Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2004 16:09:04 -0700
From: tubadave
Subject: Re: [CB] [CB Digest]
In 1998 the US government stated to all who work with beryllium
(where I worked) that there are NO safe levels of exposure to this
substance. Many who have worked with it in the space programs, nuclear
& electronics (defense) programs have been instructed to be tested
for beryllium exposure (beryllium disease). it effects the body in a
similar way as asbestos but it is far more reactive where asbestos is
more passive. but the symptoms are the same. There is no cure for
beryllium exposure. Any tech who works on the instrument with that
stuff on it should take extra precautions to replace all pieces with it
& avoid breathing or touching loose or friable beryllium.
FYI:
I now suffer decreased lung capacity & asthma symptoms,
preventing my playing of musical instruments for more than 20-30
minutes at a time. this is serious stuff, NOT like with cigarettes,
where after a year you get your lungs back again.
tubadave
> We acknowledge receipt of your fax regarding your
contrabass clarinet and
> are pleased to inform you that this instrument was made in
December 970. As
> far as the springs are concerned, the gold colour is given
by the special
> anti-oxydizing product (berilium) with which they have been
treated.
---------------------------------------------------------
From: "chris franz"
Subject: [CB] Amati
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 10:56:54 -0500
Regarding Amati horns, I would stay away from Amati horns all
together. They seem like very cheaply made instruments. My
opinion is that they are a waste of money and time.
Chris Franz
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 12:20:48 -0400
From: Paul Lindemeyer
Subject: Re: [CB] Amati
Chris Franz wrote:
>Regarding Amati horns, I would stay away from Amati horns
all
>together. They seem like very cheaply made
instruments. My opinion
>is that they are a waste of money and time.
Not necessarily. Amati seems to have cleaned up its act since
Iron Curtain days.
Earlier this year I bought a new Amati ACL 342 German-system Bb
soprano clarinet - a very nicely made entry-level wood horn that feels
and sounds good and plays in tune. As a doubler from Boehm, I'm quite
happy with it.
No, it isn't a bass or contra - I haven't tried one - but...
-P.
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 12:13:58 -0500
From: jim
Subject: Re: [CB] Amati
> Regarding Amati horns, I would stay away from Amati horns
all together.
> They seem like very cheaply made instruments. My
opinion is that they are a
> waste of money and time.
What manner of human being wakes up each morning knowing they'll
waste their day making a product that does not function properly?
Or do they believe otherwise...
"We strive to 'implement' the long tradition of musical
instrument production into our products. High quality instruments are
guaranteed because of our long experience and fine craftsmanship. AMATI
- Denak's instruments can satisfy the most ambitious players' demands.
Best proof of that are our many satisfied players all around the world.
One of many great examples is the former President of the United
States."
-- From the Amati website.
Jim
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 11:46:14 -0700
From: Bill Lieske
Subject: Re: [CB] Amati
jim wrote:
> AMATI - Denak's
>instruments can satisfy the most ambitious players' demands.
Best proof
>of that are our many satisfied players all around the world.
One of many
>great examples is the former President of the United States."
That explains it. Clinton makes people who can play saxophone
want to get out and fight.
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 11:05:46 -0700
From: "Chuck Guzis"
Subject: Re: [CB] Amati
I'll chime in here on the only Amati instruments with which I'm
familiar--their low brass.
Amati also markets the Cerveny line of tubas and
euphoniums. Cerveny is a brand that goes back to the very early
days of valved brass and is the grandaddy of tuba makers. After
WWII when the Sudeten was re-nationalized by Czechoslovakia, Cerveny
was one of the brands that was rolled into the AMATI state
cooperative. Quality, as one might expect, suffered
greatly. I imagine that the same could be said for most of the
other brands that became part of AMATI (Kohlert, Kielwerth, Huttl,
etc.).
In general, for any Amati rotary-valved tuba design, there is a
corresponding Cerveny model. Principal differences mostly lie in
use of materials (e.g. Amati tends to use brass for everything,
Cerveny adds nickel-silver for ferrules, outer slides and valve
mechanism components. Cerveny may also add a nickel wreath to the
bell.
Construction is usually along traditional Bohemian lines, which
involves somewhat thinner metal than German, American or British
designs.
The fly in the ointment is Amati piston-valved instruments,
which one should avoid. Amati has their own technique for making
piston valves, which involves a sleeve inside the valve casing,
internal cap threads and badly-fitting pistons. For their piston
valves to get to be up to snuff with the rest of the world, they'll
probably need a complete redesign. Which, to the best of my
knowledge, hasn't happened yet.
As with all handmade items, Amati and Cerveny instruments may
differ considerably from sample to sample. So if you decide to
purchase one, make sure that you can select it from several.
Amati/Cerveny horns can be a good deal for the money.
My .02 only,
Chuck
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 20:47:52 +0200
Subject: Re: [CB] Amati
From: Klaus Bjerre
Chuck Guzis' posting is along with my own written on experiences:
(please scroll about 40% down the page).
The pre-1991 Czech were made in a culture, where raw materials
were extremely expensive compared to the value put on even highly
skilled human labour.
The Amati-watered-down-from-Cerveny instruments were expected to
need a high level of skilled maintenance almost right out of the box.
They may even then have had a fairly short life-span if put into heavy
use like military parading.
Actually I made two postings right below each other. The second
carries some photo proof of my points.
And even with higher quality brasses the German-Czech tradition
leans towards brasses made out of very thin sheets.
The purpose is a lighter response and a richer overtone
structure even at lower dynamics.
Less suited for large concert halls, where such instruments will
break up far too early in louder dynamics.
Very good for opera pits, where they will play with clarity in
lower dynamics. And they will appear to play very loud in upper
dynamics without actually making more noise, than the singers can
navigate through.
Klaus
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 12:13:36 -0700
From: Craig
Subject: Re: [CB] Amati
jim wrote:
>What manner of human being wakes up each morning knowing they'll
waste
>their day making a product that does not function properly?
>
>Or do they believe otherwise...
>
>"We strive to 'implement' the long tradition of musical
instrument
>production into our products. High quality instruments are
guaranteed
>because of our long experience and fine craftsmanship. AMATI
- Denak's
>instruments can satisfy the most ambitious players' demands.
Best proof
>of that are our many satisfied players all around the world.
One of many
>great examples is the former President of the United States."
>
>-- From the Amati website.
The former President?
Let's see, there are four living, and about 3 dozen who have gone on.
Of those living, only one has gained any notoriety in connection with
musical instruments. I wonder why they didn't refer to him by name.
"Nudge-nudge, wink, wink, say no more!"
Craig
---------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2004 15:31:31 -0400
Subject: Re: [CB] Amati
From: Michael C Grogg
Well, Jerry Ford never was much known for his playing
ability.
:-)
MG
***End of Contrabass Digest***