Imagine wanting to play the piccolo but struggling to learn due to a cheap model. If you want to avoid that, you might want to buy a Roy Seaman piccolo.
These models are some of the best on the market, but they aren’t as common as other brands. Read on to learn more about these piccolos and if one is right for you.
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What Is a Roy Seaman Piccolo?
A Roy Seaman piccolo is an intermediate or professional model. Founded by Roy Seaman, the brand is now part of the larger company Gemeinhardt, which makes flutes, piccolos, and low flutes.
These piccolos are great for students, advanced amateurs, and even some professional players. While they aren’t as popular as some brands, they’re still worth considering.
Roy Seaman Storm
The Roy Seaman Storm is probably the most well-known piccolo model from this brand. I love how it’s a composite model so it offers the warmth of wood without the risk of wood cracking in extreme temperatures or humidity.
This piccolo features a split E mechanism, which has become pretty standard on piccolos. It also comes with either a traditional or wave cut headjoint, so you can get the response you want.
While it’s not the cheapest piccolo out there, it’s a good value for the price. You can get a nice sound when playing in an ensemble, and it also works well as a solo instrument.
Note that there’s also the Storm Combo, which comes with both a composite headjoint and a wood headjoint.
Who It’s For
I’d recommend this piccolo to advancing students and anyone who regularly plays outdoors. The model is durable, and it sounds great so is worth testing out.
This piccolo is also a worthwhile choice for woodwind doublers or even flute players. If you need a good piccolo but don’t play that often, the synthetic material is great for sitting in storage.
Plus, the two headjoint cuts make it easy for you to choose the cut that works best for you and your playing. So when you do pick up the piccolo, you shouldn’t have to struggle to get a good sound.
Where to Buy
You can buy the Roy Seaman Storm piccolo from most major flute shops. It’s also available from other online retailers and certain music stores.
If you’re looking on the used market, I’d check places like Facebook Marketplace or eBay. You may be able to find a good deal on a used Storm to save even more money.
Should You Buy It Used?
Buying a used Roy Seaman Storm could be a good option, especially if you’re on a tight budget. I’d look for a used piccolo that you can try before you commit to buying it.
That way, you can make sure the piccolo is in playing condition. And if it’s not, you’ll know that you need to negotiate the price down to save some of your money for repairs.
Roy Seaman Classic
The Roy Seaman Classic is a wood piccolo model that’s great for intermediate players. It uses grenadilla wood for the body and headjoint, and that’s a pretty standard choice among piccolos.
Meanwhile, the silver-plated keys keep the model from costing too much. There’s also a split E mechanism to help you get a good sound when playing the third octave E.
Now, it’s not the cheapest wood piccolo you’ll find. However, it’s much more cost-efficient than some models with similar specs, so you should give it a try.
Who It’s For
The Classic piccolo is a perfect choice for anyone who tends to play in concert settings. I wouldn’t play a wood piccolo outdoors because the wood can get damaged.
However, if you’re in an orchestra, concert band, or a flute choir, this model may be perfect for you. You can even play solos on this piccolo, whether on a recital or simply for fun at home.
Now, this piccolo isn’t ideal for absolute beginners. No wood model is. But if you have some experience playing the piccolo, the Roy Seaman Classic could be a suitable upgrade.
Where to Buy
If you’re looking to try the Classic piccolo, you have a few options regarding where to buy it. First, I’d check with some of the major flute stores to see if they have any in stock.
Otherwise, online is another great resource. You can find both new and used ones when you shop on the internet, so you can find the best deal on your new piccolo.
Should You Buy It Used?
Buying a used Roy Seaman Classic is an excellent decision if you want to move up to a wood piccolo. Like other models, used Classic piccolos tend to cost a bit less than new ones.
Depending on the condition, you could save a few hundred dollars on the purchase. But like with the Storm, I’d recommend playing the piccolo to make sure it will work without needing expensive repairs.
Roy Seaman Ltd.
At the top of the line, you’ll find the Roy Seaman Ltd. piccolo. It’s a grenadilla wood model, but it features solid silver keys as opposed to silver-plated ones.
This model is a truly professional piccolo, but that does mean it’s a bit more expensive than the others from the brand. It features a lot of the same specs, such as the split E mechanism.
And like with most pro models, you can choose from a traditional or wave headjoint. I’d probably choose the wave, but I love that there are options so that you can choose what works best for your playing.
Who It’s For
I’d say the Roy Seaman Ltd. piccolo is best for advanced and professional players. If you’re a piccolo specialist or a flute and piccolo performer, this model is great.
It’s also a suitable choice for flute and piccolo teachers. Sure, it may not be as well known of a model as other pro piccolos, but it’s a good choice to consider.
The more options you have, the more likely you’ll find something that you love. And that’s especially crucial when you’re looking into professional instruments.
Where to Buy
You can buy the Ltd. model from a lot of the same places as where you can find the other Roy Seaman piccolo models. I’d start with some flute shops or online retailers.
But if you don’t have a huge budget, the used market is worth checking out. You can save a bit of money, though professional piccolos tend to hold their value better than intermediate models.
Should You Buy It Used?
The Roy Seaman Ltd. is an excellent piccolo to purchase used. As long as the seller took good care of it, you can get a lot of use out of the instrument without paying the full price.
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I’d recommend you test a used piccolo before you buy it. That way, you can figure out if there are any problems or repairs that you’ll have to pay for.
Which Roy Seaman Piccolo Is Best for You?
The best Roy Seaman piccolo will depend on your current playing level, skills, and goals. If you’re newer to the piccolo, the Storm is a great choice since it’s a composite piccolo.
On the other hand, if you’re finishing music school and need a pro model, the Ltd. is where it’s at. If you fall somewhere in the middle of those extremes, try the Roy Seaman Classic.
Other Piccolos to Compare
As great as a Roy Seaman piccolo might be, the brand isn’t for everyone. If you find that none of the three models meet your needs, I’d recommend you try a few alternatives.
Pearl 105
The Pearl 105 and the Roy Seaman Storm get compared a lot in the flute world. Both are composite models with very similar specs, from silver-plated keys to a split E mechanism.
Personally, I played the Pearl 105 for a few years, and I loved it. But I know a lot of people don’t like it, and the Storm is the most frequently recommend alternative.
If possible, try both models to see which suits you better. Then, you can get the sound you want as you learn and improve on the piccolo.
What’s more, the Pearl 165 is very similar to the Roy Seaman Storm Combo due to the wood headjoint.
Lyric
When shopping for an entry-level wood piccolo, you can’t go wrong with the Lyric piccolo. It’s a newer model, only coming out around 2017, but it’s a great choice.
This model costs hundreds of dollars less than most other wood piccolos. But it comes with a split E mechanism and a wave headjoint, so you can get a good response on it.
I’ve tried a couple of these piccolos over the years, and I’ve enjoyed them. If you’re not sure about the Roy Seaman Classic, give Lyric a try.
Yamaha YPC-62
The Yamaha YPC-62 is another excellent wood piccolo to compare to Roy Seaman. It costs a bit more than the Lyric, but it’s still technically an intermediate model.
I believe I got to play on one when I was in college, and it worked pretty well. Unfortunately, Yamaha piccolos don’t have the fullest low register, so you can sound pretty thin down there.
Still, this piccolo is an excellent choice for a lot of advanced students, amateurs, and even professionals. If you don’t play the piccolo a lot, you can get a good sound without having to spend a ton of money on an instrument.
Will You Buy a Roy Seaman Piccolo?
The Roy Seaman piccolo line is an excellent sub-brand of Gemeinhardt. While I don’t have personal experience with these piccolos, I’ve heard a ton of amazing things about them.
Be sure to compare the models to each other and similar models from other brands. Then, you can test out a few models to see which meets your needs.
Just don’t forget to use a drone to ensure whatever piccolo you buy is in tune!