Shires Slide Compatibility

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Jbeckett
Posts: 1194
Joined: Mar 25, 2018

by Jbeckett »

What horns or bell sections fit on shires slides?

What other brands?
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Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

Technically none, the shires tenon and threads are their own. But Bach and Edwards are very close and sometimes fit ok.
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TomInME
Posts: 315
Joined: Jan 03, 2024

by TomInME »

My Bach bass has accepted two different Shires "L" (Bach-length) slides with a good friction fit. However, the nut on the Bach ran out of threads before securing the slide - with the nut tightened all the way, the slide could still slip out of position and become fully loose. I used it that way for several years but it was risky when the valves were recently oiled and/or I had a heavy mute in.

My tech added some wire so that the nut wouldn't go so far down and enlarged the outside of the nut (using part of a tuba piston valve cap) for extra leverage, and now it all works great (and I can still use a Bach slide).

I'm sure it depends on the horn, both slides are about 1/8" from bottoming out in the socket, so it wouldn't take much of a variation for them to not have a friction fit.

YMMV
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Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

It's also very easy to put on an Edwards tenon that will fit Bach, or the other way around. I've done it several times.
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TomInME
Posts: 315
Joined: Jan 03, 2024

by TomInME »

Pic of my mod (attached jpg)