Greenhoe nerd time: comparing two valves of different eras

[Burgerbob]

I have a very early Shires Greenhoe valve, and I'm selling a friend's 42 Greenhoe from Gary's shop soon. I have both side by side, take a gander!

Of course, they are out of order. Newer valve on the left, older valve on the right.

[Crazy4Tbone86]

Of course, the question I am thinking is……. How do the two valves compare while playing? I would like to think the the more modern valve plays better. Isn’t that the whole idea of updating models and components?

[hornbuilder]

The change in manufacture was made because the initial design had concentricity issues. It was 2 halves, brazed together, then machined. The newer design was machined from solid rod, on a multi axis, twin spindle, lathe.

[Burgerbob]

Of course, the question I am thinking is……. How do the two valves compare while playing? I would like to think the the more modern valve plays better. Isn’t that the whole idea of updating models and components?

Honestly, they both play great. Can't compare apples to apples of course.

[WGWTR180]

Wasn't there some lengthy thread about the early Shires/Greenhoe valve not being a Greenhoe valve? Also the newer one is the dirty one?

[hornbuilder]

The valve used in the early Shires models was the standard (at the time) gh valve. It was the 2 piece/brazed version, on the right in Aidan's pictures.

[Burgerbob]

THey're both a bit grungy, but the newer one (which is probably 20+ years old) is grungier.

[WGWTR180]

The valve used in the early Shires models was the standard (at the time) gh valve. It was the 2 piece/brazed version, on the right in Aidan's pictures.

[MTbassbone]

I had one of the Shires Greenhoe valves. I had lots of trouble with it at first. There were issues with it binding when engaged. Gary Greenhoe helped me through disassembly and reassembly over the phone when trying to diagnose the problem. Ultimately I ended up sending it back to Shires twice before it was in good working order. Once it was working it was a great valve, but I switched to a Edwards axial setup after about 5 years. Now I'm back to rotors. Circle of life. LOL

[jonathanharker]

I have a Shires dependent bass built in 1999 with two of the ones on the right. Had them serviced about 5 years ago, and they're still bright-looking and uncorroded. They are still the best rotary valves I've ever played (although I'd like to try a CAIDEX valve).