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I recently began researching the history of some of the “old families” of piano making in America. Imagine my delight when, a few days ago, I came across 2 videos on YouTube which shared much of the story for Mason & Hamlin. Kudos to Pianojanna for posting these videos.
The Mason & Hamlin Story – Part 1
In 1854, Henry Mason, a businessman and musician, and Emmons Hamlin, the inventor of the reed organ, began business making various types of organs. They made their first pianos in 1881, quality instruments from the first . In 1895, the company acquired the services of German piano designer Richard Gertz who initiated such upgrades as improvements in scale designs and a patented tension resonator which helps hold the crown on the soundboard. By the turn of the century, the Mason & Hamlin was considered among the finest pianos of its day. (I have had the pleasure of working on, and playing, a few samples of the Mason & Hamlin from that period. Even the ones which had not been restored, and even a few that showed definite signs of neglect, still clearly demonstrated the quality that had been built into them so long ago.)
The Mason & Hamlin Story – Part 2
In the early 1930s, at least in part due to the devastating effects of the Great Depression, Mason & Hamlin merged with other piano makers to become part of the Aeolian American Corporation. Other than during World War II, when most piano factories were re-directed to the manufacture of gliders and other products necessary to the war effort. After the war, piano production resumed (although not up to classic Mason & Hamlin standards – a technician who mentored me for a time when I was first starting out said that if you bought an Aeolian piano the name on the fallboard didn’t matter, it was still just an Aeolian) and continued until 1985 when Aeolian went under, at which time Mason & Hamlin was acquired by Sohmer Company, which was later acquired by Falcone Piano Company. In 1995, Mason & Hamlin Companies (a conglomerate consisting of Mason, Knabe, Falcone, and Sohmer) filed for bankruptcy and was bought out by Kirk and Gary Burgett, the owners of PianoDisc.
I have not had the opportunity to personally play one of the new Mason & Hamlins, but if the company has succeeded, as they claim, in re-creating the classic designs and workmanship with the efficiencies of modern manufacturing, then they could not help but put out a magnificent piano. If you have any experience with these instruments I invite you to leave a comment and tell about it. Also, watch for our next post when we will have a video on the making of the Mason & Hamlin.
References:
Williams, John-Paul. The Piano: An Inspirational Guide to the Piano and Its Place in History
Mason & Hamlin-History. http://www.masonhamlin.com/history/
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