Restored 1922 Mason & Hamlin A Grand Piano | King of Prussia, Philadelphia, PA

cunninghampian...
Since World War II, Cunningham Piano has specialized in the art of piano restoration. We have developed a world class reputation for working on very fine, but older instruments and giving them a new lease on life. When we are finished with a piano that was beautiful 100 years ago, many professionals and avid amateurs mistake them for new. Recently, a client from Texas called us asking about Yamaha TransAcoustic pianos after watching one of our videos. She explained that as a child, she had a beloved Mason and Hamlin Model A in her home and cherished its rich American sound. Unfortunately, life got in the way, and she was forced to abandon playing the piano during her college years. Now, as a successful professional, she wanted to return to her love of playing the piano and asked for our help in finding the perfect instrument. After hearing her story, we realized that her heart was really in finding a Mason and Hamlin built during their “Golden Age” period in the 1920’s. It so happened that we had just received a 1922 Mason and Hamlin Model A as a trade in. The piano was in pretty bad shape overall, but fortunately, a remarkable invention developed by famed piano designer Richard W. Gertz helped to preserve the most crucial part of the piano: Gertz’ Tension Resonator was a metal spiderweb contraption designed to preserve the rigidity of the piano frame and maintain the crown of the soundboard, which acts as the piano’s acoustic amplifier. After examining the soundboard, we realized that Gertz’s invention was still doing its job beautifully even after nearly 100 years. When I described this piano to the client, it sounded like we had found her dream piano.

[@chrisshotwell4442]

I love how Hugh sits there for 20 seconds after finishing the piece, just reveling in the experience of playing Claire de Lune on such a perfectly matched piano.

[@dttprice]

What a beautiful instrument. I would like to see and hear what it looked and sounded like before restoration began. You should consider doing “before and after” videos.

on his first concert tour of America Artur Rubinstein was given a Mason to play at one of his concerts. In his book he maintained that it was the most beautiful sounding piano that he ever played in his entire career. High praise indeed. I have a 1924 mason. It is a sound that you feel as though you can swim in. Rich, resonant, lush and also clear. A marvelous piano.

[@GonzoTheRosarian]

Exquisite piano with a heavenly voice!

[@CunninghamPiano]

Thank you Laura!

[@pelorios1999]

Beautiful sound. The bass strings are so good. Love it

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

absolutely superb tone!!!! (and beautifully played, I might add)

[@ALAPINO]

Those dampers are gorgeous. Never thought I'd say that, ever.

[@WazzuCougrrs]

I have a 1914 Mason A with its original soundboard and new Renner action, new hammers and strings. The action still needs more tweaking before it’s bang on for me but it’s getting there. The strings are very supple and vibrate well, especially the bass strings. My builder is a musician that loves the Mason A and has a particular string and hammer combo he prefers to avoid the dreaded Mason Bloat in the midbass. He came through. Strings are run in and holding tune, and the sound is very sweet, not bloaty, and exceptionally powerful when you smack the keys down there. It is a really happy piano and the sound just jumps off it. When we get the action fully dialed in it’ll be wonderful despite its fragile soundboard. We figured the soundboard would survive one more set of strings. When it finally goes, I’ll be too old to deal with it.

[@rqlk]

Beautiful piano, inside and out and it sounds just as beautiful as it looks. I have one from around the same time period that still sings, probably thanks to that tension resonator. Is there anywhere on the Mason & Hamlin website where I can look up my serial number?

[@robertstevenson1355]

Absolutely gorgeous - who ever ends up with it is SO lucky.

[@ronb6182]

New is not always better i would like to find an old well taken care of model A Mason Hamlin baby grand with ivory keys. 73

[@stampscapes]

Very nice

[@fulcherpj]

Beautiful piano I love these golden era Mason & Hamlin’s. Unfortunately for me the tuning is so poor in the treble, both intervals and unisons, this recording does not give a good impression of the instruments full potential.

[@user-xo4od5sp4j]

It sounds too old. The tone sounds somewhat hollow.

[@thehughesfamily3352]

First