If you buy this piano, you should understand that there is a high probability that it will need some reasonably expensive belly work in the not too distant future including a new pinblock and new strings along with soundboard repair/reconditioning ( more problems will likely show when the current strings are removed ) and good reconditioning or even replacement of the bridge caps.
MASON HAMLIN MODEL A FULL
I also don't think $10,000 is that far out of line for this piano although I might call that a full retail type price for its condition and the work that has been done. I would say for light usage, this might be a very enjoyable piano. This does not bother me personally, but if you want the finish to look better there is not much that can be done short of a full refinish job which is not inexpensive. If you are going to play similar music to this - light arpeggios with the pedal engaged, this might be a piano you enjoy. What he played and how he played it highlighted the piano as well as possible. I watched the video and the maker of the video presented the piano really well. Also, Masons from this period also can have salvageable bridges, again a money saving option. That is definitely a money saving option in the long run. It that is the case, that is a plus! This is a temporary fix though.Ĭompared with other high end makers of this period, Mason & Hamlins of this size are also more likely to have a salvageable soundboard appropriate for restoration rather than replacement. Tapping the tuning pins deeper into the pinblock may have helped the piano to better hold a tune. I don't know what reconditioning of strings means other than a fancy way of saying the strings have been cleaned.īecause of the age of the piano, it is likely the tuning pins were loose and not reliably keeping the piano in tune. That this piano has good quality new hammers, shanks and flanges is definitely a big plus. It is really one of the best pianos of its size ever designed, especially from that vintage. First of all a 1915 Mason & Hamlin model A is potentially a fantastic piano. And it still sounds like it needs a few things. To my eyes, it seems like the tech might have put $2k worth of work into a $4k "core" piano. "reconditioning the strings" is not something that is normally done, and is only talked about here by techs and DIYs who are trying to save a few bucks on replacing dead strings that are worn out (and only temporarily).Ĥ- this suggests the tuning pins were loose, which doesn't bode well for the future. (items #1 and #2 might be worth a couple thousand dollars if done by an expert and followed by custom fitting and voicing)ģ- this sounds suspicious. The seller said they're a technician and rebuilder, and that they've done the following work to it:ġ- that's fine, so long as the work was done well.Ģ- that's fine, so long as the work was done well. Mason & Hamlin model A from 1915 for about $10000. Chances are high that this piano bears little resemblance to what it looked, felt, and sounded like in 1918. Don't just buy the name on the fallboard. For 10K you can get a pretty nice new vertical, a slightly used even better quality vertical, or a much more recent grand without the name prestige of M&H. My gut reaction is that it probably will not sound and play too well and is also overpriced. If you post all that, some members, far more knowledgeable than me, will be able to tell you whether they think it's worth the price or a trip to look at it. He should also send a recording if possible. A tech might be able to estimate you long this temporary fix will last.īefore expecting you to make such a long trip he should send you detailed pictures showing all parts of the case and many pictures of the insides. Tapping the tuning pins in means they weren't holding sufficiently in the pin block. I don't know what "reconditioning the strings" means except maybe cleaning rust off them. I think you should have it inspected by another tech who is not beholden to the tech selling the piano.