Hello,
I just sold my beginner fiddle and am looking at getting the Gliga Gama SUA violin for around $800 USD. I have done a fair amount of research and found very little negative comments about Gliga. I was wondering if anyone on this forum has, or has played this Violin, or knows anything about it in general? Or just the Gama? Also, it is a Guarneri style, which I was told lent itself more to ITM beacause of its darker tone. Thank you for your feedback!
Claiming a Del Gesu pattern is followed does not guarantee any of the many individual characteristics of each individual instrument he made. Each is unique, if some share certain characteristics between them. However, while I do know decent instruments come out of Romania, I'm not familiar with Gligas... Take the Giga for what it is when you give it a try, but don't expect a Guarneri... If you have a teacher or know a player you respect, get them to give it a go too, seek their opinion on it, or more opinions. Like going for a major operation, or getting a serious diagnosis, a second opinion is called for, and this is a serious choice, hoping for a lasting and rewarding relationship. Whatever anyone says here, or anywhere, in the end your needs and hopes will be unique...
I've played several Gligas. None of them was as good as advertised, although one was adequate after a luthier re-graduated the top. For $800 you can find a better fiddle. Don't be in a hurry, and don't buy before you play the thing. Any reputable seller will give you a trial period.
Also, watch the classifieds at http://mandolincafe.com. "Brad" posts rehabbed older fiddles there, very reasonably priced (usually under $1,000), and he doesn't sell junk. I recently visited the guy in Oregon and played some of the fiddles he has available. Not a bad one in the bunch, well set up, and typically priced a third to a half less than what you'd pay at a violin shop for the same instrument.
I have a Gliga Gama and am happy with it. Of course I took it to a luthier for a proper set up which made it sound much better. I paid $700.00 for it and feel it is worth what I paid.
I've heard people say they don't have much projection. Due to an injury to my wrist (long story) I recently removed the Guarneri chinrest which sits low, almost against the wood and replaced it with a Berber chinrest which sits much higher, suddenly my violin is much louder.
Don't forget to save some money for a good bow, it really does make all the difference.
@Antikhntr -- the apparent increase in volume comes, I would suggest, from the steeper angle between your ear and the face of the fiddle. I've also noticed a similar effect in reverse when playing without a chinrest.
Some of the Chinese fiddles are really good - possibly better
than the Gliga. I tried a few Gligas and wasn't that impressed,
although there was a lot of variation between them. You might
be able to pick out a good one.
I've had a Glima Gama for a few years now and I''ve never got a good sound out of it.. I take it on camping trips because it doesn't need muting.
They come fitted with softwood bridges which kills some of the upper register, giving the illusion they have a mellow sound, which is probably the reason they have good reviews from beginners. They're not known for good projection or volume, although it does seem there are exceptions. They are described as dark sounding but I think muffled might be more accurate - I've tried umpteen different strings and a new bridge to no avail, it still sounds like it's stuffed with cotton wool or there's a plug in there somewhere holding the sound in. I'd definitely recommend you try one out before purchasing, or make sure you can return it if not satisfied. You'll see from a number of threads out there that if you buy one as it comes straight from the factory you'll need to have a new bridge and sound post fitted right at the outset, which does make trying them out very tricky. Buying one which has been properly set up before you buy it would be the way to go, and if possible listen to someone else playing it first - it'll sound different to how it will appear underneath your ear.
Gliga Gama SUA Violin
Gliga Gama SUA Violin
Hello,
I just sold my beginner fiddle and am looking at getting the Gliga Gama SUA violin for around $800 USD. I have done a fair amount of research and found very little negative comments about Gliga. I was wondering if anyone on this forum has, or has played this Violin, or knows anything about it in general? Or just the Gama? Also, it is a Guarneri style, which I was told lent itself more to ITM beacause of its darker tone. Thank you for your feedback!
# Posted on June 1st 2011 by Ckelley
Re: Gliga Gama SUA Violin - an introduction and as mentioned elsewhere
http://www.violinslover.com/
http://violinsonly.wordpress.com/
http://www.fiddlehangout.com/topic/11685
http://www.fiddlehangout.com/archive/3594
http://www.violinist.com/luthiers/gliga_violins%2C_usa/
# Posted on June 1st 2011 by ceolachan
Re: Gliga Gama SUA Violin
Claiming a Del Gesu pattern is followed does not guarantee any of the many individual characteristics of each individual instrument he made. Each is unique, if some share certain characteristics between them. However, while I do know decent instruments come out of Romania, I'm not familiar with Gligas... Take the Giga for what it is when you give it a try, but don't expect a Guarneri... If you have a teacher or know a player you respect, get them to give it a go too, seek their opinion on it, or more opinions. Like going for a major operation, or getting a serious diagnosis, a second opinion is called for, and this is a serious choice, hoping for a lasting and rewarding relationship. Whatever anyone says here, or anywhere, in the end your needs and hopes will be unique...
Best of luck...
# Posted on June 1st 2011 by ceolachan
Re: Gliga Gama SUA Violin
I've played several Gligas. None of them was as good as advertised, although one was adequate after a luthier re-graduated the top. For $800 you can find a better fiddle. Don't be in a hurry, and don't buy before you play the thing. Any reputable seller will give you a trial period.
Also, watch the classifieds at http://mandolincafe.com. "Brad" posts rehabbed older fiddles there, very reasonably priced (usually under $1,000), and he doesn't sell junk. I recently visited the guy in Oregon and played some of the fiddles he has available. Not a bad one in the bunch, well set up, and typically priced a third to a half less than what you'd pay at a violin shop for the same instrument.
# Posted on June 1st 2011 by Will Harmon
Re: Gliga Gama SUA Violin
I have a Gliga Gama and am happy with it. Of course I took it to a luthier for a proper set up which made it sound much better. I paid $700.00 for it and feel it is worth what I paid.
I've heard people say they don't have much projection. Due to an injury to my wrist (long story) I recently removed the Guarneri chinrest which sits low, almost against the wood and replaced it with a Berber chinrest which sits much higher, suddenly my violin is much louder.
Don't forget to save some money for a good bow, it really does make all the difference.
Mary
# Posted on June 2nd 2011 by Antikhntr
Re: Gliga Gama SUA Violin
@Antikhntr -- the apparent increase in volume comes, I would suggest, from the steeper angle between your ear and the face of the fiddle. I've also noticed a similar effect in reverse when playing without a chinrest.
# Posted on June 2nd 2011 by gam
Re: Gliga Gama SUA Violin
Some of the Chinese fiddles are really good - possibly better
than the Gliga. I tried a few Gligas and wasn't that impressed,
although there was a lot of variation between them. You might
be able to pick out a good one.
# Posted on June 2nd 2011 by Hup
Re: Gliga Gama SUA Violin
I've had a Glima Gama for a few years now and I''ve never got a good sound out of it.. I take it on camping trips because it doesn't need muting.
They come fitted with softwood bridges which kills some of the upper register, giving the illusion they have a mellow sound, which is probably the reason they have good reviews from beginners. They're not known for good projection or volume, although it does seem there are exceptions. They are described as dark sounding but I think muffled might be more accurate - I've tried umpteen different strings and a new bridge to no avail, it still sounds like it's stuffed with cotton wool or there's a plug in there somewhere holding the sound in. I'd definitely recommend you try one out before purchasing, or make sure you can return it if not satisfied. You'll see from a number of threads out there that if you buy one as it comes straight from the factory you'll need to have a new bridge and sound post fitted right at the outset, which does make trying them out very tricky. Buying one which has been properly set up before you buy it would be the way to go, and if possible listen to someone else playing it first - it'll sound different to how it will appear underneath your ear.
# Posted on June 5th 2011 by debroos