Shires Bravo Euphonium

[spkissane]

I just got one of these at the shop so I wanted to start a thread and post some initial impressions of the Shires Bravo euphonium. It's a 3+1 non-compensating horn, only available in silver plate, has a .571 bore, large shank mouthpiece receiver, and a 12 inch bell.

I've only tooted around on it a bit today, but my initial impressions are pretty positive overall. Definitely a nice looking horn, free blowing as you'd expect, sweet/singing sound, open-feeling low register, and the 123 fingering is more in tune than 123 on my Adams (which is pretty dreadful, honestly, but I've never really been one to use that fingering for any reason).

MSRP is above the Yamaha 321/King 2280 but below the Adams Sonic. Overall it feels like a solid entry into the mid-level market.

Pics attached!

[spkissane]

Just kidding in the first post. HERE are the photos.

[RickF]

The Shires Bravo looks very nice. From the photos it looks like the bell flare is different but suspect it might be distortion from cellphone camera maybe.

Thanks for the review.

[davewerden]

There is absolutely a use for non-comp 4 valves, and it is kinda fun to see two quality builders offering new versions.

As far as 123...most non-comps (3 or 4 valve) tend to have longer loops on the 3rd valve. On comp horns the 3rd valve is quite usable for some notes instead of 12. Does the Bravo have a flatter 3rd valve than your compensating horn?

[John Morgan]

Agree with Dave that 3+1 non-compensating horns are quite useful instruments. For most music, you rarely go below low concert Eb, and having the 4th valve to tame the low B natural a little is very handy. And using the 4th valve for C in the staff is nice, too.

A lighter horn and a little freer blowing down low I suspect. And less greenbacks (or your local currency).

Nice engraving on the bell. Extra "cork" stoppers to prevent the spit valves from scratching the horn when you use them. What are the valve caps made of? How is the hand grip attached? It looks interesting, but I can't quite see all of it.

So nice to have so many choices to choose from nowadays. That is a good thing.

Thanks for posting, Sean!

[franz]

Indeed, having a non-compensating horn is probably the best solution if you are an average player who does not need to play virtuosic parts that require playing notes below F #. For band work an uncompensated 3 + 1 horn is more than enough: lighter, freer and, above all, saving a lot of money. I have played for forty years on this type of horn (Courtois 165, 4 online) and I have never found a single part that required the execution of C # above the fundamental, the only note not obtainable with this type of euphonium. I switched to a compensator just for fun or simply because it is in fashion and it is played by the greatest virtuosos of the euphonium. Positive is also the fact that the piston of the fourth valve is positioned between the main branch and the third pump and not behind, as in compensators, favoring a more ergonomic position, especially for those players with small hands.

[guidocorona]

Hello SPKissane, what is the actual list price of the Shires Bravo?

Regards, Guido

[spkissane]

Hey Guido - I'm honestly not sure if I can post the actual price online publicly or not, as the prices for the Bravo line aren't published, and the instruments are only available to dealers who buy into the full line (why you don't see them on WWBW, for instance). If you want to contact me privately or call Paige's I'm happy to share the info with you.

Dave - Honestly I just tune my 3rd valve slide to get my 2-3 Db and Gb as close as I can and never think about it otherwise. The 1-2 on my E1 has never really needed an alternate fingering. I might do a little comparing now that I know that about non-compensating horns.

It seems to me that Shires' Bravo line takes direct aim at the high school market, with the community band/enthusiast player/non-major college student/doubler markets being secondary. I can't speak to the long-term quality of the instruments, as they're a new product, but the sound/playability/initial quality all seem very nice - somewhat akin to Yamaha's Allegro line in trumpets and trombone - I've had students and teachers prefer one over the other in about equal measures so far.

I took a few more photos this morning - a few side-by-sides with a Yamaha Neo, just for an overall idea of the proportions, a close-up of what the water key looks like with the extra cork pad (interestingly, the 3rd valve water key has a reverse orientation to what is typical), a couple shots of the pearls on the finger buttons, and a comparison between the 4th valve lock (similar to a Besson/Yamaha) vs the Q41 (more like the Miraphone).

Other points of note, which are attractive features for a high schooler - all Shires Bravo instruments come with a gold plated mouthpiece ("5D" in this case, which I'm told is their take on the 51D), and a cordura "hard" case with backpack straps.

Here's the album: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...QP?usp=sharing

Happy to get any other shots of it, OR the Custom SOLO model I still have here in the shop if anyone wants.

[Richard III]

My question is about the fourth valve slide. The one on my King 2280 has two adjustable slides. This allows for a wide range of tuning to use the fourth valve for. Does the Shires have this too?

[guidocorona]

Hi Sean.... I left you a phone msg.

Regards, GUido

[John Morgan]

...Happy to get any other shots of it, OR the Custom SOLO model I still have here in the shop if anyone wants.

How about a shot of the "other" as in back side of the horn showing details of the handgrip? It looks to me like the handgrip is actually not a dummy tube, but a functioning tube where air goes through it. Is that how non-comps are usually made? Guess I haven't looked that closely, but I don't and haven't owned a non-comp 3+1 horn before.

[TheJH]

Positive is also the fact that the piston of the fourth valve is positioned between the main branch and the third pump and not behind, as in compensators, favoring a more ergonomic position, especially for those players with small hands.

As someone that has fiddled around with a Yamaha 621, I can say that this is actually NOT an ergonomic configuration. The natural way to hold a eupho is already to hold/wrap your hand around the main branch. Having the 4th valve be inbetween the 3rd valve tuning slide and the main branch means you have to bring back your left arm to your body to actually use the 4th valve, causing extra strain on the left wrist and elbow because of the tighter angle, and the more claw-like grip you need to apply to hold both the tubing and the valve casing.

[davewerden]

As someone that has fiddled around with a Yamaha 621, I can say that this is actually NOT an ergonomic configuration. The natural way to hold a eupho is already to hold/wrap your hand around the main branch. Having the 4th valve be inbetween the 3rd valve tuning slide and the main branch means you have to bring back your left arm to your body to actually use the 4th valve, causing extra strain on the left wrist and elbow because of the tighter angle, and the more claw-like grip you need to apply to hold both the tubing and the valve casing.

I feel the same, regarding ergonomics - this design would actually make me feel cramped up a bit. However, players with small hands may feel differently.

[spkissane]

I added photos of the other side of the horn, showing the handgrip, and a shot of the way that's most comfortable for *me* ergonomically to hold it in my left hand - my hand is more "spread" instead of cramped. It feels better that way.

[davewerden]

...and a shot of the way that's most comfortable for *me* ergonomically to hold it in my left hand - my hand is more "spread" instead of cramped. It feels better than way.

Interesting. I tried a similar design several years ago at an ITEC and could not get comfy. It looks like your reach is actually spread more than mine because you still wrap your fingers under the large bow. And the insertion of the 4th valve between the bow and the 3rd slide makes that reach longer. I guess I assumed a person with very small hands might simply wrap their fingers around the 3rd slide. Maybe I just didn't fool with it long enough to find the right combination for me.