Yamaha 50th Anniversary Custom Z Alto Saxophone
Yamaha celebrates a half-century of superior saxophones with this limited-edition alto—only 50 will be manufactured—which boasts a special vintage-bronze lacquer finish, elaborate neck engraving, a metal thumb hook and thumb button, and Yamaha’s 4CM mouthpiece. Model name: YAS-82ZIIVB50TH. $4,565.99 online. usa.yamaha.com
JodyJazz Super Jet Alto Mouthpiece
Many if not most gigs a working saxophonist will encounter today are not circa-1959 acoustic jazz. Enter JodyJazz’s new Super Jet, a silver-plated brass alto mouthpiece designed for use in smooth-jazz, rock, R&B and funk situations—or any session where you need, as the brand puts it, “more power, more edge and more altissimo.” $350 online. jodyjazz.com
Phaeton PHTF-LV 2900 Custom Flugelhorn
One of several excellent recent instruments by Phaeton, the PHTF-LV 2900 “Las Vegas” custom flugelhorn features the company’s new balanced fast-action trigger design and a gorgeous brushed-brass finish. Bore size is .433-inch; bell is .984-inch at the flare. Suggested retail price: $2,450. phaetontrumpet.com
D’Addario Select Jazz Tenor Mouthpiece
Saxophonists in search of a pro-level mouthpiece boasting a vintage sound and feel have a new brand to check out. D’Addario’s U.S.-made Select Jazz tenor mouthpieces are milled, not molded, from solid rod rubber, and crafted via computer-controlled technology. Featuring a medium chamber and facing length, the mouthpieces are available in tip openings 6-9. $199 online. daddario.com
Sax Dakota SDT-XR 52 Tenor
New from Sax Dakota for 2017 is this tenor featuring stainless-steel long rods that ensure rapid response and instant closure, a fast-taper neck design, low-profile key cups and pads, double key arms, triple-position neck-strap rings, a semi-matte black onyx finish atop Sax Dakota’s special bronze alloy, extensive engraving throughout and keys and trim finished in raw bronze alloy, with no lacquer or plating. Bell size is 6.26-inches at the flare. Suggested retail price: $4,575. saxdakota.com
