Best Piccolos for the Money
It is not hard to fall in love with the bright, lilting sound of the piccolo, and there is no doubt that those who like this kind of music would one day want their own instrument and star their musical journey. The first question, though, is which one is the best. This actually depends what level your musical skills at the moment is.
Whatever level you are in right now, it will be helpful to check out our list below of the best piccolos in the market.
Top-Rated Piccolo for Beginners
If you are a student still new to playing piccolo, you don’t need to spend a lot of cash to get your first instrument. There are piccolos out there that are designed specifically for beginners, and of the most recommended models is the Ravel RPC202 Student Piccolo. It is an extremely responsive model, which is ideal for students are still learning the tricks of the trade. The tone is decent enough for a learner to get familiar with how a piccolo truly sounds. Moreover, although this piccolo is made of plastic, the construction doesn’t feel brittle at all.
The ergonomics on this instrument is well put. The holes are neatly cut and finished. The cork work is greatly done, too. The downside of the Ravel RPC202, though, is that the pads are extremely hard felt. They also tend to be noisy, because they aren’t the standard piccolo pads. Despite this issue with the pads, this model is still a great pick for the price.
Top-Rated Piccolo for Advanced Players
If you’re a piccolo player who is ready to move up from the beginner level, the Pearl PFP105E Piccolo is a great upgrade of choice. Its grenaditte composite body is constructed in such a way to resemble the sound of real Grenadilla Blackwood without the disadvantages. Wood is generally sensitive to temperature change. However, with the grenaditte, this downside has been eliminated from the Pearl PFP105E. You can have the benefits of the quality sound of wooden piccolo without worrying about cracks and damage.
This model also features a high wave bulb head joint that produces more precise tone and better overall sound quality. The full range is very satisfying for advanced players. The lows are smooth, and the highs are clear without the shrill. The package a French case and cover as well.
Best Wooden Piccolo for the Money
Are you really inclined at getting a wooden piccolo? If so, you’re not the first. Most professionals would recommend piccolos that are made of wood because of the high-quality sound they produce. One of the best is the Gemeinhardt Model 4W Piccolo. This particular model captures the true woody sound of a piccolo: bright, full, warm, and traditional. It is an alternative choice if the Pearl PFP105E doesn’t fit your criteria or if you badly want real wood. It is also meant for doublers (those who play flute and piccolo) who want to move up to conservatory level and for those who are already in the semi-professional settings.
Because this is an orchestral piccolo that is made of wood, it tends to blend with other instruments in the orchestra, which is something you would really want if you’re into orchestra. Other things worth noting about the Gemeinhardt 4W is its ease of air control and playability.
Top-Rated Piccolo for Professional Level
Emerson is known for setting high standards in the piccolo industry, and one of its pride is the Emerson Boston Legacy Piccolo. Like other Emerson piccolo models, this has been handcrafted and designed by artists and crafters alike to achieve the optimum sound a professional player would expect from his piccolo.
The best about this model is its 10k gold springs (rather than the stainless steel common to almost all piccolos) that enable that fine touch that only skilled hands can do. The gold alloy gives the player that softer spring but faster artistic tonal response. Emerson also incorporated some upgrades into the Boston Begacy, which allow tonal color variety, projection, and clear-cut resonance. Overall, this is the best among the rest… that is if you’ve already mastered the ears of true piccolo player.