Definition
Amati Kraslice is a Czech manufacturer of woodwind musical instruments, headquartered in the town of Kraslice in the Karlovarský Region of the Czech Republic. The company produces and exports clarinets, saxophones, flutes, piccolos, and related accessories under the brand name “Amati.”
Overview
Amati Kraslice continues a long tradition of instrument making in the Kraslice area, which has been a centre for the production of wind instruments since the late 19th century. Following the privatization of state‑run factories after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, the Amati brand was established to market the output of the newly independent company. The firm supplies instruments to professional musicians, music schools, and amateur players, and its products are distributed in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. Amati instruments are generally positioned as offering professional‑level quality at a comparatively moderate price point.
Etymology / Origin
- Amati – The brand name references the renowned Italian Amati family of violin makers (c. 16th–17th centuries). The use of the name is intended to evoke a heritage of fine craftsmanship, although there is no direct historical link between the Italian luthiers and the Czech company.
- Kraslice – The suffix denotes the town in which the company is located. “Kraslice” (Czech) translates loosely as “little branches” or “little decorations,” and the town has been associated with musical‑instrument production for over a century.
Characteristics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Product range | Clarinet families (Bb, A, bass, contrabass), saxophones (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone), flutes (concert, piccolo, alto, bass), accessories (mouthpieces, reeds, cases). |
| Manufacturing | Instruments are produced using a combination of CNC‑machined parts and hand‑finishing techniques. Many components (e.g., barrels, tone holes) are made from high‑grade grenadilla or other tonewoods; metal bodies are formed from brass or nickel‑silver alloys. |
| Market positioning | Targeted at intermediate to professional players seeking reliable performance with a focus on ergonomic keywork and intonation stability. |
| Distribution | Export-oriented; products are sold through authorized dealers, music‑store chains, and online retailers worldwide. |
| Reputation | Widely regarded for consistent build quality, competitive pricing, and a strong after‑sales service network in Europe. |
Related Topics
- Kraslice (town) – Historical centre of Czech wind‑instrument manufacturing.
- Czechoslovak musical instrument industry – Overview of state‑run factories and their transition to private ownership after 1990.
- Other Czech woodwind brands – Examples include Eva, Panton, and Klooster.
- Amati (Italian luthier family) – Prominent Renaissance violin makers, unrelated to the Czech company but lending its name to the brand.
Note: While much of the company’s contemporary information is publicly available through trade publications and the firm’s own communications, certain historical details—such as the exact year of the brand’s founding and the precise lineage of its predecessor factories—are not definitively documented in widely accessible encyclopedic sources.