Schiller Center Tone Piccolo

[ChrisL87]

Hello!

I was wondering if any professional flautist's have heard of the brand Schiller Center Tone Piccolo (Flute). I called the company that offers it and they said they compare it to a Yamaha and a Hanes professional piccolo. It's being offered on eBay, and other sites at a price range around $585. Here is the link.

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem ... 6265561160

There isn't much said about this piccolo and it's made from Grenadilla wood and with a bubble style headjoint. I really want to try it they don't do refunds. They give store credit or a gift card back. What should I do?! It's so cheap for what looks like a good piccolo! I'm drying to try it! What if it turns out to be phenomenal?! Another thing the guy told me was that they mass order instruments to sell them at cheap prices. Still skeptical but you never know unless you go for it! Right?!

Thanks,

Christopher Ljucovic RN, CCMA, EMT-B
CLjucovic@aol.com

[pied_piper]

I've seen Schiller flutes and piccolos on eBay, but I have always ignored them because it is not a brand that is known or proven. Most reputable flute makers advertise in flute publications like the the NFA Flutist Quarterly or Flute Talk. To my knowledge this brand has never been advertised to professional flutists. I've been to the last two NFA conventions and every well known brand is on display there and Schiller is not among them. I've never seen a pro playing that brand.

I looked at the eBay ad you linked and see several red flags. First, even though they told you by phone that you could return it for store credit of gift card, the eBay ad clearly states "No Returns or exchanges" and that is legally binding when purchasing via eBay. I would never buy an instrument from any company that does no allow trials or real refunds. What can you do with store credit that is only valid in their store? Once they have your money, it's theirs to keep.

I also note with some amusement that the ad states the piccolo Features "Stainless steel springs and pads". While that is probably a typo about the pads, that sloppiness is an indicator that they are not very knowledgeable of flute's and piccolos. The ad also makes what I consider a very misleading statement about the keys which are listed as "British Sterling Silver Plated Keys". That statement is contradictory. Sterling silver is by definition not plated. It cannot be both sterling and plated...

Finally, the ad states "Schiller Scale-Acclaimed by Leading Teachers and Artists Worldwide". What teachers and artists worldwide? No names are listed. I suspect there are no U.S. known teachers or artists endorsing this brand. If they were, why not list them?

The Schiller may be a fine instrument, but you are risking the entire amount with their no return policy. Every reputable flute dealer that I do business with has a very flexible trial and refund policy.
CAVEAT EMPTOR...

[ChrisL87]

Thank you so much! Hopefully someone else buys one and can put a review up about it. I currently play a Selmer PC300 resin picc. I'm no professional, just looking for a decent/fairly priced wooden Picc. Which seems hard to find.

Thank you for the speedy reply!

Cheers,

Chris Ljucovic