I don't recall seeing this link posted before, and as many of us have Gliga instruments and love them, I thought you might like to see the workshop.

I found it fascinating.

I agree - really worth a look!

W

Golly yes - fascinating.

I have two Gliga violins, or rather I have bought two for my daughter. One day, when I can justify spending the money on myself, I plan to replace my current violin and viola with Gligas. But some way off, I fear.

Wow!!

I don't have a Gliga, but I had a 5-string made for me a few years ago by Tim Philips in Wales. Every now and then he would post a photo on the web so I could see how it was getting on. It's a fascinating process.

Wow! I agree, that really is interesting and worth watching! A lot of people I know have said that his instruments are really good.

I almost bought one of his violas (not a Maestro, I'm sure), but I got this no-name German one from the 1920s instead. =)

Nice vid!

Might be worth pointing out, though, in case any confusion should ensue - that isn't Vasile Gliga that we see - it's one of the workshop employees and so we can't really talk about buying 'one of his instruments' as he doesn't actually make them, they're workshop made instruments, not benchmade. Excellent quality workshop instruments, but workshop nonetheless.

It's a fascinating process, isn't it?

The chap in the checked shirt is definitely Vasile Gliga - I would swear to that in court. Now, I am not for a minute suggesting that he makes all the Maestros, he doesn't. Cristian has been reported as saying that Vasile makes all the Maestro Specials but I would not be prepared to guarantee that either - we had a special once that certainly was not made with that amount of care, though most have been lovely (we sell very few specials). But from time to time on violinslover's site you see violins that are specifically listed as copies of such and such, and are priced accordingly. And of course this is a promotional video - Glgia might well have done much of the work on that particular violin for the purposes of the video. After all he surely can't spend all day just walking round the workshop.

Actually I wish they would offer a "made from start to finish by Gliga himself" violin that was certified as such, even at a much higher price I am sure there would be takers.

Liz

I would buy a start to finish one from them - but from what they told me he hardly gets involved in the process at all these days - the maestro label means that the fiddle has more or less been made by one luthier, and one of the better trained ones - still pretty good for the price you're paying! I asked a few times about the possibility of a Vasile Gliga made fiddle and got no response, or got slightly cagey reponses along the lines of 'he doesn't have the time to make violins any more'.

I stand corrected about the fellow in the vid - I remembered him looking different to that, but you're right, it is indeed him!

Wow what an interesting video!!