JP Instruments JP273MKII Bb baritone horn

The JP273MKII is a fully compensating full-sized Bb baritone horn designed for intermediate students. Often praised for its superb tone, this second generation version represents excellent value for money and has become extremely popular with schools, music services, and bands all over the UK.

It is constructed from lacquered yellow brass throughout providing a clearer tone and bigger projection than John Packer’s entry level baritone. The bore starts with a diameter of 0.547” (13.9mm) and the tubing eventually flares into a 9.5” (2411.3mm) bell. There are three waterkeys along the instrument’s length to keep the interior free of excess moisture.

A fully compensating system involves extra lengths of tubing that are automatically opened and closed when certain valve combinations are pressed. While this adds a little extra weight to the horn, it vastly improves the tuning accuracy across the whole range, and allows for fully chromatic playing in the pedal register. The valves themselves are made from durable stainless steel with nylon guides and are bottom sprung for easy maintenance.

Like all John Packer brass instruments, the JP273 comes with a stylish padded case containing plenty of space for accessories, and various carrying options including a detachable shoulder strap. The outfit is completed with a JP mouthpiece and an Ultra-Pure maintenance kit.