Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum I discovered this Vintage 1906 Mason Hamlin Model A

What do you think of it? Has been restrung, and trying to ascertain other work done.. re hammers. (keyboard is new) I really enjoyed playing it today in an acoustically vibrant space. (Pedal is a bit squeaky, and needs some regulation)
https://youtu.be/HveMcnPnV94

But that is not my post. I just made the video, no compensation now or in the future. I am trying to assist the seller, relative of the deceased owner, to place this piano in a good home. I think it is reasonably priced. Seller put in my links without my asking frankly..I guess he was very pleased that as an out of towner, he could get some help. Relatives came in from the State of Washington. Piano is located in the Berkeley Hills..

I could absolutely be critical of this piano, but how much is audio coming through the tiny mic. of a phone? For only 10k, one can afford to deal with the issues I hear, and perhaps have money to spare.

(I assume Shirley, when you said "rehammered" that it is a new action?)

PS - I enjoy your videos.

The test you did for "sustain" is completely wrong. One should play individual notes starting at around the G above middle C for about two more octaves and without pedal. One should not listen for how long it takes the note to completely die out but instead listen for the useful part of the sustain. If the sound drops off very quickly but is still audible that is not good sustain.

Like Rich, I always enjoy your music videos! Love your playing! Also, I like the knee-pads.

Oh yea, the piano sounded nice too. Not much clarity in the last octave, but most pianos suffer there as well.

All the best!

Rick

Hmm...Those sure look like Henry Miller legs.

Hi Rich, A well respected Tech is checking on it today, and I will report back.

Thanks for your kind feedback.. This was also a very acoustically bright environment... aggrandized actually, and I think the old iPhone failed to represent what I heard as I played the instrument.

Funny, that years ago I played a grand piano whose antique legs were stolen from another vintage piano.. maybe it's not such an uncommon practice.

True.. A tech is looking at it today.. and he will do the right sustain test..

I feel those are Mason legs, Craig. We have rebuilt more than one with this exact style.

Out of curiosity, did the leg styles vary during this era? I have a 1903 BB with ice cream cone legs and curious if they are probably original

There's are scans of historical catalogs here:

https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/mason-hamlin/

Interesting that the ice cream cone legs were only available on the AA (?) - possibly this Model A had the legs taken from an AA (?)

Wish I'd seen this one before buying my 1928 model A about 4 months ago. I would have given it a shot - it's just up the road from me.

-Dore

Did the tech ever take a look at this piano?

One detail that would be helpful to a potential buyer to know is whether or not this piano has the famous Mason & Hamlin tension resonator. You would be able to see it clearly underneath the soundboard under the piano. It is heavy cast metal. M&H had a patent on it back in the day, and older pianos with the tension resonator are much more likely to retain the crown in their soundboard, and thus maintain good tone in the upper range of the instrument.