Overview
This custom S.E. Shires medium bore tenor trombone combined a rare and highly flexible set of components built for warmth, projection, and agility. At its center was a Shires Vintage Elkhart rose brass 8" bell (model 2RVE8) converted in our shop to a precision screw-bell setup using a fitted Shires collar. The result was a colorful, focused tone that could open up easily for jazz or commercial playing while still maintaining warmth.
The valve section used a dual-bore rotor paired with a TY yellow brass tuning slide. The handslide was a T25LW—lightweight yellow brass, standard width, and free-blowing without oversleeves. This configuration gives a medium-bore player the flexibility of a smaller horn with more tonal depth than most .525 setups.
Three removable leadpipes were included, and the receiver accommodated both small-shank and large-shank mouthpieces, giving this horn exceptional adaptability.
Player Perspective
Medium-bore Shires setups like this are ideal for players who find a .547 symphonic tenor too large but want more warmth and projection than a traditional small-bore jazz horn.
The T25LW slide speaks quickly, the rose brass bell adds color, and the TY tuning slide keeps the sound centered. With the screw-bell conversion, the horn also becomes much easier to travel with while maintaining full-size bell sound.
The Brass Exchange has been an authorized S.E. Shires Pro Shop since before the Eastman acquisition, and we’ve helped hundreds of players design custom Shires setups for jazz, commercial, and chamber playing.
✦ Comparison – Medium Bore Shires vs Bach 36 vs Conn 79H
For players researching medium-bore tenors:
• Shires Medium Bore: Modular flexibility, warm customizable sound
• Bach 36: Traditional feel with slightly more resistance
• Conn 79H: Lighter feel, brighter classic jazz tone
Custom Shires builds like this allow players to dial in response and color more precisely than fixed-design horns.
Included
• Custom Shires medium bore tenor trombone
• Three Shires leadpipes
• Marco Magi NN Series Italian case
🔧 Availability & Archive Status
This Shires medium bore tenor trombone has been sold and is shown here as part of our Archive of Sold instruments, preserved as a historical reference for players researching Shires custom builds.
👉 Browse our current trombone inventory 🔎
https://thebrass-exchange.com/trombones
Thinking About Selling a Shires Trombone or Custom Setup?
Have a Shires trombone or modular setup you’re considering selling or trading?
👉 Contact The Brass Exchange for an appraisal or consignment discussion 📌
We regularly help players evaluate Shires instruments, explain value ranges, and match custom horns with the right next owner.
🏅 Why Players Trust The Brass Exchange
Our Archive of Sold pages are built from decades of hands-on experience buying, selling, and configuring professional brass instruments. They help players understand value, compatibility, and real-world performance before buying or selling their own instruments.
