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Double Bass Gliga

Steve Freides

Steve Freides

Former Mannes College Theory Faculty
Supporting Member
Dec 11, 2007
2,576
1,508
Ridgewood, NJ
#1
There are a few threads here on Gliga, an instrument maker based in Romania, but nothing recent, so I thought I'd share a bit of a discovery for me. I started playing cello last year and one of my bass students decided to buy a used cello and have me give him his first cello lesson. (Note to all you "I can do it without a teacher" folks - I've been taking cello lessons.)

My student bought a Gliga cello, and I've been digging into Gliga to help learn more about his cello because he took it to a different local string shop, one I don't know much about, and after paying $1k for his Gliga cello via craigslist, the luthier told him he thought it was worth $5-6k, and then did $1k worth of work to the instrument: the usual setup for a neglected instrument - plane the fingerboard, adjust/replace the sound post, new tailpiece, new bridge and, yes, Virginia, cello strings can be as expensive as bass strings, so about $350 of that $1k was for strings.

https://www.violinslover.com/ is Gliga in the US. So far, after an initially friendly reply about my student's cello, there has been silence, but since I "discovered" this - I'm sure I'm not the first, but I think I'd post it since I didn't find it it.

There you have it. They have carved 1/4 sized basses and I'm going to consider one of those for my small stable of student basses. Love to hear of any more recent experiences with Gliga. That's the last name of person answering my emails, apparently.

-S-
 
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#3
My Gliga is from 2006 and I "rescued" it from the music store that I work at, the rental department. After pointing out all the issues with it, my boss gave it to me for an absolute steal.

Thing had a wavy fingerboard, a huge crack in the top, a bum bridge and endpin. Took alot of work to get playable (did it myself, I'm a guitar tech learning to work on DB;s).

After having it for a few years this is what I have concluded.

Heavy. The thing feels over built and needs a heavier string to speak well. Despite being a big bass with a large lower bout and deep ribs, its just not very loud. My cheap ply bass roars in comparison.

Also despite the large volume of space, its very easy to play with its smaller upper bout.

That being said the bass bows beautifully and has a sweet sound with clarity. I find it easier to hear, and therefor play in tune than my ply bass, just wish I could get some more projection.

I may take the top off later this year to learn. Id like to shave down the over built back braces to lose some weight. I also have an intermittent buzz that me and another luthier in town couldn't fix so the top needs to come off. I'll be measuring the top to see if it can be regraduated. I have a feeling the bass bar is far too big and should be replaced with a lighter, more resonant one.
 
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#5
BarnBass said:
Hi Brad

I also have a Gliga 3 and I have had the same problem. Nice arco sound but a weak pizz sound. Did regraduating solve your issue?
Click to expand...


Hey Barn, I still haven't gotten around to taking the top off. I have it setup with Sprio Mediums right now with string heights of about 5/6mm-7/8/9mm. I actually had to sell my ply bass earlier this year so I've been very committed to getting the best sound I can out of this bass.

With spiros and practice my sound is getting clearer and fuller everyday. Its an easy bass to try to "fight" pizz, but when I relax and let it speak, I'm actually pretty happy with its acoustic volume now.
 
#6
Just my $0.1
These basses are constructed in Romania from decent tonewoods mainly from the Carpathian mountains. The company produces many different qualities of instruments. The premium quality usually features double basses made with excellent tonewoods, hand varnishing and a robust construction. As all (well, almost) the Romanian basses they have backs and bellies a bit thicker than normal. This fact usually gives a nasal arco sound. All these instruments need a thorough set up as the factory's set up is almost nonexistent. In my opinion all these basses are also canditates for regraduation, since the proper graduation "liberates" the sound and they deliver all their potential.
I have regraduated a couple of them with impeccable results and they have been transformed to floor shaking instruments. A seasoned luthier surely can perform miracles with them.
A local visit offers the opportunity to buy them in attractive prices. In the States they are distributed by the company's subsidiary but the prices are higher due to transportation. In the same prices are some other options from well established double bass dealers who usually offer a free set up.
For any other infos please do not hesitate to ask me.
Mike
 
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#7
Thanks for your detailed reply MIKMAN.

Looks like regraduating might be a good option. Bass feels great and plays great but ive never quite been sold on the sound. Is regraduating generally expensive?
 
#9
Eric Frey said:
My bass is a "Bianca" hybrid from the Gliga factory. I bought it brand new at Violins, Etc. in Austin from Mark Rubin. Mine was made in 2007, I can't remember if I bought it in '07 or '08. I haven't seen another one since. I'm sure people play them, but I just don't see them in the wild.
Click to expand...

I got one just like it, 2015 model Bianca, beautiful and resonate, much nicer than a Shen Willow fully carved I owned. I emailed the Gliga factory about it. They wrote back "Violins Etc is buying instruments from us inclusive Hybrid d-basses. The hybrid d-bass made by us has laminated back and all the other parts are made from spruce and maple solid wood. And from Ken Smith "I have some Basses coming in soon from the Gliga factory via JR Music. A Plywood Corsini style and a Hybrid Panormo (aka Hawkes) model but Varnished by the Calin Wultur shop. The Hybrid is Plywood back only with solid bent Maple Ribs." If you can find a Gliga Hybrid, grab it, you won't regret it ;)
 
#12
Two weeks ago I made arrangements to buy a beautifully flamed & perfect looking Gliga violin.
I would say it was a good student level model. The price, surprisingly, was what I made for one strenuous bass gig, $300.

Unfortunately at the last minute the seller informed me someone picked it up.
 

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