We are dedicated to connecting the supreme instruments of S.E. Shires—imbued with an uncompromising artisan spirit—with their next musicians, leveraging the deep expertise and discerning appraisal skills unique to a specialist retailer at
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S.E. Shires Instrument Buyback and Pre-Owned Sales
S.E. Shires Buyback for Okubo Gakki
Value is determined by the combination of parts and subtle differences in specifications
We will fairly assess the true value of your S.E. Shires instrument and offer you the most attentive purchase service available.
S.E. Shires Specialist
Store Manager: Mizumoto
When S.E. Shires established its workshop in 1995, 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 was drawn to the density of their sound and their excellent responsiveness, and it naturally became a brand I continued to follow closely. Their designs, which balance a deep understanding of vintage instruments with modern precision, have grown in sophistication year after year.There is a reason why this brand has remained trusted over the long term, unaffected by passing trends. Based on my experience with numerous instruments and the evolving needs of musicians, this is a brand I can recommend with confidence.
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
Trombone
・David Rejano Artist Model tenor bass trombone
・Blair Bollinger Artist Model bass trombone
・Marshall Gilkes Artist Model tenor trombone
Purchase History
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
Search for used S.E. Shires instruments
Discover our one-of-a-kind used lineup featuring the rich, colorful tones produced by hand-hammered bells
overwhelming responsiveness that captivates professional musicians.
B♭ Trumpet
1 item in stock
Piccolo, C-tube, and others
2 in stock
Trombone
1 item in stock
The History and Appeal of S.E. Shires
A brand that upholds tradition while continually updating the "sound of today"
From a small workshop in Boston to a world-class brand,
we introduce the “ideal sound” that S.E. Shires continues to pursue and the journey that led to its success.
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 is a man who combines experience as a performer with a deep understanding of instrument making. Although production began in a small workshop, the high quality of the instruments gradually gained recognition, and the brand’s popularity grew, particularly among professional musicians.In 2014, the company joined the Eastman Group. While the supply system has been streamlined, the philosophy of handcrafted excellence 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 them is a sense of security—that “there is no strain across any register.” The attack is natural, and the instrument responds firmly in proportion to the breath you put into it. It gives the impression that the instrument responds naturally without you having to force control. It possesses a vintage-like depth of resonance while maintaining a balance that blends naturally into modern ensembles. I believe this “perfect balance” is the reason so many musicians choose them.
Features | The Essence of the S.E. Shires Sound
In a word, the Shires sound is a “balance 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 influence of vintage Bach and Elkhart cones, preserving a traditional resonance while offering a clear tone suited to modern ensembles.
How to Choose an S.E. Shires | From Your First Instrument to a 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 clarifying “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, our experts will handle the appraisal
❸ Price Quote
Explanation of the appraisal results and presentation of the offer
❹ Payment
Same-day cash or bank transfer
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 with the subject line “consignment Sale Request.” A representative will respond to you.
STEP 2: Pickup
In addition to in-store pickup, we offer pickup via our delivery service or a home visit to collect your instrument directly from your residence.
STEP 3: Consultation on the Sale
After inspecting the item’s condition, we will discuss the selling price and sales method with you. Once we reach an agreement, we will begin preparing for the sale.
STEP 4: Sales Launch
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 for items eligible for sale under consignment.
Wind Instrument Column
When buying a used wind instrument, isn’t it hard to play because it’s been shaped by the previous owner’s playing style?
▶︎ Are used wind instruments hard to play because they have their own quirks?!
This page is our loud and clear call to action: “Sell your brass instruments to us—and keep selling them!” Why is selling to our store the best deal? It’s obvious once you take a look. If you’re thinking of selling 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 a hidden gem sleeping deep within TCGAKKI!?
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: Searching for a Selmer Valitone Expert
Corno da caccia, cimbasso, basset horn, oboe musette, contrabass flute, and more.
We buy any special wind instrument for cash!
▶︎Please sell us your rarely used specialty 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’ve launched this page on short notice.
▶︎Part 1 - Saxophone -
▶︎Part 2 - Clarinet -
▶︎Part 3 - Flute
What kind of adjustments are made to the instruments you purchase?
We’ll give you a straight answer!!
▶︎Wind Instruments
Major Brands We Carry
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