I've decided after I get my new flute (Azumi by Altus) I'm going to also get a Piccolo. I decided I wanted to either get a Sonare SP-500 or a Gemeinhardt 4p. I want to get a piccolo that will last for quite some time. Any suggustions on which one would be a good pick or another good piccolo brand and model within the price range of $500 - $700.

Im sorry, I didnt mean for it to come up twice!

I can't believe that I am saying this, but I would go for the Gemeinhardt as the mechanism feels more solid built to me. But don't take my word for it, go try both of them out yourself. I would also go for the 4P.

I was also looking at the Pearl PFP-105E? Any experience with these?

The Pearl. It's worth the extra money.

Personally I would pick the Pearl. However, especially with piccolos, where pitch is such an issue, you need to try out the options you've picked out and see what you like best.

Yes, the Pearl is fantastic. I can say this because I own one.

i really like gemeinhardt piccolos, they are really nice, even the silver ones, have a warmer sound, and less shrill well for mei used to play on a 4W, a wood gemeinhardt I LOVED IT!, it was so warm, and smooth, form octave to octave, but i dont have it anymore): but thats my opinion

o yea, but i also, played on a gemeinhardt 4p, it closely sounds like the 4w, and the pearls ive never played but form what i read/hear theyd be worth it as well

So is it true that the Sonare Piccolo is quite slippery?

Slippery in what sense? That the head slides against the lip? You can't get your fingers to stay on the keys? Something else entirely? Unless you're talking about something other than literal "slipperiness" I'd have to say that's not true...It's certainly not something I had any issue with when I playtested them.

Yes, Im sorry, I meant the slipperiness when the head slides against the lip. Err, so far I think I'm going to go with the Gemeinhardt, unless you guys persuad me otherwise so yea, Im also probably going to try them out from FluteWorld (there trial thing).

You should try all of them, even if you're leaning towards the Gemmies (and there are others besides the few brands listed here that bear looking into, such as Jupiter, Emerson, Yamaha, etc). An instrument can look great on paper, but play horribly for you in real life, so don't limit yourself to just the Gemmies. I've played some recent models from them and was anything but impressed. I really had to fight intonation on it (and I'm a pretty skilled and experienced player with lots of experience testing instruments), and like many Gemeinhardt products, dynamics and overall tone were an issue. Personally I think there are much better piccolos on the market in the same price range as Gemeinhardts, but if you like them, that's all that really matters. And hey, they're a lot better than some piccolos you could buy.

Thanks for all ur comments, I think im just going to get the Sonare Sp-500. So thank you for all ur advice. Greatly appreiciated !



-Justin

Have you played these piccs yet? If not, you've still got some leg work to do. I STRONGLY advise you against buying an instrument without testing it against other instruments at a similar level.