Violin REVIEW Beginner Violins. Ragetti RV5 vs. Gliga III . $500 - $650 price range

[@rbodinnar]

Thanks for the question. Yes we do ship violins abroad. In fact we've been so popular in the UK that the BBC contacted us to be part of the next series of 'Wanted Down Under' to be shown next year.

[@waikukubeach5259]

I wish I found your site before purchasing my daughters violin - we bought it off an ex violin student from the net and i had some restoration work done to it as she didn't look after that well. I'm happy with it now but you're station has given more to think about when we upgrade. Keep up the good work your information has been very helpful. PS: We live across the ditch in NZ.

[@rbodinnar]

Thanx for the question. I've been interstate, so it's taken a while to answer.... The actual grove depth that the string sits in is about 1/3 the diameter of the string, but the string sits about 1/2 the diameter of the string above the fingerboard. If the fingerboard is nicely shaped, I wont get any buzzing and get a pretty nice action.

[@rbodinnar]

Hi. I've seen a few Gligas from Violins lover.com. They were all un-setup. They had all the original parts that our Gligas come with before we do our work. Most shops sell them that way, but if you've bought one from them, just factor in $250 or so to have the work done by your local violinmaker/luthier.

[@rbodinnar]

hi Thanx very much for your compliments. Sorry it's taken so long to answer your question. We send violins all over the world and always insure our violins, but we never seem to have any problems anyway... we have custom made boxes for our violin cases and our staff are great at packing the violins safely. Kind Regards -Richard-

[@rbodinnar]

Thanks for your kind comments. -Rich-

[@rbodinnar]

@bailey932 We're currently doing a cello series of videos and plan to start violas after that. It may be a while before they're ready though. Thanx for the question. richard

[@ryucorrea]

They both sound amazing for the price!!! I just started playing and a family member gave me their violin and it doesn't sound too great. I think it may need some new parts but I like the sound of both of those in this video. I may have to give you all a call to get set up with something nice

[@rbodinnar]

@solracselbor Thanx for the praise. It's just a little song based on a couple of scales that I made up for the purpose of testing violins. It's different each time, so there's no sheets for it... I guess it's more like an improvisation than a song. -Richard-

[@rbodinnar]

Thanx for the question. The Gliga III from our shop is a Genial I, but with all of the upgraded parts which are worth about $250. The better parts/setup make a world of difference to the sound/playability. The difference in the names is because the Australian wholesaler simplified the labelling for the Australian market which originally only imported a couple of Gliga models. Rich

[@rbodinnar]

The Gligas are quite mellow sounding violas, so I like to use brighter viola strings to even them out...... such as Evah pirazzi, Dominant, or tonica. If you really like the mellow sound and want the viola to be more mellow, you could use d'addario helicore or Pirastro Obligato strings.

[@SideshowMorgan]

Hi Richard, great video, was good to see both violins and their sounds. I just bought a Gliga III from another store close to home, and I was wondering if you and your business do the modifications to violins that you dont sell, and how much that would cost? Thanks, Morgan

[@rbodinnar]

The Gliga III does have a quite thick 'a' string sound. The Gliga III is just thicker sounding over all, but the Raggetti has the edge in Power and sustain. It really comes down to taste.

[@rbodinnar]

I try to be impartial on the videos, but I think I am usually more in favour of the Raggetti rv5 over the Gliga III. If you're looking for a Gliga, I usually try to push customers up to the Gliga II.(the quality of workmanship is much better than on the III) Rich

[@rbodinnar]

The Gliga Maestros that I have played have had the similar warm sound that most Gliga violins have, but have projected and sustained a bit better than the cheaper Gliga models. They are very nice violins, but it is important to have one that is set up properly. Without the proper setup, they can be a bit muffled.

[@rbodinnar]

I don't think any of the violins on the Australian market are left handed, but I know Gliga make them, and we would be able to do a special order to get the model you want. Left handed violins are less common than left handed guitars (for instance) because in orchestral groups you would get a lot of bow fights....:)

[@rbodinnar]

Hi! The Gliga III is our most popular violin. A well made violin should be a very expensive thing considering they take about 2 months to make. I think the Gliga III violins are pretty affordable for what they are. You are right though, if you buy a nice violin like a Gliga III first up, you won't have to upgrade unless you become obsessed with the violin and become an awesome violinist :) Make sure it's from a specialist like ourselves so it's set up properly. Good luck -richard-

[@rbodinnar]

Hi! Sorry I missed your question. If it still matters to you :).... both the gliga and Raggetti violins have pirastro Tonica strings on them. Regards -richard-

[@rbodinnar]

Hi. thanx for the question. If it's more important to you in the orchestra to blend with the other players, then a Gliga would suit, but if it is more important to you to be able to hear yourself and to be heard in the orchestra then a Raggetti would suit. In this price range the craftsmanship in Raggettis is more impressive , but that doesn't mean that they sound better. The Gligas are very well made for the price, but the perfection of the Raggettis can make violin makers drool. rich

[@Judexy22]

Hi Richard, Have you a couple of Viola Reviews ? Is Viola more difficult than the Violin ?

[@bailey932]

Hi Richard, Your Gliga and Ragetti violin reviews are very helpful. Wondering if you could do similar reviews for the viola series.?

[@rbodinnar]

Hi. We charge $75 for our high quality french bridges hand carved by myself or Graham our other luthier.

[@rbodinnar]

Yes it's free shipping at the moment :)

[@rbodinnar]

I only just noticed your question... sorry it's taken so long to answer. If you like a deep sounding violin, you may enjoy certain models of the raggetti master series violins. They are very deep and also powerful enough to have professional projection. Also, the new strunas are great at $1500 and $2595. Each violin is different though... even within the same model, so I would recommend playing a lot of violins to find the one that most suits you.

[@buckingham1948]

Hello Rob .. I am so thrilled at coming across your website. I've spent at least 3 hours looking at some of your videos. I had no idea there was so much involved. I've been wanting to learn to play the violin for a long time, visited many stores, none of which could tell me 1% of the information you have. (I live in the States). I'm going to put a violin on Christmas list with special request that it comes from White Horse music store. I think it's goig to be a Gliga III. ;-)

[@yuechan]

Keep us updated on the program.

[@MrMadness574]

whats the song your playing when comparing the two violins around the 6min mark? If I gave you my email would you be able to send me the sheets? Your playing is quite remarkable.

[@rbodinnar]

oh yeah... sorry, I haven't had a maestro viola yet. I've had all the models below that, but not the maestro, although they make the violas similar to the violins (similar varnish and quality of wood for each model), so I would presume that the Maestro viola would have more sustain and projection than the cheaper models of Gligas but still have that warm, mellow Gliga sound..

[@Satchmoeddie]

A good entry level instrument can and will make the difference if a student will enjoy and continue to play or just give up. I starte luthrie in a full spectrum luthrie shop which did mostly plectrum instruments, but the master luthier was very good with bowed instruments and left our guitar stuff to the guys who thought guitars were cool. I got stuck shaping tops and backs for anything with an arch top. Set up is crucial as is finding something that is playable. Nice video!

[@Solatai123]

Hi, I play the guitar, uke and keyboard and would like to learn how to play the fiddle for country music. What would you recommend? I don't mind getting a used one as long as it is a decent one that can last. Thank you

[@rbodinnar]

There are infinite ways of carving a bridge; and each carve you make will make a difference to the sound. If Gliga sent along a bridge made of high quality wood, it would probably be thrown out in favour of the bridge of the repairer in the shop. After making tens of thousands of bridges, I have a good idea of how to get what I consider to be the best tone colour, so I would discard Gliga's good quality bridges as well. They send along low quality bridges so high quality ones aren't wasted.

[@splortz]

If the romainian is a great violin maker, why does whitehorse have to throw away the strings, bridge, soundpost, etc, and replace them with better components?

[@BelindaTN]

What kind of strings are on these violins? Love the sound of the Gliga

[@95thRiflesOCI]

My friend has a Gliga which is a beautiful instrument I think it was 3000 something. Sounds nice but not all violins are for everyone. For me it's my Jay Haide L'Ancienne 2400.

[@xXKunokuXx]

Ohh that makes sense. I have one more question if you don't mind, do you have the Gliga Gems 1 or 2 set up like that for sale? Maybe it's the Gliga 1 or 2?

[@LAZAAR2000]

Alright thanks!!

[@Lupe0824]

Very informative video. THANKS!! :)

[@myuncle2]

Hi Richard, great video, what rule do you follow when you lower the nut?

[@tvedi23]

I am a beginner looking to start the violin. Do you think the gliga III would be good? $500 seems to be a lot but my reasoning is that i wouldn't have to buy another one in the future? Please respond back :)

[@shaolin95]

Have you ever tried a Yuan Qin from Southwest Strings ? Based on my research it seems to be very nice but I have to order without testing.

[@rbodinnar]

wow... finally youtube registered an answer ... if you're still looking for a whitehorse music violin, go to our website: You can either email us from the website, or use the shopping cart. We use paypal internationally. Regards -Richard-

[@rbodinnar]

Hi haven't tried that violin. If you have the choice though ,you should always try a violin before buying it. Rich

[@xXKunokuXx]

I have a question about the 'Gliga III', what exactly is it? I haven't encountered a violin from Gliga that is named that, at first I thought it might be the Gliga Gems III but I don't think they exist. Can you tell me it's code please? Thank you I hope you reply soon :)

[@rbodinnar]

Everyone has a different opinion of which high quality strings are perfect for each violin. There are about 30 choices that I know of. If they sent along good strings, chances are they would be thrown out in favour of other good strings. Good strings are worth generally around $70 per set... where the ones that Gliga send are probably worth around $1.

[@joselinraj156]

Where is your shop in Canada 🇨🇦

[@BradenKorn]

Do you offer and 4/4 Violins left handed?

[@punzilicious]

hey richard, which violin do you like better, the gliga or the raggetti RV5? Do you like the gliga better? is that why you played Gliga twice and the Raggetti only once? hahahaha

[@ItsaMe69]

does the $500 one has a thick A string sound?

[@jeizen413]

do you have stores here in uae?? tnx

[@ItsaMe69]

Is it free shipping?

[@tvedi23]

@tvedi23 Thank you so much for your input! I will be ordering from your site in the very near future. By the way, your videos are the best on KZbin about violins, so informative. I am hoping to become an awesome violinist! and thankfully your setup seems great. One last question, if you ship it to the US, can you guarantee that the violin will be safe? Thank you so much!! I appreciate your help greatly.

[@rbodinnar]

Thanx Rob... glad I could help :)

[@1cleandude]

Here's a hard fact; If you can ever get your playing and presenting qualities close to the level of the high quality level of the cinematography exhibited here, you would have no fiddles left to sell!!! LOL, LOL Great job Mrs and Richard!!

[@kdon8382]

People just don't understand--when you are playing for the dark mellow sound, you are technically trying to play a viola on a violin. Violin is supposed to be bright, strong, powerful and concentrated.

[@Judexy22]

+K Dong Can you play a Viola on a Violin ? NO ! Violins are of different qualities. Certain Violins are very powerful and bright. Others could be dark and mellow. This is far from a Viola. The Viola and the Violin are quite distinct. By the way, the Sound Post can drive you crazy if it is not at its sweetest spot either in violin or viola !