I have an old Yamaha piccolo 61 which has served me well for >15 years. I have had it overhauled 2x. It now needs another overhaul which will cost me ~$1000 (more than I paid for it). I have trialed a few other piccs of similar quality and tone quality is about the same as my old picc. The difference is the newer/more recently serviced piccs require less effort for me to play. Question is do I invest $1000 into my old piccolo, over and over again, or invest in something different? How often should an overhaul be required (aside from regular servicing)? What other piccolos should I be looking at if I were to try something else? Another Yamaha - the 81? Bulgheroni? Trevor James? Hammig?

Mjd,

IMO: you really shouldn't have to have your instrument overhauled multiple times. If your tech is advising you to have yet another overhaul, they may be raking you for more cash. Be wary: get another technician (a reputable one) to look at it.

If you are itching for a new piccolo, I would not suggest a Hammig. This is, of course, my own personal opinion, but I tried one out and thought the wood headjoints were cut strangely. I had to seriously alter my embouchure to get anything out of it (and I have been playing picc for a few years). Maybe it's just me... I just didn't like the effort I had to put in to get it to play.

The Hammig piccolo (with any of the available embouchures for the headjoint) was my favorite of all the wood piccolos I tried several years ago. Those included Powell, Burkart-Phelan, Pearl grenaditte, Emerson Boston Legacy, and Keefe.

The Hammig was the easiest to produce all possible notes from lowest to highest with great tone, accuracy, and little effort. If I could afford a new Hammig, I would buy one (probably with the thinned "standard" headjoint).

Different players have their own preferences and needs.

Just goes to show you... All a matter of personal preference. :3

Thank you for all the replies. I know the 61 is very old, and I would hate to put that much money into it. I've had 2 quotes from 2 of the most reputable flute/picc technicians in Vancouver, and both agree that it will take about $1000 to bring this picc back. I was going to get cork pads this time. However, last week at rehearsal, I think I was ready to burn it for firewood.

I love the sound of the Yamaha piccs, and I think the 81 would be a good replacement? I have not tried a Hammig yet. Does anyone have an extra few thousand to give away?