Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Late model Mason BB owners/lovers: Is this piano loud?!?

Thanks - that's what I was trying to demonstrate by posting the recordings in the first place.

Thanks Chopinlover49 !! If Dave felt the rhythm and transitions in the Brahms and Chopin recordings were choppy, so be it. I'm an amateur after all. And yes, I chose these recordings because the piano does sound different in each. Of course, the placement of the mic, the recording level, position of the piano lid, etc. varied - but all recordings were made with the same equipment.

Dave implies that the loudness of an instrument is more the function of the pianist than the instrument itself. I can assure you that I've played my fair share of concert grands in my life - but my own 2003 M&H is the only piano I've played where I felt compelled to rely heavily on the una corda pedal just to keep things under control. In fact, when I practice I prefer to keep the piano lid fully closed.

I do agree with Dave that my Brahms recording is "overplayed." I remember having trouble achieving the dynamic contrasts I wanted (with the lid fully raised) so I decided to go with the flow, give in to the power of the beast and bask in the glory of the sound.

For several years I found the touch of my Mason to be quite heavy. (Even started a thread about it on PW.) As a result, I had to work harder than usual to play certain pieces. Recently, I had my tech re-weight the keys and make other adjustments to lighten the touch (a long, complicated process). As a result the touch is now within a normal range - and guess what - I'm able to do more with color and dynamics. I hope that will be reflected in my next round of home recordings.

I know of a local piano teacher who has a M&H BB and a 7 foot Schimmel in his studio. I'm told that he prefers to keep the lid of the M&H fully closed much of the time because the Mason overpowers the sound of the Schimmel.

An acquaintance of mine sold new Masons. In conversations he admitted that the primary challenge with the BB is its overall loudness.

So yes - the Mason & Hamlin BB is a powerful instrument - but it definitely can be tamed !!

And my piano is in our living room, which although carpeted, is 20'x 28' and has a 20' cathedral ceiling. The sound really carries.

I know you're going to love your new BB !!!

It's difficult to judge piano tone from a youtube video, but from what I hear, I would have to say yes - it does sound unbalanced between bass and treble. The bass is big, rich, complex while the treble is thin and transparent. It's not bad - it's just different and I don't like the contrast from top to bottom. Some folks do and they will get years of enjoyment from their Mason's. The more I played on the BB that was first on my shortlist, the more annoyed I got with the contrast, so I moved on. But from what I hear on these recordings, the sound is similar to the experience I've had with Masons. I understand the appeal for some, but not for me - that's why we have different brands of pianos to choose from!

Vive la difference !!!!!

Almost no one likes a treble that's "thin"(that term is almost always used negatively). Many and perhaps most people, including me, wouldn't agree with your description of the BB's tone which your post somehow takes as a given. On my BB I don't have a problem with the balance between the bass and treble.

I would suggest that you try a Mason-Hamlin AA to see the difference. I have heard that it is better balanced than some other models of Masons, so maybe that's what you're looking for? I tried one when shopping for a piano and it was very fine, but ultimately I chose a BB.