From Horn-U-Copia for Willson:
Established in 1950 by Willy Kurath senior. Wind instrument and percussion repairs. Newer shops built in Flums, Switzerland in 1955 and 65.
Name changed to Willson Band Instruments Switzerland. New premises at present location built in 1970. State of the art, high tech facility. Plasma welded bells developed.
Purchased "Bauerfeind" valve company of Nauheim Germany 1988.
Developed and patented the "Rotax" rotary valve concept. Presently run by second generation, Willy Kurath, producing high quality, modest production volume brass band instruments
Kurath/Willson History?
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bisontuba
- 6 valves
- Posts: 4320
- Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2004 8:55 am
- Location: Bottom of Lake Erie
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gregsundt
- Undecided
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- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 8:49 pm
- Location: South Cackalackee
Re: Kurath/Willson History?
I special-ordered a Willson 3+1 compensator through Getzen (actually, DEG) for a friend in the late 70s. It was the Kurath brand that came later, and I do believe it was concurrent with the CMC/Perantucci era. Peter Hirsbrunner, as I recall, was less than pleased.
Last edited by gregsundt on Sun Apr 03, 2016 7:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
"The only problem with that tuba is, it does everything you tell it to!" - Robert LeBlanc
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aqualung
- bugler
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- Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2010 12:34 am
Re: Kurath/Willson History?
Willsons were distributed by DEG/Dynasty for quite a while. They also produced piston contrabass and euphonium bugles for DEG. I beta-tested the contra prototype for Don Getzen in Jan 1979.
The other Getzen-named company was pushing M-W tubas during that era.
The other Getzen-named company was pushing M-W tubas during that era.