Yamaha YTR-8310Z 03 BOBBY SHEW GOLD LACQUER

Custom Z: A Yamaha Trumpet Born for the Stage, Refined with Bobby Shew

Within Yamaha's Custom range, the Custom Z series has established itself as a benchmark for trumpeters seeking a responsive, precise instrument tailored for expression. This second generation of the YTR-8310Z benefits from improvements derived from Yamaha's latest design technologies, with fine-tuned adjustments following extensive evaluations conducted with Bobby Shew and the R&D team. The goal is clear: to offer a trumpet that responds quickly, maintains a solid tonal foundation, and remains comfortable over long playing sessions, even when the playing becomes demanding (dynamics, fast articulations, energetic phrasing).

Who Is This 2nd Generation Custom Z For?

The Yamaha YTR-8310Z is primarily aimed at advanced intermediate, advanced, and professional trumpeters who want an expressive instrument capable of handling forceful playing while remaining flexible in fast passages. It excels in jazz (combo, big band, lead), but is also well suited to funk, Latin, pop, and any situation where presence, rhythmic precision, and projection are essential. Its design promotes stable sound production and a well-defined tone, useful both for section playing and solo parts.

Sound and Design

The sonic character of this Custom Z is distinguished by a controlled brilliance, direct projection, and excellent attack clarity. The one-piece yellow brass bell plays a major role in this identity: it helps achieve a clear, lively, and powerful timbre while retaining a rich harmonic spectrum when playing at full energy. Yamaha uses a side soldering technique and attaches the braces on the bell soldering to allow the bell to vibrate more freely, contributing to a sense of openness and broad sound dispersion.

Playing comfort is also central to the design, notably thanks to the "French-style" rim (semi-flat edge) used for the bell's rim on this generation. This approach aims for a sound projection more present towards the player and a feedback sensation that facilitates sound control. On the mechanical side, the monel pistons are known for their robustness and reliable operation, a key point for a trumpet intended for intensive use.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To get the best out of your trumpet daily, you can pair it with some universal essentials: piston oil (to maintain fast and silent action), slide grease (for tuning and pump slides), as well as a maintenance kit with trumpet-specific cleaning brushes. A trumpet stand can also be very practical during rehearsals and on stage, and a mouthpiece protector helps preserve the mouthpiece during transport.

Technical specifications

Level	Semi-professional	Color	Yellow
Tone	Bb	Finishing	Varnished
Body material	Varnished brass

Key	B-flat	Bell	yellow brass, one-piece
Design	Custom Z	Bell Diameter	127 mm
Finish	lacquered	Mouthpiece Shank	standard
Piston Material	monel	Mouthpiece	Tr-Shew-Jazz
Bore	11.3 mm	Case	YTR-8310Z (double backpack case equipped with a large external pocket)
Tuning Slide	wide