1965 Vintage Mason and Hamlin A

[Frank Weston]

A M&H A of this vintage in excellent condition would fairly bring about
$6000 to $8000 retail in my area.  $17,000 in 1997?  Someone had a good
sales day!

As far as making it sound like a good vintage M&H, it's possible, but after
listening to more than a few of the 60's pianos that have had lots of good
work on them, I would say the odds are against it.

Frank Weston

-----Original Message-----
From: Patrick C. Poulson <ppoulson@jps.net>
To: piano tech <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: Thursday, February 03, 2000 1:01 AM
Subject: 1965 Vintage Mason and Hamlin A


>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
>