Home > John Packer Range

John Packer Educational Range of Woodwind & Brass Instruments

As I am sure you are aware, there is a proliferation of new products on the market place. Many of you tell us of your concerns about the dubious quality of many of these instruments and the damage that they may ultimately do the pool of young instrumentalists in this country.

We have long been regarded as a specialist supplier providing only high quality instruments with proper technical support before and after sale. So, do our new products indicate that we have joined the 'pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap' brigade?

Absolutely not! We know that a hard earned reputation, that has taken many years to establish, can be lost in moments by putting a name on something whose only merit is a profit margin.

What we have done is source manufacturers who have two important qualities:

the capability of producing a consistently well made instrument.
a desire to work with our technical staff as a team to produce first-rate instruments that will be part of a constant process of review and improvement.

In the past we have worked in an advisory capacity with such names as Trevor James, Schreiber, Boosey & Hawkes, Jupiter and Yamaha. It seemed only natural to use this high level of technical expertise in the creation of our own range of new instruments.

Only when we are happy with the product in terms of manufacturing quality and performance do we put our name on it and we still check and adjust each instrument before despatch.

It is our firm belief that you will be happy with all aspects of these new products.....

Performance - each instrument plays to a standard beyond that suggested by its price

Technical accuracy - all components are made neatly and assembled accurately

Specification - all instruments have features usually associated with more expensive models

Presentation - due consideration is given to aesthetic elements as well as functional issues

Playing condition - all instruments will be despatched to you in full playing order

Accessories - we ensure that each instrument is supplied with all the essential accessories and not just the bare minimum as is commonly the case

Price - we are sure that your budget will benefit from lower product prices without you having any concerns about compromising on performance or longevity

What we can demonstrate, without the possibility of dispute, is that you don't have to buy a famous brand to buy quality and good value.

Because we are a straightforward company, the accompanying critiques from well known and independent experts are printed without change or omission.

Don't just take our word for the qualities of our instruments!

Please note that any prices mentioned in these critiques are those that were correct at time of writing and may no longer be valid at time of reading. Specifications may also have been improved in the meantime.

Click Downloads for our current JP price lists.

Read what the experts say ...

JP111 Flute The JP111 student flute is the equal of many of its more expensive market rivals. It is a warm-hearted and toned instrument with a rich creamy sound .. Read Full Review		Blues 151 Trumpet The imagination and thought that has gone into the making of this trumpet make it a successful, easy and solid instrument to play on, especially for the novice student .. Read Full Review
JP114 Piccolo John Packer Ltd. have just started selling their own brand piccolo and it is truly amazing. It plays very well and has been well-tested for durability by the Packer technicians .. Read Full Review		JP155 Trumpet It is my feeling that the JP155 could do a great job for all players on all types of repertoire.... Read Full Review
JP 123 Eb Clarinet This is a super little clarinet with very friendly playing characteristics and good tuning. The simple system, small tone holes and no central joint make these ideal for starter players. NB Eb not Bb! Read more		The ACE Trumpet '...the Ace has the same superb intonation and a consistent sound over the whole range with super G as secure as low G....they represent beautifully built trumpets............ Read more
JP121 Bb Clarinet The instrument I tried was free blowing with a lovely sound and perfectly acceptable intonation, in fact, better in tune than many far more expensive wooden models I have tried .. Read Full Review		D/Eb Trumpet The sound from this little trumpet is strong, well centred and sweet, rather reminiscent of a long lost and lamented pre war English Besson that I sold to keep the wolf from the door during my student years. Read more
JP122 Bass Clarinet (to low Eb) and JP222 Bass Clarinet (to low C) 'The Bass clarinet was also a fantastic bargain for the money and I think that schools and local authority music centres should be queuing to get one of these!!' Read more		JP171 Cornet "...Taking the instrument out of the case, I was immediately impressed by the quality of the workmanship and finish. It looks like a high quality instrument and ... Read Full Review
JP 041 Alto Saxophone Excellent starter instrument with good tonal and dynamic characteristics and high quality construction. Read more View Product		JP171L Cornet It was a pleasure to play the Blues 171 Cornet: the instrument is easy to play and very responsive. It encompasses a clear, focussed sound which projects well.... Read more
JP 045BL Raven Alto Saxophone 'The sound that emanates from the Raven is smooth yet bright, with a lovely jazzy buzz...' Read more		JP271 Cornet Featuring mobile 1st and 3rd valve slides and third valve water key. Excellent performance and build quality. Rose brass bell and leadpipe for full mature sound. Read more View Product
The JP 045 Antique Finish Alto 'Never before has it been possible to play to a full professional level on anything other than a "professional" standard instrument. This is a professional standard instrument...' Read more View Product		JP031 Tenor Trombone JP 031 is ideal for the starter. Well engineered and with just the right 'resistance' for an inexperienced player. Read more...
Blues 141 Alto Saxophone '...as you push the sound louder the saxophone responds, keeping the sound rich and musical without harshness... making it very satisfying to play...Read more		JP131 Bb Trombone The JP 131 is made and designed with the student trombonist in mind. With rose brass bell, nickel outer slide, chrome inner slide, .500 bore, 8" bell and a solid carrying case, you get a lot for your money here .. Read Full Review
JP 043 Soprano Saxophone "I can't believe how good it is, not only to play but the quality of workmanship and the standard to which it is built is incredible!..." Read more		JP133 Bb/F Trombone The build on the Bb is exceptional and yet the Bb/F is even better. It feels as you would expect a professional model to feel. .. Read Full Review
JP 042 Tenor Saxophone "... After that, it was off to Ronnie Scott's for a quick blow with the house band. Here the quick precise action of the sax was a godsend as some of the tempos really got flying!..." Read more		JP 136 Alto Trombone 'It's a cracking little instrument and I've already recommended it to numerous colleagues and fellow musicians who have tried it out and are similarly impressed.' Read more
JP 142 Tenor and JP 142 Extra Tenor Saxophone ... This makes it a powerful instrument, with a great deal of dynamic flexibility and very good tonal response...Read more		JP Flugel Horn View Product
JP 242 Tenor Saxophone The rose brass body of this instrument enables a level of performance that was previously unattainable in this price range with a tonal flexibilty and maturity that are normally only found in professional instruments. Read more		Hornblower 161 Single French Horn Bb The Hornblower 161 is the best student instrument I have tried by a long way. For a young horn player there are many good things about it, not least the case .. Read Full Review
The JP144 Cadence Baritone Saxophone 'The Cadence is outstanding in every way. The only difficulty in playing came from trying to blow whilst standing dazed and slack-jawed in disbelief! From the very first note, the instrument performed as well as, if not better than its competitors in the very highest price ranges. Bang in tune, beautiful bright sound and easy mechanism all adds up to an unbeatable package...' Read more		JP162 Bb / F Double French Horn Review to follow shortly View Product
JP 043 Curly Soprano Saxophone This is a new addition to the range so watch this space for pictures and reviews		JP072 Tenor Horn The JP072 has the look of a 'proper' horn. The valve action is sweet and the build quality is very good. This instrument is very easy blowing, but with appropriate resistance. Intonation is outstanding throughout the entire range of the instrument as is the quality of sound .. Read Full Review
JP181 Oboe The JP181 oboe is beautifully presented in a superb case, worthy of a professional instrument and far better than.. Read Full Review		JP 172 Tenor Horn This is a professional model with the quality and performance you would expect from a much more expensive instrument yet it comes at a student price! Read more
JP191 Bassoon Having tested the new John Packer short-reach bassoon, I was delighted by its design, intonation and quality of tone - so much so that I immediately ordered 10 for use in Primary schools in Northants .. Read Full Review		JP 172 Tenor Horn Silver Plate '....it is very free blowing and responsive with excellent intonation...' Read more
JP173 Baritone Horn The JP173 has a short valve action which is very good. As with the rest of the range the finish is again immaculate and, once again, it looks right. The valves are quite light but more than capable of performing the function .. Read Full Review		JP 273 3-Valve Compensating Baritone Horn ... and features a compensating system like that found on top range professional models. The JP 273 represents an outstanding level of instrument..... Read more
JP 273S 3-Valve Compensating Baritone Horn in Silver Plate It is capable of taking a student to the higher grades or equally could be used to great effect by a lower section/Youth brass band. Read more		JP174 Euphonium The overall workmanship and general appearance are both excellent. The instrument also 'looks right' unlike many other student models. It has very sturdy stays and a nice finish. Valve action is good but I would like to see softer felts .. Read Full Review
JP 274 4-valve Euphonium The JP 274 is a standard 4-valve model and it represents a great value starter instrument. It has the advantage of a conventional 4 valve 3+1 set up. Read more		JP 374 4 Valve Compensating Euphonium '.... it will send shock waves through the brass band movement as again it represents outstanding tuning and intonation complete with a traditional brass band sound.' Read more
JP 177 Tuba The JP177 has also been made slightly narrower so that a small player can 'cuddle the instrument' easily. Beyond the comfort issues, this instrument is resonant and free blowing and will blend well tonally into any ensemble. Read on		JP Post Horn The JP Post Horn is silver plated, pitched in Ab and is an ideal solo instrument. It has good build qulity, a lovely tone and is proving to be a very popular addition to the John Packer range. View Product