Yamaha Xeno vs Yamaha Bobby Shew

[rhatheway]

Recently, several people in the trumpet section of our local community band have purchased Yamaha Bobby Shew trumpets. They swear that it is the best horn that Yamaha makes. However, when I looked up the specs and then compared them to the specs on the Yamaha Xeno trumpet, I'm not convinced, the Xeno seems like it would be a better horn.

Mind you, I'm not going out and buying a new trumpet, as I like my Getzen. But I'm just curious why all of a sudden several people in the section have bought these horns. Is it peer pressure? They want to play what the cool kids are playing? Or are they really that good a horn?

And of the two, is there a better horn? Or does each have its own place/use that they're really designed for?

[TJTS]

The 8310zII is indeed that good of a horn and IMHO it is the best non 9k series Yamaha. I like it much better than a Xeno and much better than the 8335LAII. What specs do you see that make a horn better than another? That doesn't make sense to me. Specs are just that - specs - they rarely tell you how a horn sounds, how it blows, the resistance, feeling, etc.

Not sure what you mean about cool kids, the 6310/8310 is actually quite an old design that Yamaha has consistently improved over time.
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[Brassnose]

I don’t think specs define how good a horn is, so I don’t quite see how the Xeno specs make it a better horn. I have played both side by side (though never owned them) but clearly preferred the Shew every time I compared them — please note I’m not saying either one is better, I just preferred the Shew every time.
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AR/Klier/Yamaha

[Jerry]

[kehaulani]

When you play them, how do the specs sound? Personally, I've never been able to get a sound out of specs.

Motive of your section mates? Ask them. If you want to second guess them have fun thinking you know what's in someone else's heart and mind. Point is, how should WE know?

If you want to know which is a better horn, play them and let YOUR ears decide.
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[JVL]

hello
the best way to make your own opinion is to play both models.
You'll then see which of them is the best for YOU
best

[rhatheway]

[rhatheway]

[rhatheway]

[JayKosta]

There can be a big difference between 'what I like to play', and 'what produces the better sound'.

When doing a play test, it can be very difficult (impossible?) to judge what the sound would be for an audience listener. And the 'audience sound' doesn't include the sensory feelings (vibrations, weight, balance, blow, etc.) that a player experiences - and those can affect the enjoyment of playing the instrument.

If you really need a specific 'audience sound' beyond 'hey that trumpet sounds good', then you ought to do some critical testing of audience sound.
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[JVL]

[rhatheway]

[cheiden]

I've played a number of Shew horns and the only one I really liked was a first generation 6310Z. I too have encountered a number of players who play the newer horns but they really don't play exceptionally for me. All this makes me a bit sad because Bobby is one of my idols and one of the greatest players I've ever see in person.

The last Yamaha Bb that blew my socks off was a Xeno Artist model YTR-9335NYS III that I got to try at the last NAMM show.
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[Brassnose]

So, to re- and paraphrase the OPs original post, I think the actual question is something like:

Of those who have played both horns in question, what do you think about them? Which one do you prefer and why?

I preferred the Shew because I liked the light weight, the flexibility, and the fast response. Also found it easier to play (my) high. Often I like a more centered sound and the Xeno for me just didn’t have that.
_________________
2019 Martin Schmidt eXcellence
1997 Blessing XL cornet
1992 Bach 43GH/43
1989 K&H Model 15 flugel
1980/2023 Custom Blessing Scholastic C 😎
1977 Conn 6B
*****
AR/Klier/Yamaha

[ldwoods]

I have played both models and also prefer the Shew, either 6310 or 8310 to any of the Xenos I have played. I just prefer lighter and more nimble trumpet.
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LDWoods

[mograph]

What are you looking for that your current horn doesn't give you?
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[rhatheway]

[JVL]

[mograph]

[rhatheway]