S.E. Shires Instrument Buyback and Pre-Owned Sales

We help connect the supreme instruments of S.E. Shires—imbued with an uncompromising artisan spirit—to their next musicians, drawing on the deep expertise and discerning appraisal skills unique to a specialty store.

Request an Appraisal

View Our Selection of Pre-Owned S.E. Shires Instruments

S.E. Shires Buyback Service at Okubo Gakki

Value is determined by the combination of parts and subtle differences in specifications
We fairly assess the true value of your S.E. Shires instrument and buy it for you, offering the most attentive purchase service available.

S.E. Shires Specialist

Store Manager: Mizumoto

In 1995, when S.E. Shires established its workshop, I was already working in this field and witnessed its birth firsthand. Initially, it was a brand known only to a select few, but as I handled more of their instruments, I became captivated by the density of their sound and their excellent responsiveness—it’s a brand I’ve naturally continued to follow ever since. Their designs, which balance a deep understanding of vintage instruments with modern precision, have grown in sophistication year after year.There’s a reason it remains a trusted brand over the long term, rather than one swayed by passing trends. Based on my experience with numerous instruments and the evolving styles of musicians, this is a brand I can confidently recommend.

Featured Models for Purchase

B♭ Trumpet

・Model CVLA
・Model-A
・Model-B

Piccolo, C-tube, and Other Trumpets

・Model 9Y piccolo trumpet
・Model 6MS8 Eb/D trumpet
・Model 4S8 C trumpet

Trombones

・David Rejano Artist Model tenor-bass trombone
・Blair Bollinger Artist Model bass trombone
・Marshall Gilkes Artist Model tenor trombone

Purchase History

2RVE/T47YC “Vintage Elkhart Model” tenor bass trombone

Appraised Value: 395,000 yen

Purchase History

Model CVLA M 25th Anniversary B♭ trumpet

Appraised Value: 290,000 yen

Purchase History

TBBSCA Shires Custom BII-7YM/B62 bass trombone

Appraised Value: 450,000 yen

Browse Pre-Owned S.E. Shires Instruments

Check out our one-of-a-kind used lineup right now, featuring the rich, colorful tone produced by hand-hammered bells and
the overwhelming responsiveness that captivates professional musicians.

B♭ Trumpet

1 item in stock

View Inventory

Piccolo, C-tube, and Others

2 in stock

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Trombone

1 item in stock

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The History and Appeal of S.E. Shires

A brand that carries on tradition while continually refining the “sound of today”
From a small workshop in Boston to one of the world’s top brands,
we introduce S.E. Shires’ ongoing pursuit of the “ideal sound” and its journey.

History | Tracing a Great Legacy | From the Early Days to the Present

S.E. Shires was founded in Boston, USA, in 1995. Founder Steve Shires combines experience as a performer with a deep understanding of instrument making. Although production began in a small workshop, the instruments’ exceptional quality gradually earned recognition, and the brand gained a following, particularly among professional musicians.In 2014, the company joined the Eastman Group. While the supply system has been streamlined, the philosophy of handcrafted craftsmanship that lies at the heart of production remains unchanged to this day.

Appeal | Why Does S.E. Shires Continue to Captivate Musicians?

What I feel when actually playing these instruments is a sense of reassurance that “there’s no strain across any register.” The sound attacks naturally, responding firmly to every breath you put into it. You get the impression that the instrument responds naturally without you having to force control. It possesses a deep, vintage-like resonance while maintaining a balance that allows it to blend naturally into modern ensembles. I believe this “perfect balance” is the reason so many musicians choose S.E. Shires.

Features | The Essence of the S.E. Shires Sound

In a nutshell, the Shires sound is a “harmonious blend of density and flexibility.” It possesses a rich, full-bodied tone with a solid core, yet responds very naturally to changes in dynamics and timbre.Another major feature is the ability to choose the playing feel and sound you desire through detailed options such as bell material, taper, and slide specifications. In trombones in particular, the design philosophy reflects the legacy of vintage Bach and Elkhart cones; while grounded in traditional resonance, they feature a clear tone well-suited for modern ensembles.

How to Choose an S.E. Shires | From Your First Instrument to a Carefully Crafted Masterpiece

If this is your first instrument, the Q Series—which offers an excellent balance of quality and value—is a strong choice. It allows you to fully experience the core sound and responsiveness characteristic of Shires. On the other hand, if you want to get closer to your ideal sound, the Custom Series is the way to go. By combining bell materials, bore sizes, and valve specifications, you can build an instrument optimized for your playing style. By clearly defining “what kind of sound you want to produce,” your options will naturally narrow down. If you’re unsure, please feel free to consult our expert staff.

Instrument Appraisal Process

❶ Request an Appraisal

Request an appraisal via chat, form, or LINE

❷ Appraisal by a Specialist

Rest assured—an expert will handle your appraisal

❸ Price Quote

Explanation of the appraisal results and presentation of the offer

❹ Payment

Same-day cash or bank transfer

Request an appraisal now

Consignment Sales Process

We will take full responsibility for selling your precious instrument

STEP 1: Contact Us

Please contact us via email, chat, or LINE stating that you’d like to “sell on consignment.” A member of our staff will respond.

STEP 2: Pickup

In addition to drop-off at our store, we offer pickup via delivery service or an in-home pickup service where we come directly to your home.

STEP 3: Consultation on the Sale

After inspecting the condition of your items, we will discuss the selling price and sales methods with you. Once we reach an agreement, we will begin preparing for the sale.

STEP 4: Sales Begin

We will display and sell the item in-store, as well as list it on our website and e-commerce platforms (Digimart, J-Guitar, Reverb). It is also possible to sell the item without displaying it in-store.

STEP 5: Payment

Once the item is sold, payment will be made. As a general rule, payment is processed via bank transfer.

*There are conditions regarding which items we can accept on consignment.

Click here for more information on consignment sales

Wind Instrument Column

When you buy a used wind instrument, isn’t it sometimes hard to play because it’s been shaped by the previous owner’s playing style???
▶︎ Are used wind instruments hard to play because they’ve been shaped by previous owners?!

This page is our loud and clear call to action: “Sell your brass instruments—and sell them again!!” Why is selling to our store the most profitable option? It’ll be crystal clear once you read through this. If you’re looking to sell your brass instruments, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We have the industry’s No. 1 track record for high-value appraisals.
▶︎Guide to Cash Purchases of Brass Instruments

Introducing the hidden treasures slumbering deep within TCGAKKI’s collection!?
For our first installment, we’ll give you a comprehensive look at the “Varitone” electric saxophone system manufactured by H.&A. Selmer Inc. (commonly known as “Ame-Sel”) in 1965!!
▶︎Part 1: SELMER VALITONE
▶︎Part 2: SELMER VALITONE Searching for Masters

Corno da caccia, cimbasso, basset horn, oboe musette, contrabass flute, and more.
We buy any rare wind instrument for cash.
▶︎Please sell us your rarely used, rare wind instruments!

When we ask customers about their daily maintenance routines, fewer than half are doing it correctly. In fact, far more people than we expected were using incorrect, self-taught methods, so we decided to launch this page on short notice.
▶︎Part 1 - Saxophone -
▶︎Part 2 - Clarinet -
▶︎Part 3 - Flute -