This is a blog post I've wanted to do for a while and anyone who knows me or have read past posts will know that while my own euphonium is a UK made Custom Sterling Virtuoso, I am also a big fan of the Chinese made, John Packer Sterling (JP374). I recently wrote about it and compared it with a Besson Prestige (read here). In that post, I also gave more details about my experience with John Packer over the years.
In this post, I am putting these euphoniums up next to each other and even giving the JP a test in an actual Grimethorpe Colliery Band concert!
I have played my Sterling euphonium (left in pic) now for over 10 years. I love it and soon I hope there will be some news about the future manufacturing of Sterling Musical Instruments. It is a brand which sits at the very top, through high craftmanship, quality material and design and I know that the secret news I hint at will be very exciting when the time comes. Watch this space!!
As I've mentioned in past posts, the problem with the JP Sterling is the logo and peoples perception of it. John Packer is perhaps felt to be a budget instrument maker, suitable for beginners and youngsters but in fact, with a bit of research, you can find out that John Packer as a brand is actually huge in the musical world, it stocks a wide range of products and has some really impressive friends.
The recent acquisition of both Rath Trombones and Taylor Trumpets just demonstrates that JP is far far more than you might think.
The collaboration between JP and Sterling is well established and the JP Sterling models (tuba, baritone, horn, euphonium) are used widely around the world. I hadn't until recently had the chance to play the latest version, which is the JP374T, the T referring to the addition of a main tuning slide trigger. It is available in silver or lacquer.
This is a serious instrument, you are getting a brilliant instrument for the money. It perhaps isn't on a par with the very top end euphoniums, I am not trying to say that it is but I know for a fact, for most players, it will do exactly what you want and more. This isn't an instrument that has suddenly appeared either, it has been around for a long time. You might even be able to find a really good deal on a used or ex-demo JP Sterling.
I decided to have a good look into just how similar the JP Sterling is with my own Sterling Virtuoso and you might be surprised to see that they are not that different. So much so that I actually used the JP Sterling in a concert with the Grimethorpe Colliery Band on December 22nd, 2024 in Birmingham Town Hall, UK.
How did it cope? Well, I was very happy with it. I bet most players in the band didn't even notice I was using a different instrument, however, I did ask for permission from the conductor beforehand! I had other gigs over the same weekend so I didn't have any time to get used to the instrument at all. In the other gigs, I was performing as a soloist, so to stay on the safe side I didn't want to use an unfamiliar instrument in that setting.
Here is a recording of the solo I played (on my Sterling Virtuoso). Please have a listen.
If I break it down into a few areas, there wasn't much difference between these two euphoniums and in some areas I prefer the JP. The JP sound is clear and crisp, similar to the Virtuoso but maybe also because the JP was brand new it just had the edge sound wise, it seemed more full and warmer.
Tuning was better on the JP. Something I would need to study more to make accurate comments but I didn't feel like I needed the trigger for the usual sharper higher notes and the notes I find to be flat on my Virtuoso were better in tune on the JP. Ease of playing was the same, across the full range and dynamics. Sometimes 'cheaper' instruments feel horrible when played loud, with unwanted vibration, but this was not the case with the JP.
The JP Sterling price tag is very attractive, especially when you compare it to the most expensive euphoniums and including the fact that you get the brilliant JP Pro case as well. Some brands are now going into new realms of quality and design, Besson and Adams leading the way I think but there are such high costs associated with buying these amazing new products. Not everyone can afford them or even needs that sort of instrument. For almost every euphonium player out there, I bet the JP Sterling would do the job and leave you with plenty money left.
Let's look at some similarities/differences with some pictures.
Very similar braces, straight shape, just slightly different locations and also notice that the Sterling (left) has a clean finish to the slides whereas the JP (right) has the standard ring around the ends of the tubes (I prefer this). The JP comes with a lyre box but I purposely left one off my euphonium. Also notice the identical diamond shaped connector linking the 2nd and 1st slides.
My trigger lever (left) is made shorter than the old standard Virtuoso, this helps me with hand position and also gives a bit more distance for the lever to move. The JP trigger is almost identical in it's positioning which makes it feel similar. The JP lever is curved nicely and comfortable to hold and press. The triggers are different but both work equally well.
The false piece is slightly higher on the JP (right) which does create a different feel and can take a bit of getting used too. The JP valves are brilliant, very smooth and quiet.
The main tuning slide can be adjusted by releasing a screw. The same concept is used on both instruments as you can see but the design is different. I am a big fan of this simple design compared to the more complicated auto adjusting method which some euphoniums have and can break.
The JP (right) has 2 screws to hold the trigger guard in place. I like this because sometimes with only one stem, it can bend. The JP (right) has it positioned more square whereas my euphonium has it slightly to the side, it doesn't make much difference while sitting but I found it awkward while standing. I think if I needed to play the JP standing up, I would just remove the guard and not use the trigger at all.
The 4th valve cover is identical, as is the actual valve caps (just different finish). The position of the 4th valve is also identical on both euphoniums but the JP does have a slightly thinner feel in overall width. Valve buttons are identical in size and shape.
Apart from the finish, the water keys are identical. Sturdy and solid with no vibrational noise when played.
Both instruments have a large bell and are large bore. Actually, my euphonium has a slightly smaller 300mm bell and the JP is 304mm. The leadpipe is slightly smoother in shape on the JP (right) even though both instruments have leadpipes designed by Sterling. The JP leadpipe seems a little shorter than my euphonium but the angle is very similar and both are off the bell.
My euphonium bell is made from heavy red brass and the JP is just listed as being 'high grade brass'.
Remember that the JP Sterling is completely made in China but not in a factory that produce many other brands of instruments. Staff have been trained by JP staff and there are visits from JP staff to check all is in order. Most instruments nowadays have some element of them that comes from China. I have also seen some Chinese made euphoniums that look identical to the JP Sterling and would be very wary about any instruments that seem to be a copy of another one.
So there we have it. I hope this review is useful to anyone interested in the Sterling or JP Sterling range. I am happy to answer any questions, just get in touch. As always, don't take my word for it, the only real way to decide how good something is, is to try it yourself. If you wanted to test this JP Sterling yourself and can visit the UK, Midlands area, I would be happy to help. Otherwise, visit your local JP dealer or showroom.
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Thanks for reading ❤ and MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Mark Glover
23/12/24
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