Shires and Stephen’s side by side

[Spemrick]

For those of you interested in seeing Steve‘s new instruments, here’s the Stephens horn I took possession of in December up against my Shires custom.

[walldaja]

Any difference in feel through the valve? Thx

[Spemrick]

The Stephens horn is a little more open through the F side, I have the dual bore on my Shires. Both valves are great and I could be happy for the rest of my life with either one of them.

[Digidog]

What valves are there on the respective horn?

[bassbone1993]

Looks like Caidex (not sure on the spelling) for Stephen's and one of the rotors for Shires

[Burgerbob]

That's not a Caidex. Bosc maybe

[GabrielRice]

This is a rotor Steve is having made specifically for him.

[Spemrick]

Thanks Gabe, you can see the full explanation of the valve that Steve is using in the Stephens trombone thread that is also in the instruments forum. What I can tell you is that it plays great, my Shires horn has a dual bore.

[Tbarh]

Is it just my aging eyes or is there a difference in bell shape /flare throat size? Conn and Bach shaped maybe ?

Trond

[Posaunus]

This is a rotor Steve is having made specifically for him.

The Stephens Brass Instruments trombone rotor has been discussed in (agonizing) detail in a previous thread:
viewtopic.php?p=193293#p193293

I would guess that this rotary valve - which uses some of the ideas proposed (and patented) by Benny Leonard (Patent now expired), as well as some additional improvements / advances - is pretty special, and probably plays like a charm.

[JohnL]

Is it just me, or does that one branch on the Stephens f-attachment look kinda like something George McCracken might have done?