I am looking into buying a good cheap student picc. Any suggestions?

What do you consider cheap?

I have a Yamaha YPC-32 which is ok, but especially when I first got it I always had to fight to keep it in tune.. I got very good at it after I used it for marching season though I got mine new for around $550.

As when buying a flute, it is a good idea to try your piccolo before you buy it. The type of ensemble you play in also impacts the requirements in terms of volume, tone etc.

There have been some very negative comments about Venus piccolos on this forum but I have had good experiences of Taiwanese and Chinese instruments. However, unlike a Yamaha YPC-32 a second hand Venus piccolo has almost no resale value if it develops a serious fault its probably not worth repairing.

if its in good condition, a used gemeinhardt piccolo would serve you well. i dont like yamahas because, well... they have intonation issues i dont like to deal with, among other things.

if you want new, stay with a good reputable brand. the ebay cheapies arent worth the money.

I am selling my armstrong piccolo, the one problem it has is one of the trill keys is kind of stuck, but not the one required for the high Bb. It is all metal. If interested, email me at trumpetplayerfromhell@yahoo.com and i wil be glad to send you pics! IM thinking of selling it for around $250-$300

I'm nowhere near an expert but I've heard that Gemeinhardts can be quite good. I tried playing a Gemeinhardt piccolo and it sounded ok, less horrible and squeaky than some other models I've heard.

gyahh.. I have been wondering the same thing!
I am looking for a nice, cheap piccolo for marching band next year.
There are a lot of brands to choose from, but opinions are everywhere about each one of them.
So.. help me out here C:
I have been searching ebay, and I found a nice unused Armstrong, and a good-shape Gemeinhardt 4PMH.
I have NO clue which one to choose :D
Many, many people considered a Yamaha YPC32, for starting the piccolo.
I have playing 5years.. almost 6 years.. of flute.
What do you think about the Prelude piccolos, from Conn-Selmer?
Here are the lists of piccolos, I am interested in. NOT IN ORDER!
1) Armstrong 2)Blessing 3) Gemeinhardt 4)Yamaha 5)Jupiter 6)Prelude 7)Pearl 8)Sonare and on and on~
Please tell me your opinions of the quality of the piccolos!! thanks ^^

I have tried Gemeinhardt 4PMH and 4S piccolos. They were both pretty good. I have also tried an Artley piccolo and it was just okay. I am looking for something under $1,000. The ideal price would be from $0-$600. I am willing to buy a used one, but reluctant to purchase from ebay. Could you tell me the names of some "bad" brands to stay away from?

If you like a Gemeinardt 4S I have one in brand new condition that I am only selling for $350. Here are pictures..
http://fluteragiouscreations.blogspot.com/

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I agree with Mbrowne about Yamaha piccs. I don't like them as the scale on them are horrible. It is bad enough trying to keep a piccolo in tune without having a wacked out scale to go with it. So my advice, stay away from them.

I'd try a Pearl if you can. I really would like to try one myself!

I believe Kara has one if you want to ask her about it.

Yes, I used to own a Pearl piccolo and they are very nice. I had a few problems with the first one, the company replaced it for me. The second one was fine.