Bubble-headed piccolos

MonikaFL · Post by **MonikaFL** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:34 pm

That is just a cute subject line. LOL

Does anyone know if the "bubble-style" piccolo headjoint is a standard size/fit? Or, does anyone know what my options would be for finding a headjoint that would fit a Yamaha 32 picc? I need a new picc kind of last-minute, but right now can't afford it... so I'm thinking I'll just improve the one I have. It's a great picc, I just need to warm it up a tad by getting rid of the silver headjoint.

I'm probably going to go down to the music store tomorrow anyhow, but just wanted to see what you all thought, if anyone out there has tried to change out the headjoint on their picc (a bubble-style one)

Thanks!

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:43 pm

It is possible to exchange heads on piccs, but unfortunately they're not all of uniform size (just like flute heads), so not every head will fit on every piccolo. As for what heads would fit on a YPC-32, your best bet is to talk to the makers. Depending on how expensive a head you're looking at, your odds for a fit vary. If you go with a custom made picc head, they can size it to fit whatever you want, but if you're looking at something off the line, it's a little more iffy.

sags_3 · Post by **sags_3** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 3:40 am

All the makers have different sized bubble tenons.
I know that UK makers Ian McLauchlan and Robert Bigio headjoints fit on the ypc 32.

MonikaFL · Post by **MonikaFL** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:55 am

Thanks!!

MonikaFL · Post by **MonikaFL** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 11:00 am

Ohhh yay well it worked out that I was able to order the Yamaha 62 piccolo after all, woot!!! So I don't have to worry about the headjoint thing anymore. My picc should be here early next week!!!

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:18 pm

what does a bubble one look like? Googles not cooperating for me. I can see piccolos, and bubble bath. lol.

MonikaFL · Post by **MonikaFL** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:22 pm

The bubble ones look like the piccolo swallowed a tiny little ping pong ball and it got lodged in its throat. LOL

It's just a little bit bulbous at the joint... that's what they mean by bubble-style (like the Yamaha 62 or 82)

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:55 pm

Claiken wrote:what does a bubble one look like? Googles not cooperating for me. I can see piccolos, and bubble bath. lol.

http://www.burkart.com/index.html?sid=0 ... TYT8Q4h5Q5

The picture of a piccolo and a gold flute on that first page shows a bubble headed piccolo. It's just a different way to make the tenon and receiver.[/url]

pied_piper · Post by **pied_piper** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:54 pm

The YPC-62 is pretty sweet for an intermediate-to-semi-pro grade picc. I have one and it sure beats the old banged-up silver plated Armstrong that I used to play.

I don't play picc often enough to justify a true pro-grade picc, so the YPC-62 was a just-right fit for me and my needs.

It's great in terms of bang for the buck and I was especially lucky. I got mine brand new a few years ago when Mars Music closed up their stores and were offering phenomenal going-out-of-business pricing. I got it for roughly 2/3 off the list price!

andy957 · Post by **andy957** » Wed Oct 03, 2007 4:55 pm

MonikaFL wrote:Ohhh yay well it worked out that I was able to order the Yamaha 62 piccolo after all, woot!!! So I don't have to worry about the headjoint thing anymore. My picc should be here early next week!!!

So, how do you like your 62?

arabians207 · Post by **arabians207** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 4:33 pm

If you have it yet.. i was kinda curious, does the 62 headjoint fit on the 32??

How do you like it!?

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:43 pm

I think they are interchangeable.... I had my hands on a 32 for a while, and switched the heads around a lot just trying to see what it would sound like [the 32 and 62 that is].