Several people have mentioned taking their Gama instruments to a luthier for a 'professional set-up'.

What difference to the sound do the adjustments to the bridge make? Does making it higher or lower make the violin/viola louder or deeper or different altogether? What exactly do they do to the soundpost?

At the moment I think Claudia (my Gama) sounds lovely but I'm probably too inexperienced to tell. I'm not planning to make any changes I'm just curious about what people do change.

A luthier would fit a bridge that is harder and thinner, and for most amateur players, probably a little lower (though we sent one to a high level professional player, and she said that for professional use you would want the bridge higher). A lower bridge reduces the dynamic range of the instrument, and a harder and thinner one makes it sound louder and brighter.

Liz

Hi Lottie,

As usual Liz is right on the nail with the changes in bridge.

Most luthiers would put a new soundpost in (the gliga ones are ok but have a tendency to be a little short, a really good soundpost makes a huge difference), work on the pegs, check the fingerboard for bumps and possible scoop it, he would likely then change the bridge to fit better and improve the sound. He may or may not restring it for you. This is what I found when I was selling Gliga in France and had each one set up.

All in all, a pro set up will give a whole new lease of life to your instrument - brighter, more dynamic range, more power - a good luthier will bring out the best in each individual instrument.

Whether you consider that you have the right level or not, have it set up as soon as you can. Gligas are superb instruments with a lovely dark sound, but they can be a tad muffled at times - a good set up will keep the warmth but add power and depth to the sound.

You'll end up with a great violin that will play like something way more expensive and look fantastic too (Gliga should seriously consider making furniture too - I'd buy it straight away!)

Allan

Allan, you make this sound a very tempting proposition. But, to judge by the sample prices on J P Guivier's website, all this work would nearly double the cost of the instrument (if it's a Gliga). I realise Guivier's prices are probably higher than most, but, even so, we must be talking well over £200 for the full monty. Does it really make that much difference, even for a somewhat-less-than-advanced player?

A couple of hundred pounds for a gama takes you to around 650 / 700 in total. That's not at all expensive as far as violins go and it will play like a violin that costs easily twice as much as that. In my opinion, it's worth it from the very start - a professional set up will help you get the most out of your instrument.

Only proviso is that as you get more advanced you will most likely alter the set up a little to suit you, but a good set up from the start will make a huge difference, later changes are just personal decoration, really (I want a bit more meat in the bass, I want brighter high notes etc.)

I'd always have an instrument set up professionally regardless of the level, but others might disagree. It would be best to get the opinion of the violin teachers and pros on the forum as to whether they think a good luthier set up is necessary for a beginner - I suppose they will, but you never know. AmandaL, violinia et al? What do you reckon?

(edit: as an aside, I purchased a gama gliga from liz a couple of years ago and had a full set up done on it. It made a massive difference and when I came to upgrade this year, I didn't find anything that played better until I got beyond three times the price of the gliga.)