Amati

The town of Graslitz in Bohemia holds a deeply significant place in the global history of musical instrument manufacturing. This industrial legacy began as early as the 17th century with specialized violin production, before expanding rapidly into wind instruments during the 18th century. In 1840, the first dedicated factory was established in the region, paving the way for a massive manufacturing boom. By the interwar period, Graslitz had become a world-renowned hub, boasting an impressive 59 different musical instrument manufacturers. Among the most celebrated names from this golden era were Bohland & Fuchs, A.K. Hüttl, and Julius Keilwerth.

The outbreak of World War World II severely disrupted this thriving ecosystem; many traditional workshops were forced to close their doors, while others were mandated to switch their production lines to military weaponry. Following the end of the war, in September 1945, a group of surviving manufacturers decided to combine their resources and expertise, forming a brand-new cooperative named AMATI.

Following decades under state control, AMATI was privatized in 1990 as a privately owned enterprise. However, after facing severe corporate challenges and mismanagement, the company stood on the brink of total bankruptcy. It was successfully rescued, transitioning back to its historic roots under a new owner who once again restructured the company as a cooperative. Today, the historic town of Graslitz resides within the borders of the Czech Republic and is globally recognized by its Czech name, Kraslice.