Piccolo shopping--need advice

[starrgrrl]

Hi, there, I am an advanced level adult flute player, and I am shopping for a piccolo-preferably a used one in immaculate condition. I would be playing the piccolo in a flute choir and perhaps in a 100-person wind ensemble.

I'd like to stay under $2000 in price. I really don't know that much about piccolos (I just donated my Bundy that I used in high school marching band--never played it in college), and haven't found all that much info on the Internet.

I'm trying the following used piccolos from a local, reputable seller this weekend. I'm somewhat familiar with the Yahama because I have found a lot of information on it, but I know nothing about the Trevor James and the Emerson, and I haven't found much info in my Internet researching:

Yahama YPC-62 (w/ split e mech) @ $995
Trevor James Performer wood @ $1449
Emerson EP6SH Sterling-plated head wood body @ $995

^^The above will all be professionally serviced/cleaned before I try them^^

And then I found this Takezawa on Fluteworld. http://www.fluteworld.com/index.php?act ... wart=58058 Anybody know anything about the Takezawa? I've never heard of it.

My friend has a Burkart-Phelan (not sure which model) and loves it. I have read that the Burkarts have "the best" intonation/scale, but I've had a hard time finding any used ones--except on WWBW, and I don't care for their 15% "restocking" fee for try-outs. I also found a Yahama YPC-82 on there but, again, not for a 15% restocking fee!

Thank you in advance for any advice, information, or ideas that you can provide.



p.s. I am pretty partial to Yahamas--I played an early 80s model YFL-481 as a music major in college, and just upgraded last year to a 1999 YFL-681 (discontinued--current equivalent model is the YFL-784) and LOVE it!

[Kshel]

You could try a Resona piccolo. They are made by Burkart, and they play fabulously! They are also under $2000.

[pied_piper]

starrgrrl - Similar to you, I'm an amateur/semi-pro player and I have a Yamaha YPC-62. I've found it to have that nice sweet sound that is desireable for the piccolo. I've had it now for about 9 years and I have had no problems with it. It still has all the original pads and has only required a few minor adjustments during that time. For playing in flute choir, wind ensemble, or orchestra, I would strongly recommend a conical bore piccolo made from grenadilla or grenaditte. In addition to the Resona that kshel mentioned, there are several in your price range that meet that criteria:

Yamaha YPC-62
Pearl PFP-165E (Made of Grenaditte - composite material, but similar to grenadilla)
Di Zhao DZP-201 (made in China but finished/adjusted in the U.S.)

The used YPC-62 you found sounds like great deal if it's in good playing condition and you can verify that by trying it. $995 is a very good price for that model.

Good luck in your search.

[PhlutePharmD]

Hi, Stargrrl - how did the tests go? I've just started a search for my first piccolo and am quite curious!

Kathryn

[katie]

I have not tried TJ piccolo, but I really liked his flutes.

[starrgrrl]

Hi there; thanks for your replies.
I ended up purchasing both the new Trevor James Performer and the used Emerson--got a good deal for both!
It was a difficult decision, and I couldn't decide between the TJ and the Emerson. I also liked the Yamaha YPC-62 very, very much.
I also tried a Roy Seaman plastic (not sure which model), which would make a great piccolo for marching.