Saxophones Trevor James SR Tenor in Gold Lacquer. Anyone played one?

[DavidUK]

😵

Just idly looking through Steve Howard's reviews: http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Tenor/tj_sr_tenor.htm

One of his negatives was the unlacquered bare brass body, now discontinued. I just wondered if anyone had played the new lacquered SR tenor, maybe compared it to other TJ horns, or anything else for that matter?

Q. Do you own, or play, a TJ SR Tenor in gold lacquer? How do you find it?

A. "it's the big curvy gold thingy in the corner - you can't miss it!" - I'm way ahead of you...

Thanks. 😉

 

[sharkfin]

😵

Just idly looking through Steve Howard's reviews: http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Tenor/tj_sr_tenor.htm

One of his negatives was the unlacquered bare brass body, now discontinued. I just wondered if anyone had played the new lacquered SR tenor, maybe compared it to other TJ horns, or anything else for that matter?

Q. Do you own, or play, a TJ SR Tenor in gold lacquer? How do you find it?
I bought such a sax this year on the basis of Stephen Howards review.
He set it up for me as well and I love it. Always played alto before, YAS 62. I use the Bari hybrid mpc that came with it and a Sig. Legere 2.5 I think now you get the Bari Esprit.
You just breath into it and it murmurs for you, very useful in our worship band but it will stop the traffic if you push it. Can't fault it.
If you read the Notes column on SHwoodwind, the Dodgy one records my happy meeting with Stephen H.


A. "it's the big curvy gold thingy in the corner - you can't miss it!" - I'm way ahead of you...

Thanks. 😉

 

[sharkfin]

Sorry. My reply got lost - try again.Yes I have one, got it this year and very much enjoying it. Does all the things Stephen says in his review and he set it up for me. I use the Bari hybrid mpc it came with and a Sig. Legere 2.5.
Breath into it and it murmurs. Very useful in our worship band. Also holds its own in a rock band. Played alto until now YAS 62. Not had a tenor before so can't compare it but it does everything I want it to do.

 

[DavidUK]

How does it "feel" under the fingers compared to the Yam 62 alto?

 

[sharkfin]

How does it "feel" under the fingers compared to the Yam 62 alto?

As good if not better. 'Crisper' is how I would describe it.

 

[Ads]

it`s almost impossible to compare a tenor to an alto for keywork as there are totally different forces involved (rather like asking how a Suzuki Swift is to drive compared to a Nissan Navara) , for instance, my 1989 YAS62 Alto feels lighter and more counterbalanced than a Yani 992 Tenor - and the high end Yani tenors have actions as good as they get ........

Also a well setup Sakkusu or TJ Revolution will feel better than a poorly setup Yamaha, Selmer or Yani ....... one thing you can guarantee about a TJ SR is that it will have had a top level setup before it was shipped, Dave Farley makes sure of this - after seeing the state of Yamaha setup thesedays with Altos and Tenors (read Steve Howards review of the YAS62 MkIII - that was MY Horn !!) I can understand anyone being less than blown away . I was Surprised to feel how heavy the action was on a stock Yani 901 Soprano belonging to a pal - my YSS475-II also . I setup the springs on both horns and they both felt infinitely better after.

 

[DavidUK]

The other TJ horn that doesn't get much of a mention is the newest TJ Raw ALTO model? All the plaudits go to the RAW tenor but what of the alto? Is it any good? Can't find any impartial reviews. It doesn't always follow that the same model in a different type works does it...

Ah... just found this: http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Alto/tj_raw_alto.htm

Hadn't noticed it before. Another great review for the Alto, so why don't we hear about it more often? Tenor Raw is all over t'internet.

 

[Ads]

The Alto gets as much attention as the Tenor in real life - I came close to buying a used one, Altos seldom get the same internet awareness as tenors on the whole.

Imagine a Stephanhouser without the weight and blingware - similar colossal bottom end (for an Alto) and controlled focussed sound with real attitude if pushed.

 

[Saxmole]

For what it's worth, I emailed Steven Howard recently and he assured me that TJ plan to fit proper point screws on the Signature Custom and SR ranges in 2015.

 

[SaxDon]

I've played both the SR/Raw alto and tenor. RAW blew me away; surprisingly both SRs really didn't do it for me in feel or sound.

 

[Ads]

What do YOU think of it David - Versus Grassi ? .......

 

[Saxmole]

I've played both the SR/Raw alto and tenor. RAW blew me away; surprisingly both SRs really didn't do it for me in feel or sound.

I've just bought the SR tenor from ProfJames and compared with my Pennsylvania Special it's a cracking piece of kit. The 'creaminess' of the lower register will be perfect for the church worship band where I have to compliment the choral singing plus bass,keyboards,guitar,clarinet accompaniment. There's also enough edge to cut through the mix where appropriate.

 

[DavidUK]

What do YOU think of it David - Versus Grassi ? .......

Much as I'm tempted to try the SR tenor, I had a change of mind when something else came into the running after ordering it, so I thought it best to keep the SR unopened with its seal intact so that it really is brand new for it's new owner (see Yard Sale).

The "something else" is an alto, but until it comes to fruition I'm not tempting fate by divulging it yet... 😉

 

[ProfJames]

I've just bought the SR tenor from ProfJames and compared with my Pennsylvania Special it's a cracking piece of kit. The 'creaminess' of the lower register will be perfect for the church worship band where I have to compliment the choral singing plus bass,keyboards,guitar,clarinet accompaniment. There's also enough edge to cut through the mix where appropriate.

A great recommendation. These are great horns.

 

[SaxDon]

Glad to hear its working for you. It shows you how subjective it all is. 'You' are 90% of the sound. Praise the lord

 

[Saxmole]

Played the SR last night at rehearsal......Phwor! what a magic sound enhanced by the acoustics of an almost-empty church. Our guitarist said I sounded phenomenal.........but I know this had more to do with the instrument than the player! I now appreciate Steve Howards appraisal when he says that when played quietly it backs off with dignity. Given the venue and the music it was really difficult to resist the temptation to show off.

 

[SaxDon]

but I know this had more to do with the instrument than the player!

I need to get one of these. I can't believe I've wasted all of these years on long tones and tone production exercises when I could have bought it in. Now that's what I call divine intervention!

 

[SaxDon]

 

[sharkfin]

Played the SR last night at rehearsal......Phwor! what a magic sound enhanced by the acoustics of an almost-empty church. Our guitarist said I sounded phenomenal.........but I know this had more to do with the instrument than the player! I now appreciate Steve Howards appraisal when he says that when played quietly it backs off with dignity. Given the venue and the music it was really difficult to resist the temptation to show off.

I know the feeling and tonight same scenario, band practice for both services tomorrow, empty church reverb, keyboard and guitar accompaniment, armed with my SR...repeat after me, its not about you, its not about you...

 

[Saxmole]

Played the SR in church at Mass last night. To my joy received some very positive comments from members of the congregation. I was unsure how it would be received............(the local bishop seemed less than impressed by my 5-string banjo accompaniment to a confirmation service a year or two ago!!).
The choir sings a hymn entitled 'Sing of the Lord's Goodness' which is written in 5/4. So what more natural than write an accompaniment that includes 'Take 5' in the sax part. Happy to say it fitted perfectly. Now wondering how many other jazz standards can be 'concealed ' within hymn accompaniments.....any suggestions?