Amati ABG 201II Series Bb Bugle

Comments about Amati ABG 201II Series Bb Bugle:

Rich, mellow tone, excellent finish. Beautiful instrument, just wish it came with a case.

Comments about Amati ABG 201II Series Bb Bugle:

I bought this bugle for use in Civil War living history activities. I work professionally as a battlefield guide and living historian at Gettysburg. I am a self-taught Civil War fifer and aspire to be a self-taught bugler. I already owned a G-style bugle (U.S. Regulation type) but had been unable to bring notes from it with ease. With this model, I quickly progressed and now can produce a nice Taps, an OK Assembly, and a fair Reville. This is indeed an instrument representative of the Civil War period. Its conical bore produces the mellow sound charteristic of Civil War brass music. For me, at least, it proved very easy to produce clear, sweet notes. For the self-taught, I highly recommend the book/CD set titled "infantry Bugle Calls of the American Civil War", by George Rabbai. In that book, you will see photos of original bugles -- this Amati model is a nearly perfect copy of them.

Comments about Amati ABG 201II Series Bb Bugle:

I'm a full-time professional trumpeter and perform with two recreated Civil War bands, and I also play funerals. So I find this instrument very useful for a couple of reasons: 1) It has a much mellower, more pleasing tone than the "U.S. Regulation" G bugle, which makes for more poignant performances of Taps; and 2) it's the only new example available of the French 1835 pattern Clairon, which is period-correct for Civil War reenactor bugling duties. With the addition of a proper bugle cord, it will pass quite satisfactorily for a Civil War bugle. The playing qualities of the instrument are also quite acceptible. Face it, you have to be a good trumpeter to be a good bugler, and no bugle is going to make a mediocre bugler sound better. But if you want a nice-sounding, good-playing Civil-War-correct clairon bugle, this is your only choice other than waiting for an antique one to turn up on Ebay. And the price is right too!

Comments about Amati ABG 201II Series Bb Bugle:

The Amati is an outstanding bugle for the serious re-enactor. I am a battalion bugler for a Civil War reenacting group, and the Amati is the best I've yet seen. It is pitched in a comfortable (B-flat) range and far outshines the cheap, tinny, cavalry-style bugles seen in sutler tents at reenactments. I had the opportunity to play one recently and will order one as soon as I have available funds. The cost (about $110) is very reasonable for a top-quality instrument, the look is dead-on perfect for an infantry impression. If you're playing on one of the aforementioned cheap junkers, hang it on the wall and spend the bucks for this bugle. You will never regret it.