It has a solid, well-engineered feel, with a quality of workmanship that is second to none. Short valves and a compact movement allow for fluency and speed when required and a medium large bore offers good resistance and by implication greater control. The instrument is supplied with a ‘3c’ mouthpiece, although this can be customised to your own needs.

Playing the instrument is a pure pleasure, with a good consistency right across the full register and a tone that is both warm and lush, while at the same time being clear and defined. The Phoenix is certainly worth taking a good look at if you’re in the market for a new horn with a definite character and identity. And if you don’t fancy crossing the proverbial pond and putting in the legwork to check out the Stateside manufacturers, this Taylor could be right up your street. For more info go to www.taylortrumpets.com

Leger Sax Reeds

The Leger range of clear synthetic reeds is now available in the U.K. Made in Canada, they are extremely popular across the pond because of their immediate playability and comparative longevity. There is no reason to moisture the reed before playing and it will warm up over a matter of minutes to hold its stability for at least an hour, before softening a little. Our sample was a ‘Studio Cut’ 3 and it took sometime to get used to the characteristics of this synthetic reed, after being so used to the conventional cane variety.

The immediate response was very “toppy”, with a distinct lack of depth to the bottom end. We found manipulating the sound particularly difficult as there is a limited dynamic because of the effective fixed playing field. Changing from a metal mouthpiece to an ebonite did slightly change the playing parameters, but not we felt to any appreciable effect. Clearly, this synthetic reed would sit well in a combo/band situation, with its direct response, excellent intonation and clean, warm tone. Essentially it’s a case of horses for courses, and the Leger reed undoubtedly has its place – although you probably won’t be looking to use one in a free jazz format.  For more info go to www.legere-europe.co.uk

Lakland Bass Guitar

This Joe Osborn signature 5 string Lakland jazz style bass is a real feast for the eyes – and it’s not a bad player either! Designed in Chicago but built in Korea, this instrument is carefully crafted from quality wood with a swamp ash body, maple neck and super smooth rosewood fingerboard. The scalloped body is fitted with two single pole jazz style pick ups, tone and volume controls and a 3-ply traditional cream pick guard. The neck is modelled along the lines of the 60s/70s Precision and is super slick, with a solid five screw attachment to the body. The fingerboard is fitted with 22 surprisingly light frets. Apart from the superb finishing, this instrument has clearly been “thought through” in the R&D department.

Rolled Precision style bridge adjusters with a shallow shoulder minimise the possibility of string break, while the nut clamp bringing the strings down from the nut head keeps the tuning nice and tight. Sustain on this instrument is excellent, due no doubt to the thru’ body construction, with the five strings being capped off at the head by five solid open geared ‘screw head’ Fender style machine heads. The action is also excellent, with spot on intonation and a clean, clear tone even in the third position. As an all round 5 stringer, this Lakland Joe Osborn is hard to beat but as a slap bass, it’s sensational  For more info go to sales@house.gb.net