Are you ready to upgrade from a student model but can’t afford a pro piccolo? Consider a few piccolos under $3000 to find some middle ground and improve your playing.
Some of these piccolos cost much less than $3k, but others are closer to that price cap. Either way, $3000 is enough money to find plenty of good piccolos for your next upgrade.
Before we get into the piccolos, this post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure policy to learn more.
Pearl 105
The Pearl 105 is an excellent student or intermediate model piccolo. When my Armstrong 204 no longer met my needs, I decided to upgrade to the 105.
It’s a composite model that uses grenaditte, which is a combination of plastic and grenadilla wood. The keys are all silver-plated, and the body features a split E mechanism.
You can choose between a wave or traditional headjoint to get the response you want. Personally, I prefer the response of a wave headjoint, but I know plenty of players who like the traditional cut.
The piccolo is very easy to play, and it blends nicely with other flutes and other instruments. If you’re a student, this is a fantastic model to learn on or to upgrade from a more basic piccolo.
Pros
- Easy to play
- Multiple headjoint cuts
- Composite materials
- Suitable for students
- Silver-plated keys
Cons
- Not wood
- Sounds a bit thin
If you want to learn more about the Pearl 105, read the full review.
Lyric
When looking for a relatively affordable wood piccolo, consider the Lyric piccolo. It uses grenadilla wood, so it sounds like much more expensive models.
However, it has silver-plated keys to help keep the price somewhat reasonable. This model also features a wave headjoint, so you can put a lot of air into the piccolo without it cracking.
And there’s a split E mechanism to help you get the high E to come out easily. I liked how it felt to play and how it sounds, but it’s not that different from the sound or response of a Pearl 105.
However, if you need a wood piccolo, it’s a nice alternative to more expensive models. I played a Lyric flute as my intermediate flute, so if you’ve played Lyric flutes, you’ll probably like the piccolo as well.
Pros
- Wood model
- Easy to play
- Great tone
- Split E mechanism
- Affordable for what you get
Cons
- No traditional headjoint cut
- Not the warmest sound
If you want to learn more about the Lyric piccolo, read the full guide.
Burkart Resona
The Burkart Resona piccolo is another amazing intermediate wooden model. Like many piccolos under $3000, this one uses grenadilla wood and has a silver-plated mechanism.
You can choose between a traditional and a wave headjoint so that the piccolo can work well for you. Unfortunately, the wave headjoint does cost extra but can be worth it if you like the response.
I got to play a Resona piccolo a few years ago, and it sounded great. As with the Lyric piccolo, I didn’t feel like there was enough of a difference from the Pearl to upgrade.
However, if you’re switching from a plastic or metal model, that may not be the case. If you decide to get this model, you’ll get a split E mechanism to help play higher notes.
Pros
- Good value
- Nice sound
- Easy to play
- Multiple headjoint cuts
- Grenadilla wood
Cons
- Not for beginners
- Not the best overall tone
If you want to learn more about the Resona and other Burkart models, read the full guide.
Yamaha YPC-62
The Yamaha YPC-62 is yet another great intermediate wood piccolo worth trying. I believe this was the model I played when I was in college since my school had a wood piccolo that I could borrow.
Either way, this model features grenadilla wood and a silver-plated mechanism. There’s also a split E key to help you play the third octave E without as much tension.
You can choose to get this piccolo with a traditional or wave headjoint. Yamaha labels this piccolo as a professional model, but it’s more similar to intermediate instruments.
Still, it’s a fantastic piccolo for students or casual players. If you’re a professional flutist and hardly play the piccolo, this model may also suit your needs quite well.
Pros
- Easy to play
- Nice sound
- Good for students
- Different headjoint cuts
- Trusted brand
Cons
- Low register can be difficult
- Not for serious players
If you want to learn more about this and other Yamaha piccolos, read the full guide.
Jupiter DiMedici
The Jupiter DiMedici isn’t as popular as other piccolos under $3000. However, it’s a good option to consider when you have a decent but not massive budget.
This grenadilla wood piccolo offers a good sound throughout the piccolo range. I know that Jupiter plastic piccolos are relatively popular, so this could be a good upgrade if you currently play and like one of those.
You’ll get a split E to help play certain high notes, and the silver-plated mechanism helps keep the price down. The intonation is pretty good and stable from the low to the high registers.
Like other piccolos in this price range, this is a good option for advancing students. However, I wouldn’t recommend it for serious professionals or piccolo specialists.
Pros
- Good upgrade
- Stable intonation
- Easy to play
- Wood model
- High notes are easy to play
Cons
- Not the most popular
- Not for professionals
How to Choose From Piccolos Under $3000
It’s great to know about some of the best piccolos under $3000. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically know which of those piccolos is the best for you.
Before you go piccolo shopping, consider a few factors. That way, you can select the best piccolo for you, even if you don’t have a ton of money to spend.
Here’s what you should look at before buying your next piccolo.
Consider the Brand
First, you want to narrow your search to piccolos from reputable brands. Especially if you shop online, you may see a lot of really cheap piccolos, but they aren’t from good makers.
Avoid brands like Mendini and Cecilio or anything that you can only find on Amazon and nowhere else. Odds are, those piccolos aren’t very well made, so they won’t last.
Spending $3,000 is a big deal, and you want to make that purchase count. So stick to reputable makers, like Pearl, Lyric, Burkart, Yamaha, and Jupiter.
Think About Used Models
You should also look at some used piccolos instead of just new models. When you buy a used piccolo, you may be able to get a better model without having to pay the full price.
I got my first piccolo used through my flute repair technician when she sold it for another client. The piccolo worked great for the last few years of college.
My parents were nice enough to buy it for me as a birthday gift, and they saved almost two thirds of the price. Not all used piccolos will have that big of a discount, but you could save at least $100 or more.
Decide If You Want Wood
When looking at piccolos under $3000, you have the option to buy a wood model. Not all great piccolos at this price are wood, though, because some are composite.
A wood piccolos is best for playing solo or in an indoor ensemble, such as an orchestra or concert band. If you need a good piccolo for marching band, I’d recommend getting something like the Pearl 105.
Wood can crack, so you want to avoid playing it outside. You also need to take better care of it, so it’s not the best material for people looking for their first piccolo.
Test the Piccolo in Question
As you narrow your search to a few piccolos under $3000, you should test them yourself. Sure, you may luck out and buy a model you love without playing it.
I had that happen when I bought my Pearl 105. However, there’s an equal chance that you won’t like the first piccolo that you try, so you need to try multiple models.
You can do this by purchasing a piccolo with a good return policy. Or you might be able to order a flute trial from a major music shop so that you can test piccolos before paying anything.
Piccolos Under $3000: FAQs
If you’re still unsure of how to choose from piccolos under $3000, you’re not alone. Consider the following questions you may have and the answers to help ease your concerns.
Who Are Piccolos Under $3000 Best For?
Piccolos under $3000 are best for advancing students who have played a cheaper piccolo and are ready for some sort of upgrade. This price range is also perfect for amateur players who can’t justify spending a ton of money.
You might also look at this range of piccolos if you’re a professional flutist. If you don’t play the piccolo much, $3000 is more than enough to get you a working piccolo to use when necessary.
What Specs Can You Get for $3000?
Most piccolos under $3000 will come with grenadilla wood or a composite material. They also tend to have silver-plated mechanisms, and most come with a split E key.
Depending on the model, you may have the option of a traditional or wave headjoint. If you want more features or customizations, you’ll need to spend closer to $5000 to $6000.
How Much Should a Beginner Pay for a Piccolo?
A beginner should look for a piccolo in the $1000 to $1500 range. You may be able to find a used piccolo for less than $1k, but that’s a good price range to start with.
Beginners don’t need wood instruments because they require a lot of maintenance. Also, you don’t want to spend too much on your first piccolo in case you don’t want to keep playing it.
How Much Should a Professional Spend on a Piccolo?
A professional who plays the piccolo a lot should expect to spend closer to the $4000 to $5000 or even a bit more. It all depends on how much you play the piccolo and the model you want.
Professional piccolos can also be much more expensive, with some topping $19,000. Keep all of that in mind when shopping for a professional model.
Will You Try Piccolos Under $3000?
There are more good piccolos under $3000 than you might expect. Be sure to consider models from various brands to decide which suits your needs the best.
Then, you can buy the piccolo that works well with you and your playing style.