Cristofori

Including Paul A. Schmitt

JKM Music Group
11726 Parklawn Drive
Rockville, Maryland 20852
240-293-2385
info@cristofori.com  

Schmitt Music
2400 Freeway Blvd.
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota 55430
763-566-4560 x5086
(Tom Wennblom)
www.cristofori.com

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Pianos made by: Guangzhou Pearl River Piano Group Ltd., Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China

Originally issued under the name Opus II, the Cristofori and Paul A. Schmitt (formerly Lyrica) brands are a joint undertaking by Jordan Kitt’s Music, which owns and operates four piano dealerships in the D.C. and Atlanta markets; and Schmitt Music, which has more than a dozen locations throughout the Midwest and in Denver. About 15 years ago, wanting to improve their entry-level product offerings, the two companies combined forces to negotiate upgrades of product features and quality control directly with the factory. Today, although the brands are identical, Cristofori is sold only in Jordan Kitt’s stores, Paul A. Schmitt in Schmitt Music stores. Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655–1731) was, of course, the inventor of the piano.

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The Cristofori and Paul A. Schmitt lines are manufactured by China’s largest piano manufacturer, Guangzhou Pearl River Piano Group. The uprights come in numerous sizes, styles, and finishes, including 45″ and 46½” studios, and a 48″ upright. The 48″ professional upright, appropriate for home or institutional use, has front legs with toe blocks for strength, a large soundboard and long strings for bigger sound, and a slow-close fallboard. Grands come in lengths of 4′ 10″, 5′ 3″, 5′ 7″, and 6′ 2″. The 5′ 3″ and 5′ 7″ sizes are wide-tail designs, which gives these mid-sized grands a larger soundboard area and, thus, a bigger sound.

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The Cristofori and Paul A. Schmitt pianos are differentiated from Pearl River’s own line of pianos by upgraded specifications such as the use of highest-quality German Röslau strings; all-spruce veneered soundboards of premium Siberian spruce; a different selection of cabinet styles; and a full, transferable warranty. U.S. technicians inspect every Cristofori and Paul A. Schmitt piano at the Pearl River factory prior to crating and shipping.

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Warranty: 12 years, parts and labor, transferable to future owners within the warranty period.

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See the Introduction to Brand Profiles, Models, and Prices for an explanation of pricing.