JP student tenor sax & the JP model-up alto sax

[bloke]

The John Packer student model tenor saxophone is such a fine instrument that I never recommend to anyone that they buy the more expensive model. Not only does it play really well, but the low C key is double reinforced, it comes with (flashy stuff that players of all ages like) really fancy engraving, blue mother of pearls, and it's offered in several finishes.

I just sold one to a perfect stranger on Facebook for her son. He picked the "vintage" finish that - frankly - we've never sold before. They're going to send pictures, because I'd like to see if the actual instrument looks like the pictures on the internet. A local woodwind professional was really enthusiastic about the instrument. They were the ones who went over and removed the storage wedges from underneath the keys - which stay there until the instrument is sold. We sold this instrument to them for less than the sort of prices that I see people asking for old used Bundy II, Mexico Conn tenors, and other such so-so instruments. It's way better than those, and quite a bit nicer and than the entry level Chino-Japan instruments, which cost thousands.

least expensive JP tenor pics, info, and specs: https://www.jpmusicalinstruments.com/pr ... -saxophone

To be really candid, I'm not as impressed with the entry level JP alto (though it's perfectly acceptable), and even though it looks really great and plays just fine, but I would recommend the model up JP alto over the least expensive one. The model up alto is really quite amazing. It's really difficult to find an alto saxophone made by anyone at any price that easily plays anywhere close to In tune - without depressing additional keys or lipping. The octave D's on the model up JP alto are on the money, along with some of those pitches that one would expect to be sharp around the middle of the instrument (which are trouble-free on the bit more expensive JP Alto). As a model up, it's not very expensive at all, particularly not if bought from us.

better JP alto pics, info, and specs: https://www.jpmusicalinstruments.com/pr ... -saxophone


LOL...I've noticed that nearly all of JP's instrument descriptions under-represent, and label them as suitable for much less accomplished players where as better players (or even doubling pros, or pros seeking back-ups for vintage Selmers) would probably find them to be perfectly fine. I suppose under-promising and over-delivering (with so many of their descriptions) has its good points, but I believe JP overdoes this.

[bloke]

I also like JP's NICEST oboe better than Fox's least-expensive oboe - whereby their features are the same, yet the JP price is $XXXX less...and not "for the money"...I like it better...The JP plays great, and the JP key work more resembles that on a professional oboe - "finger-fitting" rather than flat surfaces, etc...

I tend to view JP's obvious copies (or similar not-copies) of various other models (tubas) to be as good as those which they reference.
I have no issues with JP vs. PT-15, no issues with JP vs. 2250, no issues with JP vs. Arion (I like the JP better, in regards to this one), I prefer the JP over the YBB-105, I have no issues with JP vs. M-W 25, no issues with JP vs. HB-21/Adams, and no issues with JP377 vs. Besson...I haven't spent enough time with the other 3+1 JP compensating tubas (nor JP's very small student E-flat) to comment on those. I suspect that - were it ever (??) that the less-expensive JP compensating E-flat were someday offered with the S-shaped (vs. straight) mouthpipe, I'd sell a ton of those as well...but alas...

The JP euphoniums don't need any carnival-barking, as they've made their own reputation.

The JP low C bass clarinet (though lots of pieces/parts that need to be handled as if by adults - ie. with care) - as they are of the same intricacy as the Selmer Paris low C bass clarinet, and is a complete (albeit plastic) copy of the Selmer Paris, France (fantastic for Broadway show pit musicians, as well as people who prefer pricing of "a few thousand" vs. "over ten thousand")...and JP's regular (low E-flat) plastic bass clarinet is also just fine...and I've seen improvements (re: durability) on that model - over the past few years.

The clarinets, flutes, piccolos are fine (but so are plenty of others offered in the used market, if "used" are some of the better makes, and in new condition with new-condition pads).
I'm thinking that (when Buffet shut down the Schreiber factory in Germany - which had been making the E-11/International clarinets and plastic clarinets) they must have (making an assumption, here) moved their beginner/intermediate clarinet production to China.
The wood JP looks very "Buffet-like", so that tends to make me wonder (??) about "which factory" and - (other than the plain-surface barrel rings, bell ring, and branding) what might be - otherwise - the same as what...

The Rath-licensed series trombones are amazing, though JP also offers a complete less-expensive lower "good-enough" line of trombones as well.

The JP (albeit gold-brass bell) double horn 8D copy (so I suppose it's more of a 28D copy) is really-really nice...I would just like for them to come out with a bigger "Geyer-style" double horn (other than their really nice fixed and screw-bell reference of the YHR-567).

We've sold a whole bunch of the JP bassoons - and with good reports, but (honestly) we've NEVER had one here in the shop, so we have no first-hand experience with those.

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In the past, I've admitted to being lazy (actually, to the fact that I do several things for a "living"). I wouldn't sell "new" if I had to re-warehouse every single instrument and (as with quite a few domestic, Asian, and even European makes) crack open all the cartons, and make certain that everything is "right" prior to RE-shipping...I just don't have time in my life for that. I can drop-ship JP instruments with no worries.

[wrightjackson]

ok