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I would like to ask for some opinions of a Mason & Hamlin I found for sale...

Model BB
Age 50 years
Condition They say excellent

This piano was bought new 50 years ago by a lady who used it to teach private lessons on. Always been in her home and according to their info has been very meticulously maintained.
They don't say what has been done to it over the years. I have not seen it yet as it is in another state.

I would like your opinions of Mason & Hamlin in general
And, then your opinions on this particular model

They are asking $18,000
And, lastly what you think about the price

Any feedback is greatly appreciated...

One of my favorite pianos! I think the BB is one of the best pianos ever made and I prefer it over a Steinway. There just simply amazing. Designed by Richard Gertz. Have a technician inspect it, whatever is wrong with it ( if any, or any lack of servicing) negotiate that off the price. Compare prices to get a feel for their current market value.

Here is a link to a history of the company
http://antiquepianoemporium.com/mason-hamlin/

Check out larry fines piano book on line for further info on current value.

A Mason & Hamlin BB is a wonderful instrument. Get a great technician to evaluate it. If it has been well maintained that is quite a find!

(Edit: I apologize for posting in the tech forum, I thought it was in the piano forum)

I love a good BB, but If it's 50 years old, was used as a teaching instrument, and completely original, I'd never pay $18,000 for it. To be honest, I don't have a lot of experience with 1960's model BB's, mostly the shorter A. I would request a list of what's been done to the piano over the years, and a phone call to the technician who regularly serviced the piano would probably be a good idea, to see if the story pans out…

I don't know what the tax laws were like decades ago, but as a working pianist/teacher I keep every receipt for every service or part purchased for my piano, so it would be very easy for a prospective buyer to see how I have cared for my instrument.

In addition to initial quality, maintenance, use, and repair history, the piano's environment plays a large role when it comes to longevity of major systems and performance as the decades go by. For example, pianos in the upper midwest don't tend to perform well after 50 years of existence because of extreme changes in temperature and humidity through the seasons. Other parts of the country - not as big of a problem.

Hunt,
50 years ago...1964...not Mason's apex; quality control issues of the time mean that you should be certain to have it checked. $18,000 is a pretty strong price for a 50 year old piano, all original. If it checks out solid, though, and is a real BB and does that BB thing, then these good BBs are rare enough that you can consider any over investment as money spent treating youself right.

Be well,
Craig

Thank you guys for your input.

All info is greatly appreciated.

I have gotten some great feedback on this site over years when I have been shopping for a new instrument.

Thanks again...

The Aeolian M&H's are not the easiest to tune with the steep counter bearing angle and felt drag. I'd have a tech check it out first.

From a similar but varied perspective I own and recently rebuilt a 1960 7' Baldwin F grand that was a practice room instrument of a major university. Yep I did just about as much as one could do, shy of a new soundboard and pinblock. For its age and use it still has quite a bit of life left in it. Some high spots on the board but nothing cracked, and reasonable down bearing. Still has that marvelous rich Baldwin tone and a nice alternative to the smaller Samick product in the same room. But I will confess that I paid under $4K for it.

The BB can be a great instrument, but as others have stated, the execution on the 1960's Masons were not the best. They are not stellar examples of the instrument.

Have it checked out by a technician and expect to put some $$ into the piano.

My 2 cents,