Overview
The S.E. Shires Q33 is a .508-bore jazz–commercial small-bore tenor trombone known for its quick response, colorful tone, and Custom-level consistency. This particular example was super mint—barely played, carefully stored, and preserved with near-new clarity inside and out.
It came from the estate of a long-time friend and professional musician who purchased the instrument but never had the opportunity to truly play it. Aside from a few brief test sessions, it remained essentially untouched.
This was not an “open-box” horn and not a customer return. It was privately owned and responsibly stored from new. (For players researching open-box instruments, we’ve published a detailed explanation of how open-box sales typically work in the brass world.)
Before sale, the trombone received a full chemical cleaning and inspection to ensure the bell interior, tuning slide, and handslide crook showed zero oxidation. It was fully serviced and verified as 100% player-ready.
Key features included:
8" two-piece yellow-brass bell
Classic S.E. Shires floral engraving, stamped Q33
Flawless .508 small-bore handslide, aligned and fast
All original lacquer with no wear or dulling
Original Shires case in excellent condition
One removable leadpipe (standard Shires .508 threading)
Mouthpiece not included
Player Perspective
Speaking personally, this model deserves context.
As an authorized S.E. Shires Pro Shop for many years, I spent significant time at the Shires factory during the era when Steve Shires was still actively involved. On one visit, a well-known Shires artist said to me:
“Wait until you try the new Q small-bore—you’re going to love it.”
When I asked what it was, the answer was simple:
.508 bore, 8″ yellow brass… a 3B killer.
That assessment proved accurate.
When the Q33 was first introduced, The Brass Exchange sold more Q33 trombones than any other dealer in the country. They were shockingly good—lively, centered, and extremely close to the Custom line at a far more approachable price point.
Today, new Q33 models sell at the current MAP price, and they’re widely available.
What isn’t widely available are super-mint, barely-played Q33 examples under the $2,000 mark—especially ones with verified history, full service, and true estate provenance.
This instrument represented exactly that.
Condition Summary
Super-mint, essentially untouched
No lacquer wear, no dings, no blemishes
Perfect slide—aligned and tension-free
Full chemical cleaning and inspection completed
100% player-ready at time of sale
Estate instrument with minimal lifetime use
Original Shires case in excellent condition
One removable leadpipe included
Mouthpiece not included
Questions Trombone Players Often Ask
Q: How does the Q33 compare to the King 3B?
The Q33 was conceived as a modern alternative to the 3B—offering quicker response, tighter slotting, and the precision Shires is known for. Many players transitioning from a 3B describe the Q33 as “the horn I always wished my 3B was.”
Q: Are Q-Series trombones made in Boston?
Q-Series instruments are built overseas to Shires specifications, then finalized and quality-checked through the Boston operation. They are widely regarded as the highest-quality overseas-built trombones available today.
Q: Is this better than buying an open-box horn?
Yes. Open-box instruments may have seen demo use or multiple trial periods. This trombone was owned but effectively unplayed, with no shop wear, no demo mileage, and no unknown handling.
Q: Does buying from The Brass Exchange offer an advantage?
For many buyers, verified inspection, professional setup, and accurate condition reporting provide meaningful advantages over anonymous marketplace listings.
🏛️ Archive Reference Note
This S.E. Shires Q33 has been sold and is now part of The Brass Exchange Archive of Sold Instruments, preserved as a reference for players researching Shires Q-Series trombones, condition standards, and real-world examples.
Many visitors arrive at this page while researching an instrument they already own or are considering selling.
📌 Have a Shires trombone you’re thinking about selling or trading?
Contact us for a professional valuation and guidance on your options:
https://thebrass-exchange.com/contact
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