Metal, wooden, or plastic piccolo?

[4 Aces]

My sister is letting me get a piccolo for Christmas, and I was wondering which material would be the best to get. I've cruised some sites here and there to pick up some more info on these things, but I haven't found too much luck. The info was a tad inconsistant. Some say that it doesn't matter (maybe it doesn't ), while others had only little info on them. I'd like to know the traits of each of the materials as well. Anything that you know would help a lot.

I might get a wooden one since they have a mellower sound (at least that's what I heard, besides, they're cool looking. But the metal ones are cool too...).

Also, some ideas on company names that sell good piccolos would be helpful too. Anything that you might know. Personal opinion is welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[Gamer4Fire]

Silver has the best tone of all metal flutes, although hardwood has a more mellow tone.

Well known companies would be Gemeinhardt, Yamaha, Armstrong, Selmer and Bundy.

 

[4 Aces]

Would you recommend a silver or hardwood? (Maybe this is all personal preference?)

 

[CHAOSDRAGON88]

Try wikipedia, you might get more knowledge than we could give you.

 

[Gamer4Fire]

It is personal preference. But for a piccolo, I'd suggest silver (plated) over hardwood since piccolos are supposed to be high pitch, not low and mellow.

 

[Mic_128]

I'd get one made from Namekian flesh.

 

[THISISYOURPILOTSPEAKING]

I thought Piccolo was made of green pointed-earness.

 

[cF=)]

Metal piccolo is a must, mostly to obtain a brighter, sharper sound with the instrument. It'll also be easier to tune, take care of and repair. Also note that hardwood might take a while to break in, like most wood instruments.

Look up the compagnies G4F gave you.

 

[4 Aces]

Try wikipedia, you might get more knowledge than we could give you.

Wikipedia was okay, but I was looking for some additional info or maybe personal experience.

Metal piccolo is a must, mostly to obtain a brighter, sharper sound with the instrument. It'll also be easier to tune, take care of and repair. Also note that hardwood might take a while to break in, like most wood instruments.

Look up the compagnies G4F gave you.

Hmm, wouldn't you say that the piccolo is already bright and sharp as it is?
I didn't know that about hardwood though. Thanks.
Thanks everyone. If you know anymore, keep 'em coming.

 

[cF=)]

Hmm, wouldn't you say that the piccolo is already bright and sharp as it is?

I'm comparing with the two other material you mentionned in the topic title. If you intent to play the piccolo as a solo instrument, you're not aiming for the same purpose as for, let's say, playing it in a band. But I'm sure you'll get maximum results with metal, since most flute sold on a professional level are made of it.

 

[Vinnie275]

Girls really like piccolos

 

[Jammer]

It depends on what you'll be using the piccolo for.

For most situations, go with metal. That's the "default" and it's by far the most popular.

I'm fairly certain that all plastic instruments are to be avoided. The only thing good about them is that they're cheap. I would say "no" to plastic, no matter what you're using your piccolo for.

You might want to go with wood, if you want that mellower sound. But I would say that you should most likely just default to metal.

 

[Gamer4Fire]

I would suggest metal, personally. I play a silver plated flute (not rich enough for a solid silver head).

 

[4 Aces]

I plan to use it for marching band and maybe for concert band if I ever get a piccolo part.

I heard from my band director that the wooden ones will/can crack if it's subjected to moisture, so that one's pretty much blown out of the water. XP And I believe he thinks plastic ones are pretty good too, which I find odd. I guess they're durable...he said the metal head and the plastic body is a good combination as well. With the choices being narrowed down, I'm going to go with metal (unless convinced otherwise). Does anyone else have an opinion/fact about plastic that are different than Jammer's? Just curious.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

[Gamer4Fire]

A good quality plastic body isn't actually that bad and is a inexpensive alternative. The head is where the tone is created and I'd definitely suggest you at least purchase a metal head. But if you can afford it, by a full metal piccolo, it will last longer and have a slightly better tone.

It comes down to economics and preference from here.

 

[Jammer]

I know very little about piccolos. I just know that, in my experience, plastic instruments are inferior. But that might not apply to piccolos.

Listen to Gamer4Fire, I guess. I've actually seen a few metal head/plastic body combos. And I have a plastic mouthpiece for my trumpet that I use rarely. I tried out plastic reeds for my saxophone but they sucked.

So like, there's nothing fundamentally wrong with plastic. I guess my advice is to just look in your music store for a great deal. It's almost always better to get a used instrument, even a well-used one, than a new one for the same price.

 

[Hyrulean21]

I'd get wood, its easier to burn. Then buy a tuba.

j/k, it really depends on what tone quality you're going for, and the best thing to do is to try out some different instruments and pick the one you like.

 

[4 Aces]

Thanks guys! I'm in the process of buying a Gemeinhardt 4s piccolo. That's the plan at least.

It's almost always better to get a used instrument, even a well-used one, than a new one for the same price.

Because it has been broken into, right?