Fine mixtures made for organ builders across the world

Terry Doyle, above, uses a mandrill to shape pipes – 330 of them – for a V-VI rank mixture of 80 per cent tin destined for an organ builder in the United States.

Over the years, Shires has made many hundreds of mixtures for organ builders across the world and they rank among our biggest sellers. 'We are told they are very good,' says Chris Shires, with characteristic understatement.

Their excellence can be partly explained by the consistency of the workmanship and meticulous attention given to the pipes, not least the smallest which are the most difficult to solder.

But as those organ builders – and organists across the world know – their true beauty originates in the care invested in these high pitched wonders that create such magical sounds.