Shires euphonium

[Nbnarcisi]

Just happened to notice that Dillon Music has the Shires Q series euphonium in stock, with either a large shank or euro shank receiver, both in silver, interesting. Not at an outrageous price either.

Did send a request to Dillon asking about images as there are none at present, so not sure of its configuration (valves) although the models are compensating.

[guidocorona]

Information and pricing for te Shires Q eupho at:

https://www.dillonmusic.com/shires-q...657&quantity=1

There appear to be at least two versions: one wit a 12" bell, and te other one with an 11.5" bell, lighter gage bell, and Nickel (nickel-silver?) lead pipe. According to the description, the latter might yield a more brilliant tone.

Regards, G.

[bbocaner]

I think the 11.5" bell is actually a heavier gauge bell. I think the 11.5" bell model is intended to compete with the Willson 2900. Notice that while both models are available with both sizes of receiver, they have the Q41 in stock with the medium receiver and the Q40 in stock with the large.

[guidocorona]

Here are the descriptions on the Dillon Music site for the Q40 and Q41. Q40 seems to have a "medium weight" bell... Q41 is said to have a "standard weight" bell... No exact gage is given, so mine was a guess:

"The Q40S euphonium provides an open and free blowing feel with the clarity of sound and excellent projection that has
made S.E. Shires instruments the favorites of players the world over. Featuring a 12-inch, two-piece, hand-hammered upright
bell in medium-weight yellow brass with soldered bead, this compensating euphonium in B♭ delivers a broad and warm
timbre throughout the range of the instrument. At home in any ensemble or solo performance, the Q40S euphonium is an
excellent choice for any musician.

• Key: B♭, compensating system
• .591” bore, .669” 4th valve bore
• 12-inch, two-piece, hand-hammered upright bell in medium-weight yellow brass with soldered bead
• Brass Leadpipe
• Stainless steel pistons
• Large shank mouthpiece receiver
• Silver-plated finish
• Includes Q Series euphonium case, mouthpiece, and care kit

The Q41S euphonium provides a balanced feel and ease of playing with the clarity that musicians would search for. Featuring
a more compact 11.5-inch, two-piece, hand-hammered upright bell in standard-weight yellow brass with unsoldered bead,
this compensating euphonium in B♭ delivers a clear and powerful sound that projects effortlessly throughout the range of
the instrument. At home in any ensemble or solo performance, the Q41S euphonium is an excellent choice for any musician.

• Key: B♭, compensating system
• .591” bore, .669” 4th valve bore
• 11.5-inch, two-piece, hand-hammered upright bell in standard-weight yellow brass with unsoldered bead
• Nickel Leadpipe
• Stainless steel pistons
• Large shank mouthpiece receiver
• Silver-plated finish
• Includes Q Series euphonium case, mouthpiece, and care kit"

Regards, G.

[davewerden]

It is significant to note that the 41 has a soldered bell bead, while the 40 has an unsoldered (crimped) bead.

FWIW, my impressions of the Shires euphoniums are part of this blog post:

http://www.dwerden.com/forum/entry.p...ing-Euphoniums

Here is the intonation run I did for the Q41 (click it for a larger view):

[Jasoncostello77]

I noticed this too! Very curious as to what makes its price so much lower compared to its counterparts in willson, besson, adams, yamaha, etc.

[MichaelSchott]

I noticed this too! Very curious as to what makes its price so much lower compared to its counterparts in willson, besson, adams, yamaha, etc.

If you can look at the link to Dave’s review, it says they are made in Shire’s own factory in China. I’m sure the inexpensive labor contributes to the relatively low price.

[djwpe]

I just got back from hearing Hiram Diaz perform on a brand new production model Q41 medium shank. He was performing at Montclair State in New Jersey with his Quintet, High Bridge Brass https://www.highbridgebrass.com/ a conical quintet with amazing other players (Chris Martin, NY Phil, Mark Ridenour, Chicago Symphony).

I was was amazed at not only how good Hiram sounded, but at the variety of tone color he was able to get out of the Shires (seemed to my ear far more flexible than the willson typically is).

It it was also quite a treat to hear him “warming down” by playing orchestral tuba excerpts on euphonium. I had to look twice to make sure it was him playing and not Chris Tideman, the tuba player. No stuffiness in the low register with THAT medium shank horn.

Don Winston

[Nbnarcisi]

Dave,
I understand the difference between a soldered bell bead and a crimped bell bead, but is there a difference in sound/projection/or any other characteristics ?

[davewerden]

Dave,
I understand the difference between a soldered bell bead and a crimped bell bead, but is there a difference in sound/projection/or any other characteristics ?

In theory there is a difference in sound, but I'm not sure about projection. I didn't have time to test both models enough to figure out much else.

[Nbnarcisi]

A couple pictures from Dillon

[bbocaner]

Having played examples of each, but never identical instruments with the bead wire being the only difference, I can't speak directly to what the soldered bead wire does on euphonium. I do however have some experience with it on trombone where some of the manufacturers make the same bell in both configurations. I'll share the descriptions from Edwards and Shires web sites:

Edwards:
A soldered bell tends to have a very centered sound with a lot of core (fundamental). The articulations are slightly dampened and softer with the solder, while the sound is more direct and compact.
An unsoldered bell has a very wide sound with more overtones. Articulations are easier with an unsoldered rim. More near feel is apparent with these bells as the sound is wider, which helps give the player more feedback.

Shires:
Soldered bead favors pointed articulations and centered sound, more stability to the sustain of tone.
Unsoldered bead favors broad, wider, and more diffuse sound and softer, more covered articulations.

I find their descriptions to be very accurate, although they are a bit at odds with each other with regards to the effect on articulations. I find Shires description to be more in line with my experience, but it's not a black or white thing - it's a little bit complex. The biggest difference to me is the way the instrument centers or slots, with the soldered bead locking in to a more stable feel than the unsoldered.

[Nbnarcisi]

Thank you Barry, that clarifies it perfectly for me !

[JasonDonnelly]

I tried both the 12' and 11.5' models at ITEC. They were both good but I enjoyed the 11.5' version better, I do believe it had a heavier bell. Outside of the Prestige and Yamaha 842 it was one of the best horns I played there.

[MichaelSchott]

It looks like Norwegian euphonium soloist Bente Illivold has switched to the new Shires euphonium. She posted about it on the Facebook page today. There are no details as to which model but she had been playing a Willson 2800TA with the large shank and was using the Doug Elliott mouthpiece she has been using with the Willson on the Shires.