Mason & Hamlin

Colour: Walnut Sheen
Year: 1980

The Mason and Hamlin Model A is a large 188cm grand piano from one of America's most prestigious piano manufacturers, a brand with a heritage stretching back to 1854 and a reputation for building some of the finest grands ever made outside of Europe. Mason and Hamlin pianos are renowned for their rich, powerful tone, exceptional sustain, and a unique tension resonator system that helps the instrument maintain its regulation over time.

This 1980 example is presented in a warm walnut sheen cabinet, an elegant and unusual finish that makes this instrument as visually distinctive as it is musically impressive. At £6,995, this represents outstanding value for a large grand piano of this pedigree. This instrument has been assessed and prepared by our team at The Piano Gallery.

Available to view and play at our Oxfordshire showroom by appointment. Contact us to arrange a visit or to discuss part-exchange, finance, and delivery options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Mason and Hamlin, and what makes them special?

Mason and Hamlin is one of America's oldest and most prestigious piano manufacturers, founded in Boston in 1854. Their grand pianos are celebrated for a powerful, richly sustained tone and an innovative tension resonator system, a mechanical device unique to Mason and Hamlin that applies tension to the piano rim to maintain regulation and structural integrity over time. This system is one of the reasons Mason and Hamlin grands are particularly valued for their long-term tonal stability. They are considered among the finest American grands ever made.

How does a Mason and Hamlin compare to a Steinway at a similar size and price?

Both are large, prestigious American grands with heritage stretching back to the 19th century. The Steinway Model A at 188cm is one of the most celebrated instruments in the world, with a brilliant, projecting, singing tone. The Mason and Hamlin has a broader, richer, more powerful character with exceptional sustain and depth. Many pianists who know both brands consider Mason and Hamlin a serious alternative to Steinway at the highest level. Both are outstanding. We stock Steinway grands and are delighted to facilitate a comparison at our showroom.

How does a Mason and Hamlin compare to a Bluthner or Bosendorfer at this size?

A Bluthner has a warm, lyrical, harmonically complex European character. A Bosendorfer has a darker, more intimate Viennese tone. The Mason and Hamlin has a distinctly American character, powerful, rich, and sustained, that differs from the European makers in a way many pianists find deeply appealing. It is a genuinely different instrument and worth playing before any comparison is considered complete.

What is the tension resonator system on a Mason and Hamlin?

The tension resonator is a patented Mason and Hamlin device that applies mechanical tension around the piano's outer rim, helping to counteract the tendency of the wood to move over time with changes in humidity and temperature. The result is a more stable structure that maintains its regulation and tonal quality more consistently over decades. It is one of the engineering innovations that distinguishes Mason and Hamlin from all other piano makers.

How long will a 1980 Mason and Hamlin last?

A well-maintained Mason and Hamlin grand should give many more decades of outstanding performance. This 1980 instrument has already proven its durability over 45 years of service. With regular tuning, periodic regulation and voicing, and correct placement, it should continue to perform at a high level for a very long time to come.