Gliga I Violin Outfit - 7/8 Size Premium Handcrafted Quality & Expert Setup

The Gliga I 7/8 brings the finest timber grading and most experienced craftsmanship in the Gliga range to players who need or prefer a slightly smaller instrument. Whether you are a smaller adult player, a musician managing pain or injury, an advanced player with smaller hands, or a gifted younger student in transition from 3/4 — this instrument offers the acoustic capability and quality of the Gliga I range in a format that fits your body.

Handcrafted in Romania from medium to high flame superior tonewoods by the most experienced makers in the Gliga workshop, the Gliga I 7/8 is completed with Pirastro Violino strings, an Aubert bridge, an Articul carbon fibre bow and a deluxe half-moon case. It arrives at our Altona workshop where it is expertly set up before dispatch.

Angkor Music Workshop Setup

Every Gliga I 7/8 at Angkor Music is expertly set up in our workshop before dispatch. This is online stock — please allow 3 to 4 days for transfer to our Altona workshop and setup prior to sending. Our setup includes fitting the premium French Aubert bridge, installing Pirastro Violino strings and precisely adjusting the Ebony Swiss-style pegs for smooth, reliable tuning. The Wittner tailpiece with built-in fine tuners is fitted as standard. The instrument arrives ready to play. You are welcome to visit us at 4 Drake Boulevard, Altona to try instruments in person before purchasing.

Who is the 7/8 Violin For?

The 7/8 is one of the most underappreciated sizes in violin playing — many players who would benefit from it simply do not know it exists. At Angkor Music we regularly recommend the 7/8 to the following players:

Smaller Adult Players

Adults who are approximately 5 feet tall or have an arm length of around 23 to 24 inches often find a full size 4/4 violin physically awkward — requiring an unnatural stretch that causes tension in the shoulder, arm and wrist. The 7/8 provides the full tonal character of a professional instrument in a body that sits naturally under the chin and in the left hand.

Players Managing Pain or Injury

For players dealing with arthritis, tendinitis, shoulder pain or tendon injuries, the smaller, lighter body of a 7/8 can make a significant difference to comfort and sustainability of playing. The reduced reach required for left hand positions and the lighter weight reduce strain considerably — many players who believed they could no longer play violin have returned to the instrument after switching to a 7/8.

Advanced Players and Professionals with Smaller Hands

Players with smaller hands can struggle with the wide stretches required in advanced repertoire on a full size instrument. Complex chord positions, extended techniques and higher positions become significantly more accessible on a 7/8 without any meaningful sacrifice in tone or projection. Many professional violinists and orchestral players perform on 7/8 instruments.

Gifted Younger Students in Transition

Talented students who have outgrown a 3/4 but are not yet physically ready for a full size 4/4 often benefit greatly from a period on a 7/8. It provides better control, more accurate intonation and a more natural posture than forcing a transition to full size too early.

Gliga I — The Finest Timber, The Most Experienced Hands

In the Gliga workshop, it is only the most experienced builders who work with the higher grades of wood selected for Gliga I instruments. These expert craftspeople draw on decades of knowledge as they graduate the plates with precision and artfully tune them — producing fine violins of genuine acoustic character at every size.

  • Solid Spruce Top: Fine straight grain superior spruce — producing exceptional resonance and tonal complexity. The sound continues to open up the more the instrument is played.
  • Solid Maple Back, Neck and Sides: Medium to high flame superior maple — dense, consistent wood structure contributing to sustain, projection and tonal warmth.
  • Hand Applied Antique Oil Varnish: Carefully applied so as not to hinder the instrument acoustically — allowing the wood to vibrate freely while protecting it and giving the instrument its warm, aged visual character.
  • Inlaid Purfling: Meticulously inlaid by hand — not painted.
  • Stradivari Pattern: Built to the proportions of the world's most celebrated violin design, accurately scaled to 7/8 size.

Quality Fittings Throughout

  • Ebony Swiss-style Pegs: Precisely adjusted for smooth, reliable tuning.
  • Ebony Fingerboard: Genuine ebony for long-lasting durability and a professional feel.
  • Ebony Chinrest: Comfortable and durable.
  • Wittner Tailpiece with Built-in Fine Tuners: Precise tuning on all strings — reliable and easy to adjust.
  • Aubert Bridge: A quality bridge contributing directly to tone, response and projection.

Pirastro Violino Strings

Pirastro Violino strings are fitted as standard — a synthetic core string designed for advancing students and intermediate players. Known for their easy playability and expressive tonal range, the Violino allows players to explore a wider range of tonal colour than entry level strings permit. As the instrument is played in and the player develops, your teacher may recommend upgrading to Pirastro Obligato, Evah Pirazzi or Jargar Superior strings.

Premium Outfit

  • Articul Carbon Fibre Bow with Ebony Frog and Horsehair: A premium bow offering exceptional consistency of flex and response — durable, reliable across a wide range of conditions and a bow worthy of this instrument.
  • Deluxe Half-Moon Case: A well-constructed, protective deluxe half-moon case — a fitting case for an instrument of this quality.

Specifications

Model Gliga I
Size 7/8
Ideal For Smaller adults, players managing pain or injury, advanced players with smaller hands, gifted students transitioning from 3/4
Arm Length Guide Approximately 23 to 24 inches (58 to 61cm)
Pattern Stradivari
Top Material Solid Spruce
Back, Neck & Sides Solid Maple
Grade Medium to High Flame Superior Tonewoods
Varnish Hand Applied Antique Oil Varnish
Purfling Inlaid by Hand
Fingerboard Ebony
Pegs Ebony Swiss-style
Chinrest Ebony
Tailpiece Wittner with Built-in Fine Tuners
Bridge Aubert
Strings Pirastro Violino
Bow Articul Carbon Fibre with Ebony Frog and Horsehair
Case Deluxe Half-Moon Case
Origin Handcrafted in Romania
SKU 81484

Please Note: This is online stock — please allow 3 to 4 days for transfer to our Altona workshop and expert setup prior to dispatch. As these instruments are handcrafted from natural wood, the colour, grain and flame pattern will vary slightly between individual violins, while maintaining the same high standard of quality.

Understanding Handmade Violin Craftsmanship

A handmade violin is not a factory-produced instrument turned out by computer-controlled machines to identical tolerances. It is a hand-built wooden instrument crafted by individual makers using traditional techniques that have changed little in centuries — and that is precisely what makes it special.

Gliga I instruments are built by the most experienced makers in the workshop. Each instrument is individual. Minor cosmetic variations are not defects — they are the hallmark of authentic handcraft and are entirely normal and expected. Here is what you may notice:

Varnish and Finish

The hand-applied antique oil varnish may have small surface variations — minor bumps, pits or areas of slightly uneven thickness. These are natural blemishes in the wood or varnish that were deliberately preserved to maintain the structural integrity and thickness of the plates. Sanding them smooth would compromise the acoustic performance of the instrument.

Corners, Edges and Scroll

Handmade instruments may have slightly thicker or more rounded corners and edges than the refined finishes of high-end Italian instruments. The scroll is hand-carved and unique to each instrument. These are characteristics of traditional handcraft, not flaws.

These minor cosmetic characteristics do not affect playability, tone or structural integrity in any way. If you have any questions about a specific instrument, you are welcome to contact us or visit our Altona workshop at 4 Drake Boulevard before purchasing.

Expert Advice at Angkor Music

At Angkor Music Melbourne, we regularly help players find the right size instrument for their physiology, playing history and musical goals. The 7/8 violin is often the correct solution for players who have been uncomfortable on a full size instrument for years without knowing this option existed. Our team is happy to discuss whether the Gliga I 7/8 is right for you — and you are welcome to visit us at 4 Drake Boulevard, Altona to compare the 7/8 and 4/4 in person before purchasing.

★★★★★ 4.9 Stars — Read Our 1,500+ Google Reviews →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 7/8 violin and how does it differ from a 4/4?
A 7/8 violin is approximately 2 to 3 percent smaller than a full size 4/4 — the body length is slightly shorter and the string length is marginally reduced. To the eye the difference is subtle, but to the player the difference in comfort and reach can be significant. The tonal output of a quality 7/8 like the Gliga I is virtually indistinguishable from a full size instrument to an audience — the acoustic difference is minimal while the physical benefit for the right player is considerable.

Is a 7/8 violin a compromise compared to a full size?
Not at all — for the right player it is the correct instrument. Many professional violinists and orchestral players perform on 7/8 instruments. If a full size violin causes physical tension, strain or discomfort, playing on the wrong size is the actual compromise. An instrument that fits your body correctly will always produce better results than one that does not.

Is a 7/8 violin suitable for players with arthritis or tendinitis?
Yes — and this is one of the most common reasons players seek out a 7/8. The slightly smaller body and reduced string length lessen the reach required in left hand positions and reduce the overall weight and leverage on the shoulder and arm. Many players managing arthritis, tendinitis or shoulder injuries find they can continue playing comfortably on a 7/8 when a full size has become painful or impossible.

What makes the Gliga I different from the Gliga II and Gliga III?
The Gliga I represents the highest tier of Gliga's range — built exclusively by the most experienced makers in the workshop using the finest grades of timber, with medium to high flame maple and the most precise plate graduation and tuning process in the range. The Gliga I also includes the Articul carbon fibre bow and deluxe half-moon case. At 7/8 size, the Gliga I is particularly valuable for players who need this size for physical reasons and do not want to sacrifice acoustic quality to find it.

What arm length is suitable for a 7/8 violin?
A 7/8 violin is generally suitable for players with an arm length of approximately 23 to 24 inches (58 to 61cm) measured from the base of the neck to the centre of the palm. However arm length alone does not determine the correct size — hand size, shoulder anatomy and personal comfort all play a role. We recommend trying both 7/8 and 4/4 if possible before deciding. Contact us and we can discuss your specific situation.

What string upgrades would you recommend?
The instrument is fitted with Pirastro Violino strings as standard. As the instrument opens up with playing, your teacher may recommend upgrading to Pirastro Obligato, Evah Pirazzi or Jargar Superior. All are available at Angkor Music and our team is happy to advise on the best choice for your instrument and playing style.

I noticed some minor imperfections in the varnish — is this normal?
Yes — completely normal and expected. Please read the handmade craftsmanship section above. Gliga I instruments are hand-built by the most experienced makers in the workshop. Minor varnish variations are the hallmark of authentic handcraft and do not affect playability, tone or structural integrity in any way.

Can I try this violin in person before purchasing?
Yes. You are welcome to visit our Altona workshop at 4 Drake Boulevard. We strongly recommend trying the 7/8 alongside a full size 4/4 to experience the difference in comfort and reach — particularly for players considering the switch for physical or injury-related reasons.

★★★★★ 4.9 Stars — Over 1,500 Google Reviews →     ✓ Happy with your purchase? Leave us a review →

SKU 81484
Brand Gliga
Unit Of Measure ea

Be The First To Review This Product!

Help other Angkor Music users shop smarter by writing reviews for products you have purchased.

Write a product review