Mason and Hamlin Pianos

Michelle’s Piano is the official piano dealership for Mason and Hamlin in Portland, OR. We offer a large selection of new and pre-owned/used Mason and Hamlin Pianos in Oregon. Our showroom features many new, used and pre-owned Mason & Hamlin pianos that are at the best prices available. Since 1854, Mason and Hamlin pianos have set an uncompromising standard for sound, touch, beauty, and investment value.

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Your New or Pre-Owned / Used Mason and Hamlin Piano 503-295-1180

History of Mason and Hamlin

Mason & Hamlin pianos have been at the top of class in piano quality since the beginning of the 20th century. Since the beginning of the 20th century, also known as the Golden Age of the Piano, Mason and Hamlin pianos were played by the world most famous and notorious concert artists because of their superior quality and sound. Mason and Hamlin has since had many world class virtuoso pianists perform and practice on their pianos since they began production in 1854. Their original design and innovative piano masterpieces have earned them international acclaim and recognition. Mason & Hamlin pianos are built by hand in their factory in Haverhill, Massachusetts. This Mason and Hamlin piano factory only creates 300 pianos per year, making each and every piano they make to be a truly rare and one-of-a-kind piano.

Where are Mason and Hamlin pianos made?

All Mason and Hamlin pianos are handmade in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Beginning in 1854, Mason & Hamlin began when two brilliant idealists sought to accomplish making the world’s finest musical instrument. A mechanic and a pianist, Emmons Hamlin and Henry Mason committed to create an uncompromising instrument using only the finest materials and innovative techniques. Due to their dedication to quality, it was not long before Mason & Hamlin established a worldwide reputation for excellence that has lasted generations.

Mason and Hamlin’s Wessell, Nickel & Gross actions

At Michelle’s Piano in Portland, we are proud to feature Mason & Hamlin pianos, known for their unmatched craftsmanship, innovation, and rich American heritage. Since the Golden Era of piano making, Mason & Hamlin has been recognized for its powerful sound and responsive touch, thanks to the advanced Wessell, Nickel and Gross piano action.Revived in 2005, this groundbreaking action uses modern composite materials to create a more consistent, sensitive, and durable playing experience. With over two thousand precision parts, the action translates every touch of the pianist into expressive sound, allowing complete control of tone and dynamics.

Built to perform in any season, Mason & Hamlin’s composite materials resist moisture and maintain perfect stability through Portland’s changing climate. This design greatly reduces maintenance and keeps the piano performing beautifully year after year.

Each Mason & Hamlin piano offers a silky smooth touch, exceptional consistency, and the ability to personalize the feel to each player’s preference. Every detail is crafted to deliver the highest level of performance, strength, and musical expression.

Visit Michelle’s Piano in Portland, Oregon to experience the remarkable sound and craftsmanship of Mason & Hamlin pianos.

Mason and Hamlin Grand Pianos

Mason and Hamlin create these grand pianos using only the finest materials and time-honored methods to produce the World’s Finest Piano.

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Mason and Hamlin Upright Pianos

Handcrafted in the same factory and to the same standards as Mason and Hamlin’s grand pianos, Mason and Hamlin upright pianos are truly magnificent. The rich sound and expert craftsmanship shine.

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Crafting A Mason and Hamlin Piano’s Sound

“What is the most important part of the piano that contributes to its sound?”

Bruce Clark, the Lead Piano Engineer at Mason and Hamlin was asked this question.
His answer was simple, comedic, and incredibly truthful:

“Everything”

We at Michelle’s Piano in Portland, OR want to share how Mason and Hamlin obsess over every detail of their pianos to create the warm, soulful voice pianists have quietly sought for generations. A piano is a living instrument with its own distinct character, and crafting one by hand takes nearly a year. It’s the rare blend of artistry, science, premium woods, and innovative composites that makes the whole far greater than the sum of its parts.

The Blueprint

It all begins with the blueprint — or, in piano terms, the scale design. Modern Mason & Hamlin pianos trace their lineage to the brilliance of Richard W. Gertz, our master piano designer in the early 1900s. His magnum opus, the BB-1 introduced in 1917, remains our enduring muse as we refine, evolve, and reimagine each piano we build.

Laying the Foundation

Every enduring work of art begins with a solid foundation. In a piano, that foundation is the rim. It must be strong, rigid, and dense, providing both structural integrity and the ability to shape the instrument’s voice. Mason & Hamlin rims are the thickest in the industry, crafted from premium flatsawn hard rock maple to ensure exceptional strength, stability, and resonance.

The Heart

Resting atop the rim is the true heart of the piano: the soundboard. Meticulously dried, shaped, and crowned from resonant softwood, it functions much like a speaker, moving in response to every string vibration to project a clear, singing voice. Ours is crafted from Eastern White Spruce, carefully crowned and fitted onto a rim that mirrors its exact shape, creating a seamless union and an instrument that breathes with life.

Full Perimeter Plate

“The plate, responsible for holding the immense tension of the piano strings, serves as a rigid structural framework that forms the foundation of the instrument’s sound. When securely joined to the rim, it not only supports the strings but also plays a critical role in enhancing the piano’s overall power, sustain, and tonal clarity. Mason & Hamlin takes this design further by employing a full-perimeter plate, which distributes string tension evenly across the entire structure, ensuring stability and consistent resonance. In addition, the use of aliquots—carefully positioned sympathetic string segments—encourages rich, layered vibrations that enhance the harmonic complexity of every note. This combination of structural engineering and acoustic design allows Mason & Hamlin pianos to produce sustained, vibrant tones with depth, projection, and clarity that respond beautifully to the pianist’s touch.

The Piano Action

Producing a rich, resonant sound in a piano depends on the seamless transfer of energy from pianist to instrument. Our precisely engineered composite action provides a responsive, sensitive touch, allowing you to fully express the piano’s dynamic range.

The Hammers

Crafted from long, high-quality Merino wool fibers, our WNG hammers respond exquisitely to precise adjustments such as filing, needling, and light voicing. Designed to support a broad tonal range from bright to mellow they offer a rich, dynamic palette with exceptional color and control.