GordonH

I am considering switching piccolo but round here each dealer only keeps one or two (usually the cheaper Yamaha and the B&S).
I also get to try other people's from time to time.
Buying an instrument is easy as I can get one sent over from Thomann or Dillons but you can't buy a piccolo trumpet without trying it!

I have been playing the F Besson ones for a long time. I have had two of them and before that I had a Getzen three valve. I also had a Selmer with intention of using it on the Bb side (which the F besson does not do too well).

My criteria are that I want something that will play on the Bb and A side equally well, or maybe slightly better on the A side as I use that more but I do need a workable Bb side. Not too bright (the cheaper Yamaha plays great but its too bright for me). Not too much resistance but not a huge bore like the B&S one.
I don't like the Schilke P5-4 as I find the response from it a bit "cold" and detatched. I know they are bringing out a P7-4 which sounds like a good concept but it will be years before any appear near here for me to try.
I am not convinced about the Scherzer rotaries. They are fairly cheap here (less than a P5-4) but I am not sure about the valve action as the action on my old Bb rotary was a bit clunky at times.

trumpetnick

Gordon,

I don't see why you want to change your F Besson...It is a very good horn. Personally, I like them much more than the schilke, selmer and yamaha. Scherzer are very good and valves are excellent but you will need some time to get used to...in the beggining you may experience some trouble keeping the horn still while you move the valves, but with the time and practice you should get used to. I plan also to buy I piccolo soon but I choose the Spada piccolo. It is very similar to F Besson as far as feel and sound is concerned but it is little bigger as the bell is slightly larger. However, I found that it has as better intonation in the high register than your Besson.

Attached Images

Spada piccolo.jpg (43.5 KB, 23 views)

Chaos

I chose the Scherzer (the ST) after trying the B&S, Schilke P5-4, Yamaha, and Getzen. The first Scherzer I got From Brasswind had valve problems (the piston was out of round!), but I sent it back and this one works perfectly. I chose the Scherzer for the sound and intonation, both are just what I like. The Bb (usually leadpipe 2) and the A sides both work well. The sound is warm, not too bright. If I do want it bright I throw on the tighter Bb leadpipe.

Works for me anyway!

Joe Caddell

Tootsall

Hang in there, Gordon; rumours are that Eclipse are working hard at perfecting their picc.

trumpetnick

This is an option, but seems to me like a bit unsure how soon Leigh shall come out with his new pic. I will suggest that you do some research and get a short holiday somewhere in Europe (or in US, if you prefer) where you can get more pics to try. Switzerland is without any doubt on of destinations you can choose: I would advice Spada at Burgdorf and probably Muzik Hug at Zurich. Germany and Austria have too some nice shops with a large stock of horns, piccolos included. PM Rowuk and I am sure that he will be able to give you more prrecise information.
However, These shops are unlikely to have some relatively new British and US brands like Taylor and NYTC but they don't offer either (as far as I am informed) piccolos.

GordonH

I have been quantifying my reasons for wanting to switch:

1. The Besson tends to get a bit sharp as you go higher. Its worse with a bach mouthpice but even with the Monette it becomes a bit of a struggle as the pitch changes depending on how hard or soft you blow it on the higher notes.
Its not badly out of tune, but its a distraction to the music making.

2. The not very good Bb side, but brilliant A side (isn't that always the case!).

3. The lower register sounds a bit rough. This is a general piccolo trumpet problem. It tends to sound like a toy trumpet.

Maybe the answer is an F/G trumpet and not a Bb/A ?
I would rather not go down that route but it would be nice to try one and see if the bigger bell made any difference.

trumpetmike

Get to ITG this year and play everything?

trumpetnick

That's an excellent idea, TMike.
Another thought...
Gordon, Have you ever considered that the problem may not be in the horn. I remember having similar problems with high register on the piccolo (notes above top e were getting sharp, and I was first playing on rotary lechner then a F Besson) but when my teacher was playing the same horn he was not experiencing those...Another option is to customise your besson. adding a trigger on the 1st vlave slide may help you to control your intonation problems and this will be a cheaper option. You can try also another bell and I am pretty sure that you can do this in UK. I am not sure if Leigh is doing this, but even if he doen't you can try with Will Spencer.

trumpetmike

I know that Will has added a 1st valve trigger mechanism to a Yamaha piccolo with great success - to do so on the F Besson would be no more of a problem.

rowuk

Hi Gordon,
picking any horn is tough, but you are right that a picc is a real challenge!
A picc that goes sharp in the top register is unfortunately very common! I share your opinion about the Schilke but am convinced that the Scherzer is one of the best "production" piccs out there. Modern rotary mechanics have gotten much better (unibal bearings are fantastic!) even compared to 5-6 years ago. I thing that Baroque literature benefits from the rotary type airflow. A piston valve only produces a clear sound over about 25-30% of the valve throw, the rotary over more than 50% however. I find fast passages just sound "cleaner"!