Which piccolo is best?

[mattyacht]

Hello All,
I am a beginner to intermediate flute and piccolo player. I played the tuba in highschool band and picked up flute and piccolo on the side. I am still fascinated with piccolo's 27 years later. I recently purchased a new Gemienhardt 4P piccolo and was surprised how difficult it was to play compared to the old silver Artley that I played on back in school. It was the first plastic picc I've played. High "G" and up is very difficult. I am getting better though. My ultimate goal is to master "Stars and Strips Forever". I am thinking of purchasing a used Yamaha YPC 32. I'll probably collect a few before it's over. Generally, are Yamaha's better than Gemienhardts? I always thought that Gemeinhardts where the way to go. I know there are a lot of "gumball machine" novelty piccs on E-bay from China. Can anyone tell me which brands to avoid? I'm also intersted in learning how to repair and restore used piccs and flutes. Can anyone steer me in the right direction?

Thanks,
Mattyacht

[flutepicc06]

Yamahas are very good quality instruments, but some people tend to favor Gemmies. There's nothing really wrong with either. You might have that 4P checked over to be sure there's no mechanical reason for the third octave to be so hard (though it's never easy on picc). Gemeinhardts are A way to go, but no brand (as long as it's of reasonable quality) is THE way to go...It's all about preference and what suits you (and budget). You're quite right about the "gumball" piccs, but unfortunately the names on these junkers are always changing, and it's next to impossible to keep track of all the brands that should be avoided. As a general rule, stay away from colored piccolos, and anything from a brand without a professional looking website. If you do a google search and only turn up stores selling these flutes, but no website specifically dedicated to the manufacturer, odds are it's worth passing over. As for learning how to repair instruments, there are several options. You can apprentice with a tech in your area, or Jon Landell and a few others offer repair workshops throughout the year which are a fantastic way to go. There are also books which cover some repair and maintanence, like the Burkart-Phelan "The Complete Guide to the Flute and Piccolo" or a booklet that Landell sells. I would suggest that you either buy a junker to practice your repair techniques on or (preferably) attend one of the workshops/apprentice to learn hands on, as the books will not cover everything you're likely to see. I've attended Jon's workshops, and not only is he a great flute maker with lots to teach, but he's just about the nicest person you'll ever meet, and he's always willing to play a duet or two while you take a break!

[fluteguy18]

very good advice thus far. The Burkart-Phelan book is quite nice and useful. I currently have been borrowing a first edition copy from my flute professor, so I can tell that it is a little outdated... but I will be buying my own copy soon. Otherwise, I highly recommend getting your hands on that book. It is a book worth having even for those who arent interested in flute repair.

[MonikaFL]

My favorite piccs of all time are Hammigs *sigh* but since I don't have the $$$ for one, I happily play a Yamaha 32. It's a great picc!

[fluttiegurl]

mattyacht,
There may be a logical reason why the old Artley that you have referred to played easier. Artley piccolos are Cylindrical, meaning they are the same daimeter from one end to the other. The Gemeinhardt piccolos are Conical, or they taper from one end to the other. Many people that I know have found that the cylindrical piccolos are easier to play initially, though I do not know why. On the other hand, conical piccolos tend to have better intonation. What you remember as a piccolo that played easier may be somewhat true. However, even the slightest leak on a piccolo can make it nearly impossible to play.

Since you are looking at some piccolos to try, I will point out that Emerson, though very underestimated, makes some really good piccolos. They have a wooden (Boston Legacy) piccolo that is under $2000 in most stores. I have also found that their EP6 piccolo is a nice wooden picc as well for around $1000 and is very similar to the Boston Legacy. Some of my students play the all plastic version (similar to the Gemeinhardt 4P) and they have had great experiences with them, especially intonation, for around $600. I also recommend trying the Sonare piccolos that have just come onto the market. They sell for around $700, and the ones I have played have been nice instruments for the money.

[fluteguy18]

My favorite piccs of all time are Hammigs *sigh* but since I don't have the $$$ for one,

Amen. I had the chance to trade in my Yamaha 62 for the hammig 650/2 with an additional payment of about $800.... but I had to use the money for something else [much to my dismay]. *sigh* but they are definately nice.

[fluttiegurl]

In time!!! You got your dream flute, so rememer that anything is possible

[fluteguy18]

In time!!! You got your dream flute, so rememer that anything is possible

Yes... I know. That was exactly why I wasnt very disappointed... besides the picc I have is still quite a good match for me, and does everything I want it to do quite easily.

[woodwindNYC]

Well, if you really want the best piccolo out there, then look at a nice kingwood Powell, a Keefe, an Eppler, a Nagahara, a Bulgheroni (these are fabulous, and VERY few American picc players know about them), a Hammig, or an older Brannen.

Of course, you're going to be shelling out anywhere from $2,500 to $7,000 for one of these...

I highly, HIGHLY recommend the Powell Sonare piccs, as well as the Emerson Boston Legacy piccolos. Both will probably be MORE than all the picc you will ever need, and the Sonare is EXTREMELY affordable, and I have confidently used it on professional gigs (it's my backup) and never worried about sacrificing tone or intonation with it.

[flutepicc06]

Well, if you really want the best piccolo out there, then look at a nice kingwood Powell, a Keefe, an Eppler, a Nagahara, a Bulgheroni (these are fabulous, and VERY few American picc players know about them), a Hammig, or an older Brannen.

...or a Braun or a ....Really, as long as you get a piccolo of decent quality, there's no way to rank them. My old Zentner plays better for me than most of the piccs listed above, though it is probably about 1/4 as expensive as some of them. Of course, it's probably partially that I'm already comfortable with with it and its idiosyncracies, but finding the piccolo that matches you best is far more important than the name on it, the price, or anything else of that nature. Possibly even more important than finding a flute that matches you best.

[musical_Kat]

For about $1900 you can get a Burkart-Phelan Global...it's about the same price....maybe a couple hundred more than the Boston Legacy....and it is a wonderful piccolo. I ordered both from Kesslermusic.com and ended up sending the Boston Legacy back. But some people favore the Boston while others favor the Global....I suggest trying them both out....you really can't go wrong with either one of them!

[c_otter]

woodwindNYC, What do you know about Eppler flutes? (Or Tom Lacy or Tom Green Flutes?)

Thanks

[flutepicc06]

woodwindNYC, What do you know about Eppler flutes? (Or Tom Lacy or Tom Green Flutes?)

Thanks

I play a 14 karat Tom Green flute. If you have any questions about them, I would be glad to try to help out.

[mattyacht]

I went through all the websites and looked at the PRICES.
HOLY MOLY!!!!!
What makes a grenadilla and sterling silver mechanism and gold springs at let's say $2700.00 at one brand and there is another brand that has the same materials but it is $5300.00? Is it actually $2600.00 to $3500.00 better of a piccolo or is it manufacturer pride and name consumers are paying for.

Mattyacht

[c_otter]

Flutepicc06,

I'd like to know everything and anything you have to say about your flute.

In particular, I'd like to know about the mechanism (precision, reliability, how well it holds adjustments, etc)

Also, what drew you to the Tom Green flute, as opposed to others?

Finally, I'm interested in any other advantages or disadvantages of this flute.

Thanks.