Sonare SP500 Piccolo?

[andy957]

I am a beginner but am looking to get the biggest bang for my buck in terms of buying a new piccolo (I don't believe in renting). The dealer where I bought my (Yamaha YFL-461H) flute is pushing the Sonare SP500 piccolo (resonite body, Powell headjoint). It's $699 Canadian. I have listened to the sound, and to my (conservatory trained) ears, the sound is much nicer than many of the silver/silver-plated instruments (less shrill). I have also looked at the Gemeinhardt 4P (there's currently one on eBay brand-new for $349 USD) and the Yamaha ebonite model as well (can't remember the model #).

Question (and I've read ALL the threads here about instruments and understand that it's totally a personal preference): I would rather spend more money up front and get an instrument that will last at least a couple of years rather than buy something that will be frustrating and end up costing me more money in the long run.

Does anyone here have any FIRST-HAND PERSONAL EXPERIENCE with the Sonare? Any comments/recommendations? I'd be very interested to hear what all of you have to say.

Many thanks to all of you.

[remnantpark]

I don't have any personal experience with Sonare but I do know the Gemeinhardt 4P b/c that's what all the piccolo players in the band plays. I've picked it up before and it's pretty lightweight and easy to play outside for marching band but if i were you, I'd go for the Sonare.

[andy957]

Thank you, but I was specifically asking for experiences from people who HAVE tried/played the Sonare.

[FltnPicc_David]

First off: Dont buy any instrument on ebay, it's just not reliable, i don't think.

The Yamaha you talked about is most likely the YPC-32, plastic body, silver plt. HJ. I have the piccolo and couldn't be happier with it. Very flexible for concert and marching.

I was at All State convention and I tried to Sonare piccolo out and was absolutely IMPRESSED WITH IT. I happen to think it was MUCH better than my Yamaha. I dont have "conservatory trained" ears and happened to be very pelased with it. So I would definitely get it if I could :]

But you should definitely keep looking around for more piccolos...

[remnantpark]

Thank you, but I was specifically asking for experiences from people who HAVE tried/played the Sonare.

Sorry for not being much of a help...that was the least I can get since I am not much of a piccolo player myself...

[andy957]

"I was at All State convention and I tried to Sonare piccolo out and was absolutely IMPRESSED WITH IT. I happen to think it was MUCH better than my Yamaha. I dont have "conservatory trained" ears and happened to be very pelased with it. So I would definitely get it if I could :]"

So if you had it to do over again, which one would you choose between the Yamaha & Sonare? Thanks.

[FltnPicc_David]

Crap. That's a hard one. I think I'll have to say the Yamaha. I only had a chance to play the Sonare for about half an hour as opposed to having my Yamaha for a year now. I have heard about the inconstincencies of construction of the body (because it is made in China and "regulated" in Boston to keep costs down for us as the consumer) but I didn't really see any problems in that piccolo. But every instrument is different, so check it out! But if I had the chance to go back, I'd probably still pick my Yamaha.

[fluteguy18]

I have played the yamaha mentioned here, and it is indeed a very sturdy instrument. As for sonare... I have tried the flutes, but havent tried the piccs. I would be careful with sonare however. This is a relatively new company [ a subdivision of the Powell flute/piccolo company] and I have heard in the past that there have been quite serious quality control issues with the flutes. So, to be safe, I would approach the piccs carefully to avoid getting one that has a critical fault in the construction of the picc. But, I havent heard anything bad about the piccs though.

[andy957]

Thanks David. I tend to want to agree with you. Plus, then I have a matched Yamaha set. <just kidding> Thanks for the info, everyone.

[FltnPicc_David]

No problem! You'll be like me! (Very soon...since I'm getting a Yamaha 574H flute by the end of the month.)

[fluteguy18]

No problem.

[fluteguy18]

No problem! You'll be like me! (Very soon...since I'm getting a Yamaha 574H flute by the end of the month.)

Oh, and congrats on the soon to be new flute! I am in the same situation, where I will be upgrading in the next month [ to a hand made Miyazawa.... I'm very excited].

[andy957]

Thanks! Although I am starting off with the YFL-461H as a beginner, I decided to go for a very good flute right from the get-go.

I may opt for either the Gemeinhardt 4P (plastic) or Yamaha YPC-62 (grenadilla) at some later time. Really appreciate your assistance, and good luck with the beautiful Miyazawa!

[fluteguy18]

Thanks! Although I am starting off with the YFL-461H as a beginner, I decided to go for a very good flute right from the get-go.

I may opt for either the Gemeinhardt 4P (plastic) or Yamaha YPC-62 (grenadilla) at some later time. Really appreciate your assistance, and good luck with the beautiful Miyazawa!

Glad to be of Assistance!

[andy957]

So I saw a brand-new factory sealed box of the Gemeinhardt 4P on eBay for $369.00 USD. Seller has perfect feedback, I have no reason to believe it's not legit. This seems too good to be true.

However, being a purist (and somewhat of a snob), I really want a grenadilla piccolo. The YPC62 is expensive here... $1798 CAD. And that's about the cheapest one in wood that I can see and find.

Decisions, decisions. The more you read, talk, research, the more complicated the choice gets. I think it's just a matter of which one feels best, plays best and costs best <g>, and then get that one. One can always upgrade later.

A flute repair specialist told me that the Gemeinhardt flutes aren't good but the piccolos are excellent. So.... we'll see.