Last week we featured the Limited Edition “Kangakki” Xeno Trumpet. This week we are taking a look at another new offering in the Yamaha trumpet line-up, the second-generation Bobby Shew Signature Trumpet, YTR8310ZII.

The Z model trumpets, released in 2004 and developed in cooperation with world-famous trumpet player Bobby Shew, have been Yamaha’s top jazz trumpet model. This newly revised model introduces the latest Yamaha structural technology and other features refined through tireless evaluations by Bobby and the Yamaha Research & Development team. The new 8310ZII has been refined to give players a more flexible instrument to meet the changing needs of modern trumpet players. From solo performance to lead in a big-band, this extraordinary instrument delivers brilliant tone and great power with a solid tonal core for all types of commercial trumpet playing with particular improvement of support for upper-register playing.

From the Yamaha website:

“The original Custom Z was born of Yamaha’s long and close partnership with legendary trumpet player Bobby Shew. In 2018, Yamaha and Bobby collaborated to create a second-generation YTR-8310ZII that further refines the brilliant tone and well-balanced playing resistance that contemporary styles demand. Bobby needed one versatile, efficient instrument that can wail out powerful lead lines and also play soft, mellow ballads with the musical nuance that Bobby is known for. Yamaha has developed the new Custom Z to satisfy all of Bobby’s playing requirements while retaining the highest level of precision and consistency.”

FEATURES:

• Two-piece Valve Casing
  The two-piece casing design helps produce a more solid tonal core with better projection
• New Leadpipe
  The redesigned leadpipe results in a better response that provides smooth playability on detailed passages
• 3rd Valve Slide Stopper Screw
  The new longer screw helps with tone stabilization and enhancing upper-register playability
• New TRC-810E Case with Custom Z logo keychain dangle

This model is a great lightweight horn designed for jazz and commercial playing making it a great addition to any serious jazz or lead trumpet players arsenal!

We had the opportunity to see the new model in person at NAMM this past January. Check out some footage we grabbed above!