Do you want a good piccolo to start or improve your playing journey? You should consider the Jupiter piccolo line and look at some models to decide which you should purchase.
Jupiter makes a few great piccolos, but they aren’t all equals. Think about your situation and needs to help narrow your search when buying your first or next piccolo.
Before we get into the models, this post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure policy to learn more.
What Is a Jupiter Piccolo?
A Jupiter piccolo refers to any piccolo from the maker Jupiter. This brand also makes flutes and other instruments, but they’re piccolos are still a popular choice, especially among students.
You can choose from a variety of models, just like with many other piccolo makers. Be sure to consider a few Jupiter piccolos to help decide which is the best fit for you.
Jupiter JPC700
The Jupiter JPC700 is a good piccolo for beginners, and it’s also useful for any player in a marching band. It’s all silver-plated, and it’s very durable so good for playing a lot.
Unlike other metal piccolos, this one features a conical bore, which is similar to the bore on plastic and wood instruments. Most metal piccolos have a cylindrical bore, but a conical bore tunes a bit differently.
You can get a good sound that projects easily, which makes this perfect for playing in a large ensemble. However, it can also help you learn the basics on your own.
The piccolo isn’t too expensive, but it’s also not the most affordable either. But when you compare it to metal models from other brands, the pricing is right on par with what you’d expect.
If you’re looking for a good beginner piccolo, give this one a try. It’s also useful for playing outside, whether in a marching band or in some other concert setting.
Who It’s For
As I mentioned, this piccolo is perfect for beginners. It’s also a nice choice for marching band members or anyone who tends to perform in a lot of outdoor concerts.
Casual players will also enjoy the easy maintenance of this instrument. And it can continue to serve you as a backup piccolo if you decide to upgrade to a different model later.
Where to Buy
You can find the Jupiter JPC700 from a variety of flute and music shops. Since it’s a beginner model, it’s also easy to find online from other retailers.
Just make sure that when you shop online, go through a reputable dealer. That way, you can keep from buying a knockoff or getting a piccolo that won’t work for very long.
Another option is to buy this piccolo used from a music store or an individual. If you purchase from a person, ask to test it first to make sure it’s in good playing condition.
Should You Buy It Used?
You can buy this Jupiter piccolo used, and that can be a good decision. Since it’s a beginner model, you may not know if you’ll want to play the piccolo a lot when you first buy it.
Used models, especially when they’re all metal, don’t tend to hold their value. That means they can go for significantly less on the used market than on the new market.
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Good sound
- Features a lip plate
- Conical bore
- Projects easily
Cons
- Blending can be hard
- Not the best for serious players
Jupiter JPC1000
The Jupiter JPC1000 is another good piccolo for beginners and students to try. It features a silver-plated headjoint, but it has a plastic body, which is a more common combination.
You can get a good tone on this instrument, and it’s a more versatile choice for students. The metal headjoint helps project your sound, but the plastic body keeps you from sounding too shrill.
This piccolo is a nice choice for use indoors and outdoors. It doesn’t require as much maintenance as a wood piccolo, but you should still take good care of it.
Like the 700, the 1000 can make for a great backup piccolo for more advanced players. You can fall back on it if your main piccolo needs maintenance.
Who It’s For
This piccolo is perfect for students in concert band or even a school orchestra. It’s also useful if you take private flute and piccolo lessons and need a good, affordable model.
You can use it as a casual player or a woodwind doubler who needs to play the piccolo. I’d also recommend this piccolo to amateurs who can’t justify spending a ton on a piccolo.
Where to Buy
You can buy this piccolo from a variety of retail stores in person and online. It’s easy to find at music specialty shops and more general retailers as long as you buy from a good seller.
When buying online, consider if you can try it first or return it. That way, you’ll keep from wasting your money if you find the JPC1000 isn’t the right fit for you.
Should You Buy It Used?
Before buying a used Jupiter JPC1000, test it yourself. Make sure it’s in playing condition, especially if the seller gave it a relatively high price.
Now, you can buy one that needs repair work, but the selling price should reflect the work it needs. Be sure to negotiate with a seller if you find the piccolo isn’t in working condition.
Pros
- Good materials
- Nice for students
- Easy to play
- Durable
- Versatile
Cons
- Expensive for what it is
- Not for professionals
Jupiter JPC1010
A very similar piccolo is the Jupiter JPC1010. The main difference between this model and the 1000 is that this one has a plastic headjoint as well as a plastic body.
So if you want a slightly warmer tone, this may be the Jupiter piccolo for you. But since it uses plastic, you can still play it inside, outside, or anywhere you want.
The plastic makes this piccolo look like a wood model, but it’s a lot more affordable than wood. You can use it as a student, and it can be your first piccolo or a good upgrade from another student model.
There aren’t a ton of unique specs, but it can still be a good choice. Make sure to compare it to other plastic models to determine if this is the piccolo for you.
Who It’s For
I’d recommend this piccolo to anyone looking to start learning the instrument. If you’ve played the piccolo but never owned one, this is also a fantastic model to buy.
Casual players and woodwind doublers may also find this piccolo works well. You can get a more signature piccolo sound without the maintenance and care that wood models require.
Where to Buy
Like other Jupiter piccolos, you can buy this one from a few places. Some online and in-person music stores carry the model, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find.
You might also find it from other online retailers where you can buy instruments. In that case, make sure the seller is a business and not someone random trying to sell their used Jupiter piccolo and market it as a new one.
Should You Buy It Used?
Buying this Jupiter piccolo used can be an excellent idea. You can save money and get a good instrument at the same time, but you have to be careful.
When buying it used through a store, ask the store if they do any repairs first. If you buy it through an individual, make sure you try the piccolo first to verify that it works.
Pros
- All plastic
- Good tone
- Easy to play
- Blends well
- Nice for many players
Cons
- Not wood
- No lip plate
Jupiter DiMedici
The Jupiter DiMedici piccolo is a wood model, and it’s also worth considering when piccolo shopping. It features a grenadilla wood headjoint and body, which is pretty standard for wooden instruments.
You’ll also get a split E mechanism, which is super useful when playing the E above the staff. That helps keep the note from cracking, so you can play more easily.
Intonation and response are great, so this is a nice piccolo to use in a lot of settings. You can play it as a soloist or when playing in an orchestra, band, or flute choir.
Like other wood piccolos, this one has a conical bore. You can use a lot of the same tuning techniques as you’d use if you bought a more expensive wood model.
Who It’s For
The Jupiter DiMedici piccolo is perfect for someone who needs a wood model but is on a budget. It’s one of the more affordable options with its specs.
You can also use this piccolo as a college flute major or even early on in your music career. It’s also a good option if you want a wood piccolo and find it’s the best fit for you.
Where to Buy
This Jupiter piccolo is relatively easy to find, but you may still need to search for it. Look at various flute and music shops both online and in your local area.
If you shop at a national chain, they may be able to order the piccolo for you to test. That way, you can make sure it’s a good instrument that will meet your needs.
Should You Buy It Used?
You may want to buy this used but only if there aren’t a ton of mechanical problems. I’d also recommend avoiding a used one if the piccolo has cracks, even if they’ve been repaired.
It’s also not the best purchase if it’s been sitting in a closet for a while. The piccolo will almost certainly need maintenance, which can add a lot of money to the total cost to buy it.
Pros
- Grenadilla wood
- Good tone
- Easy to play
- Nice for serious players
Cons
- More expensive than other Jupiters
- Not for beginners
Which Jupiter Piccolo Is Best for You?
The best Jupiter piccolo for you depends on your needs as a piccolo player or musician in general. Students will want to start with a plastic or metal model, while professionals may prefer the wood one.
You also have to think about if you want a lip plate, especially as a beginner. That can help narrow your search and make it easier to get the response you need to get a good sound.
Is a Jupiter Piccolo Right for You?
Not only should you decide which piccolo works for you but if that’s even a Jupiter piccolo at all. Some brands work much better for some musicians than others.
Regardless of the model you’re considering, find similar piccolos from other brands. That way, you can make sure to choose the piccolo that suits you and your playing.
Will You Buy a Jupiter Piccolo?
A Jupiter piccolo may be the right fit for you, but there are multiple models to try. Be sure to test them all out as well as piccolos from other makers.
Then, you can determine which piccolo is the right option for you. If you want to learn more about good piccolos, view the full list of resources.