Hi, I am 23 and looking to buy a violin and start lessons... I already play the piano and flute so I am looking for something that would need to be upgraded too quickly... I have been told that Gliga make good violins, so I'm pretty decided on them, but at the moment I'm looking at a Gliga I (what it is called in Aust, one of the other topcis say this is a Gems 1) but I have been offered a Gliga Maestro "Guarneri" for Aust 1900... already set up with the extras (bow etc) which someone bought about 6 months ago and have decided they don't have time to play. Help! I have tried getting advice from musoc stores but no one is giving me anything which I can rely on (ours is the best etc etc). I would be greatful for any advice... Sarah

That's not a stunning bargain - you could get the violin on its own, via the US, for 1348 dollars (plus shipping) which would probably end up costing about the same once you have put a basic bow and a case with it. That said, it's less than we would charge for it but then we sell in the UK and our prices include VAT and also the exchange rate is very much in our favour at the moment so US imports are cheap.
Bows in particular vary hugely in value so it's impossible to say how much of a bargain it is without knowing more. If you like it then there is no reason not to buy it - almost certainly it will be in "as new" condition and chances are that the sound will actually have improved somewhat in storage.

There are three other points I'd make though:

1. It's a Guaneri model which is not the most common choice - the Guaneri model (Gliga's version of it at any rate) is larger than the usual Strad model and has more of a viola-like tone. If you like your violins mellow and dark then it will suit you very well, if you like a brighter tone it won't suit you. Also if you happen to be very small it probably won't suit you.

2. The Gama in fact usually sounds just as good, and occasionally even better, with a Maestro there is a certain premium for the signature and certificate

3. This is way above what you need!

Liz

Liz

Hi Liz, thank you for your reply... I wasn't sure whether it was a bargain - hard to tell - apparently retail here for it (at least in a couple of places) is $3950 but I'd seen you can order it heaps cheaper overseas... apparently it has obligato strings (with a gold e) and a Pernambuco bow worth $300 but in all honesty it doesn't mean much to me... if I did buy one that was admittedly more than I need at the moment, could it be to my disadvantage (would it affect playing ability etc)?? Failing all of that, is the Gliga 1 (sorry, I really don't know what this translates to) a good choice?? I don't have a teacher or any friends who play the violin so I'm a bit lost... thank you soo much for your help!

Well if it has a decent bow and Obligato strings (assuming those are still in good condition) then that's enough to tip the balance over buying a new one from the US, in my opinion. I can't think of any reason why it would harm your playing. Some violins are very resonant and would probably frighten a beginner half to death but the Gliga isn't in that category. We've certainly sold some Gamas to very elementary players and none of these has yet felt the need to return it, and the Maestro isn't much different.

I always recommend the Gems 2 (= Gliga 2) for adult beginners who are prepared to buy something a bit more than a basic student outfit. The Gems 1 is just prettier, there's no other difference. But if you like the maestro and are prepared to spend the money then I'd suggest you go for it. It's just that if you find you don't take to playing the violin, you're probably going to lose more selling a Maestro than you would lose selling a Gems.

Liz

Hi Liz, thank you for your reply.. I have heard a couple of negative things about the sound of the Guarneri, and it being interstate (so I can't really check it out for myself) I am now looking at either a Gliga I or a Gama, which I think in Aust is a Gliga professional? However they are being sold here as either a Gliga prof - Italian model or a Gliga prof - Stradivari model... any idea what the difference would be? They both seem to retail for the same price... I have just read so many positive things about the sound of the gamas that I am tempted to pay that bit extra... Thanks again for your help. Sarah

I've never heard of the Italian model - is there a picture anywhere?

Liz

Having just done a websearch it would appear Gliga make two different models of violin - a Stradivari and a Guarnari - as shown Here

They clearly state that the Guarneri is quite a bit bigger (physically) than the Strad.

Sarah-Jane,
Beware that your hand size will dictate the size of violin you will physically be able to play. The width of the violin shoulders being of particular importance.

I can't find a picture.. the description says: Gliga vasil professional: Italian style - Same specifications and workmanship as Stradivari Model (81485) but made more in typical Italian style with differing body shape from the Stradivari pattern, increased arching, distinctively carved scrolll, uniquely ornate bridge and ebony lined heel. This instrument delivers delightful complexities with plenty of volume and focus.
The other - the Gliga vasil professional stradivari - Handcrafted in workshops directly supervised by Mr Vasile Gliga. Highly flamed and natural aged sycamore maple employed for back, neck and ribs. Close grained Carpatian resonance spruce top. The outline of the instrument's body is deepened and the plates are precisely graduated. Special attention has been given to the deeply etched and well highlighted scroll. A greater number of coats of varnish are aplied. All fittings manufactured by the Gliga company.

Very confusing... starting to think it might just be easier to order it from o/s!!





Hi Amanda,

Thank you for your post... I think I'm in agreement! I can't try it because its interstate, and I do have small hands (which has been an obstacle for piano), so probably better off avoiding the guarneri altogether... I can't wait to make a decision though, I want to play!!! Looking at the gamas now.. if I can work out what they translate to in Aust...

Also... looking at the gamas... is there any difference between a one piece back and a two? I've done so much research and yet feel no closer to any kind of real answer on it... and what is the difference between willow wood and maple?? Does it just look prettier, or does it actually sound better? I think I'm fairly set on a Gliga gama... provided I can work out what that is in Aust, or whether its worth getting it from o/s and whether to get the 1 or 2... Thank you all so much for your help!!

Drool...

W

Intriguing! I'm going to get to the bottom of this - watch this space

Liz



Some people say the one piece back sounds better, but sometimes I have known a two-piece back Gama sound better than a one-piece back Gama. The jury is still out on that one, as far as I am concerned.

We've never had a willow or poplar model, so I don't know if there is any sound difference but I would think it unlikely.

Liz

The wood (type) used for the back doesn't generally make any difference to the tone. "Pretty" wood for the back of a violin, viola etc. is purely for show and is no indication of the quality of the tone of the instrument. There are quite a few old Italian violins - by famous makers - with very plain backs and ribs, but the tonal properties are terrific.

The resonance and tonal properties come from the belly wood, the top, which ideally should be a fine close grain allowing it to flex much more than wide coarse grain. The top is normally carved from spruce, which tends to have good resonance anyway.

It is best for you to ask a violin teacher... Don't just buy a Strad because you've started learning... Be resonable...

I have got to the bottom of it. It is still made - it apparently has different arching but doesn't sound like the guaneri model. We'll get one, have to out of curiosity! again - watch this space!

Liz

Although my interest is viola, I'm sure the standards are the same, so what's the comparison between the Gliga range (Gems and Gamas) and the Stentors? Any idea? The G Gama and the Stentor Elysia seems similarly priced. I'm curious for future reference.

The Gama is FAR superior to any of the Stentor range. I used to have a Stentor Arcadia (which I think is the range above the Elysia if I remember correctly) and it sounded ok as an instrument, but when I changed to my gama... wow the difference was huge.

I had a teacher who used a gama for professional playing in quartets to save his precious Italian instrument at outdoor gigs. I can't imagine that he would ever have deemed a stentor suitable for that.

If you get a gliga and have a professional set up done on it, it will sound like an instrument at three times the price - the set up is hugely important mind. Mine came in perfectly playable condition with a nice tone, but the set up changed the voice entirely.

I'd say go with a Gama viola (and Gliga violas are even nicer than the violins).

Allan

Agree. But if you are going to go with a Stentor then save your money and get a Messina. The Messina, Elysia and Arcadia are exactly the same violin, graded at import according to the amount of flaming. In other words the difference is purely cosmetic. Stentor make this clear on their website.

Liz

I've got a Gama viola and as someone who might be considered picky about tone etc., due to my job, I was happy with the setup it came with. However, the strings are in need of changing again and with the original bridge being a touch on the soft side and the strings having cut into it quite a bit, I've decided to have a new one fitted. I'm sure the viola will come back far more resonant - but it's far from dead sounding even now.

Endorsement from a real live professional player - that's about the best advice you can get!

OK, good. That sounds good to me. Gama it is!! They're not badly priced, although you don't get a bow and case with the instrument as you can with certain Stentors. I'll start off with a basic Stentor 2 job, tehn upgrade when I have the money and my plying warrants it.

Thank you everyone, and Liz I look forward to hearing how it goes... Monday week I am going to check some out (have exams at the moment, yuck) and I can't wait, although I must admit I won't have much idea because I don't know how to play and I don't have a teacher - still though I guess I should be able to hear what sound I like and what sound I don't.... I'm soo excited!

Sarah, unless you can get someone to play them for you, it just won't work. Honestly, to be blunt, you'll sound pretty bad at first whatever you play!

In fact at the risk of being a wet blanket, my advice is to get yourself some lessons booked first, even if it's only a few to get you on the right track. It is MUCH more important to get tuition than to get a good violin.

Liz

I completely agree with Liz. It will take some time before you can even tell the difference between different instruments - at first good tuition is the absolute best investment you can make. Once you have a teacher you can then also ask him / her to go shopping with you for an instrument, which they can play for you and you can choose which one you like the sound of best. You should offer to pay your teacher for this time they spend with you, though.

Good luck

Allan

Well, we now have an Italian Gama here. I suspect the one described by the website you looked at was a one-off, we get those sometimes, instruments that should have been a maestro and are actually downgraded to a Gama 1, that sort of thing happens sometimes throughout the range for no apparent reason. Anyway, the Italian Gama we have (and we have another on order) has LESS arching than the normal Gama, it's really quite flat on top. This should make for more volume and indeed that does seem to be the case.

Liz

Thanks for letting us know Liz... does it seem to make much of a difference to the quality of the sound, or just its volume?? Sarah

On further reflection, I'm not convinced about it so far - perhaps when we've had our second one it might be easier to comment. So far, comparing with other Gamas, it's not at all in the same league - and isn't as loud either. I think it could be a duff one. You'd better watch this space again next week.

Liz

(Hello everyone - this is my first post. What's all this strange code above ? ... hope this works. )

Re comparison of Gliga Gamas and Stentor Elysias - I haven't ever had the two side by side, but having seen a load of Gligas of various types, and similarly Stentors, I think I can safely say I'd almost certainly prefer the Gliga. For starters, the oil varnish of Gligas gives them a much more professional feel than the chippy, shiny stuff which the Stentors are varnished with. Also, the build quality (looking at how neatly the joints are made, how neatly the f holes are cut etc) is just so GOOD on Gligas, whereas on Stentors I think it is relatively poor. However, I suppose I am really talking about the lower-end Stentors - there are better built cheap chinese starter kits than Stentor, in my view (and with nicer bridges too). I can't remember ever having got intimate enough with an Elysia to start peering into its crevices, but if you are serious about comparing the two, you might want to check that.