Perhaps you should put up a notice on your website with information on how to positively identify a whistle as an Alba. You could mention that there are cheaper whistles being made that may look very similar, but that are not Albas.
There was a fife maker in the U.S. who had a very similar problem a couple of years ago. He put up some close up pictures of tiny details that showed how to clearly identify his work.
Other than that, if you don’t have a patent, you can’t do much except stop them from putting the Alba name on their whistles.
Thank goodness I have the skill to make my own stamps, so as already said if it has not got this on it its not an Alba Standard.
Copying is one of the things we all as makers have to put up with it would seem,after all just look at how many Overton lookalikes that are about :roll:
Stacey,
You also have the stamp in the back (“Made in Scotland”) that distinguishes yours from copies. Perhaps you should consider etching your signature and a make date into them as well (perhaps on the inside like Colin Goldie does)?
Patrick
Etching a sig and date - also done on Burkes, or numbering them and providing a signed cert of authenticity like Silkstones.
At the end of the day - they may look similar, but they won’t sound the same. Sadly, the uninformed won’t know any different. You only need to look at the number of whistles in the UK being sold as Overton (unmarked) on ebay “because that’s what I was told in the shop (in Ireland) when I bought it”.
Main thing is to keep ears open for these things being affordably distributed from within the EU.
Maybe the guy thinks he’s doing you a favour by offering you these to save you the work of making them . Just thinking of all the fake designer stuff you see on sale in the Far East - they certainly don’t see it as fraudulent, just a way of making a living.
He He I can just see Micheal holding of the hoards with ALBA Whistles
10 playing washer woman,all in differant keys at the same time should hold off thousands.
As a Zulu warrior myself, I take GREAT offense at this statement. Furthermore, I would like to take this opportunity to announce the following lawsuits… (Please see Brassblower’s Metallica Is Suing Me thread for relevance’s sake.)
Oh, wait…
This isn’t the Metallica, “Sue 'Em all” thread… Sorry. Must have gotten turned around in all the excitement. :roll:
Carry on.
Kenneth (Who is STILL determined to get an AUTHENTIC Scottish Alba!!)
Well, I think it’s at least obvious that there’s those of us that do know who’s who! Unfortunatley when I went to look for patents, you can’t patent a musical instrument of course. Then only thing you can patent is some sort of unique aspect or radical feature. As long as it’s considered a variation on a theme, you simply can’t patent it. It was possible I might be able to patent my removeable/adjustable mouthpiece, but it wasn’t worth the expense to not be 100% positive.
Besides.. Alba will always be 1st in that really cool Alba whistle design!
(Not to mention, Stacey has that really cool logo)
Oh yeah, and on a personal note: I think Stacey is quite cool, and Stacey was very kind in welcoming me back after rough times. So whoever the butthead is, he/she’s treadding on someone elses hard work. The only problem with trying to stand on someone elses shoulders is that when they move forward, you fall on your a**. So I hope they make a pleasant thud when they hit! All my best Stacey!
Besides.. Alba will always be 1st in that really cool Alba whistle design!
(Not to mention, Stacey has that really cool logo)
Oh yeah, and on a personal note: I think Stacey is quite cool, and Stacey was very kind in welcoming me back after rough times. So whoever the butthead is, he/she’s treadding on someone elses hard work. The only problem with trying to stand on someone elses shoulders is that when they move forward, you fall on your a**. So I hope they make a pleasant thud when they hit! All my best Stacey!
Take care,
John[/quote]
Wow John that almost make’s it all worth while
True enough I do like to try and be as inventive as possable and rightenough those that have copyed my whistles are often copying older
ones.
Rember that I now make whistles with fipple art lots o loverly colours!
no doubt we will be seeing other makers we that soon to
Thanks again John
Stacey
. Just thinking of all the fake designer stuff you see on sale in the Far East - they certainly don’t see it as fraudulent, just a way of making a living.
