By Carolyn Cline Corbett
This article appeared in the May 2002, Colorado Flute Association newsletter.
It all started last year when I realized it was
time to replace my 28 year old Gemeinhardt wood piccolo. So, I started my
piccolo savings account and embarked on my research. Through many hours of
research, interviews and demonstrations, I started narrowing down my choices.
The top three contenders were: Powell, Haynes and Burkart. Then… I ran across a
name new to me, the JB Weissman Music Company. The President, Jeffrey Weissman,
is a New York piccolo maker known for his signature use of exotic woods and
custom crowns. At this point, I started discovering what options were available
to try out these different piccolos. I also considered the idea of new vs.
gently used. My challenge was that I really wanted to try out as many different
brands as possible side by side, instead of one at a time via FedEx. During my
search, I emailed the Weissman Company for more information and they extended me
an offer that I could not refuse. They would pay for half of my airfare if I
would travel to NYC and make my purchase from their company. The exciting part
was the wide range of piccolos they have in stock: Powell (grenadilla and
rosewood), Haynes, Burkart, Hammig, Keefe, etc. and, of course, Weissman
piccolos . . . all to compare and try side by side!
On March 8th, 2002, I departed from Denver and
started my journey to NYC in search of my new piccolo. Since it was my first
trip to New York, I really had no idea where I was going or what the outcome
would be. This trip was so important and special to me; I used my frequent flyer
miles to upgrade my ticket to first class. (I certainly could get used to 1st
class!) I stayed at a beautiful historic hotel, The Roosevelt Hotel at 45th &
Madison in Midtown Manhattan. I took a dinner harbor cruise on my first night in
the Big Apple. We sailed on a foggy night around the NYC bay; we went under the
spectacular bridges and around Statue of Liberty. On the way back to my hotel,
the taxi driver took me through the Broadway/Theater district right past the
theater where the Lion King was playing. NYC is truly is the city that never
sleeps.
March 9th, 2002, was the day that I had long
awaited for, the big NYPD! New York Piccolo Day! The taxi took me through the
Queens Midtown Tunnel to Fresh Meadows, NY to meet Jeff Weissman. It was my
private appointment to try out piccolos. Upon arrival, Jeff and one of his
repair technicians, David, welcomed me. They had prepared dozens of piccolos for
me to demo until my heart was content. I tried Powell granadilla, Powell
Rosewood with a gold key mechanism, Haynes, Burkart, Keefe, etc. They were all
wonderful piccolos! Then, they started showing me the Weissman Piccolos. They
are all handmade on a custom basis of different select exotic woods. Some of the
woods that Mr. Weissman uses are: Bocote, Cocobolo, Cocuswood, Leadwood, Mardo,
Pink Ivory, Rosewood, Satine, Verawood and Ironwood. Many of the Weissman
piccolo head joints are made with different combinations of these woods to make
unique inlay patterns that are absolutely gorgeous. Each crown is custom made,
often with inlays of mother of pearl or abalone. The Weissman piccolo crowns are
fit for kings and queens! The embouchure holes can be made with custom sterling
silver or gold inlays or wings as well. There are many model choices for
straight or cork joint piccolo head joints and their bodies.
Much to my amazement, after hours of trying out
all of these wonderful piccolos, I kept coming back to one particular piccolo.
Over and over again, my sound on one piccolo was very distinguished. Compared to
all the other superb instruments, this one piccolo was so centered, with a
unique timbre, depth of tone, warmth, color, consistency, clarity, character and
heart. For me, this piccolo was the one that had my name all over it!
I am now the new proud owner of a Weissman
Piccolo. My piccolo has a Cocobolo wood cork head joint and a Grenadilla body.
The crown has an inlay of Abalone with a little lighting bolt through it. I had
some custom adjustments made for my hands also. To my delight, the technicians
worked very hard and my piccolo was ready for me to take home that day. For all
these years my old beloved piccolo was named “Pete”. Now “Pete” is enjoying a
well deserved retirement. With great debate, I decided to name my new piccolo
“RePete”!
It was pretty hard to top such a perfect day,
but I concluded that attending a concert at Carnegie Hall was a rather perfect
ending for the perfect NYPD.
The Weissman Music Company is very proud to be the
largest and most-respected flute shop in the United States. They are the
exclusive New York representatives for Brannen, Haynes, Mateki, McKenna,
Miyazawa, Muramatsu and Trevor James. Their complete line also offers
professional flutes from Powell, Sankyo, Williams and Tom Green and student
flutes from Jupiter and Yamaha. They stock literally hundreds of flute and
piccolo head joints and therefore offer the most varied selection of head joint
styles available today. I was “Blown” away by the selections of instruments.
Also impressive, was the attention to detail and meticulous quality of work by
all of the technicians.
Little did I know that my journey would take me
on a trip of a lifetime. Not only did I experience the most incredible piccolos
& flutes in the world, I experienced meeting the nicest people who went way
beyond my wildest expectations of customer service and hospitality. For more
information about the JB Weissman Music Company call: 1-800-PICCOLO.
