Description
Although Steinway is known far and wide as the most popular brand name in pianos, Mason & Hamlin is considered by many professional musicians to be the finest pianos ever made.
Throughout American piano history, Mason & Hamlin has been considered just about the finest piano ever built. During the late 19th and early 20th Century, Mason & Hamlin was Steinway’s most aggressive competitor, and today original Mason & Hamlin are highly sought-after by serious professional musicians.
This piano was built in 1896 and is a rare example of Mason & Hamlin’s patented “screw-stringing” design, a design that proved to be superior to the traditional pin-block for amazing tuning stability. These pianos were designed so that they would never go out of tune! Although these “screw-stringer” pianos are now obsolete, they will give long-term durability and superior tuning stability if properly restored. These “screw-stringer” pianos have the potential to hold perfect tune for years rather than months like the traditional grand piano pin-block, but it was deemed “ahead of its time” and too much of a radical change from traditional design in its day. Although the “screw-stringer” design is one of the amazing advances that gave Mason & Hamlin much of its early success, the design was discontinued shortly after the turn of the 20th Century by the firm.
This piano is a rare example of an original Model “AA” by Mason & Hamlin. The "Model AA” was larger than their style “A”, but smaller than the style “BB” concert grand. Popular in professional studios and conservatories, Mason & Hamlin grand pianos far and wide considered just about the most perfect piano ever made!
If desired, this piano can be equipped with the Pianomation player system which will allow the instrument play by itself by streaming music live on an iPod, computer, iPad, etc. Thousands of song titles are available.