Piano Brands Of The World:
YOUNG CHANG *
Company Website: YoungChang.com
Owner: Hyundai Development Group
Country of Origin: South Korea
Year Established: 1956
Related Brands: Story & Clarke, Wm. Knabe (Baltimore / Academy), Pramberger, Kingsburg, Heintzman, Weber
Young Chang pianos are made by Young Chang Co. Ltd, in Incheon, South Korea and Tianjin, China
Warranty Young Chang & Weber: 10-year parts and labour, applicable to the original purchaser only
Warranty Albert Weber: 15-year parts and labour warranty, applicable to future owners within the warranty period. Lifetime parts warranty to the original owner
HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
Young Chang was founded in 1956, originally as a distributor of Yamaha pianos for the Korean market. Founded by three brothers, during South Korea’s 20th-century economic boom, the first Young Chang factory was built in Seoul in 1964 with assistance from Yamaha. For several years, Young Chang would complete assembly and factory prep on pre-built Yamaha pianos, until the 1970’s when Young Chang separated themselves Yamaha and began producing entire pianos independently. By the end of the decade, Young Chang pianos were being distributed to other parts of the world, including extensive North American distribution.
By the mid-1990s, Young Chang had opened a second factory in China where pianos branded Young Chang and Weber are produced, positioned as entry-level options in the market. In 2006, Hyundai Development Company acquired Young Chang, and retains ownership today.
As of today, Young Chang offers pianos under three brand names; Young Chang and Weber which are built in China, and the higher quality Albert Weber pianos, which uses components sourced from both Europe and the Chinese facility, with assembly occurring in South Korea.
Young Chang branded uprights are offered in four sizes; the 45” Y114, 46” Y116, 48” Y121, and the 52” Y131. Grand pianos consist of the 4’11” Y150, 5’2” Y157, 5’9” Y175, and the 6’1” Y185. Weber branded uprights consist of the 45” W114, 48” W121, and the 52” W131. Grands are offered in the same sizes as the Young Chang branded grand pianos, with the ‘Y’ replaced by a ‘W’ in the model names. Quality wise, these pianos are similar, however, they differ musically. Young Chang branded pianos are generally regarded as brighter, whereas Weber branded pianos are intended to resemble more of a European tonal profile.
Albert Weber uprights consist of the 48” AW121 and the 52” AW131. Grand pianos are offered in four sizes, from the 6’1” AW185, 6’10” AW208, 7’6” AW228 and the 9’ AW275 concert grand. Albert Weber pianos utilize certain high-quality components, such as Renner actions and maple rims. Korean quality control is said to be close to the level of Japanese, which essentially allows the Albert Weber line to function as a more budget-conscious alternative to Japanese built instruments.
YOUNG CHANG MODELS & PRICE
| MODEL | SIZE | DESCRIPTION | MSRP (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| STORY & CLARK HERITAGE SERIES UPRIGHTS | |||
| H7 | 46″ | Academy Polished Ebony | $5,395 |
| STORY & CLARK SIGNATURE SERIES UPRIGHTS | |||
| S8 | 48″ | Cosmopolitan Polished Ebony | $5,395 |
| STORY & CLARK HERITAGE SERIES GRANDS | |||
| H50A | 4’11” | Prelude Polished Ebony/Mahogany | |
| H60 QA | 5′ | French Provincial Polished Ebony | |
| H60 QA | 5′ | French Provincial Satin Lacquer and Polished Mahogany | |
| H60A | 5’3″ | Academy Satin and Polished Ebony | |
| H60A | 5’3″ | Academy Polished Mahogany | |
| H60A | 5’3″ | Academy Polished White | |
| H70A | 5’7″ | Conservatory Polished Ebony | |
| H80 | 6’1″ | Professional Polished Ebony | |
| H90 | 6’10” | Semi-Concert Polished Ebony | |
| STORY & CLARK SIGNATURE SERIES GRANDS | |||
| H50A | 4’11” | Prelude Polished Ebony/Mahogany | $16,695 |
| H60 QA | 5′ | French Provincial Polished Ebony | $17,495 |
| H60 QA | 5′ | French Provincial Satin Lacquer and Polished Mahogany | $17,595 |
| H60A | 5’3″ | Academy Satin and Polished Ebony | $17,495 |
| H60A | 5’3″ | Academy Polished Mahogany | $17,495 |
| H60A | 5’3″ | Academy Polished White | $17,995 |
| H70A | 5’7″ | Conservatory Polished Ebony | $18,895 |
| H80 | 6’1″ | Professional Polished Ebony | $21,395 |
| H90 | 6’10” | Semi-Concert Polished Ebony | $28,795 |
YOUNG CHANG PIANO SERIAL NUMBERS
| DATE OF MANUFACTURE | SERIAL NUMBER |
|---|---|
| 1895 – 1910 | 1900 – 30700 |
| 1920 – 1940 | 78800 – 160000 |
| 1960 – 1980 | 307000 – 569807 |
| 1990 – 1995 | 700001 – 703128 |
| 1998 – Present | 707000+ |
*Disclaimer: Merriam Pianos offers the above information for the educational benefit of customers world-wide, and does not constitute an endorsement by – or imply representation of – the various manufacturers. For a full selection of the brands Merriam Pianos proudly represents, please click here.
Get In Touch
Contact Us
We are here to help you 7 days a week and respond within 24 hours.
How Can We Help?
Oakville
2359 Bristol Circle, Unit #200
Oakville, ON L6H 6P8
(416) 639-2186
pianosoakville@merriammusic.com
Vaughan
3175 Rutherford Rd, Unit #75
Vaughan, Ontario L4K 5Y6
(416) 639-2187
pianosvaughan@merriammusic.com
Toronto
943 Eglinton Ave E,
East York, ON M4G 4B5
(416) 423-0434
info@merriammusic.com
