Trevor James vs Yamaha Tenor Saxophone

[@Drswarley]

I prefer the Trevor James , it sounds better to me. Yamaha sounds brighter but TJ for me

[@saxxykv]

@@Drswarley Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I do like the TJ sound as well but for live performances I prefer the yamaha's response. Ergonomics is also one of the things that made me decide to buy this Yamaha haha sound-wise, my own sound concept will be translated to the Yamaha soon enough(I just adjusted to it and finally got my own sound on the yamaha). when I made this video, I just had the Yamaha for a day. 😂 I guess it was too early to make a proper playtest to compare both of them. haha

[@saxovox]

The big difference between the 62iii and the purple logo is in the neck. I replaced the stock 62iii neck with a 20 year old TF1 neck (“rock n roll”) and the horn was reborn.

[@saxxykv]

@@saxovox yep and I somehow find the Purple logo to be a bit lighter as well.

[@misterpatrick6126]

Thanks for this great side by side comparison. I’ve got a MkVI that needs an overhaul and an elite level overhaul could run around $3k- plus waiting in line for months to get this done. I think I could get a newer horn like this TJ SC, and get some work done on my MKVI then sell it and come out pretty much even. I like the lively sound of the 62: a little brighter overall? - but that could be addressed with a different reed and/or mouthpiece? You sound great on both horns, btw. Thanks!

[@saxxykv]

@@misterpatrick6126 I can say the TJ can be a good replacement for the Mark VI, one thing to take note though, the weight of a TJ sig custom is around 3.5kg-3.6kg. the Mark Vi's that I've tried are very light horns just around 3.1kg in terms of how they play, Mark VI is a very lively horn compared to TJ but I think it all comes down to the neck design, my friend and I tried using his Mark vi neck on my TJ and that changed all the "no vibration" feel of the TJ into the Mark vi feel.

[@misterpatrick6126]

@ Thanks for responding! I do like my MkVI but from what I’ve read the TJ SC series is just a better built horn: there are specifics to the keywork of this horn that will ensure that the action will require less maintenance then my Selmer. TBH the MKVI can be kind of a money pit.

[@saxxykv]

@@misterpatrick6126 The TJ SC are so well built. I never had the experience of owning a Selmer Mark vi and don't plan to, so I can only say my experience on the TJ. I'm based in Singapore and as per my experience owning the TJ SC, the weather here can be unforgiving to the sax. my TJ is the Raw unlacquered Sig custom. I found myself removing leaks every after 2-3 weeks. I don't experience this if I don't bring it outside for a long time though.

[@josephstratemeier8619]

To me the TJ has a maybe a more complex sound, but the 62 has more definition if that makes sense. I'd play the yamaha out of those two. I have a custom z tenor that I love. You should try one sometime.

[@saxxykv]

@@josephstratemeier8619 I would like to try the Z hahaha right now I've already adjusted to the 62 and pretty much enjoying it so much haha

[@gib321]

The Sig Custom definitely has a beefier dark tone throughout. The Yamaha sounds brighter with a bit of sparkle which some people may prefer. I own a Sig Custom and wouldn't change it for the Yamaha although I too had the Yamaha series III as a possible option. Let us know in due course which one you prefer. Thanks for the vid.

[@saxxykv]

@@gib321 yep! The Sig Custom has a "Selmer-like" sound while Yamaha is brighter. haha I chose the TJ over the series III yts62. but this purple logo really is different haha

[@tylorchoy2126]

Personally I like the 62 sound more! Brighter on the higher end but oddly sounds a bit fuller overall. Obviously you might be more used to the TJ (lil funky intonation on the 62) but I think it'll come out great with some getting used to!

[@saxxykv]

@@tylorchoy2126 true! I still have some getting used to with the 62 haha 😂

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

The fluidity of your playing is better with 62. Tonal transition is easier too. So from the playing perspective, 62 works easier for you. TJ RAW may have interesting sound, but it looks and sounds like more work is required.

[@saxxykv]

@@zvonimirtosic6171 that's a very good observation m. thanks for sharing your thoughts. right now I got used to the 62 already and when I got back on the TJ RAW again, I can now feel the difference in terms of ergonomics and how different they are when it comes to producing sound.

[@christophbrylka6256]

You seem to be more used to the Trevor James, therefore you still sound a little better on it.

[@saxxykv]

@@christophbrylka6256 yep, it's been with me for awhile

[@saxxykv]

@@christophbrylka6256 And the reed stiffness that works dor me on the Trevor James is a bit thin for the Yamaha hahaha 😂

[@jean.marcel.88]

I prefer the Trevor James

[@saxxykv]

@@jean.marcel.88 It is a good sound 🔥

[@Samuel-pt2tl]

Erm, dude, how tall are you? Im planning to buy a tenor (I'm 5.7) and id like to know how it would look lol and is the tenor more versatile for different genres from your experience?

[@saxxykv]

@@Samuel-pt2tl I'm 5'6. haha yeah I like the tenor sound than alto, but I do find my playing to focus more on being flexible so I find tenor more versatile for me. and looks better IMO 😂

[@Samuel-pt2tl]

@saxxykv thanks for the reply, one more question, I know it's all about practice but did how long did it take to get used to blowing the Tenor ? I've heard/read that it takes more air/diaphragm strength to play compared to the Alto (I've never played saxophone before)

[@saxxykv]

@ to me, it felt like finding your groove with the sax. changing saxophone sizes is pretty much like buying a new saxophone of the same size, u have to play it again and gain until you can find your groove on the sax haha

[@saxxykv]

@ tho technicality-wise, tenors do need more air but that also depends on mouthpiece tip opening size. it's not overly demanding when it comes to air, but you have to get used to the embouchure as there will be changes if you're from alto.

[@jaketempla3719]

apila tung ADI nimu ya haha

[@jaketempla3719]

nindot jud si James ya

[@saxxykv]

@@jaketempla3719 nabaligya na ang ADI hahaha

[@manup757]

Trevor James has a more beefier sound ..

[@saxxykv]

true haha and apparently it shows when I recorded. haha