You have to wonder Why anyone bothers risking the disappointment of buying an old violin through an online auction house. I have bought about six old violins that way and none has been even satisfactory. They have all needed extensive (and expensive!) work and someone else's "gems" always turned out to be my nightmares! Elida Trading proves that buying a very decent stringed instrument online does not have to be a risky experience at all. I have just received my second Gliga violin from them and am pleased as punch! The sound of both my new Gama instrument and my two-month old Maestro is superb--far better than any of the older instruments I have bought and particularly without the various quirks that instruments acquire through decades of use (and abuse) by numerous players.
   Don't waste your money hoping to find a treasure that has been sitting in somebody's attic. With a Gliga instrument from Elida, you simply can't go wrong. Liz and David have done everything humanly possible to turn me into a satisfied customer--and they have accomplished what they set out to do!

GENIAL 2

Violin:  The tone was far better than I expected for the price.

Violin (left-handed):  While not wishing to get involved in the debate about whether left handed people should play left or right handed I would say that if someone has learned to play left handed then the difference between a true left handed violin and a restrung right handed instrument is like chalk and cheese. Having played the latter for a number of years and now having played your Gliga the sound is better than I have ever managed before (even the wife thinks so!) therefore I would have no hesitation in recommending your violins.

Violin:  [From a teacher] I wish I'd known about you and your Gligas before I advised [my pupil] to get the Stentor [Conservatoire]. It is a particularly good one  ... I conclude it must just have been a particularly good violin regardless of the strings. Still, a Genial 1 would have been better - warmer, and more professional looking.

Cello (1/2-size):  It's lovely. Thank you! … it has such a lovely tone compared with the ---- we are hiring. [His] teacher isn't around to see the 'cello at the moment, but I can't imagine we'll be sending it back.

Cello (1/4-size):  The cello arrived safe and well this morning. It is a nicely made little instrument and much better than the Chinese Stentors. The bridge will have to be lowered for my daughter, but I would have expected that.

Cello (1/8-size):  Very nice instrument.

GENIAL 1

Violin:  The luthier that our teacher recommended we have my violin checked by began our appointment with a look of disgust over having to spend his time looking at another "internet fiddle".  Apparently, he had seen enough "internet fiddles" to make him think that anything bought over the internet would be nothing but a piece of junk. When we took it out of the case, he looked at us as though we had not been totally honest about where we had purchased it and how much we had paid for it.  He said it did not look like an "internet fiddle".  He had never heard of the Gliga name, and questioned us thoroughly.  He then said that he had been repairing violins for better than 25 years and had never seen a Chinese violin, nor indeed, any other student violin that was made as well as my Gliga from Romania ... He ended our appointment by requesting the name, phone number, and website of the place where we had bought such a nice violin.  Amazing.  One minute it was an "internet fiddle" (you have to say that with a scowl and an air of disgust in your voice) and an hour later, it was such a nice violin.

Violin:  If the student ones sound this good, whatever must the professional model be like?!

Violin:  I am very pleased with the way it has played in. I am a peri and I use the violin in schools to save my posh one from being knocked about, for the price it sounds great.

Violin:  He has been hugely excited about it, insisted on ringing all round his family to tell them what a wonderful violin he had just been lent, willingly runs to it to practise in spite of being a rebel in all other directions, and both parents think it sounds wonderful. … Ahhhhh. It's nice to know how much happiness & inspiration Elida can bring (teacher quote).

Violin:  Violin arrived safely and I am absolutely delighted with it! Thank you for the prompt, friendly attention.

GEMS 2

Violin:  Our daughter's school band leader, who also plays and teaches the violin herself, saw the instrument and very impressed.  She tuned it, played it, and described it as 'lovely'.  Her actual violin teacher, who had recommended a Zeller, and was less than complimentary about our decision to buy a violin over the internet, actually liked it. She wrote in the lesson record book -  " I like the violin - will do nicely".

Violin:  The teacher listened to evaluate the violin's voice and tone as R-- played.  She commented that it had a really nice sound. … she was very impressed with the violin's appearance and its tone.  She commented on how nice the neck felt … [and] requested to know your web address.  As with our first Gliga, she is simply amazed at the price.  This time, however, there was the added surprise of the big Gliga sound coming from a little half-size violin. After lessons, on to the repairman's shop … [to carry out two trivial set-up adjustments costing $10.]
   He asked what kind of violin this one was and where we had bought it. … He smiled like a little kid about to open a present, removed it from the case, and told us that he had never heard of Gliga until last Fall when a couple brought one in for him to look at that they had purchased over the internet.  When I told him that we were that couple, he smiled again, and then said that he needed to thank us for telling him about Gliga.  He said that he was very impressed with what he saw last Fall, and that he has been recommending the Gligas to every parent since that time who asks his advice about where they can get an affordable, quality instrument for their children to learn on.  He then told us that this was only the third or fourth Gliga that he had seen, but that he was very impressed to see that they were all made with the same quality of materials and workmanship.
   [He] also shared with us how discouraging it is for him to see parents spend a lot of money on the instruments from China that are made with low quality woods that are carved while they are still green, and end up in his shop for major repairs while they are yet considered new.  As he said, the wood is going to age, regardless.  He is impressed that Gliga allows their wood to age BEFORE they carve it. … He said that from what he can tell in looking at them, they should last a lot longer than the other student instruments that he is asked to work on.

Violin:  If you'd told me it was £600 I wouldn't have thought that was unreasonable!

Violin:  My new teacher was very impressed with my purchase and has decided that he thinks he would not mind one himself. … I will get him to give you a call in the next few days. … Its all very exciting

Violin:  Dear Liz, just a quick note to thank you for supplying such a lovely instrument.  Despite the fact the I have never played before, the tone of the instrument is such that it makes my worst efforts sound reasonable.  What a far cry from the cat strangling memories I have of beginners playing the violin.  Thank you once again for your help and recommendations – words cannot express how delighted I am with my new Gliga.

Violin:  The Gliga arrived quickly and safely, and I am SO pleased with it.  The tone is superb, just as I hoped it would be, and it is a real pleasure to play!

Violin:  Our son M-- has taken to the Gem 2 1/2 size violin remarkably well but most of all so has his teacher. We have passed on your business card.

Violin:  my daughters violin teacher was seriously impressed with the violin, and thinks it's excellent value for money. In fact, she has taken one of your businesscards to recommend you on. Now it's tuned, you can hear what a nice instrument it is.

Violin:  Dear Liz, just a note to say how pleased I am with the Gliga violin I purchased from you. I've now had four lessons and can play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" very badly! My teacher is very impressed with the quality of the violin and also with the quality of the bow that you supplied. When I arrived for my first lesson and told him I'd bought it on the internet he looked at me like I was mad, but soon changed his mind when he tried the violin. If you want to use my recommendation in any of your literature please feel free to do so. Thanks again.

Violin:  Teacher was very impressed! (Phew!). Many thanks for your advice and honesty about the violin. I would certainly have no hesitation in recommending Elida Trading - violin teacher has taken your business cards

Violin (Guaneri model):  The Gems passed the aural test with flying colours. I need to play it side by side with the Gama over the weekend, but in an hour's playing, once I got used to the slight differences in bridge & action, it sounded wonderful, very resonant on the D & G strings, without compromising brightness at the top end. I'm sure it'll open up over the next couple of weeks even more. I couldn't spot any dropoff in volume vs the Gama, though I was playing in a very resonant stairwell. Again maybe this'll show in a head-to-head test.:

Violin:   I'm very happy with it. Thank you very much for making the effort to get the one piece back, I do think it looks a lot nicer and, as you predicted, it sounds a lot better than the {very popular brand} I was hiring.

Violin:  When you think, the £200 bracket used only to get you a *** - these are just completely amazing by comparison. *** are pants by comparison. People have no idea. (teacher quote of 1/4-size).

Violin:   I showed my gems 2 to a colleague who has played fiddle for 30 years. He was so impressed with my purchase he bought a gama 2 and is very pleased with it!

Violin:  I have found it very nerve-racking buying on the strength of a picture and someone else's description/opinion! It is only your helpfulness and the contents of your web site that has made me take the plunge. However, I am pleased that I did. The violin fits in well with my impression from your description, which seems to have been very fair and honest.
   So, we have been given a 'thumbs up' from the teacher - "appears to be well made", "mellow", "compares well with a Zeller" .......
   We have made a direct comparison with the Zeller in the local shop - 10 year old's opinion "the Zeller sounds more artificial"........ "I like the Gliga best".
   I could add more, but nothing that you don't already know, except that the whole family is appreciating the change, and older brother says "F's new violin sounds much nicer than the old one doesn't it? I might even stay in the sitting room if I'm reading my book there and she comes in to practise"!!!!!
   So, we feel that we have chosen the right instrument.

Violin:  We like the violin very much.

Violin:  I purchased a Gliga Gems 2 full size violin for my son from you last November. His playing has gone from strength to strength since he got it and his violin teacher is very impressed with the instrument. She was the fussy one who was dead set against us buying over the internet!

Viola:  It sounds very nice to me - although I had to play it like a cello to make much of it yet - and it looks really good!   [Quote from cellist about to start viola]

Viola:  [A massive 17½ inch one!]  Wow - it's such a beautiful instrument, and so enormous!? Thank you so much!
   I've just shown it to my new viola-teacher, who thought it was fantastic (but, like all of us, gorped at the sheer size!?), … - it sings very well, and the strength of the C string is, like you said, wonderfully cellistic. Despite it's truly collosal size, it actually fits me like a glove (!)
   Thanks for all your help …  And, just to finish, my teacher could not believe the price, she claims she's played on violas worth thousands of pounds which this instrument could be described as equalling! Such amazing value.

Viola:   The instrument is such a joy and so easy to play that I'm wondering if I've been playing the wrong instrument (and making the wrong 'viola' jokes) all these years. This has the feel of a quality new instrument and would fit quite happily into any 'fun' level orchestra or chamber group.

Viola:  Hi Liz, It's lovely!!! … he's chuffed to bits with it, will let you know any feedback from his teacher as it's his lesson tomorrow,*  The sound is beautiful, and I think we did the right thing by getting the 15 ". He quite likes the shoulder rest you sent, …*[later] His teacher again thought the viola was lovely, and that he has another 'very nice' instument to play, He's using it for his viola solo at a festival on Friday …

Viola:   What can I say - the instrument was stunning! It sounded - to my Viola-untrained ears - fab! The bow feels great, strings excellent - the wife loved the case. I am extremely happy with it, and my wife is stunned.

Viola:  I'm delighted with the quality and tone. My tutor was very sceptical about buying an instrument unseen via the internet, saying "You've no idea what you'll be getting." She was won over as soon as she lifted it out of the case, saying, entirely spontaneously "Actually it this not at all bad!" (This may sound like faint praise but take it from me, it is a very high commendation indeed).

Viola:  Lovely instrument.

Viola:  Just wanted to say thanks for the great viola. It arrived on Monday and I've barely put it down since! I'm getting on very well with it and even though I'm no expert, it sounds great to me

Cello:  Everyone is delighted with the cello and we'll be recommending.

Cello (1/2-size):  the cello arrived safely this morning. I am really thrilled with it. It's a lovely little instrument, plays beautifully. In fact, it has a much nicer sound than my own … [old, German, expensive] … full-sized cello, though of course the sound is not so big.

Cello: ... as near to being worshipped as a cello can be. ...

GEMS 1

Violin:   Smiles all round.

Violin:   Wonderful violin for the price. Very happy.

Violin:  Teacher very happy with little violin [it was a 1/4-size]- said she wouldn't mind one herself

Violin:  A great violin.

Violin:  I was having a rather late lunch with yesterday’s newspaper when [the postman] came into the kitchen [and] placed it on the table with the accusation “I might almost suspect you’ve been buying a new fiddle without telling us.”    I flannelled a bit and said that I’d been thinking about it for a while.  “Oh, it is a fiddle!   Well I’ve finished my round, so you can pour me a cup of tea and let me hear what it sounds like.”   “Not likely,” I countered, “It’s all right for you, but if I open that just now there won’t be another stroke of work done in here today.”   He grimaced with double disappointment.  “Ach, if that’s the way, I’ll just leave you to it.   But see and bring it to the pub tonight . . . they all know about it!”
  Well, it’s not going to the pub tonight, or any night in the foreseeable future – it’s just too wonderfully precious!   I did spend an hour or so this evening getting to know it though, and the first impression is that it is absolutely delightful.

Violin:  Our daughter is really thrilled with it and hasn't stopped practising since it arrived.

Violin:  I would like to thank you for the violin I bought last fall. it is an excellent Gliga violin. My son's teacher has an interest in his violin and would also like to purchase some for her students. I'll get back to you on further details on what she needs. there are no gliga violins around here in Caanada. She mentioned she would love to see all her students have the same as my son's.

Violin (butterfly pattern):   I just wanted to let you know how pleased I am with the butterfly Gems 1 fiddle I bought a couple of months ago. I showed it to the squire of the morris side I play for (who's also a fiddler) and he couldn't believe it when I told him it was brand new and only cost £300! We all agreed such a lovely tone could normally only come from a much older violin. The great thing is that it can only get better! My playing has also improved dramatically since buying this violin, probably because having such a lovely instrument has given me more confidence (I'd previously been playing on a knackered old chinese instrument). My friend who plays for the same side already has a lovely fiddle but she's now decided she wants one like mine! Thanks again for such a beautiful and unique instrument, in terms of sound and appearance. Buying over the internet was a gamble but it was a good one!

Violin (butterfly pattern):  Thank you very much for your prompt dispatch of the violin The violin looks gorgeous and sounds great - a huge improvement on the ones she is provided with by our county music service. Many thanks - this is our second excellent purchase from you.

Violin (blue butterfly):  The violin arrived safely yesterday and we all love it. The whole family have been playing it, and it has inspired me to definitely have a go at lessons.(I haven't mentioned the colour to the teacher yet!)

Violin (bird's eye maple):  I have a good report to share with you regarding our visit to the repairman, today!  He found the violin to be a sound instrument, and the appearance of the Birds-eye to be quite nice.  He did say that the nut was a little high, but did not feel that it was high enough to require an adjustment.

Viola:  My viola arrived today, safe and sound. I am so pleased with it - it sounds lovely!  It is much easier to play than my old one.  I couldn't wait to get home from work to try it out, and when I did I played it until my finger was sore!  As you said, it has a quieter sound than the one I'm used to, but it sounds so much better.

Viola:   I forgot to tell you that my music teacher approved of my new Gliga viola. She said it was a big improvement on my old one, and that it was good value for money. She also asked me to give her your website address so she could pass it on to her colleague who buys the instruments for pupils to learn on (for ----  Music service, I suppose).

The sound of both my new Gama instrument and my two-month old Maestro is superb--far better than any of the older instruments I have bought and particularly without the various quirks that instruments acquire through decades of use (and abuse) by numerous players.
   The workmanship is outstanding on both instruments. The Maestro is a magnificent work of art, clearly the work of the master. The Gama, a workshop violin, shows the strong influence of Vasile Gliga, but is not quite as perfect in the details. The sound of the both instruments, however, is rich, warm, absolutely well balanced and of professional quality, so the Gama is an incredible bargain at the Elida price.

GAMA 2

Violin:  I had looked at several violins but had been unable to find any that compared with the late 19th century German violin I had damaged beyond economic repair.  That violin had cost me £275 back in 1985 and replacing it with an equivalent today should have cost me £600 or so.  But not the Gama: £350 and I have a new violin that plays just as well as my Hopf did.  Whatever will it be like when it has matured I wonder?

Violin:  I wanted to thank you for the violin. It arrived, of course, in perfect shape. It is hugely easier to play than its predecessor.  Most of my waking hours out of the office since Friday evening have been devoted to it.

Violin  It looks beautiful and sounds wonderful, in short we are absolutely delighted with it!!! I know that his teacher is looking forward to seeing it … {later} … said he was very lucky to have such a lovely instrument! One of the teachers at the training strings orchestra, also commented that it was a VERY NICE instrument, at the first rehearsal he played it at. It really does sound far superior, and he need no encouragement to practice either!!!
   Thanks for all your help with the purchase and advice etc, needless to say we woudln't hesitate in recommending you to anyone we hear of who is looking to purchase stringed instruments!!!:

Violin:  We are absolutely thrilled with the instrument and will recommend it to everyone.

Violin:  Just a line to let you know how pleased I am with the excellent violin I purchased from you and the first rate service I received.
   If any customer of yours ever requires a testimony as to the quality of both the service and product received then please feel free to pass on my e-mail address, snail mail address or telephone number.
   The Gama violin has surpassed my expectations, even the great cynic M--- [a personal friend at a venue where he plays] … had to admit it not only looked nice but has a good tonal qualities as well  This happened last night (Sunday 6 July) when a visiting 13 year old German girl picked up my violin in the session and asked if she could play it, before I had a chance to answer to play it in a way that only a child prodigy can, my remark was 'cor you will be on to Paganini next' the retort from the young German violinist was I have been since I was eight!  What could I say?  M---‘s one retort was 'yeh well its all right doing the classical bit but where are the folk tunes?'(Philistine)

Violin:  The violin arrived today, and is WONDERFUL. It has surpassed my expectations, and I'm so grateful to you for answering all my questions. … I will … be spreading the word both on your excellent service and the beautiful Gligas.

Violin:  It has a very sweet tone, straight out of the box and it was singing to me. I brought it to the pub I regularly play in and I literally had to wrestle it back from a fellow fiddle player. I replaced the dominant G with an Obligato and it has improved, it seems to be opening up the more I play. Thanks for an excellent deal.

Violin:   we continue to be thrilled with the violin. We will be coming to you again when A-- needs to move up to a three quarter size. … A-- is now having lessons with the Head of Strings at [a well known public school] and he has praised her instrument (as well as her wonderful playing). I would be happy to let him have some information.

Violin:  The violin arrived this morning and it's beautiful!! The sound is very warm, just what i wanted!I like it very much! Thank you for your A**** service and advice.

Violin:  Just a quick note to thank you for sending the Gliga Gama 2 violin. It was safely received yesterday, and my daughter is over the moon with it. We all agree it sounds superb, and that the antique finish is absolutely beautiful.

Violin:  Everything I wanted.

Violin:   My daughter and her teacher liked it very much. At first, teacher suggest 1900 German violin but my daughter didn't want know because she like Gama so much. She plays more now. … Thank you for suggesting me Gliga Gama violin

Violin:   ... the violin is much admired and my daughter is very pleased with it.

Violin:  The violin arrived safely and we are delighted with it. A real beauty with a wonderful rich tone.

Violin:  My son just had a violin lesson with the 3/4 size Gama 2 violin you sent, and we're very pleased with it. His teacher was very impressed by its sound and playability (and the fact it came with good strings). She was also astonished how little it cost compared to similar quality instruments, in fact she said "I don't know how they can make this for that price". I enjoyed playing it myself for 1/2 hour at lunchtime when testing out some 3/4 size bows for (my son). During that time it was already starting to respond to being played by becoming smoother and richer.
   Thanks to yourselves and Gliga for making quality instruments available at an affordable price. When you are next talking to them, could you pass on my thanks for whoever picked out this violin to have a free E string? They sent exactly what I was hoping for ...
   Incidentally, the setup on this violin is absolutely fine, I don't think I'll bother with getting it redone to a top professional standard as I had intended unless the relatively soft and thick looking bridge appears to be holding it back at all after a few months playing.

Violin:  Just emailing to say how much I LOVE the Gliga! It's only my second day on it, with only an hour of playing on it yesterday and the tone has already noticeably improved/developed. It is gorgeous, just an absolutely beautiful dark rich tone which I had never thought I could produce (certainly not with the other one on loan from the music college). For some reason I find it much easier to play too, and the bridge is higher which means I don't hit the other strings that much anymore. It looks as good as it plays too. I am so delighted. I don't think I have ever been so excited playing the violin. Not enjoying playing it but actually excited over it.

Viola:  Thank you for mailing me the Gliga Viola which arrived safely.  I am very pleased with it.

Viola:  The people at the course [of string teachers] were very impressed with the sound and price of the viola.

Viola:  Just wanted to let you know that I'm ecstatic with my new viola! It's infinitely better than my old one and comparable with my violin which cost more than twice as much.

Viola:  …having been playing it now for a week or so, I can say … I think you have seriously undersold it.
   If anybody had told me that a brand-new instrument could play like that straight out of the case, I'd have said they were mad. The harshness/nasality of the A string disappeared completely within 20 minutes, to the astonishment of my family. At the moment the sound is beautifully silky and well balanced across the strings. The C string is rich without being tubby, the G full and warm, the D velvety and the A has that peculiar veiled brightness that usually only comes with a great deal of playing. You can get an octave and a half on the C string before the sound starts to close up, and it doesn't close up on the A until you're playing in the rosin. Dynamic response is also excellent, fortes are not harsh, and piano's have a lovely hushed, resonant quality. I think this quality will develop with playing. Fast articulation is also very clear, even on the C.
   Apart from its musical qualities, I find this viola very easy to play. Intonation is also forgiving - a consideration for someone like me, who plays the violin more than the viola.
   All in all, a really magnificent instrument now, and lots of room for future development. I have recently had tried violas by fairly prominent British makers from [big name specialist shop] and [another specialist shop], but they didn't come anywhere near this Gliga. My eldest son has started to ask whether they make 'cellos.

Viola:  Thank you SO much for all your help yesterday, and for expeditious preparation and dispatch of the Gama 14" viola. Arrived safely at 08.20 and first impressions, apart from pegs needing peg-paste, are excellent.

GAMA 1

Violin:  .we have had the Gama assessed at L's school.  The verdict is that it is an outstanding instrument with excellent sound quality.  To say the teacher was impressed would be an understatement.

Violin:  I am pleased to say our daughter's violin teacher has approved the Gliga.  She said the sound will improve as it is played and that after 6 months bedding in it will be worth having it reset-up by an expert.  She usually recommends to her students a German violin, but is so impressed she has said that she will start to recommend the Gliga as an option.

Violin:  It started singing when I first played it and I feel that there is a lot more sound to come with age. I often double stop (play 2 strings at once) and the Gama then sounds like a choir, the resonance is gorgeous. My old fiddle sounds a bit tinny by comparison. On the E string you have to be spot on the note or else, whereas on the Gama there's more room for manoeuvre. I know I'm going to enjoy playing this instrument for a long time.

Violin:  Received the Gama yesterday and had a quick practice last night. I'm very pleased with the instrument, it looks and sounds wonderful...even with my limited skills and I don't understand why but I seem to be able to cross strings easier on the Gama than my old violin. I like the strings and the case is great too...good recommendation. ... Thought you may like to know that I showed my new Gama to my violin teacher yesterday. I refused to tell him anything about it until he'd had a look at it and a play on it and given me his opinion. He was very impressed with the build quality, the bridge and tone and told me I must have paid two thousand for it. He nearly fell off his seat when I told him how much I had paid, including the case! I've passed on your card and his parting words yesterday were "I think I'll get one for myself"!!! You'll be hearing from him soon I've no doubt. [Note: The teacher did indeed get in touch with us and said that he thought the violin alone would have cost between £1500 and £2000!]

MAESTRO

MAESTRO 1 VIOLIN:  What an absolutely magnificent violin! I have no words to express how happy I am to have this instrument in my possession. I just wonder how you could possibly let it out of your hands!!
   Of course it was beautiful right out of the case. Every detail appears to have been crafted with the utmost care and competence. The dimensions are perfect and even the bridge is ideal. Then I picked it up an put in under my chin.
   So far, I have owned about 10 violins, most of them 100 years old or more, and a couple of new ones as well. Disappointment is probably the best way to describe my reaction to playing each of those other instruments the first time. Well, today was a eureka-type experience! I put the Gliga under my chin and began to fiddle away -- I didn't stop for three hours. The beautiful tone, the evenness across the strings, the latent power and the obvious potential for growth simply bowled me over!
   Now I have a problem. My 12-year-old son … picked up the Gliga for his daily practice session today, and he fell in love immediately. He finds it far easier to play than our antique instrument, his posture is better, and his sound is far superior on this instrument. So how do I get it back from him?
   You have both been so patient, accommodating, and professional -- and those are rare qualities in e-business today, at least in my experience. So why not let potential customers know about it!

MAESTRO 1 VIOLIN:  Very happy with instrument … took the Gliga to [a much respected violin shop] for a full setup today and the guy commented on what a good instrument it is. He then asked me the price and I don't think he believed me.

MAESTRO 1 VIOLIN:  I just wanted to let you know that I received the Gliga Maestro last week. I have to admit that in the first days I really had to get used to its sound, as it is quite different from the violin I had: warm and dark, rather than the bright sound I was used to. However, after a few days of playing I really started to like it - in fact, I now consider it a pleasure to own a violin which is completely different from my last one (I will keep both of them, for the moment I am too attached to the old one to sell it...). I have consulted several friends in my orchestra, and all were positive about it, especially considering its relatively low price. I have visited two of them who spend a lot of money (8000 and 10.000 euros respectively) on a newly build instrument, and in both cases, I couldn't hear that much differences in quality, and definetely not as big a difference as the price might suggest. Moreover, it is obvious that the Gliga is still brand new and still needs a lot of playing to 'open up'. I am curious how it will sound in 6 months from now, but anyway, I already like it very much as it is now.

MAESTRO EXTRA VIOLIN:  Frankly, I couldn't wait to tell you it's a joy to play and promises all and more than I could have hoped.
   Virtually straight out of the box, I was immediately struck by the beautiful tone and projection which is even across all strings. In the higher positions, the notes are clear, sweet and sonorous, and the lower notes are rich and dark. I've already played it for hours, and find it hard to put down.
   The craftsmanship is exquisite, and the cut of the scroll and f holes shout quality. The one piece wild maple back is simply stunning, and the varnish and general finish of the instrument is just eye-catching.
The set-up is text book, from the stop length to the tailpiece, and the bridge to the sound post, everything is precisely where it should be. The result is a quality instrument from a gifted, but seemingly still  little known maker in this country, which sounds and plays like one costing many times more.
   Over many years of violin playing I have owned several good French and German instruments, and I have played some fine and expensive fiddles, including Italian. Most of the makers were to be found in Henleys. The Gliga holds its own.
   Thanks for renewing and enriching my enjoyment of playing the violin.

MAESTRO EXTRA VIOLIN:   I've spent most of my life as a devotee of real hi-fi and sound reproduction so, I'm familiar with top quality sound. I know it's easy to make impressive sound, but very difficult to make good sound. I have played a few instruments around the Gliga price I have found brilliant clear tones, I have found deep rich tones but the Gliga gives a smooth sound with undertones and a vibrancy that the others lacked. A sound that, instead of being simple and two dimensional is full, complex and definitely three dimensional. It comes alive, even in my inexperienced hands.

MAESTRO SPECIAL VIOLIN:  I've had a good play this morning and this is a cracking little violin. The tone is very even across the strings, it's very responsive and has a silky quality to the sound. Not a huge amount of volume yet but it's definitely opening up and you can tell that there is a lot more to come. I can't really fault it, except to say that the pegs must have been forced in by a Romanian weight-lifter - I eventually got them out and put some peg paste on and now they're fine! I'm so impressed that I'd like to order another one …