My shires slide is Heavy. Really heavy. Especially with the straight neckpipe, which I use fairly often. I was curious if anyone had tried a Butler carbon fiber outer on their .547 shires. Reviews? Pics? Suggestions? Marriage proposals?

[quote="Amconk"]My shires slide is Heavy. Really heavy. Especially with the straight neckpipe, which I use fairly often. I was curious if anyone had tried a Butler carbon fiber outer on their .547 shires. Reviews? Pics? Suggestions? Marriage proposals?[/quote]

Are we talking heavy as in (1) when I put the outer slide on a scale it's heavy, or are we talking heavy as in (2) my horn's balance point is downslide from my left hand?

In either case a carbon fiber slide will help, but in case (2) adding a balance weight to the tuning slide will help too. A balance weight (Shires makes a nice one modeled after the old King three piece weights) will be a lot cheaper than carbon fiber outers for your slide.

I have a balance weight. The slide just feels heavy, like it’s pulling the mouthpiece down and away from my face, unless I put extra effort into holding it up. Maybe I’ve just spent too much time playing on trigger horns. My alto feels the same way sometimes.

[quote="Amconk"]I have a balance weight. The slide just feels heavy, like it’s pulling the mouthpiece down and away from my face, unless I put extra effort into holding it up. Maybe I’ve just spent too much time playing on trigger horns. My alto feels the same way sometimes.[/quote]
I can understand a balance issue but pulling the mouthpiece away from your face?