Steve Shires is known for making some of the finest
trombones in the world. Shires trombones are one of the most popular
in the high end market right now, and are appearing in professional
orchestras everywhere. They are handmade in Boston, respond very fast
and easily, have a big warm sound, and have many options to tailor
the horn's characteristics to your own style and performing
situation. There can be limitless options, but I have found some
trends that seem to be the most popular. These options are detailed
below. Shires FAQ
Why buy from us? We are one of the biggest and most knowledgeable Shires
dealers in the country. We sell only the very best stock from them, keeping
around components ordered by our trombone spectators here in the shop
(Steve, Robert and Noah). We know what works and what doesn't and can
assemble just about any combination to be exactly what you desire in a
trombone. Give us a call and we will help tailor an instrument to you. Know
what you want already? Great, we usually have everything in stock ready to
ship. We even allow the crazies in here! Had a trombone dream last night and
want a nickel slide with a yellow crook? No problem, we are glad to special
order items for you with perhaps the fastest delivery times you can get on
custom items.
|
Shires Complete Horns
$4000+ in price, this is one of the pricier trombones on the
market now. WHY? Because this is a fine instrument. Made in Boston in a small shop staffed
by about 15 instrument builders, designers, and machinists, the
design and finish work is the best you can find. Period. All parts
and tubes are made in house. Slide action is perfect. I mean, no
noise, no drag, no problems, totally silent and fast. No slide works
better. Valves are proprietary designs, and are the fastest and best
sealing on the market. The Shires axial flow valve is notably higher
in quality and action than the other axial valves you see on the
factory horns. Not only does it look good and work well, it's so
easy to play. Big sound with super fast response, easy slotting,
in-tune partials, this horn won't win the audition for you, but it
will make you a better player. Part of the reason is that it's so
fun to play, you may have a hard time putting it down. I'm certainly
inspired to make music when I have a Shires trombone in my hands.
And, you can design this horn yourself to suit your own style of
playing. It's modular, so just choose your favorite slide, valve,
tuning crook, and bell, and buy the horn of your dreams. Having
trouble getting settled on a new Shires setup? I'll send some extra
parts for you to try until you're comfortable. It's that easy.
Oh yes, you pay the price in dollars. But how long are you going
to keep this horn? Once you try one of these, maybe you'll say,
"Forever". OK, let's say you play it for 20 years, and you spent
$2000 more than you would have if you bought a Conn.
That's $100 a year extra to have the best.
If you're on a budget, you can have some of this performance for
less money in another brand, but many players know a Shires is worth
it. Even the players who might prefer the sound of a horn like a
Conn, King, or Bach are still in awe at the flawless workmanship and
incredible response of these horns. But, you can tailor a Shires to
play like one of those other horns, though it will still sing with
its own signature Shires sound, which is just beautiful.
I don't play a symphonic tenor trombone very often these days, so
I have not absconded into my personal horn arsenal with one of these.
Yet.
But when I do get the occasional legit tenor bone job, you know
what I use. Shires.
Want to save a little? A Shires no-valve tenor trombone is only
$3100. That's my choice.
To design a custom setup, just choose one each of the parts below.
|
Shires Slides
Shires slides are available separately for $1150, and
include three lead pipes listed below.
T47 - the standard trombone slide, .547" bore slides tubes, brass
outer slide with nickel oversleeves and narrow, Conn style nickel end
crook, bright, copmpact, and centered
T47LW - same as above but without the nickel sleeves on the outer
tubes. Lighter faster action, slightly brighter tone, nice slide
T47G - same as above T47 but with gold brass outer tubes, darker
than T47, similar to Conn 88H slide
TW47 - the wide tenor slide, same as T47 but with wide Bach width
nickel end crook, looks like Getzen slide, fast responding with big
broad sound
TW47G - same as above TW47 but with gold brass outer tubes;
warmer, broad, wide, sounding slide, popular with Conn players
TB47 - wide tenor slide with .562" bass trombone sized nickel end
crook, like a Bach slide, you can blow more air through it, but
responds fast.
TB47YC - same as above TB47, but with wide Bach 42 style brass end
crook, darker, stable feeling Bach style slide
TB47YCLX - Bach 42 replacement slide, same as above TB47YC, but
slightly longer, and has Bach connector
*We can order Bach slide connectors, by request.
Other slide options are available by special order. Just ask.
|
Shires Leadpipes
Each horn or slide includes three threaded lead pipes,
usually #1, #2, and #3. Also available in yellow or gold brass,
nickel or sterling, in regular or long length, several tapers. Pipes
are available separately for $110 in brass or nickel, $250 in Sterling
silver.
Model 1 - Most like Bach
Model 2 - Most popular, more open
Model 3 - Very open
Model 2.5 - In between 2 and 3, good pipe
3L - Like Alessi / Edwards Sterling pipe, except in brass, good
pipe
3GL - Like 3L, but warmer sounding, good pipe with light weight
slides
|
Shires Bells
Bells are available separately for $1150
Model 1 bells with soldered rim bead
1Y - standard yellow brass, used by Peter Ellefson in
Seattle Symphony, heavier than Bach. Perhaps the most popular Shires bell.
1YM - medium weight throat yellow brass, also popular on smaller bore
horns. Faster response and a sound that gets to the back of the hall.
1G - standard gold brass, like Edwards 332 or Bach gold brass
heavy, used by Mike Hoffman, Pacific Symphony. In between yellow and red brass.
A little bit of both worlds.
1GT7 - same as 1G, but with smaller rim wire and bead, slightly faster
response. One of the most popular choices.
1R- standard red brass, soldered rim. We feel it gives a little more
clarity and well defined articulation, especially with the dark sounding
red brass. An excellent bell.
Model 2 bells with unsoldered rim bead
2Y - standard yellow brass, same as 1Y, but with
unsoldered rim bead, heavier than Bach, like Edwards 321, but
slightly heavier, nice yellow bell for Conn players wanting yellow
with a bit more heft, but fast responding.
2YM - medium weight throat yellow brass, unsoldered rim. Used by David Stetson, Pacific
Symphony, popular yellow bell for Conn players
2YLW - lightweight yellow brass plays like Elkhart Conn yellow
brass.
2RVE - most like Elkhart Conn 88H style from the '50's and '60's. One of
the best red bells Shires makes.
Other bell options are available by special order. Just ask.
|
Shires Tuning Crooks
Tuning crooks are available separately for $360, or a seamed
crook made from flat sheet brass for $460
Y- Yellow brass for clearer sound, the standard, can work well
with gold bells for more clarity
G - Gold brass for warmer sound, less harshness during loud
playing when used with a yellow bell
|
Shires Valves
No Valve - for the purists, a straight neck
pipe with an unusual and very comfortable thumb rest. Removable very
classy King style counter weight included. Easily convert from your F
attachment section to a straight horn in moments. Available
separately for $360, removable classic King style counterweight is
$80.
Axial Flow - the classic Ed Thayer design, made in house at
Shires to very tight tolerances, in contrast to some similar valves
that have been leaky. This is the best sealing valve of this style,
very open feel, big broad sound. These valves may need oiling and
cleaning more often, the lever throw is a little longer, and some
players get bothered by the intrusion in to their neck due to the
large size of this valve. Requires more bracing making for a heavier
instrument. Complete axial valve section is $1560.
Rotary - also made in house at Shires, this new oversize
rotary valve maintains constant bore throughout the air passageway.
Its is like a larger, nicer made version of the classic Conn rotary
valve. A small machined slot at the edge of the airway like most
rotary valves have adds venting to prevent popping when slurring
across the valves. But the thickness of the slot is so little that
it's a very tiny percentage of the airway volume in this valve. These
have a more centered, compact, focused sound than axial flow valves,
with a shorter lever throw, and more ergonomic shape for those
players who find axial flow valves too wide. These play similarly to
Greenhoe valves, whose design is based on a similar concept. Earlier
Shires horns had Greenhoe valves on them. This is an updated,
superior design. Complete rotary valve section is $1560.
Tru-Bore rotary - The newest proprietary valve from Shires
is now available. This is Steve's brainchild, designed completely by the Shires
engineering team and manufactured in house to the highest standards. The open
horn blows totally STRAIGHT through the
valve without curves or constrictions. Just like a straight gooseneck. The F side neatly channels the
air outside the back of the valve into a very open F loop. Short
throw, easy maintenance, easy lubrication. Think of this valve as the
best features of the Minick, Hagmann, and Lindberg valves combined,
with all the goofy features conveniently left out. Some players may
have clearance issues with the valve positioning, but if you're
concerned, use a wide style slide. Complete tru-bore valve section is
$1740.
|
Buy a Shires
How to decide? Let us know what you play now, and what
you want similar or different from your current axe. Just choose a
slide, valve setup, bell and crook style. Includes 3 lead pipes. Case
and mouthpiece are sold separately. If you like Conn horns, consider a
2RVET7, 2R or 2YM bell with a rotary valve and a T47 slide, or an axial
flow valve with a TW47G slide. If you've been playing Bach horns,
choose a 1Y or 1YM bell, axial flow valve, and TB47YC slide, or a 1G
bell, Thayer valve, and a TB47 slide. Send us an email or give us a telephone
case. Ask for our specialists: Robert or Noah when ordering a shires
trombone.
We try to keep the best selection of the most popular Shires combinations
in stock. Once in a while we'll order something funky and rare that's the
bee's knees. Check out our "Horns in Stock" page to see what we have now.
Occasionally we will have some used or B stock components offered at a
slight discount. If you don't mind a removed minor dent or scratch this is a
good way to save some cash.
|
Shires Prices
Symphonic model tenor trombone with F attachment
$4220, or $4400 with Tru-bore valve
Symphonic model tenor trombone without F attachment $3100
Above horns are sold without case
Bell $1150
Slide with 3 lead pipes $1150
Straight neck pipe $360
Counterweight $80
Tuning crook $360, or seamed crook $460
Valve section $1560 axial or rotary, $1740 Tru-bore
Lead pipes $110 brass or nickel, $250 Sterling
|
|
