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ATMoore
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Joined: 08 Jan 2021
Posts: 6
Location: Washington State
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 Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 2:51 pm Post subject: Shires: TRA vs. TRAZ |
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Heyo
I just played my first Shires trumpet not too long ago and I was SUPER impressed! I played the TRA and right away I fully understood what the phrase "immediate response" meant. I'm really very impressed with how the trumpet felt to play, as well as how all their instruments look during inspection (much better than most other high-end manufacturers).
I can't get my hands on a TRAZ, so my questions are,
has anyone played/compared both the TRA and TRAZ?
How do you feel the different bell-bends affected the tone characteristics?
How about the slotting?
Anything else that can describe the differences a player will notice while playing? |
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Crazy Finn
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Joined: 27 Dec 2001
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Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 3:20 pm Post subject: |
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Is this basically the model A and AZ?
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LA Benge 3X Bb Trumpet
Selmer Radial Bb Trumpet
Yamaha 6335S Bb Trumpet
Besson 709 Bb Trumpet
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Yamaha 731 Bb Flugelhorn |
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a.kemp
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Joined: 28 Aug 2008
Posts: 678
Location: NYC
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 4:40 pm Post subject: |
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| If you are talking about the A and AZ, I think the AZ is a much better horn. More color and nuance. And, improved response. |
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ATMoore
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Location: Washington State
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Crazy Finn wrote: | | Is this basically the model A and AZ? |
Yes! Sorry, I was using store codes before. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ |
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Trumpetingbynurture
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Joined: 18 Nov 2015
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| Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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I haven't played any shires trumpets, but was just doing some googling about the AZ model just a couple of days ago as it's on my shortlist of 'wamt to try' horns.
There's some info on TH if you do a search.
My understanding is that the AZ model was an accident where they were making an A model and used the wrong bend on the bell bow. The horn went to a shop in Arizona as a reject and the guy there tried it and was blown away so ordered a bunch more in that configuration.
It's now one of their most popular models I think.
https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1516629
Apparently the AZ is very similar to the A but a lot of people seem to feel it is a significant improvement.
Paul Mayes and David Hickman are just two of the people playing the AZ Bb. |
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Dayton
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Joined: 24 Mar 2013
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Location: USA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 1:29 am Post subject: |
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| My recollection is that articulation felt a bit...crisper on the AZ model, and that it also seemed to be a bit brighter than the A model. |
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Jerry
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Location: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 7:16 am Post subject: |
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One year at NAMM, I tried all of the models on display at the Shires booth. I found the AF to be the quickest responding horn there. I liked the way it slotted, too. It felt more nimble to me than the A. I don't remember seeing an AZ that year.
When someone on TH exclaimed the virtues of the AZ, I made sure I would try one the next time I was at NAMM. Yup, I liked the AZ a little better than the AF. Whatever it was I liked about the AF over the A, the AZ seemed to have just a little more of that.
I would describe a Shires A as an improved Bach 37. I would describe the Shires AF as an improved A, and an AZ as an improved AF. I really liked the AZ. |
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ATMoore
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Posts: 6
Location: Washington State
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| Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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| oh wow! That's a lot of very positive feedback. Sounds like I need to find an excuse to play an AZ. Especially since the A and AZ are priced the same! |
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a.kemp
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Joined: 28 Aug 2008
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Location: NYC
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| Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 2:32 pm Post subject: |
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That seems to be many players take.
The A is solid.
The AF has more nuance and color.
The AZ has even more.
I definitely preferred the AF to the A.
But, thought the AZ was MUCH better. |
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ATMoore
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Posts: 6
Location: Washington State
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| Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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Well sh**, at this rate it seems I'd be safe ordering an AZ even without play-testing first!
The A already felt like such a huge leap forward in craft from my 80's strad37, and I have a Burbank Benge 3x to cover my jazz/chamber bases. It seems I can't go wrong trading the 37 for an AZ as a bit of an upgrade. At least in my case where my 37 is a bit of a dog to play. |
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ATMoore
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Joined: 08 Jan 2021
Posts: 6
Location: Washington State
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| Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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| a.kemp wrote: | | If you are talking about the A and AZ, I think the AZ is a much better horn. More color and nuance. And, improved response. |
Even BETTER response, you say? ( ͡☉ ͜ʖ ͡☉) |
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Crazy Finn
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Joined: 27 Dec 2001
Posts: 8333
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota
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| Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2021 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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Ever better would be the Model BLW, CLW or the other "C" models, but that's just me....
_________________
LA Benge 3X Bb Trumpet
Selmer Radial Bb Trumpet
Yamaha 6335S Bb Trumpet
Besson 709 Bb Trumpet
Bach 184L Bb Cornet
Yamaha 731 Bb Flugelhorn |
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trumpjosh
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Joined: 26 Jan 2002
Posts: 741
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2021 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Trumpetingbynurture wrote: | I haven't played any shires trumpets, but was just doing some googling about the AZ model just a couple of days ago as it's on my shortlist of 'wamt to try' horns.
There's some info on TH if you do a search.
My understanding is that the AZ model was an accident where they were making an A model and used the wrong bend on the bell bow. The horn went to a shop in Arizona as a reject and the guy there tried it and was blown away so ordered a bunch more in that configuration.
It's now one of their most popular models I think.
https://www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1516629
Apparently the AZ is very similar to the A but a lot of people seem to feel it is a significant improvement.
Paul Mayes and David Hickman are just two of the people playing the AZ Bb. |
Yes, that's true. The store was Milano Music and the guy was me. The differences between the two is the A has a round bell bow and the AZ is semi square. Also the A has a bottom seam and the AZ has a side seam. I prefer the AZ myself, but they are both excellent horns.
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