THEY DID IT AGAIN! S.E. Shires Q Series TBQ36YA Bass Trombone Review

The S.E. Shires Q series line of trombones have become a one of the hottest lines in the trombone world over the past few years, utilizing the unique partnership between Shires and Eastman to offer instruments that offer much of the Shires sound and playing at an entry-level price. Their dual independent rotor bass model has proven very popular but many trombonists have been anxiously awaiting the introduction of their axial-flow model; we were excited to receive our first one in the shop and it certainly was worth the weight! The TBQ36YA has the tonal color, responsiveness and evenness that we have come to expect from the entire Q series line and offers a more open setup that many bass trombonists are looking for; take a listen to my full review to learn more and let me know what you think!
Find out more about the TBQ36YA at www.seshires.c...

[@bassbonejon9429]

I just got this horn today, it's absolutely beautiful! Very free flowing and majestic!

[@davelester1985]

How much did it cost?

[@omarkhokher3542]

I got one a few weeks ago as a back up horn and it is excellent. Having owned a custom shires in the past, it really does have that ‘Shires’ quality both in terms of sound and overall workmanship - obviously time will tell how this holds up, but it does feel robust and plays as well, if not better than, some of the other off the shelf pro models. The bell is lighter in weight than the BII7GM but that is not a disadvantage. If you don’t not listen with your eyes, you would be hard pushed to really tell the difference from an audience perspective, especially in a sectional context. As said, time will tell with regards to how well it holds up, but at the moment is is very impressive for the price.

[@rbhmusic98]

I got a Q36GA a few months ago and it just plays fantastic!

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

That is great to hear! I think this model has the potential to become a mainstay in the bass trombone world...

[@Jondrinkswoodford]

The low range sounds very consistent with the other registers. I give that sound two thumbs up! Also, did you change mics from older videos? The sound quality seems much improved and picking up more attributes 👍🏻

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for the comment! We have indeed upgraded our video setup in the shop over the past year, utilizing an HDR camera and AKG condenser mic with a Yamaha mixer/audio input. I feel like I can hear a lot more nuance now and I am glad to hear you feel the same!

[@josephplechavy7535]

I play a Yamaha Bass from back in the early 2000's and wonder if anyone still makes a Bflat,F / G, D rotor instrument. Like the sound of this Shires - but..... I really am not in the mood at my age to re-learn positions and rotor usage

[@gOblin_333]

Bit late on this, but several companies do produce an alternate 2nd tuning slide that would give you that combination. I’m not sure how expensive it is, but if you really want it, they’re out there.

[@bassbonejon9429]

Shires did it again. They made another good horn.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

They rarely miss! It has been really fun for me to be able to watch a company grow the way they have!

[@ARCODEMUSIC]

That Bone sounds like a boss

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for the comment; I think so too!

[@jeffwurster8169]

Would you be able to offer a comparison of Shires Q series trombones and Rath 00 series?

[@NickLukefahr]

When's the Trubore version coming? ;) (PS. I don't expect one)

[@hudsonpedrotti7278]

Hey Keith. What are the main differences between the q series, and the custom series line of instruments? Is it worth the huge price gap? Thanks!

[@fredjoho7744]

I'm waiting for my TBQ36GA to arrive and very much nerding out (even though my uni student bank account is crying)

[@jazzbariman]

Keith, you sounded great on this instrument. How do you think this would work in a fourth trombone part in a big band setting? Does it have enough punch for something like that? How clunky is the case? This is a big instrument and I always worry about the valve mechanisms getting bent in the case. This is a great sounded bass trombone. You played it very well.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Thanks for the comment! I think this trombone could be a killer big band instrument for the right player! Punch has never been an issue for me with Shires bass trombones; I think the bigger question would be maintaining the right timbre at softer dynamics. If I am getting the practice time in I tend to have a fairly dark sound and so the yellow brass balances this nicely; for the player who wants more warmth I think the gold brass bell version would suit nicely and would also get a bit different bit at upper dynamics. The case is an open-interior hard-shell fabric covered option that Eastman has used for a number of years; with how this case uses movable cushions they do a good job of supporting the instrument in the right places (esp. if the player takes a bit of time to find the exact right spots for the pads.)

[@jazzbariman]

@@SchmittMusicTromboneShop Thank you. I have a friend in the market for a bass trombone. It really depends if his wife will let him. I am sending him a link to this video. Your response was very helpful. Thanks again.

[@duncanjames9477]

Sounds amazing when you play it !

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Or it just makes me sound good ;)

[@JoseMejia-xq5rf]

For some reason I got interested in what trombone I have because I don't know and I have had it for like year now i know I have an eastman brand trombone but I have no idea what it is

[@richardwilliams9471]

Worth the “weight” ? Pretty heavy stuff.

[@SchmittMusicTromboneShop]

Pun on a pun; is that a meta-pun? :)

[@thepogona2391]

First