#MASON HAMLIN CC SERIES#

The tension resonator (illustrated in The Piano Book), invented by Richard Gertz in 1900, consists of a series of turnbuckles that connect to specific points on the inner rim. Internal parts for the verticals are made in Haverhill, then assembled in the companyвЂ™s Sacramento factory, where it also installs PianoDisc systems.ДЄll Mason & Hamlin grands have certain features in common, including a wide-tail design a full-perimeter plate an extremely thick and heavy maple rim a solid spruce soundboard a seven-ply, quartersawn maple pinblock and the patented tension-resonator Crown Retention System. The 50вЂі model 50 vertical piano has also been reintroduced and redesigned, with longer keys for a more grand-like touch, and improved pedal leverage. The development of these three models was an especially interesting and costly project: in the process, the engineering staff resurrected the original design of each model, constructed new rim presses, standardized certain features, refined manufacturing processes, and modernized jigs, fixtures, templates, and machinery, improvements that afterward were applied to the companyвЂ™s other models. Then, in fairly rapid succession, came the 6вЂІ 4вЂі model AA, the 9вЂІ 4вЂі model CC concert grand, and the 5вЂІ 4вЂі model B. First came the 5вЂІ 8вЂі model A and 7вЂІ model BB, both of which had been manufactured by the previous owner. Refinements have been made to the original scale designs and other core design features. Since acquiring the company, the Burgetts have brought back most of the piano models from the companyвЂ™s golden Boston era (1881вЂ“1932) that originally made the company famous. The company emphasizes limited-quantity, handbuilt production, and currently manufactures from 200 to 350 pianos per year. (You can read the somewhat lengthy and interesting history in The Piano Book.) In 1996 the Burgett brothers, owners of PianoDisc, purchased Mason & Hamlin out of bankruptcy and set about reestablishing manufacturing at the six-story factory in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

Over the next 85 years, Mason & Hamlin changed hands many times. By 1910, Mason & Hamlin was considered SteinwayвЂ™s chief competitor. The company began making pianos in 1881 in Boston, and soon became among the most prestigious of the Boston piano makers.

Within a few years, Mason & Hamlin was one of the largest makers of reed organs in the U.S. Mason was a musician and businessman and Hamlin was an inventor working with reed organs. Mason & Hamlin was founded in 1854 by Henry Mason and Emmons Hamlin. In China, the U.S.-made piano is branded вЂњHenry MasonвЂќ. Note: The Mason & Hamlin trademark in China is owned by a different company, and that brand name is applied to a piano that has no relationship to the U.S.-made instrument or company. Pianos made by: Mason & Hamlin Piano Co., Haverhill, Massachusetts

Mason hamlin cc