The Professional Series:
John Packer Ltd has been a well established and highly respected retailer for over 40 years and supplies a full range of brass and woodwind instruments.
They have now teamed up with leading instrument maker Paul Riggett of Sterling Musical Instruments, to come up with these professional level instruments.
JP377 Sterling EEb Tuba
The JP377 Sterling EEb tuba has the higher style leadpipe that I found more comfortable, due to the fact that it is curved around the bell a little more, meaning that you don’t have to hold the instrument so ‘straight on’.
The sound is big and round while still retaining control over clarity and articulation, especially in the higher register.
The instrument felt at home in both the lighter and heavier orchestral repertoire and is an excellent all-rounder.”
Specifications:
£4,070.00 (inc VAT) in lacquer
£4,579.00 (inc VAT) in silver plate
• Sterling design and leadpipe - A real high quality design to maximise performance
• High grade 80:20 brass - Durable with improved sound quality
• Compensating system - For more accurate tuning
• 19” Bell – For greater sound projection
• High quality engineering - For durability and reliability
• Available in lacquer or silver plate
• Professional hard case manufactured in Germany
• Specially designed JP611 mouthpiece
More information:
http://www.johnpacker.co.uk/Catalogue/Brass/Tuba/EEb-Tuba/Midrange-Professional/JP377-Sterling-Tuba-EEb-in-Lacquer-or-Silver-Plate
JP378 Sterling BBb Tuba
Packer’s most recent addition to their range is the JP378 Sterling BBb tuba.
I was astonished by how good this instrument is!
The British brass band style BBb bass has always been an unwieldy beast: every instrument seems to have different characteristics, it is usually very hard work to achieve a good round sound, and, personally, I feel very tired after playing one even for a short time.
This instrument is totally different.
All the handholds are in just the right place, the fourth valve is within easy reach, as is the leadpipe, and there are no worries about it falling off the chair.
I felt that I could play this instrument all day. It produces a fantastic sound with a good solid core and it is in tune all the way up the scale.
It is very clear to see that John Packer along with Paul Riggett of Sterling Musical Instruments, have spent a great deal of time dealing with the traditional problems of these instruments and have come up with fantastic solutions.
Anyone looking to buy a bass should take a serious look at this range as the quality and price are very hard to beat.”
Specifications:
£4,490.00 (inc VAT) in lacquer
£4,999.00 (inc VAT) in silver plate
• Available in gold lacquer or bright silver plate
• Paul Riggett design
• BBb piston valve, high grade 80:20 brass
• 730" bore
• 19" bell
• Four valve compensating system
• 4 waterkeys
• Mouthpiece and case
More information:
http://www.johnpacker.co.uk/Catalogue/Brass/Tuba/BBb-Tuba/Midrange-Professional/JP378-Sterling-BBb-Tuba-lacquer-or-silverplated
For further information on any of the JP tuba range or to request an instrument on approval, please contact Steve Herbert, Brass Manager on 01823 282386 (menu option 1) or email http://steve@johnpacker.co.uk
http://www.johnpacker.co.uk/default.aspx#.UqmvSfRdUg8
This review was published in the December 2013 edition of Music Teacher Magazine.
The Author:
Wilfred Driscoll (above) studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and the Royal Academy of Music.
He is a highly respected freelance tuba player and teacher in London, performing with the likes of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and London Symphony Orchestra.
