Double Bass Gilga basses, how do I know what I have

[fdeck]

Weird that when I follow the link to the Gliga home web site there are no descriptions of models or pricing of their basses available there. Only real info is at www.violinslover.com

That's not completely surprising. As I understand it, the world of double bass "brands" is a bit weird. For instance, I own a "Calin Wultur" bass made in Romania, possibly down the street from Gliga, but as was explained to me, this is a line of basses that enter the US through a single importer before ending up in bass shops that set prices at their own discretion. There are certain names of European student basses, where all that's known is an approximate region where they were made. Many "brands" of those basses turn out to be labels attached by the importer, sometimes even by just one particular shop.

I think that especially as a bass ages, the importance of the brand begins to recede, and other issues take center stage such as tone and general state of repair.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Hybrid is carved top and laminated sides and back.

Some basses use laminated ribs but have carved tops and backs. They market their instruments as fully carved. While that isn’t really true, the ribs contribute little to the overall tone and laminated ribs don’t suffer from dry weather and door jambs.

 

[MIKMAN]

Gentlemen the bass is probably fully carved. Gliga instruments are produced in Reghin, Romania, in a place which has an old tradition in producing instruments of the violin family. These basses are robustly made, they feature rather thick top and back plates and after a thorough set up they become decent instruments. The abundance of excellent tonewoods in the Carpathian region of the country gives tempting prices of raw materials to luthiers so they produce many fully carved instruments. Dear friend enjoy your bass and focus on the proper technique since this instrument is built to last!
Mike

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Congrats! And I like the eagles.

 

[Wasnex]

Some basses use laminated ribs but have carved tops and backs. They market their instruments as fully carved. While that isn’t really true, the ribs contribute little to the overall tone and laminated ribs don’t suffer from dry weather and door jambs. View attachment 4038471

Some basses do have carved front and back panels with laminated ribs. I was under the impression these were generally labeled as fully carved. However if you dig in, you would (hopefully) see a description that tells about the laminated ribs. Is this not accurate?

 

[swingeasy]

That's not completely surprising. As I understand it, the world of double bass "brands" is a bit weird. For instance, I own a "Calin Wultur" bass made in Romania, possibly down the street from Gliga, but as was explained to me, this is a line of basses that enter the US through a single importer before ending up in bass shops that set prices at their own discretion. There are certain names of European student basses, where all that's known is an approximate region where they were made. Many "brands" of those basses turn out to be labels attached by the importer, sometimes even by just one particular shop.

I think that especially as a bass ages, the importance of the brand begins to recede, and other issues take center stage such as tone and general state of repair.

Well, I think you are right, with a few minor set up issues and a new set of strings I think this bass will fit my needs just fine and since I am 82 years old, I probably won't need to worry to much about it lasting forever
It is a bit heavy but that really is no problem.

 

[Sam Sherry]

View attachment 4038471

Yeah, I did that walking into a gig in 1988 and again walking into a rehearsal in 2018.

It's a pretty low feeling.

 

[John Sprague]

You can call (626) 578-0442 and ask for Christian Gliga. I'm sure he would be happy to help you figure out what you have.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

A friend bought a Gagnon bass ($18000) and in its first winter in Chicago the lower ribs both split wide open so it looked like the bass was smiling. His luthier ended up laminating both sides with another layer of wood as they were just built too thin.

 

[Matt Ides]

Congrats!

 

[swingeasy]

Gliga. I'm sure he would be happy to help you figure out what you have.

You can call (626) 578-0442 and ask for Christian
Thank you, I will do just that.