Do you know a good cheap piccolo trumpet?

Tro.sy · Regular Member Joined: 30 Apr 2019 Posts: 52

Hello guys,
Do you know a good cheap piccolo trumpet?
With cheap i mean less than 500 dollars.

DJtpt31 · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2019 5:01 pm Post subject:

Sure, they're all over eBay. I imagine you are wanting to step into the arena of piccolo trumpet with this question, correct? Piccolo is a different animal to tackle than the Bb tpt you're probably used to. Cutting corners by practicing on a cheap horn with the hope of gain skill to one day purchase a good horn will only hurt you rather than help you. It may be difficult to find a good used picc. for less that $500, but not unheard of. Check out Dillon & Austin Custom Brass, you can find a good "doubler" picc. there, however it will cost more than $500 (worth it if you're looking to learn). Some good used horns that you can find on eBay or reverb... even craigslist are getzen, bach, yamaha, selmer.
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aidanolesen · New Member Joined: 20 Mar 2018 Posts: 6

Austin Custom Brass has a good selection. They order horns made in China and then fix and optimize all the issues they have.

I want to say they go around $700.
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Brassnose · Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2019 10:48 pm Post subject:

Not sure where you are located but I recently saw a Selmer pic for around 600 EUR. Almost your price range and hard to beat, I guess. Requires patience until another one shows up ...
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JoseLindE4 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 791

I’d save up an extra $500 or so (or less if you’re patient and keep an eye on all of the reputable shops and eBay) to get an old Selmer/Getzen/Yamaha. It will cover most or all professional or musical needs, it will resell for about what you paid for it if you want something else later, and it will be a quality horn unlike most of the Chinese and Indian horns that run cheaper. Or, you know, light 5 $100 bills on fire. They’ll be more in tune while they burn than the Indian piccolo and at least they’ll keep you warm for a few seconds. The shipping costs are less with the fire route as well. There’s no point in buying a piccolo shaped approximation of a trumpet that can’t be played in tune.

Save your money and keep checking ACB, Dillon, Thompson, Horntrader, eBay, the marketplace here, etc. for good deals on quality used horns.

If someone trying to sell you something says “it’s just as good as XYZ” they might not be shooting straight with you.

Martin · Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2019 12:10 am Post subject:

Good/Cheap/Piccolo - choose two.

Dennis78 · Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2019 4:11 am Post subject:

How many who trash them have owned one? If good instruments can be had for less than $500 then I’d assume a decent picc is out there
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zaferis · Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2019 4:31 am Post subject:

Insensato · Veteran Member Joined: 15 Nov 2012 Posts: 180

I bought a great piccolo from Austin Custom Brass in 2017 that retailed at 550. I paid an extra 100 for the silver plating though. It was the 3 valve piccolo configuration, which they've since discontinued because the 4 valve setup is that much better. Definitely a great option to consider. Check the ACB website.
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giakara · Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2019 5:56 am Post subject:

No good and cheap piccolo out there, save some more money and get a used Getzen,Yamaha ,Selmer,Benge as suggested above.
Good luck on your safari.

Regards
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trumpetlove · New Member Joined: 18 Jun 2019 Posts: 1

Playing a cheap piccolo trumpet is going to give you such a bad idea that you'll lose your patience.

Rather than, I’d recommend borrowing one and practice. After few times, you can order a slightly nicer one and return the old one.

Always remember one thing, "don't compromise with the quality when buying a musical instrument".

gabriel127 · Posted: Sun Jun 30, 2019 8:02 am Post subject:

I'd be very leery about buying a new piccolo that sells for less than a couple thousand.

If you go to a dealer who is selling new ones for less than that, ask them where they are made. What's going on is that there are horns made very cheaply in China by people who have no history, no tradition, and no pride in making instruments. They go into sweat-shops to earn a bowl of rice per day to feed their families and they do what they're instructed to do and turn out junk.

Then those horns are imported for some ungodly cheap price, tweaked a little bit, and then sold for $900 apiece. It's the epitome of putting lipstick on a pig.

You're much better off getting a top name USED horn such as the one's already mentioned on this thread.

Scorpion · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 1:01 am Post subject:

If you really must have one, the aforementioned ACB ones a probably your best bet, I played a few of them and they were all good enough if you are looking to buy new.

Another option is watch like a hawk for something cheap in pawn shops, thrift stores, yard sales etc. Knew a guy who picked up a Schilke 5-4 for $100 at a yard sale. Clueless owners or inheritors sometimes mistake them for toys.

The other posters have given you really good advice about the nature of piccolo. Even on a good day when I feel right at home on a Bb or C and everything is clicking..... i pick up that picc and sometimes just lose hope in my humanity.
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scottfsmith · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 5:51 am Post subject:

I was in a similar situation around six months ago. In the end I bought a very used ~50-year-old Yamaha, the only thing I could find for not too many $$$. It took 3-4 months of looking but I am now very happy: it's a freaking awesome picc! The used older Yamahas and Benges seemed like the best deals, good players for not too much moola. The Selmers are too fussy from what I hear, the Schilkes are too expensive even when well-used, and most others seemed not so good for the price.
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cheiden · Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 12:29 pm Post subject:

A friend bought a Wessex rotary picc for that kind of money. I only played it briefly but think it might be an okay first picc. I've heard good things about the ABC and Dillon piccs that can be had new for about that. A good used Yamaha, Benge, Selmer, Kanstul or Getzen will likely set you back about double your budget or more.
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J.D. Heckathorn · Veteran Member Joined: 16 Aug 2018 Posts: 125

These other posters aren't wrong, you get what you pay for to a certain degree. But bottom line if you're not needing a horn to get you paid then there's nothing wrong with getting a cheap pic to mess around on and learn.

Tritone · Veteran Member Joined: 11 Jun 2013 Posts: 148

I understand the wish to find a good picc for a good price, and you might run across a good quality used one within your $500 window, but that's not very likely - and it would likely take a whole lot of effort and time as you look everywhere and beat the bushes to try to scare one up.

The horns from other countries that people have already mentioned are just not worth it, in my experience. The picc is difficult enough to play to begin with for just about everyone, and if you are using a horn that is inferior you will find it a miserable experience -- and then you will be sadly wondering what it would be like to be playing a good one instead.

What to do? Not sure of your situation, but perhaps you can temporize with a loaner from a friend or colleague, if such is available, while you beat the bushes. Rentals are available in some parts of the country. Or, as others have suggested, you can decide to up your price window and pay for something that is not a risk from the outset and is available without waiting and waiting -- a good used horn, for example, such as the models noted already -- meaning a mechanically sound horn with a known, good reputation. Then you'll be in a position with no regrets.

Shark01 · Veteran Member Joined: 10 Jun 2017 Posts: 287

Watch ebay religiously....I bought my 70s vintage Getzen Eterna 4 valve for $600, and have seen name brand Piccs go for as low as $450.

giakara · Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2019 12:01 am Post subject:

Dayton · Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2019 12:58 am Post subject:

I agree with the previous posts about the Getzen 900 Eterna picc. It is a really nice horn. I played one through college. If you can find one used in good condition you'll be getting a fine horn at a great value.

Regarding leadpipes, I bought my Getzen assuming that I would also have to buy one of Cliff Blackburn's replacement leadpipes. That was not the case: The stock Getzen leadpipe was just fine. Having said that, you may luck out on a horn that has both sets of leadpipes, and you'll have the option to decide which you prefer.

Good luck!