Gliga Violin Review with Sound Samples

[@trevorstolz8580]

I have a Gliga violin. I put Peter Infeld Strings on. I also have a harp shaped tail piece - boxwood and Precision GEARED pegs, so no fine tuners at all. (Professional violinisits only put a fine tuner on the E string as they say it causes some loss of tone. With geared pegs, you can get rid of all fine tuners.) It really sounds fantastic. My violin teacher used to play with the Korean National Orchestra and she thinks my Gliga violin is fantastic. I do love it. It is a pleasure to play.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

That sounds like a fantastic setup. Gligas are wonderful violins!

[@danltiger]

I'd bought a GEMS 2 back in 2003 - Your recommendation on the string replacement is spot-on. Thanks for putting up this review; It's nice to see that they're still making good instruments!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Thanks so much! They are great instruments, especially with better strings!

[@nicoleclark9247]

Thanks so much for playing ‘“regular” songs as I actually can play those and know how they sound when I play them so it’s a better comparison! Great review!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

You're welcome!

[@fishmut]

I’m sold , I really love the sound you played on the gliga , I’d be very happy to play this instrument, absolutely. 👍

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Yes, it is a lovely instrument!

[@Ciaccona255]

Thank you for this video. It helped soooo much. I'm a begginer violinist with previous experience. I played violin as a child and after many years of absence I started again. I have been fighting with my violin for the last six months now just because it is very low quality. So I need a much better quality. Again very helpful video 🙂

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@Todd82TA]

This video was awesome! Like the dude below me... I learned to play violin when I was 5... parents pushed me into it. And I stuck with it through college, chamber philharmonic, etc. Really, really loved the violin. For the next 20+ years, I'd pull the violin out once or twice a year and try to remember to play Brandenburg or Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in D. I'm horrendous right now, but desperately want to get back to the skill level that I was... life is too short to give up on the things we love to do. For almost a year, I went around playing an octave lower because I didn't have a tuner or even a tuning fork, hahah. I learned so much on this one video. I have dominant strings, but they are almost 30 years old. I love my violin, it's a John Juzek, says formerly of Prague, but it was made in Germany. So I assume pre-war. I don't know anything about it... but my grandfather bought it for my aunt, and I ended up with it in the early 90s when I went to full size. I've taken care of it like it's a child of mine, hahah. Anyway, learning a lot from your videos. I see that you do lessons. I'm trying to get my wife to learn violin (my daughter plays Cello and Piano) so we want to be able to play music together. Subscribed. I'm in the middle of a move, but hopefully I can get my wife to sign up for lessons. Thank you! I will watch all your videos...

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Sorry I never responded to this! For some reason I just saw it. I love stories of how violins get passed down. So glad you are enjoying the videos!

[@dgillies5420]

My twin sons used a Gliga Gems I and a yitamusic T-20 violin (with birdseye solid back) from ebay & Shanghai. I would love to hear your opinion of the differences in these two brands. I upgraded both to Dominant strings, and the Gliga was definitely louder. I feel like they are the best violins available in the $250-$400 range for students just starting out.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

I've never tried the T-20 violin so I couldn't say for sure, but I'll look it up!

[@curtwuollet2912]

I have a 2004 gliga, I don't remember which grade. But it's a finer instrument than my playing deserves.

[@AVToth]

Does the company make a 7/8ths bow?

[@johncook1080]

Lovely demonstration! I have Romanian friends at church and I'd love to own a Romanian violin. I hear some of the wood comes from the Carpathian Mountains, which also was historically a source for Stadivari. Below a responder indicated they had geared pegs. How do you feel about those? Are they better and more expedient than standard pegs with fine tuners? (I'm a rank beginner, having only dragged a bow across my wife's antique on a couple of occasions, and I'm shopping for my first violin. I've had piano lessons and guitar lessons as a child, more than 50 years ago.) Also, I've also heard you review for other violins. Once the strings are upgraded, would you say this is a better violin than others you've reviewed? Please feel free to answer privately if you think that would be more discreet. Happy New Year! Best wishes for a Prosperous 2023!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Hi John, The Gligas don't come with geared or planetary pegs. They are traditional pegs. I definitely prefer planetary pegs over traditional. For beginners, I think you should still go with fine tuners in addition to planetary pegs. But eventually, you'll move up and only have one fine tuner on the E string. Planetary pegs definitely come in handy then. As for this violin vs other violins I've reviewed, I honestly prefer Fiddlerman. The Tower strings I've reviewed with the Fiddlerman strings and carbon fiber bow beat this one out. And Fiddlerman customer service is definitely better. You can get Fiddlerman to install perfection pegs before they send it to you which I really appreciate. Hope that helps!

[@johncook1080]

@@MeadowlarkViolin Dear Laura, thank you so much for your reply! Being impetuous like most men, I went ahead and ordered the Genial-1 Oil Varnish. I paid very close attention to your review. I had them put some D'Addario Heliocore strings on, (I like supporting US businesses), I upgraded the tailpiece to a Wittner, and I upgraded to the carbon fiber bow. I originally despaired of getting my violin, they answered none of my phone calls or emails after ordering on their website. I was about to call the Las Vegas PD to check on them, when I received an email that my violin had shipped. I'm delighted with it, and as you observed, it was ready to play. While waiting for my Gliga I became impatient, (another male trait), and ordered a Cecilio setup. It's not a Gliga, but it was all I could get having made my Gliga investment. I am certainly not afraid to work on it! I've acquired D'Addario Ascente synthetic core strings, and I have a measured template for refining the bridge, (it's pretty thick except where it meets the strings). I have ordered a peg hole reamer and peg trimmer, and I have Hill peg paste. I'm going to add a bit of chalk to the paste so it grips better. I have Henry Strobel's Useful Measurements for Violin Makers. I know how important a good set up is for any violin, and I'm going to give my Cecilio EAV the setup it probably would have never had. The stock strings on the EAV, and the slippage in the pegs are my primary concerns. I'm so excited to get to work on it. I think I've watched every violin setup and repair video on KZbin, from Olaf Grawert in Brisban, AU, Kevin Lee, Daniel Olsen Chen, to Maestro Kimon. There are things about the Cecilio that I'm not going to try to fix, but by the time I'm done with it, it will sound its best. I volunteer at a local food bank that has violins donated on occasion. I'd like to be able to get them right for some child who might not be able to afford to play otherwise. Also I'm a retired RN, so I might like to go play my violin at the local nursing homes once I'm up to speed. I'm in the Suzuki 1 Book, and tearing up Row Row Row your Boat! Thank you so much for all you're doing for us. Best regards from Bethany Farm, 5 miles west of Kenly, NC.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

@@johncook1080 You'll love the Gliga! They are great violins. And I think you have a great idea buying the Cecilo. It's a great way to learn how to work on violin! Best of luck!

[@Dark_Knight911]

Hi I really like your play and review. My daughter is interested in getting a violin and I found Gliga GAMA kit is within our price range. Did you have any experience with it ?

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

I've never played the GAMA specifically, but I've played other Gligas and I've always been very impressed!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

@@joywhite3697 Great to hear from your good experience! I'm thinking of getting a Gama to try out as well since I have heard so many good things about that specific model!

[@kellycarolinehennamichigan9038]

Hi. Lovely review! I went to checkout on the Gliga site using the link from your blog, violinlovers, and when entering the coupon code at checkout it says Invalid Coupon code. Has it expired, or maybe only applies to certain models? I am wanting to buy the Antiqued professional Gama model. Worth waiting just a bit in case you happen to see this and know a new code :) Thank you.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Hi Kelly! Great to hear from you and thanks for letting me know about the code. I should have been more specific! Instead of putting it into the coupon code, try putting VL1003 in the comments section on the checkout page. I think that should work. The discount should be subtracted during payment processing. I'm also getting in touch with Gliga to make sure the code still is correct! I hope you love the Gama!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

I did check with Gliga and you will need to put the code in the Comments section during checkout. Once your order is processed, they manually subtract the discount. Thanks for letting me know those issues. I will update with more specific instructions. I hope that helps!

[@dennismcconnell7057]

I’m curious. With small hands did it seem noticeably easier to play? What’s your personal violin?

[@seabright1226]

Yes, it is easier to make stretches or play certain double stops. I play on a full size normally.

[@bohe99]

Hi, I am interested to get a 7/8 size instrument. I wonder if the nut width is noticeable shorter on smaller violins like 3/4 and 7/8 sizes.

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

I can tell a difference between 7/8 and 4/4 and definitely between 3/4 and 4/4.

[@bohe99]

Hi and thanks for your answer. Then I hope my broad fingers feel comfortable with a 7/8 violin.

[@strawberrymc]

Hi :) In terms of Gliga instruments for a beginner within this price range, what would you recommend? I've had my eye on the Gems 1/Gems 2 violins for a while now. Do you know if there's any significant difference between those two (I've seen that the Gems 1 comes equipped with dominant strings while the Gems 2 doesn't)? Considering the quality, would you go any lower than this for a beginner, such as with the Genial 1? Considering the cost of upgrade of strings/setup I suspect it would be better to just go with a gems anyway if I was going to pick a Gliga

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

I don't have any personal experience with the Genial, so I can't tell you anything about its quality. But for the price difference, I think you are correct in just going for the Gems from the start. Gliga can be a little confusing with all their different levels of violins. Generally, the higher price point means better quality even if there is nothing extra said in the description. If you are just starting out, I would go with the Gems 1 since the better strings will make a big difference and you don't have to worry about putting them on yourself. I would also upgrade to the Wittner tailpiece. It will make tuning easier. You can use this coupon code for a discount as well: VL1003. I hope that helps! Happy Practicing!

[@strawberrymc]

@@MeadowlarkViolin Got it. Thanks for the help! :)

[@chrisebbesen5798]

Thank you. May I have contact information?

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Hi Chris, you can message me on Facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089914331303 Or go to my website: meadowlarkviolin.com If you sign up to my newsletters, you can respond to any of the emails and talk via email.

[@proyectopariwanaslimav.e.s]

❤️😍🤗

[@mccypr]

😎

[@sdthyng]

Evah Pirazi beats Dominant hands down!

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

I totally agree!

[@davidsongsong1513]

carbon fiber bow is for electric violin only not good in acoustic

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

Hi David! I've been playing on a carbon fiber bow for over 15 years and I don't think it's negatively impacted my playing! Sometimes I prefer it over my much more expensive pernambuco bow. But to each his own! Best!

[@JustFiddler]

@@MeadowlarkViolin i using my codabow for my acoustic violin...🤠😇

[@MeadowlarkViolin]

@@JustFiddler Good! Coda bows are great!

[@JustFiddler]

@@MeadowlarkViolin indeed! i have joule