Wessel Piccolo Probe for Flute Ferret
Manufacturer's Description
Piccolos can be challenging to repair as the tone holes are cut into the wood and the pads can be tricky to access, making a traditional feeler gauge fairly unreliable due to the extreme angles needed when checking around the circumference of the pads. Very few piccolos have regulation screws, so any adjustments need to be carried out meticulously to avoid over adjustment.
This is where the new Wessel Piccolo Probe (an attachment for the Flute Ferret) can make life so much easier and such a valuable tool for repairers and works on any make of Piccolo.
The handy indicator bead tells you which pad you're testing, and the soft rubber expander can expand to seal almost all Piccolos bores. This tool speeds up Piccolo repair and checking pads for leaks.
About Wessel Flutes
Stephen Wessel established his flute-making business in 1983, under the name "Webb & Wessel" after his partnership with English headjoint maker John Webb. Wessel designed his flute to be ultra-lightweight: by using stainless steel which is 25% lighter than silver (but about three times harder), the mechanism can be made thinner and lighter. The steel key cups are "scooped out" and resin inlaid key cups are inserted, reducing the weight of the mechanism further. The lightness of the instrument makes the flute very responsive, instantly playable and with a large palette of tone colours. Wessel flutes are beautifully handmade in England, with strong keywork, which feels comfortable and secure.