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Thread: JP 373 baritone (little review)

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Varese,Italy
    Posts
    384

    JP 373 baritone (little review)

    Premise: I play a 2052 Besson euphonium,but it weighs 5,5 KG and is very difficult to use for marching,therefore I have necessity to buy a marching horn,but I did'n want an instruments made like a trumpet that is played horizontal,and has a bad sound and an horrible intonation.(I used at this purpose my previous euphonium,a Courtois 165,4 valves in line,but I sold it last summer because a friend requested it)I saw a good occasion in "Mercatino Musicale" for a JP 373 baritone( put on sale in this forum too).
    I thought that it was perfect for my purpose.The horn arrived in very good conditions,it was almost new,(according to the owner it was bought new for a musical contest failed.) The horn is made in Cina with a 80/20 brass ,2,5 kg heavy;the construction is good,the lacquering finiture is a little "Spartan",the valves monel made are fluently and quickly(I stretch the springs for make they more hard).The bell is a two piece construction,0,6 mm thickness,the leadpipe is solded to the bell and the ergonomy is like my euphonium. The horn is a compensated 3 valves that enables to play in tune in the critical position whit 1-3, 2-3 and 1-2-3.The biggest fault of this horn is the misure of 1° and 3° slides and a little on the second:there are too long,and I had to cut them 1,5 cm for side to make it in tune.After this operation the intonation is very good;6° harmonics are no sharp,B 3th line is a little flat(octave ok with 1-2)all the other are perfect in tune with the exception of Ab 2nd space that is flat(but, after having also cut the second slide as far as possible now it is only slightly low and it is easy lip up): on this horn the high C# isn't a problem, differently to Prestige euphonium, and I arrive easily at high F. The sound is very nice,I use a K&G mouthpiece T3C modified,or in alternative a K&G T4C that produces a more warmer and darker sound.Finally I am very satisfied of this horn,that enables me to use it easily on marching and I can use it in special occasions in wind band, where it is requested, and for my amusement.
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    Last edited by franz; 01-21-2019 at 11:14 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Varese,Italy
    Posts
    384
    Update:
    After some years of occasional use in marching service I'm getting ready to play it in the Wind band in some parts and dedicate solos: I must say that the sound I get I do not mind at all, even if the ideal sound I would like to get is still far ( it would be that wonderful one that produces Katrina Marzella). In the meantime I have made further small changes to the horn, such es the valves vent and the replacement of the stems and the finger buttons ( the originals were too small and sometimes skipper from the fingers) with those of the Prestige. Overall I am very satisfied with the JP 373, nice sound, very good intonation and, to be built-in China, it is made by good quality and strong materials.

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    Last edited by franz; 01-21-2019 at 03:50 PM.
    2007 Besson Prestige 2052, 3D+ K&G mouthpiece; JP373 baritone, 4B modified K&G mouthpiece; Bach 42GO trombone, T4C K&G mouthpiece; 1973 Besson New Standard 3 compensated valves, 3D+ K&G modified mouthpiece; Wessex French C tuba, 3D+ K&G modified mouthpiece.

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