I have the previous model to this. It still has the Smith Watkins lead pipe but in rose brass. It has a full sound with slightly more edge (which I prefer) than the Sovereign on which it looks to be based. The valve action is very good if a little heavy. Still quick enough to tackle Airs varied and triplet polkas though if that is your wish. The 1st and 3rd valve slides are triggered and move well. The laws of physics prevent cornets from being perfectly in tune on every note but this is as good as any other top class cornet I have played recently including Sovereigns and Strads. I also own a Strad which I acquired more recently and this runs it very very close for playability and sometimes I still use this in preference. Build quality is good though not quite up to the standards of Yamaha, Bach or Besson. However, that doesn't affect the way the instrument plays. I have used this in concerts and competitions and it has performed well. There is very little else new at this price point which comes close to the way this plays and with second-hand you are probably going to have some valve wear and compression loss on a top class name instrument because you will be looking at 20 year old examples or more (don't be fooled by just popping the slides get a magnehelic compression test done). For this reason the JP is an excellent choice if your budget is around £1k. If you can afford a Besson etc I would still suggest you give the JP371 a try. You just might prefer it.

Can't fault the excellent delivery time and the advice I received when deciding which instrument to buy from John Packer. I was given a delivery slot after 24 hours from order and the driver was on time, very good response given the problems at the moment.
After over 50 years since playing in a band at solo cornet level it was a bit strange and difficult at first to find the pitch again. The instrument is very well built and as time and practice goes by it will get better and easier to play. All round it is well finished (silverplate finish) with a excellent carry case etc. Because of Covid-19 I needed to oil the valves and grease the slides and to be on the save side I gave it a good soak in soapy water.

I discovered John Packer instruments whilst searching for a decent student model trumpet for my son. Having bought a used one, I found it to play very well and with excellent build quality. I decided to put my faith in a JP cornet for myself despite never having tried one. The service by John Packer was amazing and the instrument arrived within 24 hours of my order. I found this cornet easy to blow in all registers, I found it particularly easy to control quiet playing in the low and mid registers and it blew freely up to F above top c without too much effort. The valves were nicely in tune and again it looks to be very well built. Very happy with this instrument.

This is a good cornet