It’s not often you get more than you bargained for.

Jonathan Pippen (solo trombonist – RAF Central Band) reviews the JP231Rath Bb trombone and the JP332Rath Bb/F trombone and discovers that you can get quality performance without the quality price tag. These instruments are ideal for aspiring players from student to semi pro and beyond. Their price means that they are accessible whether the player is a student in education or a player in a training band. Each one carries the indelible fingerprint of the effort that Michael Rath has put into this collaboration.

The article below is reproduced by kind courtesy of Brass Band World monthly magazine.

‘The new JP/Rath trombones: ‘unsurpassed value for money’

Brass Band World magazine gave trombonist, Jonathan Pippen, the JP332 and 231 Rath trombones to road-test and he was bowled over by the unrivalled quality to price ratio.
"These new offerings from John Packer, designed by British trombone guru, Michael Rath, promise much in the way of quality to price ratio. It's been my task over the last week or so to put the trombones through their paces, to provide you with an impartial review of their performance.

For your perspective, these are student trombones, but with a build and playing quality intended to take you further into your playing career than an instrument from another manufacturer perhaps would.
Both instruments are presented in a hard case with cloth cover incorporating handle and shoulder straps. The bustle of the school bus won’t be a worry here and the case is sturdy enough to place in any aircraft hold. The only down side is that, for the instruments to fit in these cases, you have to push the main tuning slide in. An oversight on an instrument marketed towards young players, but one that is easily remedied.

The JP231 Rath is a .525" medium large bore trombone, which is exactly the sort of instrument most players will start on and most teachers will recommend. The first impression when taking it out of the case is that the slide feels substantial. Heavy even. This trombone is a straight Bb model with 8-inch bell. It has a warm sound, more akin to a large bore instrument, but production feels easy. It’s well balanced and comfortable to hold and, like the slide, the bell section also feels weighty and the metal of the bell is pretty thick. The intonation is sound and the positions fall where ‘A Tune a Day’ says they should. No problems to report here.

It's worth stating here that the slide action is one of the finest I've ever felt on an instrument straight out of the packet and, with a little lubrication, is at least as good as I'm used to on my professional instrument. The slide action on the .547" bore JP332 Rath is exactly the same, so no fluke there. The slides are simply superb.

The 300 series instruments offer the option of an F attachment on either the medium or large bore instruments in the JP Rath range. The trombone I tested is the large bore JP 332, which has a closed wrap F section and standard rotary valve with specialist Rath cap. It’s also supplied with a counterweight on the tuning slide that helps to balance the trombone when the slide is extended past the 8.5-inch bell. As a large bore Bb/F instrument, this trombone finds itself up against stiff competition from all quarters of the industry. It's slap bang in the middle of Conn 88h and Bach 42 territory, and I have to say that even in this company it’s no slouch at all. The playing characteristic is full and mellow, and the heavy bell centres the sound. Production feels easy through the registers; the trigger functions well and has a fast action that helps with production of the low Ds, and Cs. The valve cap, which is a little heavier than a standard one, also helps to centre the notes on the F side.

The smaller of the two instruments (JP231 Rath) would be perfect for a beginner and it would not be out of place in the hands of a professional as a spare or emergency trombone while working in the big band or pop industry. The build quality is far in excess of its £432 price tag, which is one of the most competitive in the business.

The larger instrument raises more questions regarding its place in the world of beginner / intermediate instruments. In honesty, I think the weight and added expense of the F attachment will impede its use as an instrument for a seven-ten-year-old beginner, but its quality of build and playing characteristics are those of an instrument that would cost far over the £826 rrp. For the money, this is without doubt one of the finest instruments on the market.

These trombones succeed in offering a money-quality ratio that, to my knowledge, no other manufacturer has achieved. As a ‘starter instrument’, I would have no hesitation in recommending these trombones and encouraging the use of the straight variety. I would suggest that young or smaller beginners should avoid the Bb/F model simply because of weight, but once secondary school age is reached this ceases to be an issue. The Bb/F trombone will be a useful addition to any music service or school music cupboard because, to all intents and purposes, it will do the job of a professional instrument and, of course, functions as a bass trombone for a youth band or orchestra. These are solid functional trombones and, in my opinion, offer unsurpassed value for money."

Our JP245 alto saxophone has just received its second rave review, this time from CASS magazine!

The following review went to press in the Autumn edition of CASS 2012. Review by William Upton

"Saxophones such as John Packer’s middle of the range JP245 alto are pushing the likes of Selmer, Yamaha and Yanigasawa to justify the extra expense at the top end of the market.

From the moment one picks up the JP245 it is clear that it is a quality instrument, banishing the expectation previously endemic among lower budget saxophones of lazily designed key work. The bottom left hand cluster is fluid and light and the palm keys and top F spatula are in the right places for navigating this awkward area of the instrument. The transition from the standard range to the altissimo is smooth and the extended register is a pleasure to play. Indeed, the entire range of the horn is well balanced and, saxophone snobbery aside, should not make you feel out of place in any style of music. The use of blue steel springs, Italian leather pads and metal resonators indicate a high attention to detail. The mother of pearl inlays and tastefully minimal engraving on the bell and upper body add a touch of sophistication. Most importantly, the tuning on these instruments is good, excepting the usual saxophonic minefield at the bottom of the range where they have clearly made an effort to correct the ubiquitous sharp low Bb. The zippered case is compact and light with a large front pocket, a well thought out backpack facility and a shoulder strap.

The availability of reliable information on saxophone construction means that customers are more knowledgeable, demanding more from manufacturers, and the only major element separating this horn from those at the top of the range is malleability of timbre; the sound is thick and rich but lacking in pliancy – not a bad starting point for anyone looking to upgrade their instrument. Perhaps its highest endorsement is that professional players have been happy to take these instruments on tour in preference to submitting their precious Mark VIs to the rigours of the road. Packers have also lent me a Soprano which shows similar qualities and would be a good buy for the discerning player who is not bothered by brand snobbery. With their regular attendance at Trade Fairs and their lovely shop in Somerset this company are certainly committed to the British sax and clarinet scene."

To see a video of the JP245 in action, to read more about it, or purchase, click here!

PHOTO: The JP245 alto saxophone.

MODESTY is always a laudable virtue, but sometimes it is good to blow your own trumpet. Even better if someone else blows it for you!

Robert Harris, French horn with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, recently road-tested the JP261D Rath French horn with detachable bell.

We developed the JP261Rath french horn with Michael Rath, and it is an ideal horn in terms of price and performance for anyone heading for the higher grades and a considerable way beyond. It features a fully adjustable F/Bb thumb lever making it suitable for even the smallest hands and it is easily reversible for those who prefer the horn to be in Bb rather than F. It is also available  without a detachable bell, the JP261Rath.

This is what Robert had to say:
"I have great pleasure in recommending the JP261D Rath double F/Bb French horn as a fantastic instrument for the intermediate level horn player (grade 4-7). It is a remarkably free blowing instrument and the example I played had an excellent top register. It has mechanical valves. so no strings to repair, and is robustly manufactured. The detachable bell model comes with a very user friendly backpack case all at an extremely competitive price. Perfect for taking to school or youth orchestra. Definitely worth thinking about if you are looking for a first double horn."

This is a great French horn. And you can buy it by clicking here

We're delighted to have received this review from Mark Armstrong about our JP351SW LT trumpet. Mark is Musical Director at NYJO and Jazz professor at the Royal College of Music. 

"I was recently asked by the chaps at John Packer's if I would review one of their recent introductions to the market - the JP351SWLT trumpet. Having both tried and been impressed by some of their earlier instruments I was keen to see what they had conjured up now. This interest was further enhanced by the fact that this instrument is a movement into new higher market areas for the Packer team and this means that you are battling with tougher opposition. Firstly the model number - 'SW' shows that, once again, Richard Smith (of Smith-Watkins) has been involved both in the overall design and, specifically, the all important lead pipe.  The 'LT' refers to the fact that the bell is very lightweight which, combined with the nickel silver reverse leadpipe, is an interesting combination on a large bore instrument.   

"On first sight I was impressed by the build quality - lovely construction and the slides and valves all moved sweetly and positively. Not only are Packers collaborating with the best designers in the West they are also using western grades of materials and, it seems, the best technology to ensure good construction quality. This instrument is over £1000 less than my own trumpet, but the build quality appeared to be equal.  It's impressive even when you open the case and look at it.  

"That's the cosmetics dealt with, but how does it all combine as a working tool for a musician? I tested this trumpet both at home and 'in the field'. My initial tests made me feel so confident in the instrument’s capability that it has now been heard by many people who have been to see Chicago in the West End. The sound is pleasingly warm and centred even at extreme dynamics and its overall characteristics make it ideal for jazz, big band or showmusic etc. Capable of power or subtlety with equal ease.   

"Frankly, at this price, this instrument is amazing value. Packer's intention in bringing higher quality & performance to the market place at accessible prices has certainly been achieved. I have been happy to use it professionally and will be using it again on Boxing day when I take NYJO to the Today [BBC Radio 4] programme.  This trumpet is without doubt capable of professional performance, but priced to be accessible to players doing the higher ABRSM grade exams. Great combination!"

See this wonderful trumpet by clicking here!

"...Wildest surpise: John Packer Rath (student horn????) (available at Dillon)

The multiple question marks are because this horn [JP230 Rath], other than the $700 pricetag, did not say "student" at all.  This horn has the most heat, bite, and sizzle of ANY "student/intermed" horn I've ever tried.  Absolutely perfect for pop/soul/funk/section playing, in my opinion. And an incredible high range playability.  Just remarkable. Horns like this have the potential to change the game at many levels.  Remember the loud playing small bore thread? This horn goes on it, darn near the top of the list. A very dominant, passionate high register, and slots great between High F and altissimo A flat - I'm not used to horns that you can lean on THAT hard (fff) and get your effort's worth up in that register. I had to settle in and focus in order to stop cracking the F from above...

Instead of sending my students who are looking for a solid jazz horn on a semi-tight budget to find an old 2B or 3B, for the same or less money - this horn is a winner. 

And I tried the .5

25 [JP231 Rath] as well -  This horn handled somewhat like a .508 but played very big and still soulful...More of a solid blow than a 3B, and with a broader yet quite intense sound. Think of Jimmy Bosch type tone without the effort that you'd normally have to give to get that much sound out. I had NO idea on first try that it was .525.  This is kind of what I imagine a KING 4B really WANTS to do...Both excellent horns, and exciting additions to the marketplace in terms of quality and pricepoint. Congrats to Rath and Co..."

For the full review click here

For more information about the American Jazz trombonist Roland Barber click here

WE'RE exceptionally proud of our JPRath collaboration trombones. Below you will find a link to a review that has been posted on the famous and authoritative 4BarsRest website.

The review has been written by Stephen Sykes who is very much a rising star in the trombone firmament and who is rapidly following in the impressive footsteps of his father Steve Sykes, the world renowned tuba player. Stephen won the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist competition in 2009 and took the awards for Best Soloist at the British Open and Brass in Concert.

In an extract of Steve's review he says: "John Packer's decision to team up with Michael Rath has been fully vindicated. These instruments are much more than just getting a well known manufacturer to 'lend' their name to be stamped on a cheap and cheerful product. Built in china, real care and attention to build quality and design has produced four excellent instruments - all the more remarkable given the price that are being sold at. What you get for your money are four very good instruments designed with the performer and their limitations, but especially their aspirations in mind."

For the full glowing review click here 

We believe this review reaffirms the confidence that we have in these fabulous trombones.

Anyone wanting to know more about this exciting range of instruments, can contact the John Packer Ltd brass department by emailing steve@johnpacker.co.uk, or calling 01823 282836.

THE antique finish may make the JP251SWA 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 251SWA, 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 251SWA represents excellent value for intermediate players, and is certainly worth considering up to professional level. Give it a try, you might be pleasantly surprised."

Picture: Andy Hague with the JP251SWA trumpet

Click here to buy the JP251

John Packer JP231 Rath Trombone

“This is the first we are told, of a number of collaborations between retailer John Packer and manufacturer Michael Rath, with Rath having had a hand in the design of the instrument and Packer finding a quality manufacturer in China. The 231 comes with a medium-large bore and a very playable, lightweight slide. The build quality is excellent and the finishing is nothing short of superb. It’s a very responsive instrument, particularly in the middle-to-lower register, where it can really bark. The upper register needed a little getting used to, requiring as it did a lot more puff. But the tone is warm and the character of the sound suggests that the 231 would be just as comfortable in a symphony orchestra setting, as it would be used by a jazz group or big band. At a fraction of the price you might expect to pay for a horn of this quality, it all packs into a standard nylon denier semi-hard, zippered shaped case, with exterior zippered pocket, grab handles and a back harness with a Velcro flap cover.”

David Gallant

Jazzwise November 2009.

Click here to buy