S.E. Shires Q33 Small Bore Tenor Trombone Overview

The S.E. Shires Q33 is a Q-Series professional small bore tenor trombone built for the clarity, speed, and projection demanded in jazz and commercial playing while remaining flexible enough for lighter classical work. Its 8-inch, two-piece, hand-hammered yellow brass QSY8 bell with soldered bead is designed to produce a crisp, clean core with strong front-of-sound presence, and the .508-inch Q08NLW lightweight nickel handslide supports quick response, clean articulations, and a brilliant tonal profile with an open low register and supported upper register.

S.E. Shires Q33 Small Bore Tenor Trombone Specifications

• Instrument type: Small bore tenor trombone
• Series: S.E. Shires Q-Series
• Bore: .508-inch
• Bell: QSY8, 8-inch two-piece, hand-hammered QS taper, medium weight yellow brass, soldered bead
• Handslide: Q08NLW lightweight nickel
• Crook: Nickel-silver wide crook
• Tuning slide: QSY tuning slide
• Finish: Lacquer
• Engraving: S.E. Shires Makers Mark, Traditional Floral Pattern
• Included features: Counterweight
• Case: Original case
• Accessories: 7C mouthpiece, care kit

Condition & Setup

This instrument was purchased directly from the manufacturer and has seen very little use. It has been professionally serviced, set up, and play-tested in our shop.

Who the Q33 Small Bore Tenor Trombone Is For

The S.E. Shires Q33 Small Bore Tenor Trombone is a professional small-bore .508 tenor designed for jazz, commercial, and versatile gigging work where fast response and clear articulation matter. The QSY8 8-inch yellow brass bell with soldered bead helps deliver a crisp, clean sound with strong projection, while the lightweight nickel Q08NLW slide supports quick starts, defined attacks, and a brilliant sound that stays open in the low register and stable in the upper register.

This model is a strong fit for the working professional who needs a dependable small-bore voice across big band, show, and studio-style settings, and it is equally appropriate for the advancing student stepping into higher-level ensemble and lead playing. Within the Q-Series lineup, the Q33 is distinguished by its small-bore agility paired with Shires-style projection and a bell/slide combination aimed at clarity and efficiency.

Common Questions About the S.E. Shires Q33

Is the S.E. Shires Q33 suitable for professional gigging and commercial work?

Yes. The Q33 is a Q-Series professional small bore tenor with a .508 lightweight slide and an 8-inch yellow brass bell built for quick response, crisp articulations, and projection commonly required in jazz and commercial environments.

What type of music is the Q33 best suited for?

It is ideally suited for jazz and commercial settings such as big band, theater, and general gigging, and it also works well for lighter classical repertoire where clarity and flexibility are preferred over a larger symphonic tenor sound.

What is included with this Q33?

It includes the original case, a mouthpiece, and a care kit.

We are proud to be an authorized S.E. Shires dealer