Posted on

CATCH THE WAVE! HUGE £200 SAVINGS ON YAMAHA’S FLAGSHIP DIGITAL PIANOS

Yamaha CLP-875, CSP-275 and CSP-255 are on sale now

The Yamaha Catch the Wave sale has splashed down in the UK and we are thrilled to bring it to you at Hickies Music Store. Three superb Clavinova digital pianos – the CLP-875, CSP-275 and CSP-255 – are available at a special price for a limited time. If you have been waiting for the right moment to invest in a serious instrument, this is it.

Why a Yamaha Clavinova?

Yamaha Clavinova pianos are crafted to capture the character of world class concert grands while giving you the conveniences of a modern digital instrument. Expect an expressive key action, richly sampled piano voices, immersive speaker systems and thoughtful technology that makes practice productive and playing inspiring.


CLP-875 – flagship feel and tone

The CLP-875 is the most piano focused of the trio. It is built for players who want the response of a fine acoustic instrument under their fingers.

Highlights

  • GrandTouch action with long pivot length for nuanced control
  • Voices from renowned concert grands for contrasting tonal colours
  • Powerful multi speaker system that surrounds you with sound
  • Elegant upright style cabinet that suits a living room or studio

Why grab it in the sale If you crave the most authentic touch and tone, the CLP-875 delivers it. The current promotion makes stepping into this level of realism far more approachable.


CSP-275 – serious piano, smart guidance

The CSP-275 blends authentic piano performance with clever learning tools that make progress feel natural and fun.

Highlights

  • Stream Lights above the keys that show you exactly what to play
  • Smart Pianist app integration for intuitive control and chord charts
  • GrandTouch S wooden key action and premium concert grand voices
  • Two way speaker system that projects with clarity and depth

Why grab it in the sale You get a pro level piano core plus technology that can coach you, arrange music and keep you motivated. The offer lowers the barrier to owning a truly feature rich instrument.


CSP-255 – smart start, serious sound

The CSP-255 shares the teaching focus of its bigger sibling while staying compact and budget friendly.

Highlights

  • Stream Lights and Smart Pianist app support for guided learning
  • Flagship Yamaha CFX and Bösendorfer Imperial piano voices
  • Binaural sampling for natural headphone practice
  • A footprint that suits smaller spaces without sacrificing quality

Why grab it in the sale It is the ideal entry to the CSP concept. You get the essentials that make learning engaging and the piano tone inspiring, now at a friendlier price.


Which model is right for you?

Ask yourself what matters most:

  • Pure piano feel and sound? Choose the CLP-875.
  • Learning tools plus premium action? Choose the CSP-275.
  • Guided practice in a compact, value packed form? Choose the CSP-255.

Still unsure? Visit us or give us a call and our team will help match you with the perfect instrument.


Catch the Wave before it fades

Great instruments rarely go on offer. When they do, it pays to act. The Catch the Wave sale gives you the chance to bring home a Yamaha Clavinova that will inspire every practice session and performance for years to come. Dive in while the savings last.

Posted on

Pre-Owned Acoustic Pianos: Buy or Rent in Reading

For more than 160 years Hickies Music has helped generations of Berkshire musicians find their piano. Today our ground-floor showroom at 153 Friar Street, Reading RG1 1HE houses a hand-picked range of refurbished uprights and baby grands, each regulated and voiced by our own technicians before it reaches the shop floor. Whether you’re ready to purchase outright or prefer to start on a flexible rental, every instrument here is tuned, warranted and ready to play.

Why Choose a Pre-Owned Piano?

Choosing a pre-owned piano gives you beautiful sound and excellent quality at an affordable price, and at Hickies we’ve made the process of buying a pre-owned piano as easy as possible.

We carefully select each of our pre-owned pianos for their quality, tone, and playability. Every piano is thoroughly inspected, serviced, and tuned by our expert technician, who has been caring for Hickies pianos for over 30 years.

Not sure if you’re ready to commit? You can rent any of our pre-owned pianos first, and if you decide to buy within six months, we’ll credit your full rental payments toward your purchase. It’s the easiest way to try out a piano without purchasing upfront.

We personally deliver each piano to your home using our in-house team, ensuring safe and professional handling every step of the way. Plus, every piano comes with a free tuning once it has settled into its new home and a warranty of up to five years.

At Hickies, buying pre-owned means choosing quality, flexibility, and complete peace of mind.

Our Current Stock & What to Expect

Explore our regularly updated selection of pre-owned pianos, including trusted brands such as Yamaha, Kawai, Bentley, Kemble, Knight, Grotrian-Steinweg, and Weinbach. Every brand we stock is known for their exceptional tone, quality craftsmanship, and responsive touch.

Whether you’re looking for a dependable upright piano ideal for family practice, a refined grand piano to inspire advanced musicians, or a modern silent piano perfect for quiet practice, you’ll find outstanding options here.

Should You Rent a Pre-Owned Piano?

Not ready to drop the full price on an acoustic yet? Renting lets you start lessons on a real piano with almost no risk. Rather than a single large outlay, you secure the instrument with a refundable deposit and a modest monthly fee, typically £50–£85 for uprights and premium models, so you can decide whether piano playing truly belongs in your life before committing significant funds.

Our Rent-to-Buy plan makes the trial period free if you fall in love with playing: up to six months of rental payments plus your deposit come straight off any acoustic piano you purchase, and you can upgrade to a different model, not just the one you hired. If you decide piano isn’t for you, you’ve only paid the rental, nothing more.

Flexibility goes further: there’s no maximum rental period, your monthly rate never rises, and every piano is fully maintained by our in-house technician with 30 years’ experience, so tunings and repairs are covered. Brands like Yamaha and Kawai headline the range, meaning you’re practising on the same makes trusted by teachers and exam boards.

Ready to try it? Just click on the acoustic piano you like, hit “Rent this piano” on its page, and follow the checkout, done!

Posted on

Jackson JS22-7 Dinky – Affordable Access to Extended Range Riffing

If you’re curious about 7-string guitars and want something that won’t break the bank, the Jackson JS22-7 Dinky is a brilliant place to start. Designed with metal and hard rock in mind, this guitar gives you access to lower tunings, aggressive tones, and fast playability – all without a hefty price tag. Whether you’re stepping into the extended range world for the first time or just want a solid backup guitar, the JS22-7 delivers way more than you’d expect at this price point.

Built for Speed and Comfort

The first thing that stands out is the guitar’s slick satin finish and classic Jackson styling. It looks mean, in the best way, and feels even better in your hands. The body is made from lightweight poplar, which keeps things comfortable whether you’re standing for a full set or jamming at home.

The bolt-on maple neck features Jackson’s signature “speed neck” profile – slim, fast, and designed for effortless riffing and soloing. You also get a compound radius fretboard made of amaranth, giving you a curved profile down low for chord work and a flatter radius up high for faster leads and bends. Add in 24 jumbo frets and you’ve got a neck that’s built for metal.

Extended Scale for Lower Tunings

With its 26.5-inch scale length, the JS22-7 handles lower tunings like a champ. Whether you’re in standard B, drop A, or going even lower, the extended scale keeps the low strings tight and defined. No floppy low B here – just punchy, percussive low end that holds up under heavy gain.

The hardtail bridge with string-through-body construction adds sustain and keeps everything locked in. It’s simple, solid, and gets the job done.

High-Output Sound and Simplicity

The JS22-7 comes loaded with Jackson’s high-output humbuckers, which are voiced for thick rhythm tones and cutting lead work. They’re ideal for distortion-heavy genres and give you everything you need to chug, shred, or dive into some prog riffage. Controls are kept simple – one volume, one tone, and a three-way switch – so you can focus on playing, not fiddling.

Reliable Hardware, Ready to Rock

Tuning stability is solid thanks to Jackson’s sealed die-cast tuners, and the overall construction feels far more robust than you’d expect from a guitar at this price. It’s the kind of instrument that invites long playing sessions, whether you’re practicing, recording, or playing live.

Final Thoughts – Is It Worth It?

The Jackson JS22-7 Dinky is one of the best value 7-string guitars on the market. It’s got the look, the feel, and the tone to make it a serious contender – whether you’re just starting out or need a reliable second guitar. It’s comfortable to play, holds tuning well, and handles heavier styles with ease.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly entry into the world of extended range guitars, this one’s definitely worth checking out.

Swing by the shop and try it out for yourself – you might be surprised how much you like it.