Greetings all you Techie Types! I have a question regarding a piano I was
called out to evaluate today. It belongs to a woman who bought it in 1997
from a piano warehouse in the S.F. area. It is a Mason and Hamlin A (5"8")
grand, which puts it in the Aeolian period. She paid $17,000 back then.
Here is what I found:
Satin ebony finish, very good shape but some small imperfections
Restrung @ 1985? - a good job but with 5/0 pins
New hammers and shanks (unknown make, but possibly Encores from Brooks),
new keybed felt, new key bushings in 1997. Regulated well - work done by
Piano Finders of Walnut Creek.
Not what I think of as having the usual Mason and Hamlin tone. It was
more like a bright
Steinway sound.
Centripetal resonator in place (what a term!), soundboard and bridges
very good.
This is definitely the best piano I have ever seen that was associated
with the Aeolian name,
but because of that association I was immediately skeptical of it being a
"real" Mason and Hamlin, and of its market value. Anyone have any
experience with this vintage of M&H pianos care to comment on its value, and
also whether voicing might bring out more richness in the tone? Thanks,
Patrick Poulson, RPT
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