Buying a Piccolo

<3 Flute and Picc · Post by **<3 Flute and Picc** » Mon May 26, 2008 1:01 pm

I'm looking into buying a piccolo this summer. I have been playing flute for 4 years and I'll be a sophomore in high school when school starts again. My band director told me that this year, if I can get a piccolo before marching season, he would love for me to march picc.

My parents are probably going to pay for it. Their price range is $300 or less. I know this most likely limits me to used piccs but that's fine. I love Gemeinhardts but there is NO way I'll find a Gemeinhardt for that much. Some others we have been looking at are:
Selmer Prelude PC701
Weimar
Barrington
Monique

There are a couple others but I can't remember the brand names right now. Could you please tell me if these are okay brands or not? Also, some other brands that may be in my price range as well as some sites for used piccs. Thank you so much!

etgohomeok · Post by **etgohomeok** » Mon May 26, 2008 9:02 pm

Pawn shops.

That's about all the advice you need.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Tue May 27, 2008 8:12 am

etgohomeok wrote:Pawn shops.

That's about all the advice you need.

Yes, and no. Just about everything I got out of a pawnshop needed to be worked on. This will easily add $100 or more dollars to the price of it. However, if a person was looking for a good deal on a $1000 dollar Pic, then it would be worth it.

I have owned 2 Barrington 996 piccolos, and I was pretty fond of them.
I even reviewed it.

http://www.wwbw.com/Barrington-Model-99 ... 5667.music

The Prelude is O.K. It is durable, but the Barrington plays better in opinion.

Another one I have been reading good things about is teh DC PRO pic.

I do not know about the other 2 brands, but beware. The key about choosing a lower price instrument is durability, not just playability. Also, buying from a reputable dealer.

Be sure to check out "Section 2 Cheap Flutes/Pics" of the Flute Faq

http://www.fluteland.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=2411

Phineas

<3 Flute and Picc · Post by **<3 Flute and Picc** » Tue May 27, 2008 1:10 pm

That was you? lol. I saw that review on the site a couple days ago. The Barringtons play well, then? I will be marching picc as well as playing concert music so is it okay for both settings?

I told my parents we should go to a couple pawn shops to look around and see if we could find anything and they said maybe. I also told them we should go to some music stores to try out models because I know they won't have anything under $500.

I saw a DC Pro one and I wasn't sure about it because I Googled the brand and didn't get anything. My parents are looking on eBay and I've told them to absolutely stay away from the Cibali ones because I've read those are horrible. I know to be very, very wary about eBay and I don't like to consider options without a bunch of pictures showing its condition.

Another brand I've seen is Weimar. I'm thinking about this one because my friend owns this brand and hers plays quite nicely. Its also withing our price range, going at about $150-ish on eBay. If you have anything to say about that one, please tell me.

Thanks so much for your help so far. You've answered a lot of questions. Also is a plastic body with silver head better than all silver or does it matter? lol. Sorry for all these questions.

etgohomeok · Post by **etgohomeok** » Tue May 27, 2008 2:43 pm

I got a silver (not real silver, duh) Armstrong piccolo from a pawn shop for, ironically enough, $300. It was in fine condition and had a good sound for marching band. Definitely call up all the local pawn shops before buying something else.

I'd also try ebay.

You really don't need anything of good quality for marching.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:02 am

If you are careful with ebay, there is a good chance that you will find a bargain. But, you just have to be very thorough, and well researched.

If you are looking for a decent picc for a low price, in addition to those that Phineas mentioned, I would perhaps look into the "Symphony" piccolos. The plating comes off rather easily, but for the money, they play rather well. And, if something happens while it is still under warranty, just file a complaint and they will send you a new one.

<3 Flute and Picc · Post by **<3 Flute and Picc** » Wed May 28, 2008 10:47 am

Thanks everyone. We are looking on eBay. I have also told my dad to look at some pawn shops while he's at work (he has to drive to different places during the day so he can do that) and I'm going to ask my mom if we can go looking today, maybe.

Also, etgohomeok, I will be using it for concerts as well so I think I do need something with a little quality.

Thanks for all your answers. I'll still take more of them if you want to give them to me. Its cool.

<3 Flute and Picc · Post by **<3 Flute and Picc** » Thu May 29, 2008 1:33 pm

A little update if you're interested.

I called some local pawn shops and found four piccolos. I'm going to check them out Saturday because my parents will be off work. The brands and prices I'll list here. I'd like a few opinions as to what you guys think.

1. Selmer. I'm guessing its a Prelude because I haven't seen any other Selmer piccs. Its $99.

2. King. Not sure of the model. The guy couldn't tell me over the phone. Its $225.

3. Yamaha. Not sure of the model either, same reason as above. Its price is $115.

4. Gemeinhardt. Not sure of the model either, same reasons as above. Its price is $300.

I told my mom I would rather get the Yamaha or the Gemeinhardt, seeing as they're both good brands. I'm going to try them out and see which one I like. If I like them all and it comes down to price, I'm going to insist on the Yamaha because its pretty cheap for a Yamaha (I think, anyway.) I'm not an expert though so if you have some opinions please, please, please tell me. I can use all the help I can get. Please do know I do not know the conditions of these instruments either so it depends on that as well. Thanks for the help so far!

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Thu May 29, 2008 2:00 pm

Two words of advice: Sanitary Wipes. Who knows where those instruments have been... Clean the lip plate before you play them.

atoriphile · Post by **atoriphile** » Thu May 29, 2008 2:33 pm

Have you ever played piccolo before? If not, I would recommend taking someone with you who plays piccolo regularly.

At those prices and because they are at pawn shops, I'm not sure what condition they are in. You might need to plan on spending $100 to $200 to get them into playing condition.

I've never heard of King, but assuming the others are in good condition (especially the Yamaha for that price!) I can recommend them.

Good luck!

<3 Flute and Picc · Post by **<3 Flute and Picc** » Thu May 29, 2008 7:18 pm

lol. I definitely plan on cleaning it. Thoroughly. With sanitary wipes as well as alcohol. lol. I won't play it at all until I've cleaned it.

I have played a bit of piccolo but only at a few Friday night games because one of the seniors was really nice and let me play it. At the pawn shop, I am going to ask and see if they will allow me to play it to see if I like it. I told my dad that if it comes down to the Selmer and the Yamaha (the two we're going to check out because he has deemed the others too expensive), I would rather have the Yamaha because it's a Yamaha and because that's a really good price for one. We'll most likely be going to check these out on Saturday so I'll see what condition they're in. Hopefully good condition. lol. Thanks everyone. If you have anymore opinions, please feel free to share.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sat May 31, 2008 11:24 pm

King made some fair saxophones, I'm not sure about their flutes though.

ah... you tried them today... or rather yesterday now..

how did they sound?

mark

<3 Flute and Picc · Post by **<3 Flute and Picc** » Sun Jun 01, 2008 11:41 am

Actually, I didn't get to go yesterday.

When I wrote this, I forgot that I was having surgery on my mouth Friday. I had gingevectomies and frenectomies which basically means they cut away part of my gums and they removed the things that connect my lip and gums. So I was in no shape to try out piccs. lol.

My dad also told me that in order to get a piccolo, I'm going to have to sell my closed hole (I have a closed and an open hole flute) and get some money order to buy it. This flute got me through middle school (3 years) and I used it as my marching flute. But I guess since I'm marching piccolo this year, I probably will for the remaining years. Nevertheless I'll miss it as silly as that sounds. lol.

Anyway, I hope to go next week so that I can let my mouth recover from this. It should only take a few days at most but I want to make sure its fully recovered when I go. I'll definitely fill you all in after I go.

etgohomeok · Post by **etgohomeok** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 7:41 pm

Well it's 4 days later so not sure what's happened yet. But in case you haven't...

When I was at the pawn shop, there were two almost identical piccolos for the same price, and after playing them, one sounded alot better than the other one. With used instruments, you have to play each one and compare them individually.

Also, convince your dad to let you go try out the more expensive ones, and if you like one of them the best, then bargain. Tell them if they don't drop the price, you're going to have to buy one from another pawn shop. Pawn shops can change their prices.

Personal preference wise, out of those brands, I like Yamaha the best, but like I said, it comes down to individual instruments.

Also, I know what you mean with your old flute. I'm on my third flute now which has a solid gold plated body and hand made headjoint, and I still like to play my old student model flute at home sometimes.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:18 am

etgohomeok wrote:Also, I know what you mean with your old flute. I'm on my third flute now which has a solid gold plated body and hand made headjoint, and I still like to play my old student model flute at home sometimes.

I keep a student model around for several reason, but the main 2 reasons are harsh condition, and ease of play. You dod not want to play your $5000 flute in a pub, bar, or outside. Student models are very easy to play when you need a lot of volume like playing with Jazz, Rock, and Blues bands. Horn sections are another good place for student models. These types of gigs just do not require a lot color and dynamics. Not to mention that if you are not careful, your flute may get stolen. Upscale restaurants, recording, weddings, small classical groups, and when I am the featured artist are the only times I bring out the top-of-the-line hardware. I am the same way with my guitars also.