SAVE THE DATE: Join us for an exciting
Tour of the Mason & Hamlin Piano Factory Friday Oct. 7, 2011

We Have Openings!
As happens every year some people have had to drop out. We now (as of 09/29/11) have
a few openings. Get Here by either 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. and join us TODAY Oct 7

(Then join us the next day for the start of our big Cape Cod Piano Party )

That's right, after a couple of years away we're overdue to visit our good friends in Haverhill, MA.

The folks at Mason & Hamlin are very proud of their pianos, their factory, and their people. And we'll take in all three.

They give a fantastic tour led by engineer & legendary piano designer Bruce Clark.

You'll get to see the entire process of building a high-end piano from choosing the wood to polishing the cabinet. And you will have the opportunity to see how they utilize a combination of the latest technology combined with old world craftsmanship.

And if you're really good, they just might have some nice newly minted pianos for us to play at the end of the tour.

Mason & Hamlin is so confident in their products and their processes, they allow us to take pictures throughout the tour. In fact, here's a thread with pictures From our 2007 Tour of Mason & Hamlin

Official Word from M&H:
"9am - Tour begins. Duration - 3 hours. Noon- Lunch catered by MH followed by piano tasting, performances, photos and other extracurricular activities"

We've Added A Second Tour Group! Same day, second group will start at 10:00
This means we can have up to 55 total participants. If you've been waiting by the sidelines, jump in now and let me know you want to come!


Make plans now to join us in October. Respond to this post so we know you're interested, then...

Space is limited, so send me webmaster@pianoworld.com your
details right away if you want to join the factory tour.

I'll need your:
Forums Name
Real Name
State
Phone

We have started posting a list of attendees below the pictures.
THE TOUR IS LIMITED TO 55 PEOPLE - DON'T WAIT!
When we reach 55 we will still take names as alternates, some people drop out before
the tour every year. Either way, GET YOUR NAME ON THE LIST

We would like to post your forums name, and the names of anyone you are bringing, along with your state (and country if coming from outside the U.S.).
Let me know if it's not ok to post your real name in addition to your forums name.
If you plan to bring others with you, please provide their details as well. (We will not post phone numbers).

More details to follow as they become available.









ATTENDING THE 2011 TOUR:

GROUP I

Dmitry P. +1(d_p)(MA)=2
Leo Todd (leomtodd) (ME)
Ed B. (Cape Cod)
Jeff (cousin to Ed & Roberta)
Jeremy Gloo (A441) (Cape Cod)
Jeff BC + 2 (MA)=3
Janet & Doug (JGJ) (MA)=2
Bruce Morton (brucenm) (VT)
Jim & Nancy (MA)=2
Angela H. (AngelainMpls) (MN)
Elman Anderson (PA)
Jan S. & Rick S. (MA) =2
Linda J. (linjo515) (MA)
Jim & Son (jameskeenan) (MA) =2
Paul & Joan Brown (NY)=2
Barbara & Larry Wadsworth (FL/MA) = 2
Becket Senchur (MA)
Ike and Fay Cole (MA) = 2


To Date 32 Participants


Mason & Hamlin has agreed to a second group!

The good folks at Mason & Hamlin Piano have agreed to purchase additional
headphones to accommodate a second tour group on the same day.
The second group is limited to 15, a number we have already reached with the people
who were originally on the alternates list. We will now start a new alternates list.

GROUP II

Junko Shiota Abuza (MA)= 2
Mark Abrahams (Mark A) (NY)
Lisa P. (LisaPetro) (NY)
Diana D. (MA)
Robert Jones(WCSdancer)& Mom (VA)= 2
Howard V and Sue K (hv) (IL) = 2
Pat & Jim Wilkinson (NH) = 2
Chester Godfrey (Wannaplay)+2 (MA) = 3
Laura & Stan / VT = 2

Group II = 15


Alternates:
Alternates are listed in the order in which we received the requests.
In the event any of the confirmed people in the original 40 or group II 15 drop out (and we usually have a few), we will contact the alternates in order.

~ Rich D. +1 = 2
~ MrHazelton +1 = 2

~ Les Koltvedt +1 / MI = 2

Every current Piano Forums member who joins us on the tour will receive an official Piano World Piano Forums Lapel Pin!

Costs There is no charge for the tour. You are responsible for your own transportation and lodging.

General Information:
Keep in mind you will be touring a live factory in full production mode. Lots of dangerous machinery, tools, and many people moving around.

It will be approximately a 3 hour tour (just like Gilligan's Island).
At the end of the tour there will be freshly minted pianos to see and play.
Because we usually end up with a large group, anyone wishing to play must keep it short so others have a chance.

The group needs to stay together, stay out of the way of the workers, and LISTEN to what the tour director (Bruce Clark) is saying.

We do a LOT of walking (and standing). Wear comforable shoes and clothes. The factory is clean (other than sawdust), but you may brush up against a piece of machinery, pile of wood etc.

Our thanks to the Burgett's (owners), our own Cecil Ramirez (national sales rep), Bruce Clark (piano designer, technician and tour moderator), Tom Lagomarsino(sr. vp), and all the other fine folks at Mason & Hamlin for hosting this event.


FYI, the factory is in Haverhill, MA (pronounced Heyvrill). About 45 minutes north of Boston.

If any PianoWorld members would like to stay in Haverhill overnight, there is a Best Western Merrimack Valley Lodge nearby. www.bwmerrimackvalley.com

I've stayed here a few times, it isn't fancy but it's clean and comfortable.
The hotel is about a 10 minute drive from the factory.

Mason & Hamlin Piano Company
35 Duncan St. Haverhill, MA 01830
www.masonhamlin.com

Don't forget we are also organizing a great Cape Cod Piano Party for the same weekend!


Location


Parking

Frank, will your NEW toy be available to test drive at the tour?

Good question Les.
The answer to which will be revealed soon.

Come on folks, get your name on the list now.

We fill this tour every time we do this.

If you know anybody else who may be interested, tell them about it right away.

And don't forget we are planning a Cape Cod Piano Party for the same weekend!

Frank, I'd love to sign up but can't commit right now...sorry. Folks, this is the BEST TOUR!!!

I hope you can make it Les, let us know.

He's right folks, this is an incredible tour.
Get your name(s) on the list now.

This is a fantastic tour. Took it a few years ago. Don't miss it. It's well worth the time.

Frank,

Roberta and I will be there, and we would like to bring Cousin Jeff. Jeff designs and builds furniture and I know he would love to see the equipment and techniques that M&H utilize.

We hope to see an enthusiastic crowd on the Cape for the weekend.

Ed

That's great Ed, always happy to have you and Roberta join in, and glad to have Cousin Jeff join us as well. My best to Roberta and all the gang on the Cape.
Looking forward to the Cape Cod Piano Party too!


There's still a little room on the European Tour bus too you know :-)

Hi Frank,

Please add me to the tour this year. Hopefully I can make it to Cape Cod too.

I've got a real job this year with plenty of vacation days to use up.

John

Frank, It would be great if I and two young guests could attend. (Alanna still wants to go to Elkhart, IN on vacation - then she'll have seen all 3. This would be Erin's first piano factory tour).

For anyone interested in seeing 131 pics of the 2008 tour, go to: http://gallery.me.com/thebcs/100027

Jeff,

You know you are always welcome!

Too bad you and Alanna couldn't join the European Piano Tour, then she would have
seen Steinway Hamburg, Bluthner, Bosendorfer, and Steingraeber (and possibly Brodmann).

Best,

Frank B.

Everyone,

I live in Haverhill, MA - anyone needing info about the area, or other things to do, PM me.

Frank,

You have NO IDEA how bad I wanted to do that tour! Last time I was in Austria I never even thought of going to Bösendorfer (stupid me). The cost for five of us (Lisa wouldn't just let the two of us go and leave the other three family members at home) was a bit too high though ;-)

I can't wait to see pics and read stories from those of you that are going. Truly a once in a lifetime event - I'm envious.

Alanna (now 8) and Erin (now 6) will be excited to hear that we're going to M&H. Ilysa (now 4) will have to catch the next tour ;-)

Thanks again! I can't wait to see everyone.

Hello! Please add me to the list for the tour. I'm new to the forums but I would really like to attend. Thank you!

Angela

I'd like to come! Please put me down. I will send you an email. Is there a charge for the tour? Thanks!

There is no charge for the tour.
Transportation and lodging if needed are your responsibility however.

Happy to add you, see you at Mason & Hamlin in Oct.

Frank,
Could you add my wife Christine and I to your alternates group. Thanks.

Rich

Happy to Rich, hope you two can join us.
We always have a few drop out, so I'd say plan on it.

Best,

Frank B.

I know I'm late here, but is there room for 2 more?

I can add you to the alternates list.
We typically have a few cancellations.

Ok Frank, I'm making the leap. Put me in for 2, myself and a to be determined (lol).

Frank, change of plans, please take us off the alt list. Thanks

I'm so sad but I have to drop out
Hopefully this is a lucky day for an alternate out there.

Maybe next year!

I need everyone who said they were coming to VERIFY with me that they are still coming! webmaster@pianoworld.com

If you have to drop out, please let me know that right away so we can give your slot to an alternate.

The tour is less than two weeks away, looking forward to seeing everyone!

And don't forget about the Cape Cod Piano Party the following day.

Hi, Frank. Sue & I will be there for the tour. Looking forward to it!

Howard

I sent out an email today to everyone who signed up for the Mason & Hamlin Piano Factory Tours.

It looks like we will have a few slots opened up, so if you were thinking of joining us, let me know a.s.a.p.! webmaster@pianoworld.com

Frank

Please remove Becket Senchur from the M&H tour list.

See you tomorrow.

Jerry

Hello
I am signed up to go on the tour. My personal day was just canceled. My principal said it didn't have anything to do with teaching music!!!!!11

Just wanted to say thanks to Frank, Kathy, and everyone over at Mason and Hamlin for the fantastic tour last week! It was a gorgeous fall day and the tour couldn't have been more perfect. We started on the ground floor of the old brick factory building, where they showed us how they laminate and bend the rims, and then worked our way up, one floor at a time, to the top of the building for the final finishing. I learned so much about piano construction, and was just fascinated by the equipment and the process. And if that weren't enough, afterwards they treated us to a delicious fried chicken lunch, which we ate while enjoying Frank's and others' piano playing on a gorgeous Mason and Hamlin concert grand. Just a wonderful day!

Laura