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Considering that Chickering Pianos are now being sold by the American Piano Company under a different name, there are still a lot of homes and concert centers that still have the original pianos in their halls. Most of these pianos benefit from the invention of their founder: cast metal frame (one piece) which are of lighter compared to other brands. This particular design particularly benefited Chickering Grand Pianos which had improved sound quality because greater string tension was supported by the plates.
Jonas Chickering started his own company after he learned the trade from being an apprentice to an early piano maker. The company was first known as 'Chickering Piano Company' which later became 'Chickering & Mackays' when Jonas partnered with John Mackay, a businessman. Years after Mackay passed away, Jonas created 'Chickering & Sons' along with his sons Thomas (the eldest), Frank and George (the youngest).
Vintage Chickering Pianos are generally more expensive than new units because their antiquity plus a touch of sentimentality adds to their beauty. However, compared to other brands, Chickering Pianos were cheaper than their counterparts due to technologies that the company had incorporated with the manufacturing process. This includes precise machine tools and assembly lines which allowed mass production without sacrificing quality.
A Chickering Piano is a work of art, a masterpiece. That is why Chickering Pianos are often awarded the best honors wherever these are exhibited or used. Even used Chickering Pianos are afforded this reverence. |
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