…the Stephens Horn has brought an ease to my playing that was difficult to produce on my former instrument.
I never thought I would switch to a different horn but the Stephens Horn has brought an ease to my playing that was difficult to produce on my former instrument.
Alberto Suarez, principal horn, Kansas City Symphony
…a superbly crafted and balanced instrument.
I’m incredibly proud to be a Stephens artist. Steve Shires has built a horn with a gorgeous Old World sound on a superbly crafted and balanced instrument. I’ve been searching for this horn a long time.
…we came up with the best trumpet I have ever played in my life…
When I wanted to find someone who could help me develop my ideas for a really world class trumpet---the information I got was——call Steve Shires. He makes the greatest trombone in the world and is the best person for developing any new project with a brass instrument. I called him —introduced myself and stated my desire to find help in trying to make the very best trumpet in the world. He invited me to come to Boston and see what we could come up with. I left my horns I made behind me in Mexico. We decided to start from scratch and we came up with the best trumpet I have ever played in my life, and Steve has become one of my very closest friends forever.
One day in a moment of frustration I remarked to Steve, “Won’t it be great when we won’t have to keep experimenting and just have the greatest horn ever?” He looked at me with a wise intensity and said, “Well, that day will never come.” I replied—“then I am in the right place!”
I have been—am now—and always will be —privileged to be in the company of Steve Shires.
Doc Severinsen (really, if you don’t know who he is, you can’t call yourself a brass player)
Lucky horn players!
I have known Steve Shires for over 30 years, before he started designing and making his own instruments. I knew him initially as a trusted repairman and artistic soul. I still feel indebted to Steve for helping me chose the right mouthpieces when I was auditioning for orchestra jobs before I got my position in Pittsburgh. I trusted his nuanced and artistic judgement of sound quality. What distinguishes Steve’s designs from others is that his aural artistic vision drives all his work and behind that is a great deal of knowledge and experience. His craftsmanship speaks for itself; it is always of the highest standards. I have played Shires horns for 30 years and still feel they are the best professional instruments available today.”
French horn seems like a whole different can of worms…but if anyone can conquer it I’m sure you will! Lucky horn players!
Rebecca Cherian, Co-Principal trombone, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
The personal touch and attention to artists' feedback is especially rewarding
I've been playing Steve's trumpets since he was first making prototype Shires trumpets for Doc Severinsen. I was immediately impressed with the quality of the instruments, their vibrancy of tone, ease and playability! Since that time, I have been so blessed to be able to play these trumpets and watch with amazement as Steve continued to innovate and make what I thought were already the world's best trumpets even better! The personal touch and attention to artists' feedback is especially rewarding. It's a very happy relationship that I hope to continue. Thank you, Steve!
When it comes to the design and creation of brass instruments, Steve Shires is a genius. Period.
When it comes to the design and creation of brass instruments, Steve Shires is a genius. Period. He is without question the best in the business. I had the pleasure of working with Steve on the creation of my two signature trombones. Steve exceeded my high expectations in every way. Those two instruments remain one of the proudest accomplishments in my career.
Michael Davis -International recording artist, Founder Hip-Bone Music