Yamaha managed to create the YTR-8310Z Bb trumpet in long collaboration with the trumpet size Bobby Shew. The popular successor of the YTR-6310Z is a jack-of-all-trades, it can vary in sound from airy warm to razor-sharp. Bobby Shew developed the YTR-8310 Z over many years, together with Bob Malone.
In search of the perfect trumpet that Bobby Shew can use in every situation in life, the YTR-8310Z was created. As Shew doesn't like to change instruments at concerts between soft ballads and demanding lead playing, he developed an instrument with Yamaha that is more flexible in sound than almost any other.
The relatively small bore of only 11.3 mm ensures good endurance and not too high air consumption. The gold brass reversed leadpipe, developed by Bob Malone, is slightly wider than the Yamaha standard leadpipes. Thus, the small bore and the wide leadpipe balance each other out. The cup is relatively open and promises a full, open sound with a diameter of 127mm. The valve machine consists of robust Monel. The weight of the trumpet is only 945gr and is therefore one of the Lightweights. The YTR-8310Z comes with a sturdy case, an original Bobby Shew Jazz mouthpiece and accessories.
I have previously stayed away from Yamaha as I have always tended to feel that their products, while technically excellent are a little lacking in terms of 'character'. But I decided to take a chance and buy this Bobby Shew model and I must say that it is beautiful in terms of looks, finish and sound. I suppose that 'character' in an instrument really means that it is somewhat less than perfect and with difficulties peculiar to it requiring mastered where with this Trumpet you get a precise, accurate well engineered and constructed instrument and the best trumpet you can get and it's down to you to do the work of making the sound you want with it. One thing is certain and that is that the instrument gives you a trumpet that is the easiest you will ever find to play and you don't have to fight it on top of mastering your own abilities to play trumpet. The package is very nice too with a lovely Yamaha leather covered hard case capable of taking two trumpets with concealed backpack straps and a good zipped side pocket for oil, slide grease mouthpieces etc.