Sterling Virtuoso questions

[Wendy Willson]

Hello -

Is the JP 374 and the Sterling Virtuoso the same instrument? I have a dealer telling me are, but I am not sure he is correct. Thanks for any guidance!!!

[RickF]

Not the same! The JP is modeled after the Sterling that's all.

[daruby]

Absolutely not the same. The JP374 design and manufacturing were assisted by Paul Riggett, the proprietor of Sterling Musical Instruments, but it is manufactured in China. The Sterling Virtuoso is a hand built custom instrument manufactured in Bedfordshire, UK. Trust me on this as I own a Sterling Virtuoso and have visited the shop where they are built numerous times.

Doug

[Wendy Willson]

Thank you!

[miketeachesclass]

FYI, Baltimore Brass is becoming the distributor for Sterling in the US.

I played the JP374 at midwest, and it plays very well, particularly for the price. But, having owned a sterling, they aren’t at all the same. Similar flavor perhaps.

[davewerden]

FYI, Baltimore Brass is becoming the distributor for Sterling in the US.

Baltimore Brass are good folks, and they now carry my two favorite brands (Adams and Sterling)!

[Wendy Willson]

Thank you to everyone for the responses!!!

[Wendy Willson]

So I found a like new (demo) Sterling Virtuoso Custom for $-,000.00 plus shipping. Thoughts? What does the Custom has that is better (or worse) than other models? Thanks!!!

[davewerden]

So I found a like new (demo) Sterling Virtuoso Custom for $5,000.00 plus shipping. Thoughts? What does the Custom has that is better (or worse) than other models? Thanks!!!

I believe this is the original Virtuoso concept, which is made in England by Paul and the boys. This is a top-level horn, while (whilst?) the JP models are not quite. So the horn is mostly hand-made and is similar to what Doug owns; the difference(s) would be in the "Custom" part of this horn - it could have various materials/weights of bell, for example.

[Wendy Willson]

Thank you! What questions should I be asking about? Thanks for the assistance!

[daruby]

My recollection is that the "Custom" was an older fixed configuration Virtuoso with yellow brass 12" bell, no trigger, no gold trim, and (perhaps) a Cerveny valveset, that was marketed in the USA by Custom Music (of Michigan) for around $5,000 back in 20011-ish (around YEP-642S money). I would assume this was a Custom Music demo since I don't believe anyone else marketed a Sterling Virtuoso "Custom" model. If this has the Bauerfeind valveset, it is a particularly good buy, but it may have a valveset built either by Cerveny or a Chinese manufacturer. This horn should play with most (if not all) of the characteristics of any Sterling Virtuoso, and definitely would be superior to a JP234/JP374.

Doug

[Wendy Willson]

Thank you Doug. Do you know when the valve sets were of Bauerfeind, Cereveny or chinese manufacuture? Thanks!!!

[daruby]

Thank you Doug. Do you know when the valve sets were of Bauerfeind, Cereveny or chinese manufacuture? Thanks!!!

No I do not know. Good question to ask the seller. I can tell some things by looking at pictures.

[Wendy Willson]

Thank you!

[Wendy Willson]

My recollection is that the "Custom" was an older fixed configuration Virtuoso with yellow brass 12" bell, no trigger, no gold trim, and (perhaps) a Cerveny valveset, that was marketed in the USA by Custom Music (of Michigan) for around $5,000 back in 20011-ish (around YEP-642S money). I would assume this was a Custom Music demo since I don't believe anyone else marketed a Sterling Virtuoso "Custom" model. If this has the Bauerfeind valveset, it is a particularly good buy, but it may have a valveset built either by Cerveny or a Chinese manufacturer. This horn should play with most (if not all) of the characteristics of any Sterling Virtuoso, and definitely would be superior to a JP234/JP374.

Doug

Doug, could you please look at these pictures and let me know what you can tell (good or bad) regarding the age, custom or standard options, etc.