I have just bought a Pearl PFP-105 Piccolo flute
and I do not like it. On the other piccolos I have
tried, I had some freedom with the embouchure. For
example when playing the first D, when I made the
embouchure smaller I got the second D. If I wanted
to make a sound where both were heard at the same
time, I had to make a conscious effort to stay
between the two notes.

With my new piccolo I have to make a conscious
effort to play a single note (not only the D), it
is easy to get some unpleasant fluttering note
between.

I believe there is a leak somewhere but I wanted
to check with you before asking the seller for an
overhaul. I suppose different flutes are different
to play but like I said, I do not like the Pearl
as it is now.

I have played the piccolo for 10 - 15 years but
very sporadic, sometimes with pauses for months
or even years so I am not very advanced.

It could not be the head joint, could it? When I
have solved this problem I will ask about finding
a new head joint (should I? will it fit? will
it have better sound or be easier to play?)

Thanks for any answer
Anders

It could be a leak. I really can't say without looking at it for myself. I used to own one of these pics and I thought it was really nice, but I had some problems with adjustment issues and I the headjoint never worked all that well with me for some reason. I am sure they have improved since I had mine since I was told that the Pearl Co. were striving for improvements. It certainly had a sweet sound and I did love that on it. Did you buy this piccolo used? If so, then I would suggest you take it into a good repair tech to have it looked over.

Take this back to the store you got it from to check out & try other samples of the same picc if you can or if that's not possible demonstrate on other brands that you can play them. If there is a problem they should rectify it free if it is still in any warranty period. If they cannot sort it they should refund your money. The store won't (or shouldn't) want to get a bad name from selling duff gear.

Thanks

As far as I can try, my flute fails both your tests.
Is there any way to find the leak?
Block one end and blow cigarette smoke into the other?
As I don't smoke I would rather try something else.

Anders

Please DON'T put cigarette smoke down your piccolo. It is bad enough what it does to our lungs yet alone pads. Before I knew right from wrong in repairs I dropped off my old Yamaha piccolo to a repair guy (total clown) in the city I used to live in. He wreaked the whole thing by putting smoke down it. There were literally ashes between my keys. Just take the piccolo to a GOOD well recommended repair tech and leave it to them.

Wrecked not wreaked. Whoops.

It sounds like there is something obviously wrong with this particular piccolo. If you just bought it, you should return it to wherever you bought it and have them service the particular problem. Most stores will do that without a problem.

If you cannot get satisfaction from the dealer, the second recourse is to contact Pearl. Just send me an email and I'll help you out if the store doesn't take care of it.

Joe B

I gave the piccolo back for service but they say it is all right although they can not make it pass the tests suggested by Micron. They have worked for many years with instrument repair and they seem very knowledgeable.

I have played for 10-15 years but very sporadic. Now I am retired and intend to spend some more time on the piccolo. With my limited experience it is difficult to talk against them when they claim that there is always some leak in a flute.

When I bought the Perl, I borrowed a Jupiter while waiting for delivery. With this I did not have the same problems with the low notes as I have with the Pearl. I feel frustrated but I can not be 100 % sure that it is the Pearl that is at fault and not me.

Could some of you please make Micron's tests and give the result? Is it possible to have a good working piccolo that is not 100 % air tight?

It's virtually impossible for any woodwind instrument to be 100% leak free, because the pads are slightly porous and air will bleed through even if they are covering properly. HOWEVER, as Micron pointed out in an earlier post, if it is lightly pressurized as he described, it should not leak down quickly. Ask the repair shop if they have a Magnehelic leak tester. That will quickly show whether the leakage is within normal, acceptable tolerances.

i agree with contra448. go back to the store and try out the other piccolos there and tell them there is something seroiusly wrong with it. and picolos are notorious for leaks. but don't fret it can be fixed by tools or persuasion of the dealer.( fight for your rights)

How does one know whether the leakage is within normal, acceptable tolerances? I suppose there is some sort of calibration for those Magnehelic leak testers.