I'm currently looking into these 2 piccolos. I know there are better options out there, but I'm not looking for an advanced piccolo. I only need a beginner plastic one. So, how are these piccolos for their price? Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with these 2 piccs? I know ultimately that a play test will determine which one to buy. But before I go and play them, anything to comment on?

IMO, Jupiter seems to have better quality. Unless something has changed recently, Sonare piccolos are not being made right now so you would have to find a used one. The Sonares seemed very cheap to me. I like Emerson and Jupiter for the plastic piccs.

Thanks for the reply Kara. I thought I saw something about discontinuing the Sonare's but I wasn't sure. Anyways, thanks for the heads up.

I've only tried a Sonare plastic picc.
I liked it quite well, as far as response and pitch go.
I can't really comment on the mechanism, I'm not a tech.
I've tried a Jupiter silverplated picc, and it was dreadfully shrieky. Yikes. But I haven't tried one of their plastic ones.

If the mechanism was OK on a Sonare, it would probably fit a nice Burkart piccolo headjoint, for a cheap upgrade to really nice. My Burkart picc HJ was $450 or so, used.

Thanks for the reply. I may also be looking into getting a pearl but I'm not sure.

The Pearl "grenaditte" piccolo (PFP 105e) would be just about the best choice for non-wood/non-silver piccolo. Its sound qualities are quite similar to those of the lower-priced wood piccolos by Yamaha, Burkart-Phelan, Boston Legacy, Powell Signature, and Seaman. And it's still under $1,000.

Its mechanism, however, might leave something to be desired. You'll just have to try it as well as get comments from those who have bought one and used it over a long period of time.

Sadly I can't find any good piccolos to buy currently. I'll be renting a student yamaha picc until I find a better picc.

What's your price range for a piccolo?

Price range is not an issue, it's buying locally. I'm not willing to buy off the internet so local is my only option.

Local as in..........

Flute world is a great option. I can say this from experience because I live in their area.

Jupiter is coming out with a new Piccolo in the fall which will be very popular, i have a prototype here and it is excellent