hello there. ive played piccolo for quite a while. i currently use a yamaha ypc-32 (which i dont exactly like) and im looking to purchase a wood piccolo. im working on a budget here but want some input on what you all use and what you would recommend. i plan on trying out a few on saturday, but i dont want to walk in blinded by the many different brands and models and such. what do you prefer for a wood piccolo?

Let us know how much you can spend and we'll go from there. There are some really good wooden piccolos for not much money (comparatively speaking).

no more than around 2 grand or so. i recently bought my flute and that was a shocker to my pocketbook (or more like my parents pocketbook). i want something that will last me because i plan on studying in college and beyond.

Great list Tim.

My favorites on the lower cost side are the Emerson Leagacy and the Global.

The Yamaha 62 or any other piccolo by Yamaha I DESPISE because of the poorly made scale on them.

HEy you guys, i want to buy a picc too,..but don't want a really expensive one since i recently bought a flute. I want one that can play throughout my highschool years. Do think a plastic gemienhardt is okay? I heard that gemienhardt piccolos aren't that bad..is that true?

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And i think it's around..$380? I think that's a good price..

I also agree with Tim, also look into Zentner

I also agree with Tim, also look into Zentner

I also agree with Tim, also look into Zentner

Schoolgirl, when it comes to student piccolos, I personally prefer Emerson to Gemeinhardt and Armstrong. I've heard Jupiter piccolos are good too, but I've never played one.

Also, I believe Sonare just released their first piccolo. According to Kessler Music, the keys are manufactured in China, but the mechanism is assembled at the Powell factory in Boston. The plastic headjoint and body are also made in Boston. It's around $600, I'm curious to play one. I wonder if it has a cork-style headjoint.

I also played a Yamaha 62 and I never had any tone or intonation problems either. However, the corks fell off alot and the plating on the keys started pitting after only a couple of years.

Well, some people have problems with them and some don't. I just happen to be the unlucky one because the scale does not work for me at all.

Before you suggest that I am out of practice Micron, I play piccolo just about everyday. I don't seem to have any problems with any of the other brands that I have played though, only Yamaha. I must also stress that I am not the only one who has this problem with them either. I may be out numbered on this board, but I would find it very interesting to go on a board where many pro piccolo players are and see what they have to say. Do keep in mind that everyone one is different, we are not always going to share the same experiences with different brands, other wise we would all play on the same one.

Schoolgirl, I think that the all plastic Emerson piccolo is wonderful. In fact, I might be selling mine. I bought it to use as a backup, but don't find that I really need it.
Here are pictures of it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/flute_items/

I agree with Kara about Yamaha piccolo scale especially with the lower models such as the PC32. I play on a Hammig and have no problemsat all.

I recommend trying a Zentner if you can find one. They haven't been made for several years now but are great little piccolos! I paid around $1000 in 1990 for mine but have no idea the going rate now. I love it!

I actually have surprisingly good intonation on my YPC32...maybe it's a fluke in the manufacturing that mine was alright...or maybe I'm so badly out of tune naturally that I work well the the pic..hmm.

Anyway, the real purpose of my post: y'all mentioned the Burkhart(which I am currently considering) The problem is that I've been researching their pics but the description of the global on various instrument buying guides is confusing. What kind of headjoint does it come with. All of the sites say 'standard' head. Is it a metallic head or is it wooden?? THANKS!!

Fauna, you can choose between the Standard headjoint, the Wave headjoint or a metal headjoint. You can see pics here:

http://www.kesslermusic.com/html/flutes/global.htm

Yes, it does come with the same headjoint that is on their handmade model.