If you've ever been interested in learning more about our Q Series valve options and hear the difference, we encourage you to check out this video featuring Shires specialist, Alexis Smith!
I worked at Shires from the late 90's to 2007. I final'd most of the valve sections which consisted of painstakingly hand lapping the valves and slides in and making and adjusting the entire lever actuator assembly. Each one was a ton of work and I enjoyed doing it. Steve and Chuck were great and the place was totally deadly to be in, so you had to be careful. A lot of famous bone players visited from all over the world while I was there. All nice people. Cool job, but after hand pain became a daily thing, had to leave. Will always remember it tho.
Funny, the reasons you love the axial valve are the reasons I didn't choose it! I've got a dual-bore valve on my Shires, and I tested it against the axial when I was choosing parts. The axial was big, fat, and wide open down low, which sounded great, but it was so different sounding than the rest of the instrument that I couldn't get past it. It sounded and felt like a bass trombone, and that's not what I was looking for. The dual-bore, in my hands, was a much more compact tenor trombone sound for me in that register while not sacrificing ease of play in the higher registers.
I have the standard rotor on my tenor instead of the dual bore, but I feel the same way as you. When I tried the dual bore it was too compact for me, while the axial was a little too woofy and open for my taste. The standard rotor felt and sounded just right to me. I also found it more difficult and tiring to play in the high range with the axial. On my bass trombone I have Trubores, which seem to combine qualities of both rotors and axials.
Nicely done, especially on the Strauss. I have coached far too many trombonists who do not play the accents after the first rest, then give me a clueless look when I tell them the accented notes are repeating the opening clarinet solo.
The difference of two valves is revealed quite much which is what I expected. I'm using shires bass trombone with double axial valve so I was curious about difference. Now I can explain clearly by her comparison. Thanks!
So quite a difference to the sound of these two instruments. The axial valve just sounds more like a straight horn without a valve presumably because there is less resistance. Very noticeable and much clearer tone too.
Interesting. The sound of the two tbones was different open and activated. Darker in the axial and brighter and more commercial Sounding on the rotor valve horn. Thanks for the comparison.
I think the boots looked hotter when playing the axial. There was a smoother legato if there was less articulation in the step and very little back pressure. Otherwise, I learned a lot. Great tone! Had me feeling so inspired. Thank you.
Brad new Shires Horns! That means they'll have only "minimal" acid bleed. Oooo, wait. The Q series are assembled in China. Probably no issue with acid bleed on these then.
