Piccolo purchase

[angela_flute52689]

I have found some inexpensive piccolos on eBay and want to thoroughly research them before I buy one.
Which of these brands are the best, and which are bad?

Venus silver plated - though I'm told they're not good
Clairmont 24k gold plated! - thought I'm told they're not very good
Weimar silver or silver plated - I'm told it's a good brand
Anaxa silver or silver plated - I'm told they're not good
a used Yamaha with a silver or silver plated head and wood or plastic body (I can't tell and it doesn't say)
used Gemeinhardt, same body and head as the Yamaha but in better condition
Berkeley silver plated head, silver body - I haven't heard of them

I would probably prefer a hybrid piccolo because they're pretty and less shrill and more what I'm looking for based on what I'd use the picc for (nothing professional, maybe the occasional performance for friends or groups or for my own enjoyment). I do want something nice though. I've played picc for 5 years and have used Artleys, which I hated, but they were junior high instruments, and Gemeinhardts (silver and hybrid) which were good but not the best, but maybe that was because they were school instruments as well.

Any advice?

[Phineas]

First, read section 2 of the Flute FAQ located here.

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

This subject has been hashed out time and time again about ebay piccolos and how good or bad they are. They are hit or miss at best.

In the price range you are looking at, you are going to end up with a new instrument that may lack in durability, or a good instrument that will need some work. Here are a couple of brand not listed in the FAQ you may want to consider.

http://www.wwbw.com/Barrington-Model-99 ... 13817.wwbw
http://www.wwbw.com/Prelude-Piccolo-Out ... 44551.wwbw

Use to own the first one, and have played on the second one. These are basically copies of the Yamaha YPC-32 though they do not play as good as one.

Phineas