Quick question: Shires Q series handslides same as custom?

[TomInME]

I'm assuming they only come in yellow brass, but is it basically the same handslide it would be with a custom?

[Burgerbob]

Same specs as a B62, quality may be a tad different

[Thrawn22]

Not really. Custom series horns all together are assembled in Boston.

[Blabberbucket]

All Q parts are made and assembled in China. Custom slides are, to the best of my knowledge, assembled in MA with Eastman tubes and crooks. I believe the cork barrels and ferrules are still made in MA.

[StPetersBone]

I have a Q series that I have begun swapping parts on. First was the bell. The change in sound was significant.

The slide is last in my swapping priority (if at all). I had some work done on the slide recently and it's solid. I suspect that a well-set-up Q series slide is nearly indistinguishable from an average custom slide.

Shires posted a seminar in 2021 that goes in-depth about their slide production/repair:

[ZacharyThornton]

Compare the chrome plating on a Q versus a custom series. That is all I need to see.

[OldNobody]

It depends on when the Q was produced. Upon their introduction, and for some time after that, the Q parts were made in MA and sent to China for assembly, before coming back for QC. I don't know the time period when manufacturing the parts went to China.