New Powell Signature Series Piccolo

[DaveKessler]

For those interested, Powell has just announced to dealers plans on a new more affordable Powell piccolo.

The Signature Series flutes have been on the market for some time now and have been an extreme hit for us.

I was just given the information by Powell today about the plans for a new piccolo. It will be COMPLETELY made in the USA just like the flute, Grenadilla wood body, Sterling silver keys and it is done 100% by Powell.

best of all will be the price. Unfortunately, their dealer agreement forbids me from putting prices on any other site then my own. So if anyone is interested in this piccolo, e-mail me.

I will also be putting updates when I get them on my Signature Series page at http://www.kesslermusic.com/html/flutes/signature.html

[DaveKessler]

Follow Up:

We did finally start getting these in and all we can say is Wow. Absolutely AWESOME piccolo.

[fluteragious]

They are very good piccolos, but too resistance in the upper occtave for my liking and too dark sounding for a piccolo. One thing that I think Powell could stand to improve on this line is to finish them off using more care. I tried a couple or these that had actual drops of glue in between the keys and clumps of solder in places where is shouldn't be.

[bruce bailey]

Lillian Burkart has a low priced piccolo too, body from China and head from Boston. I have found the plstic pics from China are good but I have yet to see a good wood one from China. I still buy my bodies from AZ from the guy who supplied Zentner and Seaman along with the Emerson BL and high end Gemeinhardts. Nice tone holes. I have my own keywork however as soem of the stuff available is a bit fragile.

[Michael Ward]

Bruce or other Picc players do you have any opinions on the merits of Burkart (Professional model), Bulgeroni and Hammig Piccolos ? I want to replace my Yamaha. Thanks

[fluteragious]

Are you referring to the Global? I asked the company about that model as I used to own one and they told me that the body and headjoint were still made in the Burkart/Phelan place but the key work was from over seas. I think it was a great piccolo and I liked it so much that I upgraded to a Burkart/Phelan handmade. (I almost bought the Powell.) In my opinion the scale on them are the best all around, but I am just speaking for me. I did try a Zetner, but it was older and needed work, so I couldn't give it a fair evaluation. As far as the quality of Powell is concerned, I think that they have slipped a bit and have been better in the past. I still love my Powell flute but.... The Emerson Boston Legacy is better in quality in my opinion and more bang for the buck.

[Michael Ward]

No not the Global. The Burkart/ Phelan and Burkart. Hammig are very popular in the UK.Thanks

[bruce bailey]

The Burkart-Phelan (about $2,500) is the best of the bunch for the money. We compared it with the Bulgeroni, Boston Legacy, Seaman, KG Yamaha and the BP was far better.

[Gordon (NZ)]

But did you compare with Hammig? They are pretty popular here too.

[fluteragious]

"Are you referring to the Global?"

Michael, I was talking to Bruce when I asked that question. Sorry for any confusion.

As far as the Burkart/Phelan goes (not the Global) they are awesome! I have only tried out one Hamming, but preferred the BP over it. The BP is definitely a great buy. I haven't had a chance to try out the exclusive line by Lillian B herself, but it is probably better this way as none of those models were in my price range. As it is I went out of my budget with the BP.

Michael, may I ask you what made you come to the decision to upgrade from your Yamaha 62? Just curious, I used to play on one also.

[bruce bailey]

Actually the Hammig didn't get tried. They are almost non-existant here. I had some good players evaluate common brands when I was developing my wood one. I needed to come out with something that was in the under $1,500 price range as some just can't justify the $2,500 prices. I think the BP model is just as good as the Lillian Burkart one that is about $4,000.

[Michael Ward]

Hello I sold the Yamaha.. it had the silver head. It just didn't feel good to me. I also sold my Armstrong Bass and Sankyo curved alto at the same time and am in the process of replacing them all. I have a Kingma bass now and am going to compare piccs this week so I needed some opinions plus my picc chops are out of practice. The Burkart seems to get fantastic reviews so I'll compare it to the Hammig and go from there.. thanks

[trc75051]

Recently I played several piccolos at a local flute specialty shop. I played a Roy Seaman, 2 Boston Legacies (Grenadilla and Ironwood), the Burkart Phelan Global, the regular Burkart Phelan and a Hammig.

In my opinion, the Hammig was clearly the winner. It had the clearest, most flute-like sound, spoke easily, no buzz, high B was there, comfortable layout, sturdy mechanism - everything was perfect.

[Dr G]

Does there exist a pro-quality piccolo (ala the Fox pro-level polypropylene bassoon)?

[trc75051]

If your question is regarding a pro-quality composite piccolo, I only know of one. It's made by Burkart Phelan from a material called CRC. I'm not sure if it's ok to post links in this forum, but you can read about it on their web site.

[DaveKessler]

Does there exist a pro-quality piccolo (ala the Fox pro-level polypropylene bassoon)?

Yes, the new Sonare. Unreal. It is under $700. The body and head are made by Powell and the keys are made overseas.

I have talked to a couple of flute teachers who have also recently played them (now that Sonare is finally starting delivery) and they love them. I even had one teacher who said she thought it actually played better then her $4000+ Powell handmade that she had gotten a few months earlier.

[Bootman]

The New Sonare is a startling pic, the Boston model is fantastic. Definitely worth checking out.

[shmuelyosef]

Dave,
Are the Powell signature headjoints available separately??

jeff