soprano altissimo John Packer JP243 Soprano Saxophone from O'Malley Musical Instruments

soprano altissimo John Packer JP243 Soprano Saxophone from O'Malley Musical InstrumentsPrice level: Intermediate Performance guide level: Mid range professional Key: Bb The JP243 is a lightweight yet high performing one piece Bb Soprano Saxophone which has surprised many with its well made and reliable construction from high grade 80: 20 brass. Innotation is excellent throughout the range with small variations limited to a very narrow range. The instruments tone is even and well balanced, and coupled with a smooth and and well

Price level: Intermediate Performance guide level: Mid-range/professional

Key: Bb

Reviews

"I received this saxophone last week and have had great pleasure playing it.

The sax feels light, which for me is good, as I play without a sling and am now developing arthritis in my wrists. In fact it's 200gm heavier than my 1926 Buescher True-Tone, but so nicely balanced that it feels lighter on the right hand. Good news for us oldies and for younger/smaller players, too.

I like the integrated neck and (therefore) absence of a curved alternative crook, thought his might not suit everyone.

Overall construction and appearance are of a high quality.

Against expectations, I stuck with the mouthpiece provided, which plays very well. In fact, on this instrument, I prefer it to my (presumably more expensive) Vandoren, Barone and Link m/pieces. The square cross-section of the chamber arch reminds me of the Selmer S-80. It speaks clearly throughout the entire range of the instrument from low Bb to high G.

Intonation is excellent. The usual variations at tops and bottoms of registers lie within a very narrow range on this instrument.

Tone is even throughout the instrument. Inevitable differences of tone for overlapping notes either side of the break are useful, therefore, rather than sounding like different instruments, one too thin and one to thick.

The keys are smooth, even, fast and well positioned. My relatively short little fingers can be problematic with low Bb on some instruments. No problem at all with the JP243, which has a well-designed plate for the left-hand cluster. On some instruments altissimo keys are often difficult to find or too easily opened inadvertently, especially for players with smaller hands. Not so with the JP243. Fingering is intuitive and comfortable on this sax.

In conclusion, this is a remarkable instrument for its price range, and I would recommend it to beginners and professionals alike."

Professor David Burnand Royal College of Music London SW7 2BS Feb 2012