Purchasing New Instrument

[Argus]

I have been looking lately to buy a professional horn, and there's been some considerations:

I really like the quality of the Shires Artist models, I was particularly looking at the Alessi and David Rejano artist models, though the Alessi model is quite hard to find, and the Rejano model even harder. Are there good places to search for professional models in stock?

The Adams TB1-H also caught my eye, and I have heard the valve is very free blowing. I also struggle finding a single location selling this model with the Hagmann valve, which would be one of the main selling points if I were to buy it.

- My current horn (Conn 88HO) has a poor trigger register, I played on a Shires Q series in the shop recently, and the first trigger F sounded far better than my playing has ever had, which can be expected on an Axial flow, but it caught me off guard. The valve quality is a very important consideration to me.

- Stability. I have been experimenting with the extreme ranges lately, and (unsurprisingly), the playing is inconsistent and unstable at times. While I also need to just get good, it would help to find an instrument with an air column that does not shift wildly. What build considerations should I observe for this factor?

- Material is not a huge factor for me, though I feel gold brass would be the best balance for my sound.

What models come to mind with these factors, and should I be focused on factors other than these when selecting an instrument? Any suggestions for places to find professional instruments would be greatly appreciated.

[JeffBone44]

I did a search for both the custom Alessi models and Q-series. I couldn't find any custom Alessi trombones in stock either, but found the Q series in stock in several places. Unfortunately for the custom model it seems that you'll just have to backorder it and wait.

Houghton Horns is a good place to order trombones from, as well as Dillon Music. You can always call the Shires factory and order it directly through them as well. It seems that it's about a 7-month wait right now.

A couple of months ago I went up to Shires for a large bore tenor refitting, and the new components I ordered will be a little bit closer to what the Alessi model is. I chose the Alessi rotor valve and the TW47 slide with Bollinger collar while keeping my 7YLW bell. Shires said that I'll be receiving my parts in November. It was a very easy horn to play, and it felt very stable with a lot of core, presence and color in the sound. With my current setup the high range is a bit stuffy, but the new components make it feel free and easy blowing up there. I loved the sound that I got with the Alessi valve too.

If you're spending 6K on a trombone, and you want Shires, I would schedule a trip to the Shires showroom and be fitted for the proper setup for yourself, so that you're assured of winding up with something that works well for you.

[atopper333]

Brass Gurus has a few different custom models in stock, also has a q Alessi model showing in the website as well. Might be worth a look at least.

https://brassgurus.com/collections/teno ... one?page=1

I’ve bought a Shires valve from them before, it was a very pleasant transaction. Shipping was fast and the item was exactly as pictured.

[Elow]

Shires is at an 11 month wait… just had a friend order a custom. 11 months later they sent him a horn, a completely different instrument than what he ordered. Shires sent him his custom parts over the next couple of weeks and he had to ship back all the parts he didn’t order. I have heard from Edwards artists that getting something from Christian is not exactly straightforward either.
I would get an instrument from a dealer that is in stock, or support a tech that you like and have something built around a Bach/Conn/whatever bell.

[SwissTbone]

The Adams TB1-H also caught my eye, and I have heard the valve is very free blowing. I also struggle finding a single location selling this model with the Hagmann valve, which would be one of the main selling points if I were to buy it.

Adams with Hagmann in stock at Swisstbone:-)

[Wilco]

The Adams is very very very good!

[deanmccarty]

If you are laying down $6K for a new horn, make it the one that you want. Don’t settle… even if you have to wait. I just purchased a new Voigt 189FX… I am replacing my Rath R4… I purchased it knowing that I would have to wait several months for it. It only ended up being 6 months, but it is worth it to wait for exactly what you want.

[bassclef]

I have heard from Edwards artists that getting something from Christian is not exactly straightforward either.

I heard the same from a couple people recently due to Edwards' production backlog.

However, in one case I know of personally - this person was informed that despite that backlog, if you visit the factory, you can leave with whatever you want in hand. That turned out to be true for this individual who made the trip, anyway.

[norbie2018]

I have heard from Edwards artists that getting something from Christian is not exactly straightforward either.

I heard the same from a couple people recently due to Edwards' production backlog.

However, in one case I know of personally - this person was informed that despite that backlog, if you visit the factory, you can leave with whatever you want in hand. That turned out to be true for this individual who made the trip, anyway.

It was true for me as well about a year ago.

[timbone]

I would definitely check out the Courtois Paris, New Yorker and new Florida models. All are available through Husonics. Tried them at itf this year. For an "outfit" instrument, they are great.

[Tomnormann]

What about this? Off the beaten track, but outstanding quality:

https://www.trombonechat.com/viewtopic.php?t=36439

And you are probably aware that Stephen Shires sold S.E. Shires some years ago, and make horns by him self these days?