Category: Hickies Music Store Posts

Hickies Music Store

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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?

A seasoned spruce soundboard simply sings in a way that a factory-fresh instrument cannot. As wood matures the tonal response deepens, giving you a warmth and sustain that players describe as “already broken-in”. Buying used also stretches your budget dramatically—you can often step up a whole model tier for the same money—and it is the most sustainable way to own a premium acoustic instrument.

Of course, quality varies in the second-hand market, which is why Hickies does the hard work for you. Our technicians perform a complete action regulation, check key bushings, re-voice hammers where needed and stabilise pitch at A-440. Only pianos that pass this inspection earn a place on our shop floor and carry our three-year parts-and-labour warranty. All the romance of a vintage piano, none of the uncertainty.

Our Current Stock & What to Expect

We keep around 25 uprights and 4-6 baby grands in stock at any one time. You will usually find:

  • Yamaha U1, U3 and B-Series uprights – the teaching-studio standard, famous for reliability.
  • Kawai K-Series – a slightly mellower Japanese voice ideal for home practice.
  • One-off European gems from Petrof, Schimmel or August Förster, each with distinctive character.
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LÂG SAUVAGE COMPETITION

3rd April – 3rd MAY

We are hosting a competition for a chance to win a LÂG Sauvage acoustic guitar! To be in the chance to win such an amazing prize, simply follow the following steps!

STEP 1 – RECORD YOUR VIDEO

Record yourself playing one of our beloved instruments in-store. From guitar to piano, take your pick and record your entry!

STEP 2 – POST YOUR VIDEO

After you’ve recorded your video, go ahead and post it to any of your favourite social media platforms. Now this part is very important; Make sure you TAG @hickiesmusic when you post, otherwise your entry won’t be valid!

STEP 3 – CROSS YOUR FINGERS!

The competition will be running from the 3rd April – 3rd May. At the end of the competition date, one lucky winner will be chosen at random!

We wish everyone the very best of luck!

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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.