Been playing this horn for years. As an aspiring Professional I wouldnt recommend any other horn. I had the opportunity to perform The Brandenburg Co. 2 in London this oast summer. I had many ppl ask what horn I was playing.

The sound is neither shrilled nor like toy; thus, I belive this is good for Handel to Ravel. Intonation is also good.

I bought this instrument from Yamaha outlet without any testing prior to place my order.
When I receive this instrument, I have to priase Yamaha fantastic craftmanship.
I felt in love with the horn as soon as I have my first toot into it. And amazingly the intonation doesn't change much between Bb and A leadpipe. Unlike other brand, Bb and A makes a huge different. At least this yamaha piccolo trumpet, the Bb sound round and bright, very ideal for brass quintet music from Canadian Brass series.

Very nice horn. Great value. Not as nice as the LA benges. Quality seems to be the same as the UMI Benges. If prices are the same go with the Benge. If the Yamaha is cheaper go for it. You won't be disappointed.

I have had this for about five days and it's great. I really love the short bell look on this horn. The sound, finish, case, and design, even if it's a copy, is great. The mouthpiece it comes with has too soft of a bite so I use a 7E. A great thing is on the Bb side I don't need to use the alternate 2-4 or 4 for low F# and G because the standard fingerings are in tune so pedal F is right on the money. I haven't tried other horns but a Benge but this beats the Benge in high range as this one doesn't hold you back. This is actually a copy off of the Benge.
I think a Trigger or ring would be great for the fourth valve slide, but then again it's not necessary. On my A side I've noticed the G is low. Of course I could compensate by tuning slightly sharp and pulling out the slides..but noooo my first valve slide is really tight like it is stuck. When I pull it out sometimes I graze the bell...not a nice thing. However, I believe my horn is the only one with that problem. Can't wait to use it for Handel!

I'm just changing my review. My previous review is right above. The G on the A side can be corrected with Alternate fingerings, 1-3 for me. I totally forgot about them when I posted right above but it fixed the tuning with slide adjustments. Maybe I will get a trigger or ring for the third and/or fourth slide.

Excellent sounding picc for all picc repertoire I have come across. I have performed concertos by albinoni and telemann, also have done the brandenburg and just recently performed the Michael Haydn on it. I have also played parts for a brass band on this picc and it adapts to every situation perfectly. I am primarily a picc player and I have many piccolos including a Schilke, stomvi, the other yamaha, two scherzer (Bb/A and C), and a kanstul and a few others and this picc really is up there in the top. For the price it would be rediculous to go for anything else except maybe the old selmers (compromised higher register though). This is better than the getzen and I prefer it to the benge, also as they are mostly newer, one will be less likely to be worn. If I was only playing the picc a few times per year, I'm not sure I could justify the extra cost of many of my other piccs even if I was only buying one.