Anniversary alto
It’s 25 years since the first Trevor James sax came on to the market and to mark the quarter century, this very British company has produced a rather special anniversary alto model. Based on the Revolution 2, this nickel plated black beauty has a solid silver crook, silver plated keys and comes in a smart Hiscox hard case. It blows like a dream but altoists will have to hurry as it’s a limited edition of just 500 and available only while stocks last.

Classic drum kits
Here’s a first, ‘new old stock’. For more than 25 years, it turns out that Gretsch have been storing a collection of their classic drum kits in the Ridgeland warehouse which are only now finally going to get to see the light of day. The ‘Vineyard’ collection is apparently going to be released in dribs and drabs, and as you’d expect, they’re not going for a song. First off the blocks is the 70s 16 ‘Jazzette’ set in maple, with the traditional four drum configuration.

Session ride
Avedis Zildjian have added a new 20 inch ride to the ‘K’ Custom series. The Session Ride has been developed in collaboration with drum demon Steve Gadd, to replicate his favourite ‘cracked’ cymbal. Giving a ‘clean’ stick sound, the larger 20-inch offers a rich lower pitch and greater sustain.

Slinky stick
New in from Dean USA is the super slinky ‘stick’ Pace Bass. It comes in both four and five string versions with a solid maple neck-through construction, a six-inch radius rosewood fingerboard, 35” scale and a piezo bridge and buffer pre-amp. This seriously slick stick is topped and tailed by a classic slotted headstock and, just for good measure, a double braced tripod stand.

Funky finishes
Conga and bongo players will be pleased to hear that Pearl have ‘upped’ their Primera range with the Primera Pro. Still with Thai Oak and Fibreglass shells, these new Pro models not only have a new set of funky finishes, but are also fitted with the same hardware as Pearl’s high end Elite series.  

Slimline semi
Yamaha’s latest offering to the jazz guitarist is the AE 500, a slimline semi with twin humbuckers, highly original ‘f’s and a florentine cutaway. All the usual Yamaha traits are here: shallow ‘u’ radius neck, clean fretting, tidy action and solid cast hardware. The two ’buckers will suit those who like the soft warm Yamaha sound. But if you’re looking for more bite, why not slot in a couple of SDs?