Please help reading this engraving from the UK

[imperialbari]

255452451891224.jpg

I don't get that engraving.

There are more pictures here, but not really of the engraving:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0913510631

Klaus

[Ken Herrick]

Interesting, Klaus. I don't think there is any real "meaning" to the bit above made in England. Likely just a made up trade mark for some fairly obscure maker.

[David Richoux]

Nothing logical is turning up in lists of musical instrument makers I have found - it could be a fake logo to imply a UK manufacture of a Indian (or other source) maker.
Since the seller is somewhere in Central Europe, the actual origin of the horn is also a big question.

From my years in Graphic Design I would guess the way to read it as GAFE or possibly EAFE (with some very creative text manipulation.) I may be way wrong!

[imperialbari]

So it isn't just me missing any obvious maker's ID, I guess.

Thanks!

Klaus

[thattubaguy]

It's possibly an Amati logo, particularly the Amati "kralise" logo

[David Richoux]

It's possibly an Amati logo, particularly the Amati "kralise" logo

Not very close -

logo-amati-kraslice.jpg

[imperialbari]

The design of the tuba fits well with the Amati assumption. Besson/B&H had their 3rd or 4th line instruments made by Amati. From what I have seen so far, there was no cheating in that arrangement insofar that the often elaborate English engravings always were supplemented by the engraving Made in Czechoslovakia.

Omitting the indication of the country of origin may be a matter. Engraving a wrong indication is much worse.

There are schemes however, where the indication may be legal and somewhat misleading at the same time.

Before WWII bought all or most parts for some of their French horns in Europe because the taxes on importing assembled instruments was relatively much higher than on imported parts, so Conn did the assembly and engraved their own name.

More recently Yamaha had assembly facilities in the US for certain model lines, while the parts still were made in Japan. I have read an estimate saying that the US based elements of the production contributed 70% of the end value.

Klaus

[imperialbari]

Brian, are you sure the Polish seller, akordbrass, is behind the Accord instruments discussed on TN?

Klaus

[Ken Herrick]

Any possibility of a connect to the Salvationist instruments or former employees of the instrument factory?

I VERY much doubt it. Back in the 70s to early 80s I worked on a lot of those which I feel certain were really rebadged Boosey / Hawkes. They were a quality instrument.

This reminds me a lot of a cheap and nasty Czeck made BBb tuba I struck 15 plus years ago in a band out in the bush. Can not recall the brand name on it but, I do clearly remember that it would be compllimentary to call it a P.O.S. !