Vintage Restored Mason & Hamlin Pianos

MASON & HAMLIN PIANOS | HISTORIC CRAFTSMANSHIP

The unique history of the Mason & Hamlin company is a story worth telling. The company has endured decades of changing tastes and culture to emerge as one of America’s last remaining quality piano manufacturers. Henry Mason was a pianist and came from a rich musical background. His family descended from pilgrims who crossed over on the Mayflower. His father, Lowell Mason, was dubbed the “father of American church music” and was known throughout the world as a composer and hymn publisher.

Emmons Hamlin, on the other hand, was a gifted inventor and mechanic who developed a method of voicing organ reeds to imitate the sound of other musical instruments such as the violin and clarinet. After further developing his discovery, he teamed up with Mason to form their company producing musical instruments, starting with their new instrument known as the “organ harmonium.”

19th Century Promotional Card

The Mason & Hamlin company was born in 1854, one year after the founding of another American music icon, Steinway & Sons. Their small company benefited from their attention to detail and limited production. They slowly began to build a reputation for quality and high standards. Hamlin and Mason continued to develop their discoveries. Like other piano makers, they competed and won with demonstrations of their products in competitions such as the Paris Exhibition.

It was not until 1881 that they began developing their pianos using a slow, meticulous process, fine materials, and keen attention to detail. Knowing that they required assistance as they entered the cutthroat piano industry, they hired some of the best designers they could locate to assist them. In 1895 the piano division was reorganized by German piano designer Richard W. Gertz. He was the inventor who developed the famous Tension Resonator and later rose to become the President of the company.

“The Costliest Piano In The World” | Past Company Slogan

Tension Resonator | Model AA

The Tension Resonator is a large metal spider that links with an uncommonly thick hard rock maple rim and other features to create a soundboard Crown Retention System. This Crown Retention System involves a slightly bowed soundboard that increases energy transfer from the strings to the soundboard, creating a rich and powerful tone. Most pianos’ soundboards tend to wear down and fall flat over time, but the metal Tension Resonator system helps to prevent that problem. This allows the sound to remain strong for the life of the piano. This also adds additional structural integrity to an already incredibly strong cabinet design. It is common to see century-old Mason & Hamlin instruments in pristine structural condition.

Mason & Hamlin Grand Pianos are known for being ‘overbuilt.’ This results not only in exceptional structural strength but also in a full, rich tone that has made them preferred by numerous pianists. Ranging from the smaller 5’4″ Model B to the imposing 9’4″ Model CC, Mason & Hamlin Pianos continue in popularity in both personal and institutional use.