Pearl PFP105E Piccolo Flute

I needed a piccolo...FAST....and knew of the quality of Pearl flutes, so took a chance and ordered this piccolo. It was more than I had hoped to have to pay for a decent piccolo....but I must say that it plays much better than I expected for what is considered a "mid-line, semi-pro" instrument. When I played in the USAF Band...I had some excellent piccolos provided me (Miles Zentner, top-line Yamaha, etc.) and I actually like this better than any of those. The high notes literally "pop" out they are so easy to play. It has taken me a little extra practice to get used to the "high-wave" headjoint, but after playing it for a while I think it's an excellent addition to this piccolo. The really nice thing about this piccolo is it's very inexpensive to have both the standard conical headjoint and the wave headjoint, as the case for the piccolo has a space for both! Also, I don't have to worry about the body cracking, as the "grenadite" material is impervious to the weather/humidity. There is NO LOSS OF SOUND beauty with this body, either. This piccolo has a full and beautiful sound! Great deal and highly recommended!UPDATE: Feb 26, 2014 - A GREAT Piccolo!!After playing this piccolo for several months I am absolutely positive that this is the best piccolo for the money! I played piccolo in the US Air Force for a number years, using Zentner, Yamaha, and Haynes handmade piccolos...which were all great piccolos. What I have found is that this Pearl "intermediate grade" (yeah, right!) piccolo is the equal in response and beauty of sound to all the pro-line piccolos I've played. Granted, I am NOT a symphony-level player...but do play for theater shows where I play saxes/flute/piccolo/clarinet... I am VERY satisfied with this piccolo and continue to highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great piccolo. NOTE: I play on the "high wave" headjoint, which once you get used to it is an excellent headjoint...it is a little different feeling initially...but doesn't take long to find the "center" and the tone/response is excellent in all registers.

I have a Burkart professional piccolo (with gold fittings) which I think goes for around $8k. With that said, I needed a new piccolo that I could use outdoors without worrying about the weather. After much research, I bought this piccolo. I also bought separately the wooden headjoint for this picc which I soon returned as I found that I didn't need it because the differences in sound between the two headjoints were minimal. I have to say that the sound between this piccolo and my Burkhart is very similar. I give the Burkart the ever so slightest edge because it's easier to change the color of your sound depending on the piece that you are playing. That's not to say though that the Pearl can't do that either. I often play in my college's alumni band gigs and take this piccolo, I often feel that the sound I generate from this piccolo is so sweet and warm. Aside from that, it is so well-built and feels really great in your hands. I have huge hands and this (outdoor) piccolo is alot easier to hold than my previous outdoor piccolo (which was a Gemeinhardt all plastic piccolo).The piccolo is great for people who have to switch between flute and piccolo because of the wave head joint. Though, I actually find that the wave head joint does take some getting used to as I sometime overblow. I still need to get used to aiming my air a little higher on the plate. This piccolo plays so wonderfully in tune no matter what the temperature is like outside. Low, mid, and high registers all sound even. High notes are so easy to play and in tune. Split-E is great. The offset G took some time getting used to for me as my hards are big but obviously is probably a non-issue for 90% of people out there.I highly recommend this piccolo. I would even venture off to say that in the hands a very skilled player, this piccolo can even be used in professional gigs. It really is that reliable and consistent.

i hate how it looks!!!!!!

I play on an Hammig Piccolo and was looking for a decent piccolo to use for outdoor venues instead of the Hammig. I took the Pearl out of the case today for the first time, played a few notes and then whizzed up to a high c with very little effort. I am thoroughly impressed with the low range also. It's a little brighter than the Hammig piccolo which is nice for the outdoor venues.I read reviews on this piccolo where the people complain about being able to get into the B-C third octave. This could be because they might be switching from a metal piccolo (with a lip plate which always is an adjustment). Obviously it fits my embrouchure, because I can't get a high C out of the Hammig and on the Hammig the B/Bb takes a lot of concentrated effort. Also, the Ab is effortless on this piccolo and this has always been a tough note on other piccolos, hence the reason I purchased the Hammig which has a special Ab mechanism. Stars and Stripes will kill you every Summer if the Ab is not solid and does not speak well. To my surprise, the Ab is easier on this piccolo. That feature alone cost around 1000.00 more on the Hammig. Add in the fact that it won't crack outdoors and this is an absolutely solid piccolo for an unreal price!

I'm new to the piccolo, but I'm getting the hang of it. Actually, I find the sound very pleasing. But what concerns me is having to grab the body of the instrument in order to attach the head joint. Any suggestions from those of you who are more experienced piccolo players? I keep worrying that I'll bend something when holding it by the body. On my flute I never have to wrap my hand around the body where the keys are in order to put on the head joint. There is enough room to hold the body where there are no keys. Thanks.Anyway, I recommend this piccolo. It's a beautiful instrument, and on the occasions when I hit the notes right, it actually sounds sweet. The more I play it, I hope the more sweet notes. Also, I'm curious to see if it will help my flute playing, better embouchure and breath control. Does this idea have merit? Thanks, again.

Not a hi-wave head joint. Traditional style.

Very well made.