Shires Michael Davis plus .508 bore?

Fidbone · by **Fidbone** » 2022-04-26 4:30 a.m.

Esteemed forum members, does anyone have one of these?

If so how are you finding it?

I'd be grateful for any reviews as we in lil ole UK don't have much chance to test one.

Thanks in advance :hi:

hyperbolica · by **hyperbolica** » 2022-04-26 7:38 a.m.

I had one, and it's one of the best 508 bore out there. To me it was definitely my favorite Shires design I've played. More stable than a 3b, more open than 16m. If there is a criticism, it's possibly a little sterile, but some people like that. You might also try the Courtois 402. Aside from a little funky intonation, the Courtois is really fantastic.

ithinknot · by **ithinknot** » 2022-04-26 8:05 a.m.

There is, or was, one at Phil Parker's relatively recently.

I tried it briefly while there for something else. I'm an idiot, and not a 3B person anyway, so my opinion is worth stunningly little. With those caveats, it's well made, easier to play than a King, and maybe you like the sound more or less. Of that sort of design, the 891Z seems just as easy, and slightly more interesting.

Fidbone · by **Fidbone** » 2022-04-26 8:40 a.m.

[quote="ithinknot"]There is, or was, one at Phil Parker's relatively recently.

it's well made, easier to play than a King, and maybe you like the sound more or less. Of that sort of design, the 891Z seems just as easy, and slightly more interesting.[/quote]

My favourite daily is a 70's King 3B which was the first instrument I ever bought, I stupidly sold it to buy an 8H to go study at the RCM although I did need a large bore for that.

3 years ago I got my 3B back from the guy I sold it to in 1981 and it still blows great. However it's seen better days so was thinking of replacing it with something else.

I did have a Yamaha 891Z for a while but didn't get on with the yellow slide (articulations and speed of execution) also I found it too sterile in the sound dept.

Tried lot's of Rath R2's of various denominations but only found one I liked which was older and already spoken for.

:(

Fidbone · by **Fidbone** » 2022-04-26 8:42 a.m.

[quote="hyperbolica"]If there is a criticism, it's possibly a little sterile, but some people like that.[/quote]

Do you think it was sterile due to it being brand new?

Did you try both lead pipes?

ithinknot · by **ithinknot** » 2022-04-26 9:02 a.m.

[quote="Fidbone"]3 years ago I got my 3B back from the guy I sold it to in 1981 and it still blows great. However it's seen better days so was thinking of replacing it with something else.[/quote]

Leave the original alone, obviously, but if it's basically a mechanical issue have you tried sticking a new 3B slide on your old bell? (Leadpipes might have changed, etc, but it's a cheap experiment.)

Know what you mean about the yellow slide on the Yamaha. I'm not going to put it any more aggressively than this, but if you found the 891Z a bit boring, I'd be surprised if you found the MD+ 'significantly more exciting'...

hyperbolica · by **hyperbolica** » 2022-04-26 9:32 a.m.

[quote="Fidbone"]<QUOTE author="hyperbolica" post_id="177234" time="1650973112" user_id="104">
If there is a criticism, it's possibly a little sterile, but some people like that.[/quote]

Do you think it was sterile due to it being brand new?

Did you try both lead pipes?
</QUOTE>

No, it's just that I'm a Conn/Olds guy with that sound stuck in my head, and the new horns are nice, but don't have the warmth in the sound as the older instruments. Also, I only owned it for a few months, so I didn't allow for the horn changing my tastes. I also had a 891z. That was the best Yamaha I've ever played, but I'm not a huge Yamaha fan. I think one of the Rath variations would be a real killer horn. The R3 I played was probably my all-time favorite horn.

HermanGerman · by **HermanGerman** » 2022-04-26 10:48 a.m.

Maybe you have the chance to test an XO 1634R.

I never played my 3B (70ies) again since I got the XO.

Beautiful sound, easy to play..

Vegasbound · by **Vegasbound** » 2022-04-26 12:12 p.m.

Phil Parker’s in London are the ones with the import rights to the UK, they have had a long association with Steve Shire’s and are talking to him about his new venture, yes they carry the Mike Davis horns, and the plus is a great playing .508

Jimkinkella · by **Jimkinkella** » 2022-04-26 4:42 p.m.

I've got one.

Probably the best Shires I've played without massive modification, and actually gets the most playing time of all of my horns outside of the house.

I've had a couple of 3b's, but it's really hard to find a great one...

I use one of Brad & Noah's copper seamed 32h leadpipes, works and sounds waaay better the Shires.

ymmv

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2022-04-26 6:26 p.m.

I played one back to back to back with my own 3BSS and Elliott Mason's personal BAC prototype, and had them all in one place for a few weeks. Tried all the leadpipes. It came in third place, for me. Not a bad horn. Not a 3B, either.

If your favorite horn is a 3B, not much else will satisfy you.

FWIW, the Elliott Mason trombone won the day, but was ergonomically difficult -- the hand slide is operated with a wire thin cross brace.

Rusty · by **Rusty** » 2022-04-28 5:48 a.m.

I’ve played a MD+ as my main horn for quite a few years now and I love it. I’ve used it on everything from theatre shows to lead in a bigband. I’ve also had 3b Silversonics and they just don’t match the openness and evenness across the horn, although there’s still something about the sounds of a good 3b that’s hard to beat. My 3bf Silversonic has an even better high range I’d say than my MD+ but the Shires just sounds better in more situations.

I’d love to try a Shires Marshall Gilkes and the XO 1634.

ssking2b · by **ssking2b** » 2022-04-28 11:16 a.m.

Try the XO 1634 (508) or the XO 1632 (500). Both are much better horns. Yes I am an XO artist, but the reason is because the horns are superior!

Fidbone · by **Fidbone** » 2022-04-28 11:38 a.m.

[quote="ssking2b"]Try the XO 1634 (508) or the XO 1632 (500). Both are much better horns. Yes I am an XO artist, but the reason is because the horns are superior![/quote]

I have had a 1632 for about 9 months now, yes it's a very fine horn. Perhaps a little bit too light and I tend to overfill it. Not even seen or heard a 1634 over here yet.

I'm definitely preferring .508 horns at my stage of life and career :hi:

HermanGerman · by **HermanGerman** » 2022-04-29 2:49 a.m.

The 1632 is very different from the 1634. It is very light, like a modern Jiggs 2B. The 1634 is a King 3B variation. I prefer the 1634. It takes more air and the sound is bigger. I guess the 1632 is a nice lead horn especially when microphoned..

Fidbone · by **Fidbone** » 2022-04-29 8:34 a.m.

Funny how this thread has turned from the MD+ to XO :eek: :idk:

Vegasbound · by **Vegasbound** » 2022-04-29 11:54 a.m.

Tried both, preferred the MD+

Fidbone · by **Fidbone** » 2022-04-30 4:55 a.m.

[quote="Vegasbound"]Tried both, preferred the MD+[/quote]

Thoughts?

Vegasbound · by **Vegasbound** » 2022-04-30 6:11 a.m.

XO 1634 great playing horn, the heavier bell of the MD swung it for me

HermanGerman · by **HermanGerman** » 2022-04-30 6:22 a.m.

Time for a bell weight comparision (without tuning slide).

1634R ------ 523 gr

King 3B 70ies ------ 540 gr

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2022-04-30 7:43 a.m.

Y'all need to practice

Fidbone · by **Fidbone** » 2022-04-30 8:17 a.m.

[quote="harrisonreed"]Y'all need to practice[/quote]

Been practicing for 45 years mate :biggrin: :hi:

harrisonreed · by **harrisonreed** » 2022-04-30 8:27 a.m.

[quote="Fidbone"]<QUOTE author="harrisonreed" post_id="177520" time="1651319030" user_id="3642">
Y'all need to practice[/quote]

Been practicing for 45 years mate :biggrin: :hi:
</QUOTE>

Sorry that was mostly directed at the bell weighing of two instruments that aren't even the instrument for the OP

Rusty · by **Rusty** » 2022-04-30 9:13 a.m.

[quote="harrisonreed"]Y'all need to practice[/quote]

Mate, you’ve posted over 3200 times on the forum, that’s some serious practice time right there :good: :shuffle:

HermanGerman · by **HermanGerman** » 2022-04-30 10:33 a.m.

I am working as a professional trombonist since 1984. I funded my daughter´s master in psychology with this profession. I also payed my house with it. I never did something else than playing and teaching trombone.

Now I made a big mistake in weighing my trombone bells in the wrong thread.

Sorry, Mr. harrisonreed.

I wish you a bright future, and a warm welcome in the real world.

P.S: I would also like too see more of your pics and videos of the Shinkansen!!!

Vegasbound · by **Vegasbound** » 2022-05-01 6:33 a.m.

[quote="Fidbone"]<QUOTE author="harrisonreed" post_id="177520" time="1651319030" user_id="3642">
Y'all need to practice[/quote]

Been practicing for 45 years mate :biggrin: :hi:
</QUOTE>

FYI Phil Parkers now have the Marshall Gilkes in stock too!

Fidbone · by **Fidbone** » 2022-05-02 3:52 a.m.

[quote="Vegasbound"]

FYI Phil Parkers now have the Marshall Gilkes in stock too![/quote]

Spoke to Ed, on Saturday. No they don't but it should come in sometime this month!

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Shires Michael Davis plus .508 bore?