MASON & HAMLIN, our piano of choice
A thing of rare beauty. Uncompromising in their selection of only the finest materials. With fewer than 200 pianos produced each year, a Mason & Hamlin piano is the instrument for those who don't like to compromise and who desire something unique.As a 1920's advertisement states, "Is 'having the best' a way of life with you? Then of course the piano in your home will be a Mason & Hamlin."
Since their founding in 1854, Mason & Hamlin have been a boutique producer of pianos that are counted amongst the finest in the world. During the golden age of the piano, artists with names like Ravel, Rachmaninov and Melba all owned and endorsed the Mason piano. Today, the company remains true to its values; embracing the richest handcrafting traditions of their past, while embracing the possibilities of new materials and technologies in ways few other manufacturers have. Five sizes of grand piano are produced from a 5ft 4in parlor grand, through to our 9ft concert piano. Additionally, one professional level upright piano is produced. And with less than 200 pianos built each year, each instrument receives personal attention that cannot be found elsewhere.
Mason rims were and continue to be the best in the world. There is absolutely no question about that in my mind. The quality of materials, (hard rock cured maple, the bending process, advanced adhesives, etc.) make the infrastructure of their piano best in class.
George Kolasis, Master Piano Technician
From a technical standpoint, there are several unique features to these instruments that make them ideal for the rugged institution environment:
– The patented ‘Crown Retention system’ that was part of the original Mason & Hamlin design and remains unique. A heavy steel brace underneath the piano, attached to the frame at each side brings extraordinary strength to the structure and helps keep the soundboard at its optimal position, with maximum speaking over an extended life. There are also benefits in tuning stability due to less flex in the foundations.
– The ruggedness of materials: the entire rim is built with North American maple and is the widest in the world, almost twice as thick as some competitors. This has a significant impact on resonance and power. Additionally, all timbers are quarter sawn and are all of premium grade.
– Finest quality strings and hammers for maximum tonal depth, power, sustain and dynamic range.
– And most importantly; the unique Wessel, Nickel and Gross composite action. Replacing the inferior but traditional wooden design, all Mason & Hamlin pianos come with a class leading composite action, made from nylon, glass and carbon fibre. It is extremely strong, durable, light and fast and once regulated is not subject to any movement based on humidity or temperature. The action gives the discerning pianist an unrivalled tonal palette and amount of control, consistently and for year after year after year.
A HISTORY OF INSTITUTION SUCCESS
In their home market, a long line of the most prestigious arts companies, conservatoriums and cathedrals demand the Mason & Hamlin piano. A more complete listing can be found at masonhamlin.com but includes:
These magnificent pianos have only been available nationally in Australia for the past three years and we have been working hard in that time to display them extensively with professional companies and under the hands of the finest pianists. An extensive array of producers, performers and top organisations have now been exposed to our piano with fantastic feedback. In addition to our own concert series on the Gold Coast, our pianos have been featured by:
Since their founding in 1854, Mason & Hamlin have been a boutique producer of pianos that are counted amongst the finest in the world. During the golden age of the piano, artists with names like Ravel, Rachmaninov and Melba all owned and endorsed the Mason piano. Today, the company remains true to its values; embracing the richest handcrafting traditions of their past, while embracing the possibilities of new materials and technologies in ways few other manufacturers have. Five sizes of grand piano are produced from a 5ft 4in parlor grand, through to our 9ft concert piano. Additionally, one professional level upright piano is produced. And with less than 200 pianos built each year, each instrument receives personal attention that cannot be found elsewhere.
Mason rims were and continue to be the best in the world. There is absolutely no question about that in my mind. The quality of materials, (hard rock cured maple, the bending process, advanced adhesives, etc.) make the infrastructure of their piano best in class.
George Kolasis, Master Piano Technician
From a technical standpoint, there are several unique features to these instruments that make them ideal for the rugged institution environment:
– The patented ‘Crown Retention system’ that was part of the original Mason & Hamlin design and remains unique. A heavy steel brace underneath the piano, attached to the frame at each side brings extraordinary strength to the structure and helps keep the soundboard at its optimal position, with maximum speaking over an extended life. There are also benefits in tuning stability due to less flex in the foundations.
– The ruggedness of materials: the entire rim is built with North American maple and is the widest in the world, almost twice as thick as some competitors. This has a significant impact on resonance and power. Additionally, all timbers are quarter sawn and are all of premium grade.
– Finest quality strings and hammers for maximum tonal depth, power, sustain and dynamic range.
– And most importantly; the unique Wessel, Nickel and Gross composite action. Replacing the inferior but traditional wooden design, all Mason & Hamlin pianos come with a class leading composite action, made from nylon, glass and carbon fibre. It is extremely strong, durable, light and fast and once regulated is not subject to any movement based on humidity or temperature. The action gives the discerning pianist an unrivalled tonal palette and amount of control, consistently and for year after year after year.
A HISTORY OF INSTITUTION SUCCESS
In their home market, a long line of the most prestigious arts companies, conservatoriums and cathedrals demand the Mason & Hamlin piano. A more complete listing can be found at masonhamlin.com but includes:
- University of Alaska (Fairbanks, AK)
- Mayo Clinic (Scottsdale, AZ)
- University of California Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)
- Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley, CA)
- Sage & Sound Recording (Hollywood, CA)
- Brian Culbertson Studio (Los Angeles, CA)
- CA State University Sacramento (Sacramento,CA)
- KOVR 13 TV (Sacramento, CA)
- Yale University (New Haven, CT)
- University of Hartford (West Hartford, CT)
- Blair House (Washington, D.C.)
- Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C.)
- Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL)
- Indiana University (Bloomington,IN)
- Kansas State University (Manhattan,KS)
- Wichita State University (Wichita,KS)
- Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)
- Jose Mateo Ballet Theater (Cambridge, MA)
- Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, MA)
- Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA)
- Boston Conservatory (Boston. MA)
- Princeton University Graduate School (Princeton, NJ)
- Marble Church (New York,NY)
- Lincoln Center (New York, NY)
- Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA)
- Texas Christian University (Ft. Worth, TX)
- Granbury Opera House (Granbury, TX)
- Westminister College (Salt Lake City, UT)
- North Carolina State University
These magnificent pianos have only been available nationally in Australia for the past three years and we have been working hard in that time to display them extensively with professional companies and under the hands of the finest pianists. An extensive array of producers, performers and top organisations have now been exposed to our piano with fantastic feedback. In addition to our own concert series on the Gold Coast, our pianos have been featured by:
- 4MBS Festival of Classics
- Sanguine Estate Music Festival
- ABC Classic FM
- Medici International Piano Series
- ASKM Piano Competition
- Australian Chamber Orchestra
- State Library of Queensland
- The Arts Centre Gold Coast
- Australian National Academy of Music
- Ensemble Liaison
- Master Performers Studio
- Queensland Symphony Orchestra
- Southern Cross Soloists
- St Andrews Church South Brisbane
- MEMO Music Hall Melbourne
