Trevor James Signature Custom Tenor Sax
 Built In England

Specification: Brass gold lacquer body, bow, bell & neck.
Tested by Jim Cheek, November 2005

"Presented in a Soundwear Codura Pro gig bag, this sax appeared impressive even before I put it to the test.  Like it’s alto cousin, the body of the instrument has full length ribbing plates on to which the posts for the mechanism are soldered (like the YAS 62 and Yani 991).  This immediately gives me the confidence that we are dealing with a serious contender for a pro level sax.  After having a quick blow, my initial impression of this new release from Trevor James was of a tenor sax with a big personality, a very powerful sound, free speaking and with a nice even response throughout the range. 

For my test, I thought it appropriate to compare it with the Yanagisawa T901, a well-established brand and model, which is in a similar price bracket.   In general you might say that there are a lot of similarities.  The build quality is something that TJ are ever improving, and with their new Custom Signature range (as I detailed in the alto reviews) they have put out a sax which is right up there with the best pro models.  I really do believe that.  Both saxes have that contemporary edge in sound and ease of tone production.  The Yani's to me have a particularly smooth and slightly more contained sound than any other brand – the TJ is bolder and punchier than the Yani and it’s in the middle and upper register that this characteristic comes into its own. Whilst testing this tenor I was also getting to grips with a new Lebayle ebonite mouthpiece – pretty nice blowers themselves, with plenty of richness and power on hand.  The more I got used to the combination of sax and mouthpiece the more I fitted into the ‘groove’ of this sax.  To me, it naturally lends itself to playing funk and blues riffs – particularly around the upper register and into the altissimo, I think largely because this is where the sound ‘opens up’ the most on this sax.  I suppose this will suit the section tenor player nicely as this is the register that he mainly chooses to cut across the other amplified instruments!  I also noticed that there was a nice amount of ‘sting’ behind the attack, great for playing those punchy funk and rock ‘n’ roll phrases with plenty of conviction – some of this may be attributed to the fact that the sax has metal pad reflectors, like the Yani 992 or the Selmer Series II or III.  It’s just great fun to play a sax that responds like this.

With any professional level instrument, it is essential that it is solidly built and with a nice, smooth-working key mechanism.  In this shop I have dealt with saxophones of all levels, and you instantly feel the difference between a cheaply made student model and a high quality pro instrument.  This is normally obvious from just simply running your fingers up and down the sax.  A well-built sax will give you a clean, even and smooth action with a nice ‘poppy’ sounding pad response – Yanagisawa's are fantastic for this.   The good news is that I found the Signature Custom to be right in line with the best.  But it’s not just this alone – it’s also the standard to which they are set-up that impresses me.  I have been down to the workshops where these instruments are assembled in Kent and have always been impressed with the level of care and accuracy that goes into the final ‘setting-up’ on each instrument.  Any discerning player with a light touch will appreciate this immensely. 

I suppose that lastly it needs to be said that potential buyers of these instruments should cast their prejudices aside and seriously consider Trevor James as a valid producer of pro-level instruments.  I think that it is always difficult for an established manufacturer of student level instruments to gain a reputation for a new line of high-level saxes, especially when you are competing with the likes of Yanagisawa and Selmer, for example.  It’s amazing how people can be subliminally influenced by a brand name, and I suppose I am asking you to take a step back and think about what you want from a saxophone – perhaps this new Custom Signature will provide the answers!"
 


Red brass (Rd)


Phosphur bronze (Pz)


Solid sterling silver (925)
Clear lacquered red brass:  "Now this is an interesting variation on the usual metal mix that is traditionally used in making saxophones.  The red brass colouring (a deep cloudy reddish) is due to a higher content of copper in the brass alloy.  To my ear this produces a slightly more compressed sound than the other two i.e. perhaps not quite as rich in high harmonic content.  But what it lacks in this brightness it more than makes up for in punch and dynamic.  I’d imagine that given the time to get to know this instrument properly you could exploit these differences to create a strong individual voice.  Definitely worth trying for those that are looking for something a bit different… " Will, sax.co.uk. Clear lacquered bronze:  "The most startling first impression of the bronze is its beautiful, rich, vintage (esque) complexion, which for me personally makes it the best looking of the four metals.  The reason for using phosphor bronze is best demonstrated in its comparison to the brass – giving it many tonal characteristics of a vintage instrument; warm and moody lower notes with a nice and even-tempered tone further up the register.  This really is a fantastic choice for those favouring an older ‘swingy’ sound and rates respectably against the bronze Yanagisawa’s." Will, sax.co.uk. Clear lacquered solid sterling silver:  "As you might expect from a solid silver instrument the resonance of the metal is much faster and excitable than the standard brass.  On first impressions this results in a louder and broader sound and perhaps a wider range of dynamics.  It has all the trappings of the others (key work, tuning etc.) but is considerably brighter in projection; something experienced players will certainly enjoy, whilst others may find more difficult to tame.  This instrument would sound fantastic as part of a loud horn section or a blues/rock’n’roll outfit and out of the four this is certainly the ‘monster’ – perhaps offering a little less in subtleties but a little more of everything else." Will, sax.co.uk.


Standard Features:
 * Crook design with unique 'looped' octave linkage increases range of playing angles.
* Larger body bore give excellent projection.
* Redesigned rounded keywork with dished table keys for a faster, smoother playing action.
* Superior pads, blue steel springs and stronger body straps.
* Hand engraved bow section with attractive flower design on bell, pictured here on rose brass.
* 5 year guarantee.

Body options:
 Brass for a conventional response and tone from a handmade British sax.
 Phosphur bronze for a fuller sound and warmer tone, especially in the mid and lower range. Often likened to the tone of vintage saxes. Looks very "special" with a slightly darker colour than brass.
Red brass has a higher copper content for additional brightness & power, and looks gorgeous!
Solid sterling silver (high grade European 925 standard). Gives a more "velvety" sound throughout the range with additional stability for tuning and tone. More tonal contrast available to the player and extra power in reserve for loud playing. 
Unlacquered Brass releases the sax from the dampening effects of the lacquer allowing it to resonate more freely. Additional cleaning required or it will soon start to tarnish

Crook options:
 Changing just the crook is a relatively inexpensive way of improving your sax providing many of the benefits listed above for the different metals.
Choose from brass, phosphur bronze, rose brass, solid silver or unlacquered crooks.

Bell & Bow options:
Changing just the bell & bow will provide many of the benefits listed above for the different metals.
Choose from brass, phosphur bronze, rose brass, solid silver or unlacquered bell and bow sections.

Other options:
Flared bell gives extra projection & a bigger sound especially on the low bell notes. It also has attractive additional engraving around the inner lip of the bell. Pictured right in phosphur bronze.
f  Thick walled bell & bow section (Solid silver only) All the benefits of solid silver but even more so! Marginally heavier. Pictured left with "925 tube F" European Sterling silver mark.


9k gold crook: Picture & details to follow.

Accessories Included:

Soundwear Cordura gig bag. Tougher than many hard cases, fitted with two back-pack straps. External "organiser" pocket with separate pouches for neck and mouthpiece.

BG (France) comfort strap, mouthpiece patches & pull through.

We include an Otto Link ebonite tone edge mouthpiece and you can choose tip opening (lay)

www.signaturecustom.co.uk for the official website where you can design your own sax!

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Trevor James Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxes Prices & Ordering

From: richarddavidjones@yahoo.co.uk
Sent: Friday, November 11, 2005 3:13 PM
Subject: Trevor James Signature Custom Tenor

The Saxophone arrived at about half 1, got it straight out of the box and started playing, it sounds amazing and the reeds supplied made it sound even better than using my old ones! It really looks the business, is easy to play and has a wicked full tone! My mate needs a new tenor and may look at getting one of these, he couldn't believe how great it was to play! I have recommended you guys to him! Thanks again for all the help and the speed in which the order was dealt with, after Christmas i may look at a new mouthpiece and I know where to go!

You can use my comments on your website. We had our biggest gig of the year on Saturday evening and it went well - my mate played the TJ while i played bari and it sounded so much nicer than his old one, got him hooked and then a mate came over after who was looking for a replacement for his Horn Revolution - he's tried loads of different saxes but never got on with them, he loved this one though! Ill keep plugging away at them to order one! I'm using it for a big band gig this weekend and I cant wait! Cheers, Richard

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