter solo instruments. I would think that as fiddlers , who are often playing with loud instruments such as bluegrass banjos , we are more often looking for the louder brighter instruments. I haven't tried other Gligas yet to see if they all play on the warmer softer side of the spectrum ?
And I wonder how the weight of Gliga violins compare to the weight of other maker's violins ?
My Gliga viola was really heavy.

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Edited by - Feodosia on 05/05/2009 11:17:22

Skunkhound - Posted - 05/06/2009:  05:02:40

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Yep, pretty heavy allright. And as far as volume, I've definately heard louder, but I have no problem being heard myself.

Dave

Say it might have been a fiddle, or it could have been the wind.............

musekatcher - Posted - 05/15/2009:  20:03:48

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FWIW, I like my Gama model. I've heard violinists say they'd make better fiddles, and fiddlers say they'd make better violins. I just put heavy Prims on mine. It came with a decent setup, with only a flatter bridge adjustment made for my taste. The neck is a bit beefy, and the scroll is a little larger, which might get heavy for some folks, but I've not had a problem with the weight.

Jim Holland
Athens, AL

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Edited by - musekatcher on 05/15/2009 20:05:55

Percy - Posted - 05/16/2009:  05:37:29

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NOTE***** I've got my eye on one of the Gliga's and sent an email to violinslover.com -- asking for a discount. They said they would be wiling to take 10% off the internet price.

I can't buy it for a few months, and I'm not sure if I will buy it (depends on the finances) -- but I wanted you to know you can write them and ask for a better price!

forestabri - Posted - 05/16/2009:  08:44:18

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I just bought a Gama Guaneri from violinslover.com and like it very much so far. I had them put helicores and the wittner fine tuner tailpiece on. The D string sounded a little dull the first day, still does when you pluck it, but ok bowed. It will settle in, I think. Still happy with it though.

Brian

ps,
I took pictures and put them on my profile page.

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Edited by - forestabri on 05/18/2009 09:06:29

oldtimer - Posted - 05/16/2009:  11:48:09

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I believe that the one I bought new a couple of years ago was a Gems 2 Guarnerius. It wasn't my cup of tea at all. No matter how I set it up, I didn't like the sound which I thought was thin and puny. I sold it.

I bought it in the first place because Kenny Baker used to tell me that I ought to try a Guarnerius copy and I had never had one. But I didn't like it at all.

Many people do like them, so don't take my opinion too seriously. I'm just an old hillside fiddler with odd taste based on nostalgia.

stay tooned....
Glenn Godsey

"Time passes unhindered"

fiddlepogo - Posted - 05/17/2009:  07:32:28

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Glenn,

I don't know if I'd judge all Guarnerius copies, or even all Gliga Guarnerius copies, on the basis of one lowly Gem.

The odd thing is that from what I hear, a Guarnerius design is to the Strad design somewhat what your Chanot-types seem to be- a fuller sounding less trebley alternative.

However, it could be that in a lower priced fiddle, the Chanot design gives you what you want in a more reliable way.

Michael- Old Time 90% of the time!

"It''s hard to take yourself seriously when you''re singing about chickens!"

http://http://c1.ezfolk.com/bands/1088/index.php
for mp3s, blog, and "Michael''s Old Time Fiddle & Banjo Hour" (hifi & lofi audio streams)

Feodosia - Posted - 05/18/2009:  12:05:57

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My best fiddle , the one I don't take out beating around , is a Guarnerius style . It was handmade from a W.V. oldtimer .... it is unbelievably nice down on the low G string . I had the pick of the litter , got to compare it to 3 other fiddles he made and I chose this one for the
deep low tones .... Id take a Guarnerius in a second .... plus, I find that slightly larger fiddles are easier for me to finger .. I don't do well with the little scrunchy ones

oldtimer - Posted - 05/18/2009:  15:03:57

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Yes, many Guarnerius style fiddles have a very rich sound. That's the reason I was disappointed with the Gliga one I bought blind.

stay tooned....
Glenn Godsey

"Time passes unhindered"

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Edited by - oldtimer on 05/19/2009 08:50:10