TubaForum.net

NEW BLOG POST!!!
Lignatone Model 68 BBb tuba

https://brassandpipes.wordpress.com/202 ... -model-68/

Thank you for the new post, always enjoy reading your blog

Interesting to read more about the B&F/Amati history.
My Amati B&F 69 doesn't have those small braces by the way

@TheBerlinerTuba, how does this model relate to the Cerveny 681 and what was the relationship between Cerveny and Amati during the communist era?

I actually learned CC tuba when I was in high school on an old borrowed Amati 481 (I think) CC that was very similar to these. But I always assumed it was just a Cerveny by another name, with the 400 series and the Amati branding denoting a less-fancy trim level than the 600 Cerveny series.

The relationship between the various Czech brass makers is hard to understand although some patterns could be observed such as you've noted, ie different trim levels.

Components were shared between different firms, with Cerveny and Amati producing relatively similar instruments, even though they were on opposite sides of the country.
What I found bizzare is that Ive seen an Amati 68 bell form for making bells in Kraslice and the same bell form in Hradec Kralove for making the 681 series.

One can say that the production was not simply badge engineering however some models were in essence the same.

For example the Cerveny Piggy model afak didn't carry the Amati name, and the smallest Amati F (sorry i cant remember the model) almost never had a Cerveny version.

I'm planning to interview some of the makers who worked at both factories (and Lidl) back in the 70s/80s and I am quite curious to hear their perspective.

Do you have any knowledge about the models numbers that were used?
for instance my Amati B&F 69 looks very similar to the Amati B&F 1657 you have a blogpost on (although mine was a 3-valve from the factory). Also I have a Cerveny 1660 which is clearly an Arion model (but is not marked as such) , which now has model number 683

BramJ wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 4:20 pm Do you have any knowledge about the models numbers that were used?
for instance my Amati B&F 69 looks very similar to the Amati B&F 1657 you have a blogpost on (although mine was a 3-valve from the factory). Also I have a Cerveny 1660 which is clearly an Arion model (but is not marked as such) , which now has model number 683

I don't have any more information than what one can gleam from existing catalogues online and what I've seen in my workshop. Some of the model numbers were started before WW2 and others were modern inventions. I think in this case it's better to trust our eyes more than the numbers. If it looks like a duck...

@@TheBerlinerTuba
I have found enough Amati and Lignatone catalogs, bit do you know if there is also an Amati B&F catalog? The seller thought that my 69 was from the '50's, just trying to find some more info on it

If I come across something, will let you know. As far as I know, the Amati tubas engraved with B&F were identical to most Lignatone instruments and usually were nickelplated.