News : John Packer Ltd

Antique trumpet

24 Nov 2009

THE antique finish may make the JP251 look old - but it is very much a new trumpet on the brass scene.

Andy Hague  - who directs the Music For You Jazz Summer School, and has acted as an external examiner for the Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama jazz degree course - tried it recently and described it as "outstanding".

He was so taken with it, he even made a recording of him playing it!

In between playing and recording Andy found time to wax lyrical about the 251, here is what he said:

"For starters, this instrument looks fantastic if you like the unlaquered or vintage appearance that has become popular amongst jazz players in recent years. It also has rather snazzy valve top inlays which an eleven-year-old pupil described as “cool,” so there you have it.

"The playing characteristics of this instrument are outstanding, and as other reviewers have pointed out it does genuinely bear comparison with trumpets costing several times more. Overall I’ve found the intonation to be rather better than for the professional level instrument I’ve played for many years, requiring less lip and slide adjustment for those awkward notes. It feels comfortable and easy to play.

"The JP 251SW represents outstanding value for intermediate players, and is certainly worth considering up to professional level. Give it a try, you might be pleasantly surprised."

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