Gemeinhardt serial number help please?

[ives6797]

Hello,

I am hoping you experienced people can help me. I am thinking of buying a Gemeinhardt piccolo, the seller says it's engraved with 69092.

According to this chart, it is listed for both 1991 and 1979. I don't get it. Help?

ETA the link: http://www.gemeinhardt.com/resources/Ge ... _guide.pdf

[Istamid]

What model is the piccolo ? Every model has it's own serial numbers

[ives6797]

I don't know what model. I asked for anything written on there near where it says Gemeinhardt and they just said 69092. I am trying to figure out how old it is. Here are the pictures they provided in case it helps:

Any help is much appreciated!

gemeinhardtpiccolo.jpg (78.76 KiB) Viewed 22128 times

[ives6797]

The 1991 says "4SP" and the 1979 says "4SP/4SH". What I am looking at is on page 11.

http://www.gemeinhardt.com/resources/Ge ... _guide.pdf

[ives6797]

I also looked at this one, it is an Armstrong, BUT when I wrote to ask for the date code, they said it was 27, which dates it be be a 1977 piccolo I think, so I think $175 (plus $13 shipping of course) is a bit much.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... Track=true

[fluttiegurl]

It is the older version. Prior to the 1980's, their piccolos were marked with the key the piccolo was in (C or D-flat). Personally, I would not buy it. Assuming it is in decent playing condition, it is likely to have intonation issues. Also, buying a used piccolo without first playing it could be asking for problems. Always expect to make repairs, even is the seller claims it is in working or better condition. I have also seen good, name brand piccolos from e-bay that were complete junk and not worth fixing. I know some people who have had success with higher end piccolos purchased this way, but I have had very little luck with beginner piccolos purchased this way.

[ives6797]

Thank you. Thing is (like so many others), I simply can't afford to spend much more... trying to figure out what is the best way under $200... opted to look for a used "better" brand rather buy a new china-cheapie (venus etc). My husband is a middle school teacher and is friends with his school's band teacher. He offered to check it out for us and can do tuning/repairs and such. I'd rather not get one from the 70s though, so I don't know...

[fluttiegurl]

I would look for something that is less than 10 years old. And I agree that a used name brand is FAR better than a Chinese cheapie. It is just difficult to find one online that you can play before you buy.

Not to be too negative, but I am always a little leery of a school band director working on my instruments. Unless he happens to be a flutist with some tech experience (which most do not have), he may be little help with anything more than a quick fix until you can do better. Also, you may also find that even with someone on standby, you may get stuck with an instrument that is not fixable. Check with the sellers return policy. Sellers are not required to accept returns, even if it is a piece of junk.

Wow, I feel like I am being so negative! The truth is, even with 20+ years of flute experience, and experience buying and selling flutes and piccolos, I have been burnt buying piccolos without playing them first. More than once.

[ives6797]

Thanks for all the help

[lilmopeep]

I know this was posted several months ago, but I just want to add my 2 cents on buying older used instruments.

I have bought several used instruments on eBay and have never had an issue with any of them.
My most recent purchase was just a couple of weeks ago - a 1966 vintage Gemeinhardt piccolo.

It came fully refurbished and it plays like a dream! Got a deal at $212.50 (and yes, I checked on the "stolen serial numbers" database, not there!)

Just to let you know that purchasing a used "vintage" instrument is not always a bad bet. I have also purchased a couple of "vintage" Gemeinhardt flutes - same experience.

Bottom line - I don't feel there is any reason to be scared off of buying an older instrument. Just in case you haven't found anything yet!