S.E. Shires trombone review

Visiting the Shires factory

During a recent visit to the S.E. Shires factory, I was fortunate enough to experience firsthand the range of trombones they offer. Nestled in the unassuming industrial area of Hopedale, Massachusetts, the factory’s location is conveniently about an hour’s drive from Boston and a four-hour journey from New York. The unassuming exterior of the building belies the fact that it houses a world-class brass instrument manufacturer. Make no mistake, appearances can be deceiving; S.E. Shires is a company dedicated to their craft, possessing an in-depth understanding of every facet of trombone construction and design, from the hows and whys to even the whens. My introduction was facilitated by renowned New York trombone player and Shires artist, Michael Davis, and this gave me the privilege of meeting Steve Shires, along with Ben Griffin, the Shires sales representative and accomplished trombone player. Ben has deep knowledge about trombones of all sizes and was very helpful during my visit. He set me up in the Shires showroom and kept feeding me with new trombone parts for several hours.

S.E. Shires factory, Hopedale, Massachusetts

Since I knew I would be buying a small bore horn, this was where I started out. Unfortunately, I never got around to trying out their large bore trombones – a compelling incentive for a return visit. In this article, I will review the trombone parts I tried, including the Michael Davis Signature Model. Additionally, I will share the details of the particular choice I ultimately settled on for my dream trombone.

These are all the trombone parts I tried

Slides:
T00NLW My choice
T00LW
T95NLW, YRC (from the Michael Davis model)

Lead pipes:
T0 2N (Nickel with #2 venturi, .500 bore) My choice
T0 2.5 (Brass, #2.5 venturi, .500 bore) My alternative choice

Tuning slides:
SY1.5 My choice
SY1.0
SY

Mouthpiece:
S.E. Shires Vintage 6 1/2 AL

Bells:
S1YLW 8 (Lightweight yellow brass, soldered bead 8″)
S1RGLW 8 (Lightweight, dual alloy, red brass stem, and gold brass flare, soldered bead 8”)
S1YLW 7.75 (Lightweight yellow brass, soldered bead 7.75″) My choice
S1YLM 7.75  (Mediumweight yellow brass, soldered bead, 7.75″)
Michael Davis signature bell (7.5” bell)

See all the Shires small bore trombone options here

Click here to read my full Shires trombone review.

Test: Shires bells

All bells tested were two-piece bells, meaning that they are made of two pieces of metal that are soldered together just before the point where the bell diameter expands drastically. When looking at the trombone on a stand, the soldering is made horizontal. The metal in the two-piece bell gets a bit thicker towards the rim and delivers a clear sound that does not crack easily.

I did not test any one-piece bells during my evaluation. Those bells often exhibit a slight thinning of the metal toward the bell’s terminus. As a result, they tend to exude a touch less stability and offer a subtly mellower tonal quality. Intriguingly, they possess the ability to render a more expansive and open sensation, though occasionally at the expense of surgical precision. Yet, it’s important to clarify that it’s a matter purely governed by personal preference—a distinctive and individual taste.

For my precise needs, however, I was seeking certain traits in a small-bore trombone bell primed for jazz solo performances. Hence, the attributes of a one-piece bell, with its unique sonic signature and dynamic characteristics, did not precisely align with my specific requisites.

About soldered beads

The bead is the rounded rim on the bell, and a soldered bead indicates that a metal strip runs along the inner rim, securely joined through soldering. This method stands as the most prevalent technique for bell fabrication, imparting heightened stability to the bell itself and consequently facilitating greater control for the player. In contrast, an unsoldered bead signifies that the metal ring encircling the rim remains unattached to the trombone itself. (This scenario might potentially lead to a razzling sound if the build quality falls short.)

An unsoldered bead often yields a more intricate and resonant timbre, albeit at the expense of projection and attack clarity. Notably, older Conn trombones sport unsoldered beads, while Bach and King trombones, as well as newer Conn models, embrace the soldered bead construction.

Shires S1YLW 8
This 8” yellow brass bell offers excellent responsiveness and a comfortable playing experience. It’s an ideal size for 3rd trombone positions in big band or commercial settings. However, I find that for small group jazz gigs, a smaller bell works better for me, as it delivers a more fitting performance. While this bell responds exceptionally well across all registers, it lacks the light, bouncy quality of the 7.75” bells when playing jazz solos.

Shires S1RGLW 8
Very similar to the S1YLW 8 bell, but this one is gold brass. It is a bit darker and more “serious” than its yellow brass sister, making it a great bell for light orchestral playing or church gigs. I wouldn´t mind having a 8” bell at my shelf at home as well as a smaller one, but the choice between yellow brass and gold brass is a bit tricky. I would personally go for the gold brass, just to make the leap from my smaller bell a bit larger.

Shires S1YLW 7.75

I ended up purchasing this bell – in my opinion a fantastic choice for jazz performances, thanks to its remarkable responsiveness and the way it delivers an open, clear, and projecting sound. During my experimentation, I tested it both with and without the counterweight, ultimately deciding to keep it on. This addition adds a touch of tightness to the whole setup, amplifying my control even further. When the counterweight is off, the horn feels slightly softer and less focused. Placing it on the lower bar creates a result somewhere in between having the counterweight on or off. All three options hold their own value, and I might find myself alternating between them to keep things fresh and varied.

Shires S1YLM 7.75
This is also a nice bell, but not my first choice. It carries a slightly mellower tone and doesn’t quite capture the same bounciness that I admired in the lighter S1YLW 7.75 bell.

Michael Davis’s signature trombone

This horn truly stands out, boasting an impressive level of responsiveness that caught my attention. When it comes to size, it aligns rather nicely with the King 2B I had been accustomed to playing. However, I couldn’t help but notice a slight sense of narrowness, which left me yearning for a tad more room to maneuver. Despite its smaller bell size, there’s a surprising depth to its sound – a subtle darkness that I attribute to the bell’s lightweight construction. In my view, this horn holds significant appeal for a specific group of players: those who favor compact horns and possess a measured approach to their playing, underlining the importance of a solid breathing technique.

When dealing with narrower tubing, a heightened sense of precision in managing airflow becomes paramount. On the flip side, larger tubes and those generous large bore trombones tend to be a touch more lenient (though, let’s be clear, maintaining a strong breathing technique is vital regardless of trombone size!). My exploration led me to pair the Michael Davis Signature bell with the slightly more capacious T00NLW slide, although this union wasn’t without its quirks. It’s evident that this bell yearns for the Michael Davis slide. Also, the folks at Shires have made it clear they’re keeping these parts bundled.

Now, let’s talk about the handlebar on the Michael Davis slide – it’s sleek and slender. This design choice is downright delightful, lending it a sensation akin to the nimble grace of a sports car. It felt so good in my hands that I found myself wishing for this handlebar upgrade across all my slides. It’s a small detail that makes a noticeable difference – just like that sporty spoiler on a race car!

Michael Davis told me that he is so pleased with this trombone that he bid farewell to both his trusty King 2B and 3B. Try it out – it might very well be your dream horn! I found this trombone to be clearly superior to my otherwise beloved King 2B (anniversary model with silver bell, a copy of their own legendary Silversonic from the sixties), but I also found out that my way of playing was better supported by a slightly bigger horn, and I therefor ended up with a .500 bore slide and 7 3/4” bell. The Michael Davis model has a .495 bore and 7,5” bell.

Shires trombone slide: lightweight or not?
I once tried a lightweight slide on my King 2B, and I found it to be a poor solution with a weaker, less defined sound and attack. That made me believe that lightweight is just not the way to go unless you have crazy weak arms or never play louder than a whisper in space.

It’s worth noting that Shires’ lightweight offerings don’t quite match the featherweight feel you might find in comparable low-fat trombone parts from other manufacturers. So, if you’re all about that grand, robust sound, don’t let the “lightweight” label scare you off. Yet, as with any musical adventure, the proof is in the playing. It’s a journey of personal taste and playing style, where the best choice is more about discovering what resonates with your artistic expression rather than adhering to a one-size-fits-all approach.

Steve Shires spinning bells in the factory

Test: Shires tuning slides:

SY1.5 – my choice
SY1.0
SY (standard)

I was genuinely surprised by how significantly different tuning slides can alter the trombone’s feel! After a thorough exploration, I eventually settled on the SY1.5 tuning slide, which is a tad more petite compared to the standard SY. This choice rewarded me with a finely focused sound coupled with swift responsiveness – precisely the attributes that my new horn needed to possess.

Oddly enough, the standard SY tuning slide failed to hit the mark for me. Instead of enhancing the experience, it almost transformed my small-bore trombone into a large-bore counterpart! Great match for someone who mainly plays large-bore trombones?

Nestled comfortably in between these two contrasting options, the SY1.0 strikes a balance. It boasts a slight edge in size over the SY1.5 while still remaining a smidge smaller than the standard SY tuning slide.

Luckily I did not have the chance to try all available tuning slide models, or I would probably still be in the showroom trying different trombone configurations…

Test: Shires mouthpiece

S.E. Shires Vintage 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece
My first impression of this mouthpiece is that it is really well-designed. Its tactile response is superb, accompanied by a rich, resonant sound characterized by an abundance of harmonics. The only reason I didn’t adopt it as my own is that I’ve grown quite content with the flatter rim featured on my Dennis Wick 7CS mouthpiece (Note: The 7CS has since been replaced with the fantastic Laskey 50C mouthpiece). Had I still been playing my former Schilke 51B, I would have readily transitioned to the Shires 6 1/2 AL mouthpiece without hesitation.

Discovering the perfect trombone mouthpiece is undeniably subjective, and there are no definite right or wrong opinions. My brief interaction with the Shires mouthpiece did, however, unveil a meticulously crafted product. Therefore, if they happen to offer a mouthpiece with similar dimensions, rim contour, and cup size as your current choice, I wholeheartedly recommend exploring their offerings.

Forrest of bells

Shires general trombone design

Shires trombones bear a striking resemblance to, well, your quintessential trombone. Their design follows the classic WYSIWYG principle – what you see is precisely what you get. And let’s be honest, there’s nothing inherently wrong with this approach. However, I can’t help but feel that they possess untapped potential when it comes to instrument design. Craftsmanship of this caliber surely deserves a distinctive aesthetic. It’s an opportunity to let them stand out, to give them a visual persona that matches their outstanding performance. Imagine these horns on stage, not just delivering superb music, but also visually capturing attention and becoming instantly recognizable.

Is this a missed opportunity, or do Steve Shires’ trombone designs simply mirror his philosophy of crafting no-nonsense, top-of-the-line instruments with an unwavering emphasis on exceptional performance?

My Shires trombone

I visited the Shires factory with the firm knowledge that they craft some of the finest trombones available. Without a shred of doubt, I knew I would depart with an exceptional new instrument in hand. Trying out the different models and getting to feel how big a difference small design changes do to the trombone was a great experience.

My objective was to find a horn with great response and precision. A good sound is also important, but luckily I tend to like the sound of a trombone if I like the feel of the instrument – and most trombones will soon end up sounding like you anyway. In my opinion, it is easier to find a good sound on a trombone that is easy to play, rather than vice versa.

I ended up with the following Shires small bore trombone configuration:

Bell: S1YLW lightweight yellow brass 7.75” bell,
Slide: T00NLW lightweight .500 bore slide with nickel tubing
Lead pipe: T0 2N nickel with #2 venturi
Tuning slide: SY1.5
All of this paired with a Laskey 50C mouthpiece.

httpv://youtu.be/FgWMDm-eK-Y

This is by far the best trombone I have ever played! It has a unique response, great precision, and a full, rich sound. The horn can play incredibly loud without cracking (as a matter of fact, I can’t really get it to crack…). The tone is not as sparkling as my old silver 2B, but this does not feel like a sacrifice. It has a more modern sound, and I actually prefer this. The horn really improves my playing. Whatever I throw at it, it turns into music. This trombone gives me more confidence and I feel much more relaxed while playing than before.

The high A flat is usually a problematic tone on a trombone. It can be harder to hit than the surrounding notes and the sound is often a bit muffled. But not on my new horn – this little detail tells me a lot about the general quality of Steve Shires’ instruments!

Do I recommend Shires trombones? YES!
But – they have soooo many options, that you will need a pretty big selection of parts at hand in order to find the perfect match for you.

“Standard” and vintage trombones vs. custom trombones

Many of the old go-to professional horns (like Bach, King, Conn, etc.) offer an excellent sound and a satisfying playing experience. However, my transition to custom or high-quality small trombone manufacturers elicited a feeling akin to moving from a Ford Mondeo to a luxurious Mercedes. The Mondeo is undeniably exceptional, effortlessly fulfilling all the necessary aspects of a car – roomy, powerful, and comfortable. At first glance, it might seem impossible for anything to be significantly better. But then you get into the luxury Mercedes, and realize that everything could be improved, and by quite a lot!

That´s how I feel about custom trombones such as Shires, Schmelzer, Rath, and others. They add something to the feel and comfort of playing that I have not found in the “standard” horns. I like that. I have had the opportunity to try several of the smaller luxury brands on the same occasion, and for me, Shires was clearly a better fit than the rest of the bunch. But that´s my personal opinion.

Sound

I think some of the older vintage horns can have a more interesting sound with more personality than than the new Mercedes-bones. But honestly, I don’t care! I believe that any instrument (especially a good one) will sound like me eventually, and whatever I might lose (but not necessarily miss) in the sound, I will live happily without it. Modern trombones tend to have a more composed and focused sound, and most of the time, I prefer working with that.

Good luck with your trombone hunting!

Coming up: exclusive interview with Steve Shires and report from the factory floor.

Anders Larson & Steve Shires, founder of Shires