Much to my surprise I find myself writing a review for two inexpensive Chinese manufactured instruments, marketed by John Packer LTD. I say this because if anyone had told me a few years ago that I would be giving a non - wooden instrument made in China (for a fraction of the cost of the wooden counterpart) a good review I would have said -"in your dreams"! Yet here I am doing just that.

The instrument I tried was free blowing with a lovely sound and perfectly acceptable intonation, in fact, better in tune than many far more expensive wooden models I have tried. It was (surprisingly for the price) silver-plated, padded and "set up" in the Packer workshop to a high standard and had a mouthpiece which was also acceptable (unusual for an inexpensive clarinet).

John Packer Ltd. being the sensible people they are, realise that despite the fact the supplied standard mouthpiece is perfectly acceptable, it may be desirable to have a more personalised mouthpiece and offer to upgrade the mouthpiece for a Vandoren or similar with a 20% discount on the purchase price of the upgrade mouthpiece. This is a generous offer by any standards. A high - quality mouthpiece can improve the sound of any instrument, and this enhancement is an offer not to miss.

The Bass clarinet was also a fantastic bargain for the money and I think that schools and local authority music centres should be queuing to get one of these!! This is by far the best non - wooden instrument I have tried. I have to admit to being sceptical about non wooden instruments but I am now a convert as the sound quality on both these models was very good indeed, giving a sweet mellow sound which seems to be round in all registers and at all dynamics.

What a terrific opportunity for schools to start clarinet ensembles.

I will be keen to see if the low Eb Bass clarinet is followed by a low C model - I may buy one myself!!

Leslie Craven, Principal Clarinettist Welsh National Opera