i am in marching band and also in symphonic band and i want to buy a piccolo i really like the all silver ones because its easy to put together and doesent need cork grease but im also considering plastic. I want to buy one of Ebay that is brand name so what brand do you think is the best
Please help band camp is in a couple of weeks, reply soon

Hi,

I`ve been playing picc other 10 years and wrote a lot about it too : paper methods, cdrom method, essays... i`am presently webmaster for Mr Maurice André`s website (www.maurice-andre.com) so i can give you a few advises, hope it is not too late !
The best piccolo is an old model as SELMER 59 (short) or Couesnon (short), you can find both for less $800 today. Do not expect a lower price, it would be really problematic once you got the horn. There are no bargains in piccolo tpt stuff, there are only errors. Take only a 4 valves picc, obviously. Be most careful to cheap Asian/Indian models, they are simply unplayable. Be also very attentive to the 3d valve tuning slide, it must slide very freely and have a ring, naturally ! (so many models a have no 3d valve tuning ring : this is a real absurdity...only beginners can make the error of buying such models.) Anyway, check that both leadpipes (Bb&A) are sold with the horn. Good luck.