Mason and Hamlin CC

The Mason and Hamlin CC is probably one of the rarest concert grands in the world, and I found a brand new one at Kim's Pianos in Stanton, California.

[@docilelemur2581]

We need to see more Mason Hamlin in concert halls.

[@rudy92036]

I bought my Mason & Hamlin 5ft 8in piano back in 1997. I bought it on consignment used and it was 5 years old. Is the best one I've ever heard. The Steinway pianos of the same size cannot compare. If I'm not mistaking the price of it was $19,500. It rivals a Steinway 7 Foot B.

[@heaven8d588]

This is my favorite piano. Not very popular in the world of music but simply the best in my opinion.

[@GrotrianSeiler]

These might be some of the MOST underrated pianos. Glad you heard what these pianos have to offer. AWESOME piano. Anyone who has one/buys one is very fortunate. So special. Wow.

[@kellyphx]

I inherited my grandmother's 5'8" Bosendorfer. A cousin took her Steinway K52 upright (great fun for Ragtime!). But her 7' Mason and Hamlin (went to a different cousin) was by far her favorite piano. She swore by M&H pianos, and she'd played enough various brands to know her pianos. Great vid, thanks!

[@ThePianoforever]

Do you know the year of your Bosendorfer.

[@kellyphx]

@@ThePianoforever The Bosendorfer was made in 1895. The Steinway is 1907. I forget the exact year of the M&H but it was 1920s.

[@ThePianoforever]

Sounds like your grandmother had a cool collection.

[@PeterGregg]

Thumbs up James!! I so much like the M&H pianos just cause they are different from the Stein, but the low end of the CC is so darn rich. I love hearing from you, thanks for uploading this video. I hope you have an awesome Thanksgiving wherever you are :)

[@gbantock]

Um-m, you are right. That is just about as fine a sound as any piano can produce! Wonderful, indeed. The bass is not only powerful and sustaining, but also somehow has a cantabile singing quality to it that is unusual and quite lovely to hear.

[@bernardofitzpatrick5403]

Things that make you stronger - Yeah! Really enjoyed this - thanks bro.

[@Putain138]

I love Chopin and you played it beautifully.

[@dongerundo166]

James, I enjoyed your video of this wonderful Mason Hamlin CC. I must admit I am partial to Mason's especially since I have a Model BB as well as a Model A. I have seen quite a few of your videos and have not seen so much joy and happy emotion from you in your other videos and it is clear that you 'love' this piano. I believe someone else asked "Why haven't a Mason & Hamlin piano followed you home to your studio?". This instrument sounds amazing. On another note, a friend of mine had her 1860 Steinway C's action replaced with a Wesson Nickel & Gross Action. It is so smooth and silky!!!

[@davidfoster-smith211]

Both pieces sound superb 🌝

[@guillermohinojosa262]

Wow excellent James

[@TheMikester307]

Love the song! (No wonder all these piano stores let you do your videos!)

[@aliefarchaeology7907]

Beautiful. Chad

[@benjaminsmith2287]

Thanks. I agree, rich bass, treble should be toned down some. Interesting alto tone as well.

[@organblower]

You didn't mention the wide tail or the 9' 4" length. It's nice to see it in a polished finish rather than the less shiny satin finish. Interestingly, you have always had good things to say about M & H, yet you bought a Steinway for your studio. What is the price tag on a new CC? I don't even play piano but would love to have one when I win the lottery. Your fantaisie-impromtu sounded great on this monster!

[@troylabrie]

You can always learn to play. Both my pare ts learned as adults and we kids grew up immersed in music. You can buy a good grand (not superb) for no more than a used car. Go for it!

[@nicogibra]

It seems that mason and hamlin is and step above the rest, amazing pianos

[@ejshelby5460]

as for "big American sound", how would you compare MH with an old Baldwin? and how's the bass vs. a Yamaha C, or concert grand? the big Yamaha concert grand bass really really impressed me.

[@Beyondabsence]

Comparable to a nice Steinway! How much, on average , is this piano worth? Thank you again and again.

[@garyblack570]

HI, lovd these M and H pianos. Lacquered hammers? What is that? I have never heard of that before?

[@ThePianoforever]

I love Mason and Hamlin, too! Some manufacturers and technicians will apply a form of lacquer to the hammers to make them brighter, this process is known as lacquering. Sometimes this is done to make a piano more powerful for use on stage, and sometimes it's done to hide or enhance a piano with a weak treble area that has poor sustain. The disadvantage to this is that it often produces a cold sound, especially in the treble, which is often cold sounding anyway. This can lead to a metallic, frail sound, which I find undesirable. Some Mason and Hamlins I run across have a touch of lacquer in the treble, and often it feels unnecessary, because the sustain was already good. While lacquering the hammers has its place, I feel that M&H sometimes does it when it's not entirely needed, and when that happens, you end up with an otherwise great piano that has an overly bright sounding treble. Sorry for the novel, but I hope this answered your question!

[@rikspector]

That is one awesome piano, what is your personal model and is it really better sounding than M&H? It seems that this pianos power lets you play beautifully without having to work as hard. How many concert pieces do you currently have in your repertoire ? Save some Turkey leftovers for me:}

[@FreeburgPianosHendersonville]

Enjoyed this! Come by Asheville and play our new CC-94 too!!

[@ThePianoforever]

I just might do that!

[@wawacool9147]

Same Quality like Steinwey/bosendor?

[@pianist4jk]

Without question, YES! The Mason CC piano may be the best on the planet. It needs to be heard.

[@frankstrnad7562]

Are you going to trade in your model D for this CC-94? M&H (and Baldwin) is the legitimate historic competitor to Steinway. You should research this, for your own interest and knowledge.

[@ThePianoforever]

No, I really love my Model D, it's fantastic. But I do like this one too.

[@SarumChoirmaster]

Rachmaninov?

[@theUrbanJoe]

A shame this one is voiced very dark like a Kawai. It needs a lot more work to bring out its full potential.