Piccolo

[MissyHPhoenix]

I previously owned a Burkhart-Phelan piccolo which was fabulous. However, had to sell it last year. Now I want to get another picc but will have to go with a less expensive model. Problem is that I was spoiled with the B/P so want to get the best bang for my bucks, so to speak.

I'm probably going to have around $1000 more or less to spend. Those of you with more experience in the piccolo field, would I be better off getting a used wooden like a Yamaha or Emerson, or would a synthetic like a Sonare work ok for me? I know the Gemeinhardt flutes have a bad rep -- what about the wooden Gemmy piccs? Keeping in mind that I absolutely hate it when a piccolo has intonation issues and sounds like a dieing chicken .... I want to try out as many as I can before I buy, but need to narrow the field down to what would probably be the best fit to what I am looking for before I start trying out. I will be playing it in the Orchestra and Concert bands, never outside, and definitely do not want a metal picc. It will be wooden or synthetic. I am most concerned with sound quality -- looking for sweet and mellow instead of sharp and pain-in-my-butt. I've never tried a Pearl or Sonare, but have read good reviews. Any comments and/or recommendations? I know that it will come down to what is best for me, but would appreciate your opinions.

Thanks!

[pied_piper]

After playing a Burkhart-Phelan, you may find it difficult to find something you really like in the mid-price range. I play a Yamaha YPC-62 and like it very much. The price for a new one is about $2000, which is more than you want to spend, but sometimes used ones are available in your price range.

Last August at the NFA Convention, I tried some mid-range piccolos and liked both the Pearl Grenaditte and the Di Zhao grenadilla model. The Pearl sells new for about $1000 and the Di Zhao sells for about $1200.

Be aware that the Di Zhao only comes with a wave-style headjoint which you may or may not like. The Pearl is available with either style for the same price. The Yammie is available with either style but the wave adds about $250 to the price. The wave style is preferred by a lot of doublers, while the straight style is often preferred by dedicated piccolo players. The wave makes the upper third octave speak a bit easier (which is why doublers like them) but it seems to sacrifice a bit in the lower register.

You owe it to yourself to try all of those to see what suits you best.

[MissyHPhoenix]

Thank you! That is exactly the kind of info I was looking for. I want to try different ones but don't want to waste time ....

I don't think I have ever heard anything negative about Yamaha flutes or piccs. Have you played a YPC-82? I know of a reconditioned one I can try. I'm probably a snob, but I would much rather have a wooden picc than a synthetic -- probably because of having the B/P before. I just love the smooth warm tone of a wooden piccolo. When I had to sell my B/P I got a very cheap Palm picc, but I won't play it because it is so shrill and will NOT stay in tune no matter what I do. I would like to try the Pearl & Di Zhao ones, tho, since I've heard so many good things about them. Also heard the Sonare is a really nice mid-range. So those are probably the ones I'll try out. Knowing me tho, the synthetics would have to knock my socks off to beat out a wooden!

Thanks again! Now I have a starting point.

[pied_piper]

No, I have not played a YPC-82. That model has a sterling silver head with a grenadilla body. Are you looking at that or a YPC-81 which has a grenadilla head and body? I briefly tried the 81 at the NFA and found it very similar to my 62 except the 81 seemed like it may respond a little better than my 62. The 62 and 81 are both made from grenadilla and from what I understand, are nearly identical except the 81 and 82 have hand cut headjoints and undercut tone holes.

Regarding wanting grenadilla over a composite model, I had the same impressions until I tried the Pearl Grenaditte. Pearl uses a new material and it not the same as is typically used on low-end piccolos. It's a totally new material but it is impervious to temperature fluctuations and they make it with the precision of a pro piccolo. If I were buying again, I would seriously consider it and take it for a longer trial.

[MissyHPhoenix]

Hmmm, I looked at the Yammie & I think it is a 81, not the 82 that is stated, because it does have a wooden headjoint. It sounds like you do have a very good impression of the Pearl. Did you think it sounds and responds as well as a wooden picc? Did you like it enough to choose it over a wooden one, if all things were equal? I do think the advantage of no temperature problems would definitely be a strong draw to it.

[pied_piper]

When I tried the Pearl, I only played it for about 10 minutes during the convention. My impression was definitely favorable, but I would have to try it for a much longer time for a complete assessment.

While at the NFA, I tried a wide variety of mid-to-upper range piccolos, although I was just trying for impressions rather than seriously shopping. The Burkhart/Phelan, Hammig, Haynes, Powell, and Seaman are all fine instruments, but they did not seem to suit my needs in price/performance. What I mean by that is that they certainly played fine, but for my purposes I could not justify the price of a high-end piccolo. However, you have to realize that I am not a pro player (perhaps semi-pro would be appropriate) and piccolo is not my primary instrument. I play flute, sax, piccolo, and clarinet - roughly in that order of frequency, although the sax and picc may switch order depending upon what I have going on; around Christmas, I usually play a bit more piccolo than sax.

So, if I were seriously shopping, yes, I would certainly give the Pearl consideration. With my short 10 minute trial, I feel it played as well or better than some of the more expensive instruments that received equally short trials. I felt it played comparably to my YPC-62. If I had been blindfolded, I would have thought it was a wood picc.

[MissyHPhoenix]

Thanks again! You are telling me exactly the info I needed.

When I bought my Burkhart-Phelan, it was an extravagance that I could afford at the time. I in no way need a picc of that level, and now that I am back in school I can in no way AFFORD another one. So I have to find one that I can afford but that I will be satisfied with at the same time. So thank you again, you have answered my questions in a way that I know where to start. I expect I will be testing out several piccs for the next month or so, starting with the Pearl.