[pianotech] Help with age of Mason & Hamlin 7'

[Cy Shuster]

Was it still a model BB in 1909 or so?  Is this a typical BB scale (8  
singles in the bass and 13 bichords)?

And does anyone have contact info for Paul?

Thanks...

--Cy--

Cy Shuster, RPT
Albuquerque, NM
www.shusterpiano.com

On Aug 29, 2009, at 7:57 AM, Jude Reveley (Absolute Piano) wrote:

> Hi Cy,
>
> You might try Paul Monachino. He has maintained possession of the  
> logbooks ever since he salvaged them in a heroic dumpster dive  
> during the plant closing at Rochester. He was unfortunately too late  
> to save the Chickering archives.
>
> I recently had along conversation with him about a Model C concert  
> grand of which only 8 to 12 were made (not a CC and not the C baby  
> grand made in the late forties/early fifties). He explained to me  
> that Masons were assigned serial numbers either at the end of the  
> year inventory, when the piano was sold, and/or when the piano left  
> the factory for a promo event, restoration etc. In other words, the  
> serial number references whatever was noted in the logbook rather  
> than the specifics on its manufacture. This is why Masons often have  
> multiple s/n's. It may be quite probable that your piano did indeed  
> go back to the factory for a new action. As for the model, is  
> nothing stamped at the back bass tail of the plate? Hope this helps  
> and good luck.
>
> Jude Reveley, RPT
> Absolute Piano Restoration, LLC
> www.absolute-piano.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Cy Shuster
> To: Pianotech
> Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2009 12:47 AM
> Subject: [pianotech] Help with age of Mason & Hamlin 7'
>
> I'd like help identifying a 7' Mason and Hamlin.  Full perimeter  
> plate, with no numbers or letters of any kind that I could find.   
> Four large holes in the bass side; several large holes in the  
> treble, one with an open crown type of decoration.  8 singles in the  
> bass and 13 bichords.  Two numbers stamped on the keyslip: 12330  
> (larger) and 11380 (smaller).  11380 also stamped into the  
> cheekblocks.  13444 written in pen on the keybed.  Action patented  
> 1921, and also shows a stamped 1921 date on end of action rail.   
> Poorly rebuilt at least once (different action?).
>
> Is this a BB?  12330 would be 1901, but action is definitely later;  
> all the other numbers appear to be earlier.  I forgot to look for  
> the spider; maybe this is an M&H on fallboard only?
>
> Thanks for the help...
>
> --Cy--
>
> Cy Shuster, RPT
> Albuquerque, NM
> www.shusterpiano.com
>
>

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